Tools of the Trade

MYLES CLIFTON

PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI

At times some of the best tools we can use on a regular basis aren’t actual tools. One of these other types of “tools” I’ve found helpful is maintenance records. A way to keep records of repairs, maintenance, and parts. Now days we have more trucks, tractors, trailers, and implements on the farm than we used to. Along with that has come more moving parts, more part providers, and different types of warranties. To make matters worse the price of things is ever increasing, back ordered items have been a regular, and lets be honest, we’ve all had a time or do that we’ve had to deal with a parts person that wasn’t always able to understand what we’re looking for.

A handful of years ago I was aggravated trying to remember when I made a repair, where I purchased a certain part, or what a certain part number was. So I decided to make a change to make things easier. It started with writing down a part number, where I got it and what piece of equipment the part went to. That quickly grew to printed spread sheets. I was able to keep track of the part description, date, the hours or mileage when installed, the part number and brand, who installed the part, price and any additional notes. Its an easy way to look back for reordering parts, as well as a great way to keep track of warranties on certain parts too. This can also make reordering parts much easier. Its also a great way to make cross reference on parts when trying to search for items from a different brand or parts place.

As I went along this also grew into keeping track of service for equipment as well. Not just writing down the details of an oil change, But also keeping notes on large repairs as well as small repairs such as a flat tire fix. You can keep track of when certain maintenance taken care of and see if there are any particular reoccurring issues that may need to be addressed. Being able to identify certain issues or remembering when maintenance was performed can really save time and money. Along with this it can be a good idea to make copies of invoices or receipts for repairs from dealerships or other shops to keep for reference as well.

I then took things even another step further. To makes sure I didn’t forget to inspect certain parts on pieces of equipment I made inspection checklist for the farm’s tractors. That quickly grew into checklist for trucks, trailers, and implements, especially the planter, drill, hay baler and mower conditioner. Its been another great way to make sure certain sections of the machine are throughly checked over before going into the field. Some maintenance on trucks or tractors may only need to be taken care of every so many miles or hours. This has become a great way to make sure such maintenance is done at the proper time. Saving the money of doing things more often than needed, but also making sure maintenance is performed when it is needed. It serves as a good reminder to do thing so your equipment is ready to perform properly when you need it.

Checklist, repair and maintenance record keeping can take some time. But it can also save you some time and headaches in the long run. A little extra work can go along way when it comes to saving a few dollars or making sure all the expensive equipment is performing at its best. History has shown me that good equipment record keeping can also provide a little extra back-up for you when you’re trying to sell a piece of equipment down the road. A buyer is more willing to spend money on a well taken care equipment.

For more information on repair and maintenance records keeping sheets and checklist, as well as your ag tool needs contact Clifton Tool and Supply LLC. Call (573)517-1242. Or Check us out on Facebook at Clifton Tool And Supply. ∆