5 Problems With New Versatile Tractors (+ How To Fix Them!)
You wake up one day ready for your weekly mowing and realize that your tractor isn’t working as it is supposed to. Not only mowing tractors, but most tractors are prone to failure due to some common problem regardless of the brand.
I took my time this week to interview various new Versatile tractor owners to find out some of the most common problems they encounter on the field. Here is what I found out.
The most common problems that nearly every new Versatile tractor owner experiences include tractor blades going dull, the problem with fuel supply system, engine issues, trouble with the tires, and electrical issues. While some of these problems can get too complicated until you involve a technician, most of them can easily be prevented or resolved when they occur.
We’ll go through the causes of some of these problems and how to go about them. Just read on and learn.
Related Article: Are Versatile Tractors any Good? (Explained for Beginners)
What are Some of the Most Common Tractor Problems and How do you Solve Them?
1. Tire Trouble
Your new Versatile tractor tires probably have a lot of wear and tear. On the surface of your tractor tire, you may notice problems such as cracks, deflated tires, and uneven wear. These signs are more common especially when you are working with tough soil.
The common tire problems include stubble damage and dry rot. Stubble damage occurs when a crop stalk such as maize stalk which was left behind after crop collection pierces through the tires of the tractor. As a result, your tractor tires may lose air making them deflated.
If your Versatile tractor tires get exposed to too much sunlight or air or stay for a long time without being used, they will start losing elasticity and develop cracks. This is what we refer to as dry rot.
You can reduce stubble damage in several ways including:
- Avoid driving over frozen stubble in the winter
- Get stubble resistant tires
- Use a machine that specializes in stubble manipulation to crash or roll the stubbles
- Avoid the stubbles by driving between the rows
- Don’t run combined tire backward when stubbles are involved
You can prevent dry rot by storing your tractor properly after use. By this I mean you should store your tractor such that the tires are not exposed to too much sunlight and air. You should also make sure you don’t let it stay too long without being used.
But once these problems already occur, the best solution is to replace your tire.
2. Electrical Issues
How often do you use your tractor? If your tractor stays out there for a long time without being used chances are the battery can get drained. This is the most common problem with Versatile tractor batteries.
Another scenario is where you use your new Versatile tractor battery for a long time such that it reaches its lifespan. As a general rule of thumb, a battery in a riding homeowner lawn mower should last you around four years.
In these two cases, you will have to replace your Versatile tractor battery. Just make sure you purchase a battery with exact technical precision for replacement.
If the battery is not the issue, you will have to inspect posts and cables. Posts and cables are susceptible to wear and mineral deposit that can interfere with the tractor’s performance.
For mineral deposits, you will only clean the posts and cable to solve the problem. Afterward, you will have to be cleaning the post and the cable regularly to prevent further buildup.
If the electrical issue is complicated, you should involve a technician.
3. Engine Problems
There are several engine problems, but the most common one in Versatile tractor engines involves the spark plugs. The spark plug can become damaged or broken over time.
Some of the signs of a faulty plug include low fuel consumption, hard to start, and low performance. If you experience this issue with your new Versatile tractor engine, you will have to replace your engine plug.
To prevent this problem, you should replace your spark plug after every 100 hours of your machine operation. Your Versatile tractor user manual has all the instructions on how and when to change your engine plan.
Another common issue with a Versatile tractor engine is clogged carburetors. The carburetor part of the engine is responsible for precisely blending air and fuel for the engine. When the carburetor gets clogged, its ability to carry out this task is impaired and most commonly increases fuel consumption.
If detected early enough, it can’t do much damage to your vehicle. You can simply solve the problem by cleaning the carburetor. Cleaning the carburetor is not hard and you can do it even without removing it.
4. Dull Blade
Versatile tractors usually come with very sharp blades in perfect condition. A sharp blade will have the job done well. I always recommend sharpening your Versatile tractor blade more often.
The good news is, new Versatile tractor blades are very easy to sharpen, particularly average homeowner tractors. It is a project that you can do by yourself. For the larger Versatile tractors, you can involve a profession.
A dull blade will affect both the look of the lawn and the health of the grass. Instead of a dull lawnmower blade cutting the grass, it rips or tears resulting in a jagged edge.
With time, you may realize this problem is not resolved even when you sharpen your blade regularly. In such cases, you will have to replace your tractor blade. I always recommend replacing your tractor blade annually to be on the safer side.
5. Problem with the Fuel System
There are a number of issues that can interfere with the effective flow of fuel in your tractor fuel system. For instance, air can get trapped in your fuel system causing some ‘cracks’ interfering with the smooth flow of the fuel. Another common problem in very cold regions is fuel freezing in the fuel tank.
You can use a vacuum pump to remove the trapped air if you have one. For frozen fuel inside the fuel tank, you only need to add gallons of gasoline to the tank. The gasoline will warm the fuel in the tank and stop it from freezing.
Does Versatile Tractor Come with a Warranty?
Versatile maintains an extensive part supply for routine scheduled maintenance. For that reason, all their tractor models of 2019 backward come with 2 years comprehensive warranty. For 2020 tractor models, Versatile recently introduced a 3-year/3000-hours warranty coverage.
Most of the problems we have discussed are covered in these warranties. This is great news since you will not spend even when you involve a professional as long as the issue is covered in a warranty.
Conclusion
If your Versatile tractor encounters these problems more often, we are glad we got you covered. We have made managing the problems very simple. For complicated issues, you can visit a repair shop. I wish you a smooth and happy ride as you work in your field.