The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-08-19

Care OF Farm Tools.

One of the greatest leaks on the av-
erage farm Is the unnecessary damage
done to the farming implements
through exposure to all kinds of
weather. In many cases the damage
thus produced exceeds the necessary
wear while in actual use. We believe
one winters exposure of a self-binder
will do the machine more injury than
three years of actual use in good hands.
We recall one man who purchased a
new binder on credit, cut his harvest,
drew the machine into a fence corner,
told the agents he could not pay for it
because it did not give satisfaction, and
the next year succeeded, with some re-
pairs, in cutting another harvest, when
another winters exposure ended its
usefulness. With good care it ought
to have done good service for at least
ten years. 1t is the same with other
machinery used on the farm, but not
to 80 great an extent. Even the iron
and steel implements. now becoming
common, If protected from sun, snow,
and rain will give better results in the
manner of work done.
We believe it is safe rule never to
buy any tool for which one can not pro-
vide shelter, and coat of paint added
every three or four years will not only
add to their appearance, but will
lengthen out their years of usefulness.
The writer has Champion moving
machine which has cut an average of
forty-three acres for the past sixteen
years, during which time the repairs
have not cost to exceed two dollars, and
the machine does frst-class work yet.
One point in the successful working
of both mowers and binders is to keep
the guards well closed, that the sec
tions may cut rather than pull the grass
or grain. Once when assisting neigh
Dor with some hay, we heard his COM
plant about his machine not cutting
properly and being perfect drag on his
horses. We took block of wood and
hammer and closed the guards slightly
and he was pleased to see that the
draught on the team was decreased about
one-third, while the work done was as
clean as could be desired.
Another point is to keep the nuts
we'll frightened, and the bearing parts
well oiled. A loose bolt may cause
break and much consequent delay. A
want of oil will cause more wear, per-
haps heating, and a short-lived machine.
A brother was once called upon to repair
moving machine, and actually had to
drill out many Of the oil holes where
they had been gummed shut. OF
course the journals were much worn
and the boxes required to be baveted
In this connection it might be said that
those who desire to be economical may
secure their own ubricating oil by max
ino oil 1onra OF In, ba toy, # ha
vessels in which they pack their hogs
dipping off into jug or bottle the oil
which will there accumulate in few
months time. Some housewives call
it water, and throw it out; but it is
lard oil, pure and unadulterated, and
one of the best lubricants for farm ma
chinery to be obtained, and secured in
this manner does not necessitate the
outlay of cash, and at the same time
the farmer knows that he is using oil
and not some miserable combination
which dealers palm off on him at seven
fold its actual COST Do not dip it off
on TOO warm day, and do not disturb
it much in the process, or more or less
of the lard will be mixed with the oil.
A six-gallon jar of lard will produce by
this natural process about Two quarts of
oil, which will 60 long way toward
assisting the machinery to run smoothly.
Flows and other tools having scour-
ing parts may have these parts oiled
when stored away for any length of
time, and will thus be prevented from
rusting. 1t is real annoying to at
tempt to work with tool that does not
scour properly Farmer.