Maintenance tips for a stress-free spring

Routine maintenance is the secret to a successful and efficient growing operation. From carts and tractors to substantial machinery and hot water pumps, here are some equipment maintenance tips from experts across the horticulture industry to help you prepare for the busy season. 

Mike Miller, general manager, Decker’s Nursery, Groveport, Ohio 

It’s important to be proactive, and we work hard to make sure our equipment is ready for the season rather than waiting until things break. But everything breaks when you start using it, so you must be willing to fix it and have good people who recognize when things break. Our guys do a good job and try not to overwork our equipment.  

Everything is very seasonal for us. In the spring, summer and fall, we use a lot of lawn tractors — Kubota tractors that we pull trailers around with. We also have skid steers and implements called trikes that move pots around, so those are heavily used during the growing season. 

We have a logbook that has the hours for all our tractors, from the biggest tractor to the smallest tractor, and everything gets recorded at least two times a year. Then if we need to do maintenance on it during the season, we do, but normally in February, everything gets taken out, washed, examined and gets ready for the March, April, May, June push with oil changes and things along those lines. 

If I have 20 tractors around here, and I expect my tractors to last 10 years, that means I need to replace two tractors every year. So, I should actually buy two tractors every year. If I have five trikes, and I think my trike is going to last 10 years, that means every two years, I need to buy at least one trike. We do this with a lot of our equipment and a lot of our systems, even PVC pipes. I’d rather buy it and have it than not have it when I need it. 

Ken Lain, president, Watters Garden Center, Prescott, Arizona 

At Watters Garden Center, we take pride in keeping our carts rolling smoothly for our customers and staff alike. Here’s how we do it. 

All carts undergo winter maintenance to ensure they’re in top shape for the busy spring season. The first task is wheel repair. We repair or replace any damaged wheels, ensuring smooth and effortless maneuverability. 

After that, we look at bearing and handle care. So, we lubricate bearings and tighten handles for optimal performance. 

But we also want the carts to look good, which means fresh paint. So, our carts receive a fresh coat of paint in our signature color, making them easy to spot in the garden center. 

Only after the maintenance and painting do we consider new cart replacements. Any carts beyond repair are replaced with brand new ones. 

We believe these efforts contribute to a positive experience for customers and staff, allowing them to focus on finding the perfect plants for their gardens. 

Travis Smith, project and technical manager, AdeptAg

For growers utilizing substantial machinery in their operations, effective maintenance is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, especially as the busy season approaches. One of the most impactful preventive maintenance practices applicable to all types of machinery is thorough and regular cleaning. By keeping equipment clean, you not only mitigate wear and tear caused by accumulated debris but also facilitate easier inspection of vital components.

We prioritize the creation of comprehensive inspection checklists tailored to each machine. These checklists serve as a valuable reporting tool to ensure that every critical component receives the attention it deserves, ultimately extending the lifespan of the machinery. Additionally, we recommend scheduling routine maintenance, addressing and replacing any worn parts promptly. By implementing these practices, growers can safeguard their equipment and ensure it is reliably ready when the workload increases.  

There are certain wear components that are prevalent across most machinery, and proactively maintaining these can significantly reduce the risk of downtime during full production. 

For instance, many of our soil filling machines rely on chain systems, particularly in elevator mechanisms that transfer soil from a hopper to pots or trays. To ensure these systems function optimally, it’s essential to regularly clean, tension and lubricate the chains. This routine maintenance not only extends the lifespan of these components but also enhances the overall efficiency of the equipment.

Scheduling downtime for routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning, inspections and lubrication is a fundamental aspect of ensuring the longevity and efficiency of production line machinery. These activities may seem minor, but they are absolutely critical to the smooth operation of any facility. Regular cleaning prevents the build-up of dust and debris, which can lead to equipment malfunctions or even safety hazards. Inspections help identify early signs of wear and tear, allowing for timely interventions before issues escalate into costly repairs or unexpected breakdowns. Proper lubrication minimizes friction, reducing wear on moving parts and extending the lifespan of machinery. 

By integrating these maintenance activities into a well-planned schedule, companies can reduce the risk of unplanned downtime, which can be both disruptive and expensive. This proactive approach not only keeps the production line running efficiently but also ensures that the equipment operates at optimal performance levels, leading to greater productivity and fewer costly emergency repairs.

Katie McDaniel is associate editor of Nursery Management magazine, and Emily Mills is digital editor of the GIE Media Horticulture Group. Contact them at kmcdaniel@gie.net and emills@gie.net.