It’s no secret that keeping their machinery safe from the elements is a major concern for Australian farmers. It’s especially important to ensure your assets keep working efficiently and safely.
Protecting farming implements, agricultural tools and costly large-scale agri-machinery from rain, heat, wind, hail and snow ensures your farm operates smoothly no matter the climate. For this reason, Australian farmers looking for sheds for sale must factor in features such as all-weather protection and durability. What else can you do to keep your farming assets safe from unpredictable weather? Keep reading to find out!
5 Tips for Keeping Your Farm Equipment Safe
1. Provide Durable Shelter: Purpose-Built Farm Sheds
Providing shelter against extreme weather conditions is vital if you want to keep your farm equipment in good working order. Installing purpose-built farm sheds constructed with premium-quality steel materials is the best option if you want shelter that’s strong and durable.
Purpose-built machinery sheds are specifically designed to handle Australia’s unpredictable climate, keeping your farm equipment dry and safe in all seasons. Not only are they sturdy enough to withstand weather extremes but they protect your equipment from theft and vandalism as well.
2. Reduce Machinery Hazards: Regular Maintenance
Unconcealed wiring, rusty bodywork and damaged machinery parts turn your farm equipment into hazards, especially when regularly exposed to weather conditions such as rain, snow or hail:
- Exposed wiring increases the risk of electrocution for operators of tractors, harvesting machines and planting machinery.
- Rusting bodywork weakens the integrity of your farm equipment which only gets worse when exposed to damp conditions. This could result in costly repairs or worse, serious accidents while in use on the farm.
The solution? Regular maintenance ensures your machinery is kept in good nick and safe for farm work, even when the weather turns unpleasant.
3. Prevent Accidents: Secure Open Water Sources
It’s not unusual for farms to have large open water sources such as dams, lakes, ponds and. While all your farm workers should be fully aware of the location of these open water sources, it becomes harder to see them during heavy rains, snow or hail.
Furthermore, driving large agricultural machinery under these conditions makes it harder for operators to see their surroundings properly. Fencing dams, lakes, wells and water canals protect both heavy machinery operators and your farm equipment. No more accidentally driving into open water sources because someone misjudged their location or the terrain.
4. Improve Farming Productivity: Invest in Protective Coatings
Investing in protective industrial coating for all your farming tools and agricultural machinery extends their lifespan and protects them against extreme weather conditions. The industrial coating can be applied to equipment such as:
- Trailers
- Tractors
- Harvesters and balers
- Ploughs and tillers
- Backhoes and loaders
Protective coating makes your farming machinery weather resistant, prevents them from hail damage, provides waterproofing and offers rust protection. With additional protective coating plus regular maintenance, you can rely on your farm equipment to help improve productivity throughout the year.
5. Minimise Bushfire Damage: Maintain Fire Barriers
During the 2019/2020 summer season, bushfires cost the Australian agricultural industry up to $20 billion in damages. This included farm equipment, land, crops and livestock, impacting the country’s food sector on a large scale. Protecting against such colossal damage is vital for farmers if they want to stay in business.
Creating and maintaining fire barriers or firebreaks is an essential component of running a farm in areas exposed to large-scale bushfires. This means keeping areas around your farm sheds, other buildings, crops and livestock clear to reduce fuel load and fire intensity while making it easier to combat bushfires.
Quick Tips for Protecting Farm Tools from All Weather Conditions
While focusing on protecting your larger farm equipment is vital, it’s equally important to keep farming tools such as hoes, spades and rakes safe and maintained too. Here are some quick tips:
- Proper storage: Store all farm tools in weatherproof sheds. Hang up tools or place them on shelves and make sure the shed flooring is dry to prevent moisture damage to implements. Avoid leaving your farm tools outside in the open.
- Regular maintenance: Keeping the tools in good working order ensures they don’t malfunction when used under harsh weather conditions. Proper cleaning means no moisture that can exacerbate rusting.
- Be aware of your surroundings: When using tools during the rainy or snow season, avoid slipping on wet surfaces while handling implements by being extra careful. Of course you don’t want injury to yourself, but reducing general accidents will prevent damage to tools as well.
Protecting and maintaining your farm tools saves you from often having to pay for replacements. So, being smart about tool care is good for productivity now AND good for your budget in the long term.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your farm equipment safe from the impact of different weather conditions guarantees better productivity and revenue. Investing in quality sheds, maintenance and firebreaks protects your gear and your bottom line.
An unpredictable climate can be challenging but having the right approach keeps you farming successfully!