With the harsh temperatures winter in Saskatchewan throws at us, we thought now would be the perfect time to share some cold weather operating tips for your equipment. No matter which Young’s Equipment location you live closest to, you’re blessed with cold and snowy weather that is hard on your machines. The following five tips will help keep your machines running at top performance when the mercury retreats into that little bulb at the bottom of the thermometer.

• Allow time for machines to warm up – Cold weather is hard on everything, including your equipment. Hoses, wires, hydraulics and more can become stressed or even brittle. Be sure to allow enough time for your machines to come up to operating temperature before heavy operation. Batteries need to be kept fully charged and warm. If possible, keep equipment inside; otherwise, park it in an area that is protected from the harsh winter wind.
• Maintenance checks are vital – Regular maintenance helps you minimize your machine’s downtime and increases your operator’s safety. If anything, these checks are more important in the cold weather, even as human nature makes them more likely to be skipped. Consider taking advantage of Young’s Equipment Winter Inspection and Maintenance programs.
• Switch to synthetic hydraulic/transmission oil – With CaseIH Hy-Tran you’re already using the finest hydraulic fluid on the market that enhances your equipment’s brake and clutch capabilities while helping reduce final drive wear, clutch slippage and brake chatter. Hy-Tran Ultraction is designed to work in an ambient temperature range of -30C to +50C. Consider switching to Hy-Tran SSL once the cold hits, this synthetic blend oil provides all the advantages of Hy-Tran you already value, plus it is designed to work optimally all the way down to -40C. Hy-Tran SSL is an all-season oil that does not need to be drained for operation in warm or hot temperatures.

• Prepare for snow operation – First, make sure machine operators are properly dressed for the cold, even if the machine has a cab or some protection from the elements. They should avoid loose clothing that can catch on controls – a very real hazard. Operators should also be properly trained for snow and icy conditions. This can help prevent errors like excessive down pressure, which can cause damage and is hazardous to the operator and others. Flashing lights, warning sirens and other features should all be in operating order to improve visibility. Defrosters should be checked to keep windows and doors clear so the driver’s visibility is not impaired.
• Rest – Schedule breaks for yourself and your team, as the cold weather can drain energy. Tired drivers are extremely dangerous, so ensure everyone is well-rested and capable of full concentration.

In case you have further questions about winter operation, the Winter Inspections program or Hy-Tran SSL, the Parts and Service staff in all our locations will be happy to answer them for you. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Introducing the Young's Value & Premier Inspection Levels

At Young’s Equipment we’re all about going the extra mile for you, about getting you going out in the field every day and making sure your operation runs as smooth and uninterrupted as possible. Inspecting and protecting your equipment is a vital part of what we do, and every year around this time we go to great lengths to offer you the highest value and top professional service that will make sure your machines are ready to go for the next growing season. This year we are offering a new Young’s Value Inspection in addition to our long standing Premier Inspection. The following chart will show you what benefits the different inspection levels offer you.

But that’s not all, we would like to invite you to benefit from our 30th Anniversary Specials (10% parts gift cards and reduced labour rate for oil filter maintenance), the Young’s Equipment Loyalty Program and free header inspections as well. And please don’t miss out on your chance to win the use of a Case IH self-propelled sprayer for one day!

You’ll find pricing for all our inspection levels in the attached flyer. It pays out to book early, we’re holding our price until December 1st.

If you haven't done so already, give us a call so we can go over all the details and answer any questions you may have. Our Service Advisers and Service Managers are available for you and are happy to answer all your questions.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Take care of your sprayer now,
and it will be ready to go next spring. 

Timely application during those tight spray windows every year is a big reason to own your own spray equipment, and once it’s time to go next spring you want your sprayer to be ready to go. Before you tuck your piece of equipment away for the winter, some maintenance will serve you well. We suggest to not delay winterizing your sprayer in order to avoid potentially high costs and frustration about time consuming repairs next spring. The right maintenance now will protect your sprayer from damage caused by the freezing temperatures during late fall and winter to help improve its longevity and resale value.

Here are our tips and recommendations for long-term storage of your sprayer:

• Clean and wash the entire sprayer to remove dirt, debris, oil, grease, chemicals and fertilizer. Once tanks have been cleaned, nozzles, screens and filters should be removed and cleaned separately in a bucket containing water and the recommended cleaning agent.
• Always remember to read the product specimen label for the last product or chemical used and adhere to personal protective equipment requirements when cleaning.
• Touch up any chips, scratches and rusted areas with the appropriate protective paint to reduce corrosion.
• Lubricate exposed areas, such as hydraulic cylinder rods, to minimize corrosion.
• Fill the fuel tank and add a conditioner. The conditioner will stabilize the fuel for extended storage periods, and a full tank minimizes condensation. Also, drain the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank, if applicable.
• Change engine oil and other lubricants. Follow the operator’s manual guidelines for appropriate fluid and filter changes.
• Clean the product system flow meter.
• Remove spray tips and nozzle bodies from the nozzle body assemblies and store separately. Maintaining the sprayer’s nozzle is imperative to achieving the best spray performance, and the cost to do so is nominal compared with the cost of chemical used. Spray nozzle tips can wear over time, with dry chemicals in suspension causing higher rates of wear than liquid chemicals. That’s why it’s important to check the nozzle flow rates, look for potential problems and confirm the accuracy of the sprayer. After you have rinsed and cleaned your sprayer, look for mismatched and worn nozzles and damaged nozzle screens. Replace nozzles if needed and make sure to remove nozzle tips and nozzle bodies from the nozzle body assemblies. Check spray tips for wear and replace as necessary.
• Winterize the product system plumbing. Thoroughly flush the entire system, including fence row nozzles and foam marker systems, if equipped. Run Young’s Equipment Sprayer Antifreeze through the system (1 litre per foot boom length) to eliminate the possibility of freezing. Do not use liquid fertilizer, which can cause corrosion.
• Charge batteries and then remove and store them in a safe area.
• Remove rate controllers and electronic displays. Cold weather storage can cause issues with display screens.
• Properly inflate tires and check on them occasionally through the winter. A tire left flat for an extended period can be ruined.

If you need parts, fluids or filters to get this important task done, give your local Young’s Equipment branch a call. We stock everything to get you going.

If you prefer to leave these essential tasks to the experts, now is the right time to do it! Winterization is a vital part of the Young’s Equipment Winter Inspections program, you’ll find the benefits and pricing between our two inspection levels outlined in the tables below and in the flyer attached to this email.

No matter how you choose to approach sprayer winterization, it’s important that you do it before bone-chilling temperatures settle in. Remember: If you take care of your application equipment, it will help you take care of your crops season after season.