The Bourbon news., 1913-11-07

Proper Care Is To Keep 1t In Proper
Adjustment.


The first step in the proper care of
farm machinery is to keep it in prop
er adjustment. AS a rule new ma
chinery is in fair adjustment and
needs little attention in this respect.
but it is often sticky and otherwise
unsatisfactory in its action on account
of the manner in which it was paint
ed at the factory. BY cleaning out
the oil holes and applying few drops
of kerosene, this difficulty may usu-
ally be overcome. 1t is wise to run
new machinery light" that is, with
it's moving parts in action but with
out a load of any sort, until it is we'll
limbered up. This will put the ma
chine in running order without undue
strain and gives an opportunity for
adjustment if it should be found nee
eSSary.
Machines which have been in use
some time should be put in proper ad-
justment when they receive their Pc
riodical over-haulings, and should be
given careful attention in this respect
/ during the entire time that they are
| in operation. Cleanliness is as impor-
| tant with farm machinery as with any
other class of machinery. Dirt and
| poor service seem to go hand in hand
| and dirty farm machinery cannot be
expected to give it's full efficiency be-
| cause dirt upon metal absorbs moist
| ure which attacks the metal and in
time seriously Injuries it. Also, dirt
] in the bearings even in small quantity
/, quickly destroys them by grinding and
cutting, and in large quantities may
even choke the action of the moving
parts. Again, dirt does not add to the
appearance of farm machinery in any
! way, and may at times even get into
the eyes of the operator. Therefore
the second step in the care of farm
machinery is to keep it as clean as
! conditions will permit. An old broom
will be found ueseful for cleaning, also
handful of waste or soft rags and a
squirt oil can filled with kerosene. If
possible, the machine should be thor
oughly cleaned when the seasons
work is completed, and during the
process carefully examine for worn or
borken parts, which should be marked
in some CONSPICUOUS way and noted in
list of repairs which are to be pur-
chased later for the farm equipment
the machines should be stored when
not in use, in a dry place, which means
dry underneath as we'll as overhead.
Some system should be used in stor-
age so that those machines which are
frequently used should be easily got
ten at. All bright metal parts should
be coated with either hard oil. axel
grease or a compound composed of
equal parts of lard and white laed.
That part of the farm equipment
which is made wholly or partially of
wood will require especial attention
IN the way of painting, since wood
absorbs moisture readily and rots rap
idly. 1t is a well-known fact among
country blacksmiths that those farm
ers who keep their wagons we'll paint
ed have occasion to have them repair
ed less frequently than those who neg
lect to give them attention. Especial
ly is it desirable to give the wagon
felloes thorough soaking in oil.
Wheels so treated are not apt to re-
quire the customary cutting in dry
seasons because there will be little ex-
panslon and contraction of the wood
with the varying moisture conditions
of different seasons.
Sometimes considerable difficulty is
experienced in securing the neces-
sary repairs for farm machinery and
valuable equipment is discarded be-
cause the owner is unable to locate
the manufacturer of the particular
piece he needs. Local dealers can al
ways render great assistance at such
times of difficulty. If they are not
able or willing to give this assistance,
then an appeal should be made to the
State Agricultural College, which is
usually in a position to supply infor-
nation in regard to such matters and
is always glad to give advice and as
sistance in connection with any prob
lens in farm equipment.
J. A. FARRA,
Asst. Professor of Farm Mechanics,
College of Agriculture, Lexington.