Here Are Some Tips On How You Can Resurrect Your Flooded Farm Machinery

With cyclone Sitrang hitting Assam, heavy rainfall and storm are leaving the people, houses, and farm fields all submerged. Until now, as per the officials, cyclone Sitrang has damaged almost 325.501 hectares of crops and where there is a crop there is farm machinery. With this concern of damaged farm machinery because of exceeded water, we have come forward with solutions to salvage your flooded farm machinery after the floods.

In this Tractor News article, we are suggesting how you can assess the damage and potential problems in your tractors and other farm machinery after a heavy flood. Read the full article to get all the tips on how you can salvage your tractor and farm machinery afterward.

Even if you are fully insured for replacement cost, there may be some benefit to following the steps outlined here if the machine can be saved with a little effort. If your operation only has a limited amount of coverage, it may be in your best interest to resurrect what you can and use the funds to replace the other equipment that is beyond repair.

WORSE AFTER WATER REACHED TO MECHANICAL PARTS

The majority of damage to mechanical parts exposed to water occurs after the flooding has subsided. As they dry, engines, transmissions, and hydraulic systems degrade and rust. The slow evaporation of water introduces oxygen, which causes rust, corrosion, and pitting. This attack on close-tolerance components is what destroys them, whereas complete submersion causes minor damage. Allowing parts to air dry almost always results in the death of the vehicle.

As a result, it is critical to extract as much moisture as possible from systems using compressed air and, if applicable and access is available, products such as penetrating oils, which are also water dispersants.

If at all possible, try to determine the water level. It is extremely unlikely that it entered the engine, transmission, or any of the sensitive electronics on larger machinery. Most driveline systems are extremely well sealed, allowing only a small amount of water infiltration through a vent line or dipstick tube.

If the unit allows it, open the case and place uncooked white rice on the circuit board in a sealed plastic bag. The rice will act as a desiccant, sucking moisture out of the circuits.

DO NOT TURN ON THE ENGINE

When it comes to any engine, the most important thing to remember is to never try to start it without first inspecting the crankcase, induction, and fuel systems for water ingestion. You don't want to disturb the water in the engine by starting it immediately. The possibility of hydro-locking the crankshaft, as well as bending a connecting rod, is high. Many engines would have survived a flood if the ignition key had never been turned on.

Check for water by pulling the dipstick. Drain the engine oil even if this is inconclusive. If everything appears to be in order, proceed to the induction path. Keep in mind that when the engine was turned off, some cylinders had both intake and exhaust valves open. This allowed water to enter the engine.

When starting a gasoline engine, remove all spark plugs and turn the crankshaft by hand. Complete at least four crankshaft revolutions. Keep an eye out for any water coming out of the cylinders and a smooth-turning crankshaft. Even if it got wet, the smooth rotation is a good sign.

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CLEANING THE OUTSIDE

Wash or clean the equipment's exterior thoroughly. It is critical to remove as much dirt and debris as possible from the equipment. Dirt that adheres to equipment traps moisture and promotes corrosion. If the floodwater was contaminated with waste, you may want to clean the equipment with a disinfectant. Although bacteria and other pathogens will not harm equipment, workers may be exposed to dangerous bacteria while performing repairs.

LOOK INSIDE WITH A BORESCOPE

A borescope camera is an excellent tool for inspecting cylinder walls and other internal parts for water damage. Keep in mind that farm equipment and vehicles have numerous subsystems that can malfunction, including the HVAC, instrument panel, lights, power windows, charging circuit, and so on. Even if the engine is running, the machine may still be unreliable.

Only you can decide what should be saved based on your farm's situation. Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately predict the reliability of any machine or engine based solely on how it initially responds.

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