September 25, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com FallHome Improvement & Car Care 2018 Broadcaster Press 13 Maintenance Key to Functioning Farms The family automobile is not the only piece of equipment that requires routine upkeep to ensure it is operating properly. Life on a farm can come to a screeching halt if farm equipment is not properly maintained. Farmers invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on agricultural equipment, such as tractors, tillers, hoppers, and dozers. Adhering to maintenance schedules can prevent breakdowns and decrease the need for potentially costly emergency repairs. Keep it clean Cleaning the surface of equipment can go a long way toward keeping it operating smoothly. Use a pressure washer to remove caked-on mud and other debris. Titan iron suppliers recommend quickly washing equipment after usage so that substances do not have the chance to harden. Learn the equipment Over time, it is possible to employ your senses of sight, sound and even smell to determine if equipment is working properly. Familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual so you can troubleshoot minor problems. Any unusual sounds, odors or responses from the gear should be noted. Routine maintenance checks Routinely inspect hoses, fittings, and seals to ensure they are in good working condition. Be sure fluids, such as coolant and oil, are at the proper levels. Check and replace filters as needed. Tires need to be properly inflated, and inspect the battery for corrosion or other signs that it may need to be replaced. Check belts for cracks. Tour the exterior of the equipment looking at signals and lights to ensure they are in proper working order. Hardware should be tightened and any missing pieces replaced. Heavy farm equipment needs motor oil, hydraulic oil and filters changed more frequently than automobiles. Such equipment also may need more frequent lubrication of chains and cables. Always check and inspect equipment prior to jobs requiring heavy and extended usage. Expect some welding Have a knowledgeable welder on call to make repairs as needed, or develop your skills to a point where you feel comfortable making your own spot repairs. The experts at Miller, producers of welding equipment, say cleaning the surface area and removing any paint, oil or corrosion from the metal area that needs repairing can make for smooth, durable welds. Multi-process welding generators and accessories can ensure the right welds for repairs in the field or in How to Safeguard Your Vehicle From the Element In a perfect world, all vehicle owners would be able to park their cars and trucks in garages. In such a world, automobiles would not be vulnerable to sun, storms and other natural elements that, over time, can contribute to wear and tear. But many drivers cannot or choose not to park their cars in garages. Some are content to let their vehicles brave the elements, while others look for ways to protect their cars and trucks as much as possible. Drivers who count themselves among the latter group can take these simple steps to protect their cars and trucks from whatever Mother Nature has in store for them. • Park in the shade. Parking in the shade can protect both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. Shaded areas protect upholstery and dashboards inside the car from sun-induced fading, while also limiting the damage sun can cause to exterior paint. Faded paint may hurt the resale value of a vehicle, prompting prospective buyers to walk away or at least wonder if HERREN • SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY Locally Owned & Operated Headquarters for the Builder/Handyman • Service • Building Materials • Ceilings • Cabinetry • Insulation • Lumber • Plywood • Sheetrock • Siding • Roofing • Doors • Windows • Milwork • Paint 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion, SD Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 888-624-2058 • 605-624-2058 www.herrenschempp.com - ROOFING - Asphalt Shingle - Steel - Flat - EPDM - SIDING - LP Smart - Cement - Vinyl - Stone - GUTTERS - Heavy Duty Seamless - Gutter Guard - EXTERIOR PAINTING Sherwin-Williams Pro STORM RESTORATION - HAIL OR WIND Certified Installation Experts Call Steve or Karl a vehicle with a faded exterior was well maintained. • Wash and wax. Washing and waxing a vehicle helps to minimize damage that’s inevitable regardless of where drivers park their cars. Dirt and debris litter roadways, and over time cars can collect a large amount of these unwanted stowaways. If dirt and debris are not removed, they can cause long-term damage to vehicle exteriors. Washing and waxing a car can ensure its exterior looks good and reduce the likelihood of rust and other corrosion from occurring. • Don’t write off bird droppings. Some drivers, especially those who do not park their cars and trucks in garages, may write off bird droppings as an annoying yet harmless side effect of vehicle ownership. However, bird droppings are acidic and, if left to their unsightly devices, can cause permanent damage to vehicle paint. Tree sap is an equally formidable foe, potentially causing scratching because it can be very difficult to remove without spreading. Specially formulated sprays can help drivers remove bird droppings and sap from their vehicles. • Employ a car cover. Drivers who have garages but use them to store things other than their vehicles can use car covers when parking their cars in their driveways. Covers protect cars from the elements and can be quickly and easily removed. Nature can be harsh on vehicles. Protecting automobiles from the elements should be a priority for drivers, especially those who do not park their cars and trucks in garages. the shop. Maintenance on farm equipment helps keep operations running along and protects expensive investments. ? MetroCreativeConnection Make Fall Clean-up Eco-Friendly Certain tasks become necessary once autumn arrives. Whereas spring and summer were spent tending gardens and maintaining a yard prime for entertaining, autumn is about preparing properties to survive the winter. Just as with other jobs around the house and yard, fall clean-up can be done in a manner that is respectful to the environment. Leave plant stalks and leaves It is tempting to want to cut back perennials and other greenery so a property looks neat. But as flowers and plants dry and drop to the ground, they help insulate the roots from the cold. They also provide a natural habitat and serve as a winter food source for birds and small animals. Rake leaves sensibly Power blowers and mulchers make fast work of leaves, but at the expense of the environment. Gas-powered devices discharge fuel exhaust into the air, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, reap the benefits of peace and quiet as well as exercise from manual raking. While raking, do not feel the need to remove every leaf. A certain amount of organic matter can be beneficial to the soil and even insulate the lawn somewhat. A leftover leaf here or there also may provide protection for insects and small animals. For example, many native bees spend the winter in tunnels in the ground, cracks in mortar, holes in dead wood, or within hollow stems, and they need lawn and ? MetroCreativeConnection garden litter to survive. Compost is a friend Spread a thin layer of compost on the lawn and in garden beds. Compost prevents weed growth, insulates and protects the soil and provides nutrients that will be needed once the spring busy season begins. By using compost, homeowners can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and weed killers. Check for drafts and leaks Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential Fall is an ideal time to check windows and doors for Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching cracks where water, air or insects can enter. Seal up holes and cracks, and ensure there are no drafty areas. Drafts can Serving the cause home heating and cooling systems to work harder, Beresford and 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 expending more energy than necessary. Vermillion Areas 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 Collect and harvest Be sure to gather any useable garden vegetables and fruits and prepare them for storage if they cannot be consumed in the next few days. Canning is a time-honored preservation method. Furnace Tune-Ups should be done Herbs and seeds can be by a Kalins trained technician. dried and saved for use later on. Vacuum seal fresh basil WHY? and parsley. •Because we have over 95 years in Take inventory Look at which items in the business the yard have seen better •Prevents costly breakdowns days and prepare to recycle or reuse them in different •Extends the life of your equipment ways. Faded plastic planters can be used as impromptu Tyler Reiser bird baths in a garden. An Kalins Indoor Comfort services all Service Technician old tire can be mulched and makes and models. 15 Years Experience turned into soft material to put around a playset. Inquire as to the proper way to recycle plastic lawn chairs that may be broken. Autumn yard work should be performed in as eco-friendly a fashion as possible. TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” 1-800-560-2518 Get ready for the cold weather! Call today to schedule a Furnace Tune-Up! When You Want Comfort…You Want Kalins! 605-595-7809 • Vermillion, SD Vermillion: (605) 624-5618 • Yankton: (605) 665-4348 • Sioux City: (712) 252-2000 kalinsindoor.com ? 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