Farm Equipment Maintenance Checklist
Reading Time: 5 minutes
by Jenny Underwood
Follow this farm equipment maintenance checklist for small engines, tillers, lawnmowers, wood splitters, and chainsaws for some of the most common things you’ll need to do to keep your equipment in tip-top shape.
I saw a sign one day that read “There’s life, there’s death, in-between there’s maintenance.” And while that might not sound too cheerful, it’s definitely a fact that maintenance is an important part of life. This especially applies when you have equipment! Maintenance may seem like a pain but, honestly, it adds so many years of service to your equipment and helps prevent unnecessary breakdowns. While it’s possible to hire someone to maintain your equipment, it’s often a necessity in this lifestyle to learn to do as many things yourself as you can.
If you aren’t sure how to do certain things, then it’s wise to look up DIY videos or purchase manuals for your particular model. Some things are best learned hands-on, so if you have a friend or someone in the community who’s a pro at that kind of thing, offer to help and watch them, or have them walk you through the project.
Everything requires maintenance at some point, and one consideration when you purchase equipment should be how much it’ll require and how expensive it’ll be to do. If an item’s maintenance is prohibitively expensive or overly complicated, it would be wise to research other options. Also, some brands have replacement parts that are difficult to find. Avoid these if possible. Buy the best quality parts you can afford and remember to get the correct part for the job. It’s a waste of time trying to cobble something together. Some of the most common things you’ll need to do are oil changes, cleaning, carburetor cleaning, repair or replacement, blade sharpening, new tires, greasing, and winterizing.
It’s a good idea to have a notebook with each piece of equipment listed and any parts that can be replaced, with the part number. Set up times for regular maintenance and add them to your calendar. If there are parts that’re prone to wearing out (such as belts, chains, etc.), have extras on hand to help prevent unnecessary trips. Check your equipment regularly and before you use it. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting started on a job only to realize you needed to sharpen your blade first!
To do equipment maintenance properly, you’ll need some tools, such as a set of wrenches, funnels, waste containers, sharpeners, specialized files (for chainsaws), and grease guns. You’ll also need a way to properly dispose of any waste oil or fuel. Wear eye protection and disposable gloves when changing any fluids. Always change your fluids when the equipment is cooled and turned off. Never attempt to do any maintenance while it’s running! Store your equipment after it’s clean and dry. Check and replace or fill all gearboxes.
Some pieces of equipment should be serviced after a certain number of hours, and some should be serviced at the beginning or end of seasons. For example, a lawnmower may need the oil changed and filters replaced every certain number of hours used, but a rarely used woodchipper might just need to have fuel stabilizer added every fall and the system drained and fresh fuel added each spring. Run quality fuel and oil in all your equipment. My husband will only use ethanol-free gas, to help prevent the carburetor from gumming up. If your equipment requires mixed fuel, be sure to mark your fuel containers with the appropriate labels, as you can ruin an engine by running the wrong fuel in it.
All equipment without a sealed bearing will need a check to ensure that these are greased and packed well before operating. These might include disc hubs and trailer hub bearings.
- Small engines can require carburetor cleaning and fuel stabilizer added in the late fall.
- Tillers need tine cleaning and sharpening and the underside of the tiller regularly cleaned of dirt or vegetation. It always pays to keep equipment under a protective cover; so if you don’t have a building to put them in, at least cover with a tarp.
- Lawnmowers will need blades cleaned, sharpened, and periodically replaced, fuel filters regularly changed, tires kept properly inflated, and belts replaced. To sharpen your blades, remove them from the lawnmower and use a grinder or file to sharpen them. If they’re too worn, you’ll need to replace them with new ones. We replace ours every couple of years.
- Wood splitters need hydraulic fluid, hydraulic hoses checked (and rarely replaced), carburetor maintenance, and tires kept in good shape.
- Chainsaws require sharpening with specialized files to maintain optimal cutting. This is a more skilled job, so have a knowledgeable person teach you, or practice on old chains before attempting this on your good chain.
To change the oil in your equipment, gather the new oil (check your manual for the required amount and specific weight), a new oil filter, a funnel, and a container to drain the old oil in. Drain the old oil, change the filter, add new oil, and pour the old oil back into the new jugs. Dispose of this used oil in a safe manner, do not pour it out!
Homestead and farm equipment can be an expensive investment. Keeping it clean and maintained will help add years of service and make your work around the homestead much more enjoyable and productive.
Jenny Underwood is a homeschooling mama to four lively blessings. She makes her home in the rural foothills of the Ozark Mountains with her husband of 20 years. You can find her reading a good book, drinking coffee, and gardening on their little fifth-generation homestead. She blogs at www.inconvenientfamily.com.
Originally published in the September/October 2025 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
