With the heat and lack of rain in the latter part of July, harvest timing is earlier than most anticipated. With that comes a scramble to prepare harvest equipment.
Some producers manage to get everything shipshape over the winter in a heated shop, but most of us have last-minute repairs and maintenance.
Here are a few of the things that bug me about equipment repair.
Mice. In addition to the mess and odour in the cab of a tractor or combine, these little buggers can really mess up wiring.
Cost. Equipment repairs often cost an arm and leg. The electric actuator that adjusts the concave clearance on my combine decided to quit working. The actuator with sensor was $1,900. I’m sure everyone has their own repair part horror stories.
Metric or imperial. You’d think a piece of equipment would be one or the other, but at least on my stuff, there seems to be a mix making it more difficult to grab the right wrenches for the job.
The unexpected. No matter how many parts you keep on-farm, you never seem to have everything you need without another trip to the dealership. Everything on a combine will eventually fail.
Now, a few hugs.
Generic parts suppliers. It’s great to have businesses to provide many common parts at a lower cost than dealerships.
Parts people. If you run older equipment, you’re likely on a first name basis with some or all of the parts staff at your local dealership. They should be thanked more often for their patience and expertise.
Drop-off boxes. It’s amazing how often you need a part, but you can’t pick it up within normal business hours. Dealers typically have a drop-off box and the part will be waiting when you get there even though the business is closed.
Battery operated. From impact wrenches to side grinders, good battery-powered equipment makes repairs easier and faster.
Out of necessity, I’ve gradually become a bit better at equipment repair, but it certainly isn’t my strong suit.
