Winter Uses for Farm Equipment
When you think of farm equipment, you likely think of spring planting or fall harvesting, but many of these machines have several uses all year round. Our team at Upstate Equipment in Lockport, NY, has put together a list of great winter jobs that are perfect for your farm equipment!
Snow Removal
Potentially one of the best uses for your equipment in the winter is snow removal. With the use of a plow, rear blade or even a front-end loader, heavy snowfall or large areas that need cleared can be managed quickly with the power of your tractor.
Similarly, you can also utilize a snowblower attachment to speed up the daunting process and clear large paths with ease. Just remember to mark paths, spickets, and other important areas with markers if you anticipate large snowfalls. Using markers will make snow removal safer and more efficient when using your equipment!
The final implement you may be able to utilize is a salt spreader. If you have a lot of paths that get iced-over, using a tractor with this attachment can be safer than manually laying salt or using a vehicle that isn’t equipped to handle icy conditions.
Logging Your Land
If you have a wooded area on your property, the winter season can be a great time to perform routine clearing! Tractors are the perfect tool to assist in this process. They can help you haul harvested timber or transport equipment like log splitters.
Double check with your area to determine if you need a permit to fell trees and always determine what kind of maintenance is best for your property’s ecosystem.
Feeding Livestock
Your operation can be just as busy in the winter months, so utilizing a cab tractor for daily tasks can make your day more productive and comfortable. If you aren’t already using a tractor to feed your animals, this can be a great winter use for your equipment. You will spend less time defrosting and more time getting things done!
Complete Projects and Diversify Income
Whether or not winter is “off-season” for you, there are always projects to be done around your property. It may not be fun to work in colder weather, but the shorter days still leave room for a long to-do list. Utilize your equipment to expedite winter projects or explore new avenues for income.
For example, if you have a couple maple trees on your property that you usually leave alone, why not try your hand at making syrup? Put your tractor to work by helping you haul the collected buckets of sap.
Another option could be renting out equipment and labor to neighboring landowners who have their own projects to complete. This can be a great option to grow your income and network, especially if your workload is light for the season.
The winter months come with their own set of challenges, but utilizing farm equipment can truly help! We hope this list of winter uses will help you have a successful season. Upstate Equipment proudly offers equipment parts, service, rentals, and financing for the Buffalo and Amherst, NY, areas.