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Around the world, farmers are talking about how rising equipment costs are adding to the pressure they are already feeling, working in an industry so transformed by globalisation.

In Germany, a farmer will tell you how two harvesters now cost what five did, back in the nineties. In America, another discusses the challenge of still paying off tractors years after buying them. Equipment upgrades requiring expensive new parts are frustrating other farm managers.

And yet, Shell Lubricants’ latest global research shows nearly half of all farmers do not prioritise maintaining and protecting the equipment they currently have. It is only when equipment breaks down that they realise the effect on their operation. As a result, eight out of ten farmers are forced to spend hard-earned money repairing broken and unreliable machines.

Farming is a capital-intensive business. Aside from the cost of the land, buying workhorse vehicles like tractors or harvesters can be hugely impactful. For static machinery on dairy or wheat farms, or custom-made equipment, the required investment can be even higher.

Keeping up with constantly changing regulations, new technology, extreme weather, and rising energy costs make turning a profit even more difficult. Farmers are rarely cash-rich, and some are diversifying into niche markets or sharing equipment with new Uber-like models.

In this environment, valuable assets must perform well for as long as possible. If a large four-wheel-drive tractor and cab costs over R2 million to buy and is used for 600 to 1 000 hours a year, it needs to last 25 years to earn its keep. On top of that, it needs to remain in peak condition to handle the long, gruelling days out in the fields. When it comes to equipment that is used more frequently, and static machinery that runs daily, maintenance is even more crucial. In short, farmers need agricultural machinery that runs effectively and efficiently on any terrain, come rain or shine. Longevity is critical, as is availability.

How can farm owners and managers get the best possible performance out of their machines?

The answer is high-quality planned maintenance and lubricants that keep equipment in peak operating condition. The right combination of these factors can significantly reduce wear-and-tear and prevent corrosion, which in turn can save a farm from a broken-down vehicle and lost time and money.

An effective oil condition monitoring programme can increase the intervals between oil changes, which means bigger savings and higher financial returns. For one farm, that saving has amounted to over R250 000 a year. Shell’s new industry report, Powering Peak Performance in Agriculture, shows nearly 80 per cent of farmers believe effective maintenance can lead to cost savings. And yet 86 per cent have experienced equipment breakdowns in the past three years. The issue is that more than half do not realise lubrication is a major part of the solution. Many farm managers simply do not have the time to deal with maintenance issues or to keep up with the latest technology and trends. The majority say they would welcome extra training and support from a trusted, external partner.

Farmers need the right support and partnerships to help them bridge this knowledge gap and provide the necessary support to ensure that their equipment works as hard as they do. On top of providing superior lubricants, transmission oils and greases, which optimise fuel efficiency and keep agricultural machines running longer, a valuable partner should have longstanding expertise in the agriculture sector, as well as a deep understanding of the trends likely to impact farmers’ businesses.

At Shell Lubricants we know what matters to farmers and invest in training resources designed especially for maintenance teams, such as Shell LubeAdvisor, LubeAnalyst and LubeCoach. These help our customers keep equipment ready for when it is needed and includes product consolidation and ways to better handle, dispense and dispose of lubricants and greases. This comprehensive approach enhances every aspect of the farm’s machinery maintenance process, helping farmers succeed.

As a global partner, we also have the international expertise needed to cut costs and help explore new opportunities, helping farms stay competitive and giving their owners the freedom to innovate. For a Russian farmer that may mean cutting down the number of tractors using smart technology. For a farmer in Mexico, it could mean the exact opposite: extra money to shop around for new, more efficient machines. Whatever their goals, farmers who have worked with Shell Lubricants have saved close to R30 million in recent years. Now that is a conversation worth having.