How to Set Up a Farm Machine Shop

Farmers can more easily make repairs themselves if they have their own machine shop.

Many farmers service and repair their own tractors, combines and other farm equipment rather than haul their machines to a shop and wait for mechanics to repair them. Although you can fix equipment in driveways, fields or other places on your property, you might prefer to set up a shop that will give you storage for tools and parts and let you work inside. Creating your own workspace isn't difficult if you know how to set up a farm machine shop.

Instructions

1. Find a building. Choose a building on your farm for the shop or construct a building if all your current buildings are in use or lack enough space. Equip the building with an oversize automatic garage door so tractors, combines, semis and other large pieces of equipment can enter. Run electricity to the building and install electrical outlets that allow you to use power tools.

2. Install good lighting. Place several overhead lights in the shop to illuminate the work area. Good lighting is critical because many farmers complete service and repairs after dark when they can no longer work in the field. Buy hand-held and mobile light devices as well to light up crevices and the undersides of equipment.

3. Purchase tools and parts. Buy common hand tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers. Get power tools that use less strain and muscle when making repairs. Pick up extra parts that farmers consistently use to fix equipment--belts, batteries, oil and other fluids, for example. Create a wall or section of the farm machine shop to store and house the tools and extra parts on shelves, benches or toolboxes.

4. Create an oil pit. Dig out a spot for an oil pit in the middle of the farm machine shop. It should be 1 or 2 feet in diameter and 5 to 6 feet deep. Line it with concrete. This allows oil to be easily drained and collected from farm equipment. You'll have to dispose of the oil properly only when the pit is full. By increasing the diameter a bit and installing steps on one side, you can make the pit a working pit. You can walk in under your equipment and stand to repair it rather than slide in under it on your back.

5. Buy safety equipment. Purchase goggles and earplugs to protect your eyes and ears when using power tools. Obtain special storage and disposal devices for hazardous fluids. Create a safe place to store gases if using gas welding to make repairs on equipment. Carry a cell phone or other type of device that alerts someone in an emergency, because machinery and equipment can move and trap a person under it.

References

• North Dakota State University Extension: Planning Farm Shops

Resources

• Purdue University Extension Service: Planning Farm Shops for Work and Energy Efficiency