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The beauty of a job well done lies in the fact that you did it. It’s a good feeling when you can look back and see the results of your work right away, in front of you. So, when your equipment goes out, naturally you may want to fix it yourself. All power to you for that. We love washing our hands in oil and grease, too. But if you’re not a trained mechanic, like our mechanics are, then you may need some extra help.
So, when should you fix your equipment yourself, and when should you get service for your equipment? Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether you can get down and dirty with your farm and yard equipment, or if you should ask for some help.
Can You Accurately Diagnose the Problem?
First and foremost, you need to know what’s wrong with your equipment. Pop the hood, check the blades and read your manual. Hopefully before this point, you have already gained a sense of familiarity with your machine. Is that belt supposed to be there? That light is always on, right?
Get to know your tractor, mower or utility vehicle before it breaks. That way, when something goes wrong, you can confidently identify the problem. Once you know what the problem is, you can determine what you need to do in order to fix it. How can you expect to fix your equipment yourself if you don’t even know what you’re fixing in the first place?
Even if you can accurately diagnose what’s wrong with your farm equipment, you may not be able to fix it yourself. That’s okay, too. Knowing that you can’t fix it yourself is just as important as knowing you can fix it yourself. If this is the case, bring in your farm equipment to your local Minnesota Equipment store, or have a technician come out and assist you in your own driveway.
Do You Have the Manual For Your Equipment?
Again, this may sound a little obvious, but it’s worth asking. The manual is your guide to everything inside and out relating to your machine. Once you can diagnose the issue, flip through your manual and see if there is a chapter in there detailing how to fix it. Oftentimes, manuals will give advice or guides on how to fix different parts of the equipment.
If you don’t have the manual handy, check Minnesota Equipment’s website. We host a variety of How-To Videos and original equipment manuals. These are valuable resources for your DIY repair projects, and having a visual aspect can make an overwhelming task easier.
Your equipment manual can help you find out what’s wrong with your equipment, and offer solutions and guides to fix your equipment yourself. If you find yourself without any manual and can’t find it online anywhere, we suggest asking for a bit of help from ME. We’ll be able to help fix and maintain your farm and lawn equipment.
Do You Have Experience Fixing Equipment?
Working on machines and farm equipment can be complicated, and potentially dangerous. If you’ve rarely been under the hood of your machine, you may want to reconsider fixing it yourself and get service for your equipment through ME.
Even with the proper manual and tools, you’ll need to know how your machine operates and what everything is. If you’re determined to get your hands dirty by working on your own farm equipment, then make sure you are working with someone who also has experience working on similar machines. This will help when you have questions or need an extra set of hands during your repairs.
Consider bringing in your farm equipment for service if you do not have a working knowledge of every part of your machine. The experts at ME work on mowers, tractors and utility vehicles every day, and we will be able to help diagnose and fix the issue quickly and professionally. Remember that it is better to be safe than sorry, and that getting professional service for your equipment is going to be cheaper than buying a new tractor because you clipped the wrong cord.
Do You Have the Tools?
You have a diagnosis. You found the manual buried in the back of your closet. Now all you need are the right tools for the job. Depending on the problem at hand, a simple wrench or power drill may do the trick. More likely, however, is that you’ll need a set of specialized tools for your farm equipment.
Get the right tools to fix and maintain your farm and lawn equipment, if you don’t have them already. Minnesota Equipment offers specialized tools for purchase. These tools will help you in your confidence-boosting journey to fixing your equipment yourself. Once you’re equipped with the right tools, you are good to go.
Safety Tips for At-Home Service
If you decide to fix your equipment yourself, remember to keep the safety of yourself and those around you at the forefront of your mind. Wear safety goggles and hearing protection while you work. Have someone with you who is briefed on the situation and the plan of action. Not only will they be able to offer physical assistance or knowledge, but they will also be able to call for help if need be. Finally, if you are ever in doubt, call the team at Minnesota Equipment and get assistance. Our expert technicians are always ready to help. With our Mobile Maintenance service, we can come to your home and fix your equipment right in your driveway.
Keep Your Equipment Running With Minnesota Equipment
Whether you need tools and manuals to fix your equipment yourself, or you are looking for professional farm equipment service, turn to the team at Minnesota Equipment. With four locations around the Twin Cities, we are Minnesota’s trusted provider for farm equipment.
Work with ME and get your farm equipment up and running. Schedule service or browse our knowledge center for your farm and yard equipment repair needs.
