A tractor is only as good as its driver, but there are a few equipment failures that can make your driving harder than it needs to be. As you look through your tractor for a problem, consider a few failure points that can lead to uneven rows, lopsided beds and jagged trenches before buying every other replacement attachment on the market.

Tire Alignment And Clogging

Tractors have a really dirty job, and it's not rare for the axles and turning joints to get clogged while on duty. If you're having trouble turning or even staying in a relatively straight line, you'll need to consider how caked up or damaged the turning system could be.

Especially in older tractors, the connecting joints can rust over if not removed and maintained accurately. As time passes, the buildup of different types of soil and moisture can easily rust joints that aren't commonly oiled, leading to cracking and breaking of brittle metal supports.

If you've got a lot of rust coming off when you turn, it's time to replace a few parts. Don't try to upgrade too much of the machine; replace specific parts with the most identical part, preferably by contacting the manufacturer. After contacting the manufacturer and getting an opinion, it'll be easier to find the right part at a farm supply shop.

Plow, Disc And Trenching Damage

A lot of farmers in rocky areas know all about hitting their pull-behind plow or disc harrow against a rock hidden by soil. Unearthing old, big rocks are common, but after a while you can start to see the toll it has on your equipment even if they don't immediately break.

Especially with discs you can knock the equipment out of alignment so hard that the entire rig begins to pull or dig in a bad direction. This can lead to uneven rows or flattened land as warped discs drag across the soil. 

If you're lucky, you can simply remove the disc and its attachment. It's not difficult to mount a new disc, but make sure to check the mount for damage. If the disc hits a rock or other obstacle hard enough, you may damage the mount itself. A damaged mount may be too loose for a disc to stay in place permanently.

If you need help with a special model tractor or an antique tractor for farm purposes, contact a tractor service professional such as someone from West Central Equipment LLC.