310 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 



resolves itself into three heads : repairing, housing, and paint- 

 ing. Of these, the repair item is perhaps the most important. 

 The greater part of the average farm machine is not subject 

 to wear, and, if not broken, ought to last indefinitely. Con- 

 sidering the modern gang plow, except the share, moldboard, 

 wheelboxes, and axles, there are comparatively few parts sub- 

 ject to wear. All of these should be either adjustable or renew- 

 able at a small expense. The main parts of the plow, the 

 parts which absorb the greater part of the cost of making, 

 as the frame and the beam, ought to last indefinitely. Bail 

 boxes and wheel boxes are easily and cheaply replaced, and, 

 when renewed, make these parts of the plow as good as when 

 it left the factory. 



Repairing. To repair farm machinery successfully some 

 system must be used, and the early spring is the time of 

 year to give thought to this. No doubt many a machine 

 is taken from storage in the spring, or whenever the machine 

 is needed, and the owner finds that he has forgotten to 

 order certain repairs, which, he remembers, were needed at 

 the close of the previous season. When he proceeds to order 

 these repairs from his agent, he finds that others have done 

 likewise; and the agent, the jobber, and the manufacturer 

 are rushed with orders. There are always delays and short- 

 ages, which often result in the purchase of new machines, 

 as those fa'miliar with the farm industry are aware. If the 

 necessary parts had been ordered months before, they would 

 have been secured without fail, and they could have been 

 put in place on the machine and the machine adjusted and 

 made ready for work. Repairs for the older machines are 

 not carried in stock except at the factory, and for this reason 

 plenty of time must be allowed for filling orders. Again, it 

 would be a decided advantage to repair the machinery at the 

 time of the year when work is less pressing. On most farms 



