Solis 20 & 26 storage & parking for the upcoming year (MVL3E/MVS3L2)

Solis 20 & 26 storage and seasonal maintenance

Is your Solis 20 or Solis 26 going into winter storage or a longer period without use? With the right storage procedure you prevent starting problems, rust and damage to the fuel and cooling system. Below is the procedure from the manual, plus tips for seasonal maintenance.

Suitable for the entire series: Solis 20, Solis 20XL, Solis 26, Solis 26XL and Solis 26HST.

Solis 20 & 26 storage: step by step

Follow these steps when the tractor will be standing still for an extended period:

1. Park the tractor in a dry, covered and well-ventilated space.
2. Clean the tractor thoroughly, especially the bodywork and engine compartment.
3. Grease all grease nipples.
4. Remove the injectors, spray a little engine oil into the cylinders, turn the engine over by hand and reinstall the injectors.
5. Protect painted parts with silicone wax and unprotected metal with a preservative.
6. Set all controls to neutral (including the electrical switches and the parking brake) and remove the ignition key.
7. Fill the fuel tank with fresh diesel to the maximum to prevent condensation and rust in the tank.
8. Remove the battery, clean it, coat the terminals with petroleum jelly and store it in a ventilated place above 10°C, out of direct sunlight. Check the charge with a voltmeter and recharge if necessary.
9. Place the axles on axle stands so the weight is off the tires; either let the tires deflate slightly or periodically check the tire pressure.
10. Cover the tractor with a breathable tarp (not plastic or a waterproof sheet).

For frost-prone storage: drain the coolant or ensure there's sufficient antifreeze in the system.

Bringing the Solis 20 & 26 back into use

At the end of the storage period, start the engine again following the normal (cold) start procedure. Check the following: oil level, coolant, fuel (bleed if necessary), tire pressure and the operation of the brake and clutch. Let the engine warm up gently before doing any load-bearing work.

Solis 20 & 26 seasonal maintenance

Setting a fixed moment each season to check the tractor prevents surprises. Think of:

• Before the mowing season: change the engine oil + filters, clean/replace the air filter, check V-belt tension and coolant.
• Before winter: check antifreeze, inspect the battery, fill the fuel tank, apply preservative.
• Periodically: front axle differential oil according to schedule, clean the hydraulic strainer, retighten bolts, grease the grease nipples.

You'll find the full intervals in the maintenance schedule.

Solis 26 tire pressure

For the Solis 20, the manual does not specify a fixed tire pressure; follow the marking on the tire or the advice of your dealer. The values above apply to the Solis 26.