I've farmed part time my whole life. Only have had one tractor I'd consider modern. I just love my old iron. Even though I have to pay to have it worked on, I'd rather pay my shade tree friend to work on the old stuff, than the dealer to work on the new. Am I literally the only person here not mechanically inclined? I wish I was, and sometimes I try. I usually have to haul it to my guy to put it back together. Just wondered if there were more like me.
- Thread starter Rodeo man
- Start date
dcarp
Well-known Member
- Location
- Schulenburg Texas
I have a neighbor like that. Nicest guy you could ever meet,
would have to be lucky to change a spark plug.
would have to be lucky to change a spark plug.
I'm not mechanically inclined, either. I just picked up an old CK, so I'm learning. Luckily, I have several shade tree mechanics to help me.
I have a basic set of wrenches and screwdrivers, but that's about it. And two hammers. If something is stuck, I hit it with the small hammer until I'm frustrated, then hit it with the big hammer. Then I call my friends.
Scott
You think that is bad. My dad had a friend who could change the plug, or stirp the threads, or snap or crack the porcelain, and wonder why things didn't run. If you went over to help him, he would bring out one wrench at a time, you removed the bolt.......and he put the wrench away. You would look at him and say you know there are three more bolts to take out. Then he would give you a blank look.
larry@stinescorner
Well-known Member
Im pretty bad at it myself!
I also fall short in the mechanicing world. I try, I have all the books, most of the tools and this is a great venue for getting help. But, I'm just no good at it. I swear my little tractor laughs at me sometimes, daring me to turn a screw.
Even worse, from your handle, you have rodeo to fall back on. I don't have that gene either.
Even worse, from your handle, you have rodeo to fall back on. I don't have that gene either.
Bruce from Can.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Woodville, Ontario, Canada
To me it is like this, I am 6 foot tall , and don't think
of myself as a tall fella, I have many friends just as
tall and others that are even taller.
Ya I can fix some things , but I can't fix every thing.
So I do what I can , and hire some one with a higher
skill level to fix the rest. I don't claim to be a
mechanic , never received any training in
mechanics , so why should I expect that I can take
apart complexe equipment. We are all different,
some can play music, some can only listen.
of myself as a tall fella, I have many friends just as
tall and others that are even taller.
Ya I can fix some things , but I can't fix every thing.
So I do what I can , and hire some one with a higher
skill level to fix the rest. I don't claim to be a
mechanic , never received any training in
mechanics , so why should I expect that I can take
apart complexe equipment. We are all different,
some can play music, some can only listen.
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
I can figure out "most" things, so long as it doesn't have to do with an engine. Never did quite get the hang of that part. Still, am learning a little here and there. Problem is, I don't use it enough to remember it!
i am relatively mechanically inclined, but not for everything, repairing or hot rodding a 69 chevell, is not the same as working on farm equipment although its similar, but, you have watched your friend enough to probably do some things yourself, and if you google the repair , example changing the waterpump on xxxxtractor, you will usualy find it either described in detail, or a u tube video of it being done you can watch, download the video to your computer this allows you to reference it a few frames at a time if needed, also make a deal with your friend where he supervises you, but you do the work, this builds confidence to take on projects that you normally would not attempt
i am relatively mechanically inclined, but not for everything, repairing or hot rodding a 69 chevell, is not the same as working on farm equipment although its similar, but, you have watched your friend enough to probably do some things yourself, and if you google the repair , example changing the waterpump on brand -tractor, you will usually find it either described in detail, or a u tube video of it being done you can watch, download the video to your computer this allows you to reference it a few frames at a time if needed, also make a deal with your friend where he supervises you, but you do the work, this builds confidence to take on projects that you normally would not attempt
I've always been kind of mechanically inclined, and not sure how I came by it- because my dad was pretty much hopeless at it. I remember he and I switching out engines between two old Chevvies when I was about 14, and I was the one giving the directions. And when I'd come home from college on vacations, he'd have a couple of rigs down and ask me to fix them. Once, he said "The Buick isn't charging, could you have a look at it?" I did have a look, and the belt was missing! Got a new belt, put it on, and told him "There was a problem with the fan belt- I put a new one on, and it seems to be working." He was a great guy, and I sure didn't want to bust his chops about it. He was about as good a carpenter as there ever was- I get by at it, but couldn't hold a candle.
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
I guess I am what you would call "mechanically inclined". Sometimes, I wish I wasn't. I even took a course in auto mechanics at the community college way back in about 1971. Sometimes it would just be easier if I knew nothing about any of it.
Super H Mike
Member
I am a mechanic by trade. I think it really comes down to developing good working techniques and staying organized and patient. Also, having the courage to jump in there and try stuff. However, if you cannot THINK mechanically, you may have trouble teaching yourself to do so. There is a huge difference between diagnosing what's wrong and changing the parts, the former being the hardest part. I have worked with guys over the years who couldn't change oil without screwing it up somehow, and I have worked with some brilliant mechanics .
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
There are those folks who can "see" what is inside, without actually being able to see inside. Sometimes that talent is because of experience, but sometimes, I think it is more of a gift.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
We all have our gifts.
Mine happened to be mechanical.
But when ya'll start talking about cattle, horses, pigs, fertilizer, weed killer, planting cycles, whatever else related to making something grow beside thistles and cactus, I'm lost as a ball in the tall weeds! LOL
Mine happened to be mechanical.
But when ya'll start talking about cattle, horses, pigs, fertilizer, weed killer, planting cycles, whatever else related to making something grow beside thistles and cactus, I'm lost as a ball in the tall weeds! LOL
Super H Mike
Member
That reminds me of the time I was hired by a "Street Rod " guy to change the water pump on his rod , but he insisted on me coming to his shop to do the work. He had all the tools alright, brand new in a new roller cabinet, checker board painted floor , signs and memorabilia covered walls, you can picture it. He pretty much looked over my shoulder the whole time , wiped every tool off while I was still working , fussed with the spills on the floor and everything. He knew all the lingo and parts but couldn't do it himself or didn't trust himself to do it correctly. I took it all in good humor and gave him an extra big bill which he paid without a whimper.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
I've been a jack of many trades all my life and have worked many different jobs so I could learn new things but work on engine come natural to me and I have never taken so much as one hour of any schooling to learn engines.
I do a lot of repairs for people on there old tractors now days and even lawn mowers etc just because I enjoy doing that type of stuff
I do a lot of repairs for people on there old tractors now days and even lawn mowers etc just because I enjoy doing that type of stuff
Ellis Kinney
Well-known Member
I have 3 Farmall M tractors that I took to the IH dealer in Shelbyville, Ky. to have the engines overhauled, new clutches, and new axle bearings. Had this
done in 07, 08, and 09 just before I retired from construction work. I am sure that other stuff will go wrong, but I feel more confident in them. Ellis
done in 07, 08, and 09 just before I retired from construction work. I am sure that other stuff will go wrong, but I feel more confident in them. Ellis
KEB in GCMS
Member
My grandfather was a good mechanic, a neighbor once told my dad that he thought my grandfather could crank an anvil if he wanted to. I was always helping him on everything from the '47 8N to the Detroit in the '68 GMC big truck. Pulled and replaced my first transmission when I was 10 or 11. Just always loved turning wrenches. Still would rather do it than my day job, and I usually have two or three projects around to work on in my spare time.
Pete in MD
Well-known Member
- Location
- Central Maryland
Scott,
If you can't fix it with a hammer then it's an electrical problem.
If you can't fix it with a hammer then it's an electrical problem.
Rusty, when I look at many model IH tractors, I can visualize most every part in them. That is not due to any inborn talent, it is strictly due to working on them and studying them for all these years. I worked at a Deere dealer for four years but when I look at them all I usually see is GREEN.
Billy Shafer
Well-known Member
I wish there were more like you. That would admit they didn't know what they were doing.I have spent many hours over the years. Putting things back
together. Just to find out what was wrong in the first place.
together. Just to find out what was wrong in the first place.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I've been thinking of making a large wedge shaped
piece of wood and selling it to those who are not
mechanically inclined. They could then stand of it
and say, I'm mechanically inclined.
My first motorcycle was a $25 basket case. I put it
together when I was 10. Sat on a mechanical incline
to do it.
piece of wood and selling it to those who are not
mechanically inclined. They could then stand of it
and say, I'm mechanically inclined.
My first motorcycle was a $25 basket case. I put it
together when I was 10. Sat on a mechanical incline
to do it.
Ron Muhlenkamp
Member
I find it's good to be handy, but a mistake to let SWMBO know.
Northvale PA
Member
Mom says when I was about 4 years old I tore down my grand dad's electric drill, part by part. She did not say if I got it back together. I am a
pretty good mechanic. Say B+. Never overhauled an engine but have done most other tasks and my JD balers tie knots very well. I specialize
in buying slightly distressed hay equipment and getting it to run like new. My next goal is to start welding. Never learned yet.
pretty good mechanic. Say B+. Never overhauled an engine but have done most other tasks and my JD balers tie knots very well. I specialize
in buying slightly distressed hay equipment and getting it to run like new. My next goal is to start welding. Never learned yet.
I'm a pretty good mechanic. However, if you
have a question Rodeo Man, all you have to
do if you have problems, is ask here. We
have helped many people that didn't know
how to do something, fix or do MANY
different things. There are people here
that specialize in a wide variety of
skills, and can walk you through whatever
you need to do.
Ross
have a question Rodeo Man, all you have to
do if you have problems, is ask here. We
have helped many people that didn't know
how to do something, fix or do MANY
different things. There are people here
that specialize in a wide variety of
skills, and can walk you through whatever
you need to do.
Ross
RedMF40
Well-known Member
What I've gained from years of tinkering, fixing, maintaining and so on is this: The realisation that many parts are beyond their useful life. As a kid, I would think everything should go back together with the same parts that came out. Since what I was working on was typically outdated even back then, the many connectors, hoses, brackets, fasteners and what-not were generally just "getting by." I don't know that I've gained a wealth of mechanical knowledge, but I now am much more generous about renewing parts that are getting ready to fail. I also don't skin my knuckles nearly as much as I did way back then. BTW, the friends I know who actually ARE mechanically-inclined, would not consider me to be so.
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