Aah, December. The crops are in—at least all you're going to get this fall. Your mind is on things you need to get done before the weather gets bad. The haying equipment, chopper and combine are ready to be packed away in the shed till next season. Before you forget about this season though, think about the condition of your machinery and the things you fixed just enough to get by—or the things you intended to fix but just forgot or didn't have time.

What about that frayed hydraulic hose you meant to change all summer, or that faded SMV emblem you thought might make it just one more season? Now is the time to be sure everything is in good condition. Items needing attention are fresh on your mind now, and even though you are busy, chances are you will be even busier next season when you are getting the machines out of storage to use.

Post-season maintenance can take a lot of pressure off next season when you need the machine ready to go "yesterday." Think how annoyed you will be next May when a belt breaks on your mower-conditioner the first time around a nice stand of hay. Wouldn't it be better to replace that worn belt now so you won't have trouble with it when you need it most? Before a long period of storage is the best time to change the grease in the gearboxes (check your owner's manual). Draining the old grease will eliminate water and other contaminants to reduce rust, and new grease will protect your investment the first time you use it next season. These repairs and maintenance can save you a lot of time, money and aggravation.

Consider these maintenance items that could save your life as well.

• Stick a new SMV emblem over the old faded ones so motorists can see you better on the road. It's cheaper than defending yourself in a lawsuit if a car runs into your unmarked equipment.
• Check out the new ASAE standards for marking farm equipment and apply the reflective markers that outline the extremities of your equipment.
• Repair any lights that are not working on your tractor, combine or drawn equipment. Replacing a lens, a bulb, or splicing a broken wire are simple and inexpensive ways to save a life. Consider upgrading older equipment with a new add-on kit including taillights, signal lights and warning flashers. You don't even need a 7-pin connector to operate these now, and motorists seem to give more respect to machines with automotive-type lighting.
• Check all guards and shields for proper function and replace any that are bent, broken or missing. Lubricate PTO spinner shields according to the owner's manual so they will telescope and spin freely. Put the PTO Master Shield back on the tractor so it will be there to protect you when you need it.
• Starting a tractor while standing on the ground kills a farmer nearly every year. Be sure all your tractors have a bypass-start prevention device in place on the starter. See your dealer if they don't—the kit is often free.
• Order a ROPS kit for your older tractors that don't have them. When your tractor is in the shop for off-season maintenance is the best time to install a ROPS and seat belt. The major tractor companies sell these at cost for tractors made as far back as the mid 60's in most cases. (Tractor roll-over is the number one killer of farmers—without a ROPS you have a 20% chance of survival; with a ROPS and fastened seat belt you have better than a 99% chance of walking away.)
• Install a fire extinguisher on your tractors and combine. A first aid kit is a good—and inexpensive—idea too. Consider providing a means for two-way communication (a cell phone, CB, or business radio) so you can call for assistance from the field if needed.