Tractor maintenance: checklist and recommended lubricants

Pubblicato il: 01 July 2025

Why is agricultural machinery maintenance during the summer season so important?

At the onset of summer, agricultural equipment enters the most intense and critical working period of the year. High temperatures extended operating hours and dusty environmental conditions put machine reliability to the test. For this reason, thorough maintenance before and during summer is essential, not only to prevent unexpected breakdowns but also to ensure consistent performance, reduce fuel and oil consumption and extend the service life of the equipment. We have been working closely with professionals in the agricultural sector for years and understand the challenges that arise during this season. That’s why we’ve compiled an essential checklist and some practical recommendations on the most suitable lubricants for tractors in the summer.

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Summer checklist: what to check before fieldwork

  1. Engine: replace the engine oil and filter. For summer, we recommend motor oils with excellent thermal stability, specifically designed to perform under high load and temperature conditions, such as the Pakelo Golden Diesel series, suitable for both older and newer generation engines.
  2. Hydraulic system: inspect for leaks and check the oil level. Depending on the machinery, you may opt for multifunctional products suitable for transmissions, hydraulic systems and wet brakes, such as the Pakelo UTTO, Pakelo Raisol Oil and Pakelo Hydraulic EP lines.
  3. Cooling system: clean the radiator's external surface from dust and debris using compressed air or low-pressure water. Also, check for internal blockages or deposits. Recommended coolants for agricultural uses include Pakelo Blue Coolant, Orange Coolant and Red Coolant.
  4. Transmissions and differentials: ensure the oil is in good condition and free from contaminants like water. In this case, we suggest Pakelo UTTO line and Pakelo Stou Fluid, multifunctional lubricants engineered to meet the high-performance demands of intensive field conditions.
  5. Final Drives: check the oil condition and ensure no water contamination. Use gear oils designed for heavily loaded gear systems and severe operating conditions, such as the Pakelo Gear Oil series.
  6. Joints and couplings: apply high-performance grease regularly. Pakelo Contact Grease EP and Pakelo Bearing EP Grease are reliable choices even under high mechanical loads and challenging environmental conditions.
  7. Battery and electrical system: inspect terminals, charge status and circuit integrity.
  8. Tyres: check for proper inflation and tread wear.

What to look for in tractor lubricants

To handle the summer heat efficiently, choose lubricants that are:

  • Thermally stable, to maintain consistent performance during prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
  • Formulated with anti-wear and EP (Extreme Pressure) additives, for enhanced protection of continuously moving parts.
  • Resistant to water and dust contamination, especially for exposed components like joints and pins.
  • High in viscosity index, to ensure optimal lubrication across a wide temperature range.

Lubricating oils and greases developed for tractors and agricultural equipment are formulated with these targets in mind, complying with OEM specifications and tailored to real-world working conditions.

Relying on expertise makes a difference

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Basic maintenance tasks, such as oil changes or greasing, can often be performed independently. However, for more complex procedures like oil analysis or servicing integrated hydraulic systems, it is advisable to consult a professional technician. Pakelo’s official dealers can assist you in selecting the most suitable lubricant for your agricultural fleet. Alternatively, you can use our Find Your Oil tool, which helps you identify the most suitable lubricants for your agricultural equipment, as well as for earth-moving machinery, automotive, motorcycles and heavy-duty on and off road.

Moreover, Pakelo Lab offers in-service oil analysis services to help prevent internal machinery failures. Specifically, our lab provides:

  • Diagnostic testing with a problem-solving approach.
  • In-depth interpretation of analysis results to identify potential areas for improvement.
  • Predictive monitoring of components to prevent failures due to wear or malfunction,

as predictive oil analysis represents a strategic, highly effective tool to assess the actual condition of mechanical components, optimize maintenance planning, extend component lifespan, fine-tune oil change intervals and minimize costly downtime, ultimately increasing operational efficiency and delivering measurable cost savings.


In conclusion, carrying out maintenance before the summer season is not a waste of time, it’s a smart investment that helps you work better, longer and more safely. With a simple checklist and high-quality products like those developed by Pakelo, you can protect your machinery and face the summer season with greater confidence.

Need tailored advice? Contact us to find the right product for your tractor and agricultural fleet or download our agricultural lubrication catalogue.

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