“Keeping farm machinery operating in the field when work needs done is essential to profitability.”
When tractors and small line equipment were first produced, farmers could often do the repairs personally.
With rapidly increasing technology that’s often not the case nowadays. Fixing a farm machinery breakdown requires a high level of ability, often requiring a computer program to figure it out.
Then, sometimes the problem still can’t be solved, forcing technicians to call the factory or other upper-level knowhow for help.
On top of that issue, farm equipment repair businesses typically have long waiting-lists of machinery needing repaired.
Sometimes, that can be up to several weeks. Plus, most repairs must be done in the main shop where the computers can be utilized.
Situations do arise infrequently when a repairman will come to the field to fix machinery, but not often.
Fortunately, when this ranching operation was getting started, Dad had the ability to fix most of the problems. He typically had natural ability and learned by doing, but that would not be the case today.
His son never had any mechanical ability period with “It won’t start” a frequent response to any breakdown.
Uncertain why the high school boy was teamed up with his cousin in the state fair small engine trouble shooting contest. Despite the teammate’s extensive knowledge, that gas engine never would start.
A small engine repair class was required for agricultural education students in college. There was an old lawn mower in the garage that wouldn’t start.
Dad suggested his son take it as a college class project to see if he could get the mower running again. A classmate didn’t have an engine to repair so he volunteered to get credit for assisting with fixing the mower.
The engine was disassembled with all parts on the bench without a clue how they would all go back together.
The knowledgeable college professor was very patient helping his students with the project. Believe it or not, when the engine was installed back on the lawnmower, it started and ran to pass the course.
Excited to get back to the ranch so Dad could try out the mower, “It wouldn’t start.” The uptown mechanic never got it running again either.
Reminded of Isaiah 58:12: “People of faith are led to fix things that are broken.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVIII–29–7-15-2024