Shops
Use these seven tips to improve both the quality and appearance of your welds.
O-ring types and chemistries are not interchangeable. Modern machinery requires ones designed for specific uses. Here’s what you should use for agricultural fluid fittings.
Anti-seize compound is a mysterious necessity in farm shops. We know we need it for special situations but aren’t exactly sure what those situations are. Here are some facts.
Here are five specialty tools that — for a small investment — can save you time in the shop.
Vise-Grips vs. locking pliers and Channellock vs. pliers with adjustable jaws, here’s a history lesson behind a couple legendary hand tools likely found on your farm.
Is a chromed wrench with a mirror finish stronger than a satin-finish wrench? Is it necessary to have both chrome and impact sockets? Is there any benefit to a dead-blow hammer? Those are good questions that deserve answers.
Cutting metal flashing or sheet metal with tin snips need not be a bloody job, nor leave ragged, warped metal edges. A pair of leather gloves prevents bloodshed, and using the right tin snip for the job can produce smooth, accurate cuts.
Many dealerships offer annual inspections of tractors, combines, planters and other big-ticket machinery. Some farmers value annual inspections. Others consider them a waste of money. Here’s a mechanic’s experience and opinion.
Farm Journal got a behind-the-scenes look at AgRevolution’s newest outlet in Urbana, Ohio, before the store’s Nov. 1 grand opening.
If “portable heater” brings to mind an ancient kerosene-fueled torpedo heater belching flame and acrid smoke, there’s good news. Modern portable heaters offer clean, efficient options for heating work areas on even the coldest days.
Whether you’re building or remodeling a farm shop, here’s what you need to know about fiberglass, open-cell spray foam, closed-cell spray foam and hybrid insulation options.
For all of you who have a multimeter thrown in a drawer or toolbox but don’t know how to use it, these instructions will help in your search for missing voltage.
What’s the first thing a person does when they walk into a farm shop? Turn on the lights. Here are considerations when designing and selecting lighting systems to ensure the brightest, most economical results.
There’s no doubt static electricity can build up on combines. Here’s what research says about its ability to actually ignite a blaze.
At a minimum, notify your insurance company as soon as possible when damage occurs to your combine, even if repairs aren’t made at that time. Some insurance companies now require reports within 30 days of when the damage occurred.
Repairs to combines and harvest equipment are faster and easier with the right tools.
Farm Journal’s resident farm mechanic and columnist Dan Anderson shares his simple advice for dealing with heavy clay soils and weed clogged combines.
Overhead, bi-fold or hydraulic — selecting the right door (or doors) for your farm shop requires forethought and planning. Consider these 11 attributes of the three common types of doors.
The first steps when building a farm shop are site selection and site preparation. Here are the necessary considerations, a few of which are sometimes overlooked.
A smooth, durable concrete floor is literally the foundation of a farm shop. Here are 12 considerations to achieve a shop floor you can live with for a long time.
Deciding how big and what structure type to use when building a farm shop involves decisions that echo for years to come. From ceiling clearance to door options, contractors offer tips to minimize second-guessing.
A sizable inventory of shop and hand tools is nice, but innovation can accomplish most jobs.
Oil and fluid testing answers both short- and long-term questions about the internal condition of engines, transmissions and hydraulic systems.
Water alone will cool engines, but “coolant” improves cooling system performance.
Don’t pull the radiator until you’ve replaced the radiator cap.
Replacing worn closing wheel frame bushings on planters is a recurring expense and chore. The kits work well, and they aren’t hard to install.
7 ways to make an acetylene torch slice rather than mangle metal.