Engine Mechanics 101

Chad, setting up his presentation.  Notice the tables of "show and tell" objects!

We spent the day with Chad a certified master technician and very nice fellow.  He presented the basics of engines to us in a thorough and comprehensible manner!   I now know a gasket from a piston!   In order to understand a tractor, you have to know the systems that work together:  the engine, where tiny, rapid explosions propel the machinery into action; the lubrication systems, preventing metal on metal friction and cooling the parts; the cooling system, which keeps the engine from welding itself together; the batteries, powering up the electrified appliances such as the lights, radio, windows and the essential spark plugs; and, of course, the charging, ignition and fuel systems.  Each section of the presentation left me feeling in awe of the amount of human effort that has gone into the development of our wonderful cars and tractors.

We saw these parts in isolation in the Horse Barn.  Then we looked at the tractors, cars, trucks and vans around the farm, seeing the variation of arrangements.   I would say I could repair a car or small engine, but I certainly have the knowledge to care more intelligently for my vehicle, for my future tractors, lawn-mowers and chain-saws.

Applying mechanical principles to tractors

Brian and Emily looking into the "Monster Truck"

This week, my chore group is in charge of the greenhouse watering tasks.  Sounds easy, doesn't it?  Spray some water on seedlings, and go, right?  No way, not that easy.  We need to record the temperatures in 4 different sites.  We need to gather data from the weather station at Sentinel Elm as well as "weather.gov"  And then the watering!  It is a slow careful type of watering, gently showering down on the flimsiest of seedlings.  It is fun, however, to work with Emma and Kiyoshi, especially when they wear their matching "one-sies"

Kiyoshi and Emma collecting data at the weather station.