Exercise extreme caution when using machinery. There is a belief that slapping or kicking a machine would improve its performance. The more you treat your machines like delicate machinery, the longer they will perform well. Avoid pulling levers, pressing buttons, and turning wheels unless you know what they do. 4. Keep track of how many hours your equipment has been used this week, last month, or this year. You should log these times in a notebook or computer file. This information is useful for determining how much maintenance to perform on your equipment and also if any repairs need to be made. 5. Use good judgment when selecting tools. Some tools are better suited for some tasks. For example, a hammer is used to drive nails, but it could also be used to beat pieces of wood together and so on. If you use the hammer to hit something hard enough, you will probably break a nail. 6. Keep track of your equipment's serial number. This information can be used to identify who manufactures or supplies the equipment. The manufacturer may have instructions for use or maintenance. He may also provide technical support for problems with the equipment. 7. Follow established safety procedures. Whether you are operating heavy machinery, such as a tractor, or small machinery, such as a drill, always take precautions to prevent accidents.