Idle Chatter: Hot Rod Farmer: Recent Episodes
Hot Rod Farmer
Imparting knowledge about all aspects of equipment that is employed in modern production agriculture.
Fuel density findings from Kansas and Utah.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Originally published 1/22/2020.This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
A poor ground circuit may be eating your engine and profits.
Three simple things that make a big difference.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Originally published 1/15/2020.This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
15 common mistakes mechanics make that will affect the quality of repair.
Doing the job properly the first time.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Do not be guilty of neglecting your one and two-cylinder engines.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Originally published 1/8/2020.This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
A rough idle is more telling than most think. Listen and learn.
Prompted from a message on the listener line, Ray explores which is the proper lubricant.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
A simple way to diagnose a restricted exhaust system.
Where the fuel enters the combustion process makes a world of difference.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This week we take a deep dive into what is happening to the air/fuel ratio before it reaches the cylinder.
AI is the current buzz term in agriculture. Please join me as I share my opinion if this is a good or bad thing for those that grow our food.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In many applications it is advantageous to run an engine at a lower speed. The consequences of that need to be understood and mitigated.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
parts of a radiator pressure cap
The lowly radiator pressure cap does more than you think.
There is no denying that on most engines valve adjustment is burdensome. Ray makes a compelling case on why it needs to be done though.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
On the road to being a machinologist there will come a time when you need to teach yourself. In this episode, Ray explains how serial data from an engine management system can be a wealth of understanding.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
The modern light-duty diesel needs to be tuned. Ray Bohacz tells you how!
People, animals, and most crops are influenced by the weather conditions but what about engines?
Does auto racing equate to making better cars? Do high-yield farmers have an influence on nation-wide crop yields? Join Ray to hear his take on these topics and let him know yours.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Follow these simple steps to double the life of your braking systems.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Listen as I share my tips for a tip top carburetor.
Other than during an emergency, it is necessary for proper planning to accomplish a proper repair.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Don’t let a spent harmonic damper cost your farm $30K!
What drag racers found out years ago is being discovered on the farm.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Inspired by a movie Ray watched many decades ago with his parents and dog, it is important to understand that with machinery as with life…things change.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Find where gas engine power is hiding.
Farm machinery is expensive. We need to recognize what ages it so that we can keep it young.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode Ray explains why you need to get beyond the specification and look at what it takes to make it happen.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Giving a lazy diesel its mojo back!
With today’s modern farm equipment you must take your skills to a higher level.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
If you want to take your skill to the next level, you often must create your own protocols.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Understanding and diagnosing relays and solenoids.
When a liquid get mixed with air things do not work properly.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Beginning with this episode, please join me on a journey to learn more about every aspect of machinery found on the farm.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What you need to know about drive-by-wire throttle control.
How you listen in life will make a difference in all regards.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
When it comes to your equipment purchases are you making emotional or business decisions?
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Learn how your tires are the key to soil health.
Things that you need to check before adding electrical equipment to machinery or vehicles that left the factory without it.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
When you add ability to machinery there is a possibility that it may fail one day. In this episode Ray asks you to find out what the default is before you invest in some high-tech system for your farm machinery.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Much like soil… machinery needs to be in balance.
Machinery likes temperate weather, but it is important to understand the challenges it faces when the mercury goes one way or the other.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode Ray provides his thoughts on how to learn more about diagnosing machinery when you get a later start in life.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What it takes to get a diesel to run anytime of the year.
Sweating the small stuff pays huge dividends when working on farm equipment or any other machine.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode Ray takes a break from an in-depth technical talk and shares some memories and tips for a memorable summer (or any time) road trip.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
How to identify electromotive interference in your equipment.
Ray takes a deep dive into whether a manual or automatic is the best choice. Listen and then you decide.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
The tuner is like the conductor of an orchestra. He allows the engine to make beautiful music instead of noise.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What every farmer needs to know!
Though it is commonly referred to as anti-freeze, its most important work takes place during those hot summer days.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
You need to understand the importance of proper valve clearance.
A generator that runs but produces little to no electricity is like a spare tire with no air… useless.
Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This short series continues revealing how to get the choke circuit to function properly.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Learn how to make your hydraulic motors last a lifetime!
Ray gets with Ben Hushon from The Mill, to learn the real deal about using drones on the farm.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This is the first in a multi-part series that will cover some basics that are not well known any more.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What you need to know before you pull up to the pump.
There are many causes that can stop your equipment or vehicles from running. This week Ray covers six common problems and offers some time-tested tips to get you running again.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
As with life, things happen with machinery. It is your responsibility to figure out why, even if it takes decades. The education you glean will bring value to future diagnostics.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What you need to know about exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems.
The term “mining” usually references extracting the fertility from you soil and not replacing it. This week Ray explains how you unintentionally can extract the reliability and longevity from your equipment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Most of us associate wear with moving parts. In this episode Ray explains what can happen to an emission control system, and what you can do to avoid an expensive failure or down time.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Increase the service life of your support equipment.
I talk with Andrew Sunderman about how the joint venture between AGCO and Trimble is bringing ability to all farmers, regardless of the equipment they own or its age.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This week Ray laments about how often in life we have eyes that do not see the treasures that are right in front of us.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Stop relying on computers. Let’s get back to the basic of understanding.
In this episode Ray juxtaposes the advancements in engine power to those in agronomy that push corn and other crop yields.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Please join me as we talk with Nathan Rand in Marshalltown, Iowa. He is a farmer but more importantly, a large animal veterinarian. Nathan honors not only God’s creation with his care and love for them, but also becomes a lifelong friend to the farm families he interacts with. Being a devout follower of Christ, his story is a testament in trusting the Lord when nothing makes sense and life is taking a path that is filled with sorrow and confusion.
- Nathan helping to feed a young calf at home. The calf had difficulty suckling, so Nathan is administering colostrum via tube.
- A cute calf out of the cow named “Friend.” Getting a scratch!
- Nathan placing a castrating band on a bull calf at home while brother keeps him safe from kicks!
From left to right: Nathan’s Mom, Dad, Nathan, Ashley, sister-in-law Amber, and brother Joel.
This week Ray asks which are you and explains that the journey is often more important than the destination.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Pulse width modulated circuits made easy!
Few things are more annoying and potentially detrimental than an oil leak on an engine. In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer provides a logical and efficient process to locate where the oil is coming from.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Our journey takes us to North Carolina to have a talk with Tom Cotter. He is the world-renowned host of the mega-hit YouTube show, Barn Find Hunters. Tom’s passion for the people and cars they love is juxtaposed with his desire to listen to their story. His show has over 3 million subscribers. Today, he shares with you the story of his life and the cars that he loves.
Everything is expensive today, so it only makes sense to extend the life of your machinery and vehicles. This week the Hot Rod Farmer touches on some practical and often overlooked protocols to achieve that goal.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Understanding and diagnosing thermostats and electric cooling fans.
Even though a solenoid is a relatively simple device, it can lead you down the wrong diagnostic path if a few key elements are not recognized. This week I take an in-depth look at what you need to know.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
It is very appealing and, in some instances, smart business to buy a relatively new, low- mileage vehicle in lieu of a brand new one. This week Ray goes over some things for you to consider. Who would have thought the little old lady from Pasadena did what she did!
Air conditioning has become a necessity in modern farm equipment. It is not only important for a productive day, but it can also be extremely expensive to repair. This week Ray shares some simple tips to avoid a major failure.
In this episode I discuss the task of engine oil beyond the obvious, and the importance of piston ring design and sealing. I messed up at the end and hit the stop button instead of the exit music! That is the reason for the abrupt close.
A listener from Utah is confused by the sudden increase in copper in the engine oil test from his CAT powered generator set.
Wanting to take a break this week from a technical talk, Ray shares with his listeners a little about how life brought him to this point. He opens his heart to you, his cherished audience.
You buy a new car or truck to avoid problems not to create them. In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer provides some practical guidance to protect your financial investment when things go drastically wrong.
Controlling engine idle speed used to be nothing more than a throttle stop screw… but that has all changed! Follow along as Ray provides a timeline from the simple and effective throttle stop screw to drive-by-wire motors, that accomplish the same function.
Small engines can cause big problems if they do not start and run. Many falsely blame the problem on the carburetor or gasoline when it rooted in carbon deposits.
Regardless of if it is a vehicle or a washing machine or anything in between, the quality of what is made today has taken a turn for the worse, being on the verge of junk. In this op ed formatted episode, Ray provides his thoughts on what is happening in most factories around the world. Take heed, it is not for the fainthearted.
If something is automatically controlled by a microprocessor, usually the work is done by an electronic driver.
When diagnosing an electronic control unit often a flow chart is what you follow, but there is more to the story than that. The protocols that need to be seen by the ECU to set a trouble code are the key to an effective diagnostic. A flow chart does not reveal the protocols and can lead you astray.
In this third and final installment, commonly overlooked mechanical aspects of a corn planter are reviewed.
This episode was prompted by the new John Deere 18-liter engine that boasts 907 horsepower and does not employ SCR. Ray explains why he feels extreme rates of EGR are not a practical method to control NOx emissions.
In the second episode of the series, Ray goes over measuring amperage draw, and checking for the integrity of a vacuum system.
Growing up in Texas the son of a working-class family that always had enough but not extra, did not stifle Scott from pursuing the dream that is America. A young boy’s life is changed when visiting family in Colorado and seeing his older cousin’s hot rodded 1965 Mustang. That experience was juxtaposed against the airliners that would glide gracefully over his home on their approach to a new airport. Working as a mechanic in a Chrysler dealership, a life changing decision was made to learn how to fly while the siren’s song of the drag strip never left him.Join me to hear this remarkable story of passion and never giving up regardless of the obstacles and naysayers. Contrary to what Scott was told, he now spends his days flying an MD-11 jet and driving and owning an NHRA Top Fuel Dragster. Fast is a way of life. 600 mph in the MD-11 flying for UPS and running the dragster at 300 mph plus!!Scott's wife, Michelle Torromeo, guiding me back to the starting line after a clean burnout.
Once again it proves that being able to get the proper part in person from a human, is far better than Amazon.
Your most successful crop starts in the farm shop! This multi-part series will cover what you need to do to make your planter the best it can be.
The impetus for this episode is rooted in Ray getting his personal best fuel economy with his 250,000-mile Ford Fiesta, while driving to an agricultural seminar. The science behind the mpg!
While attending high school in suburban Des Moines, Iowa, young Joel set his sights on a career in medicine; and the likely path was becoming a doctor. As is often the case, the path to the future is littered with conflicts and compromise.In Joel’s case, it was the siren’s song of the summers and weekends spent working alongside his grandfather on the farm where his mother was raised. Those memories muddied and complicated things.Please join me in hearing how Joel found what many may consider a perfect balance. His days are now spent in the operating room, his evenings and weekends in the seat of a John Deere tractor, making round bales on his family’s productive cattle farm.Joel operating his John Deere and brother, Nathan, on the family farm.Amber & Joel - thirty years of happiness and their 2023 Christmas greeting from the Cayman IslandsPets Hopper (left) and Toasty (right). Hopper limped to the Rand residence over 15 years ago and Toasty (6yrs) was rescued from the streets of Arkansas.
Let the laboratory be your eyes into a piece of equipment before you take it apart. An open call to all listeners asking which vehicles they would like to see road tested.
In this episode Ray explains why you should make your farm generator ready if you have no immediate plans to own one.
Join Ray as he juxtaposes a drag and drive event to those farmers that compete in high yield contests. The similarities may surprise you!
Farmers like to keep and use their equipment for decades. Sadly, in this week’s show Ray explains why that is no longer prudent.
There is more going on under the hood than most people think. In this episode, four different engine cycles are explained.
Winter has its challenges. Life is a little easier if an engine that you need will start. In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer reveals some very simple tips that will help when the mercury drops below zero.
You have something apart that allows access to other hard to access components. In this episode Ray explains why it is important to recognize that and to take advantage of the opportunity.
Agriculture is a huge consumer of energy. This week the Hot Rod Farmer makes you an educated consumer of those purchases.
A noisy 1964 Cadillac engine, a 1971 Buick with low alternator output, and some advice on AM radio antenna tuning come to Idle Chatter via Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine.
The radiator bypass circuit is an essential part of the engine’s cooling system. Its function and what you need to understand is the subject of this episode.
Modern equipment and vehicles have extremely powerful alternators, but the electrical demand has also increased exponentially. In this episode that balance is explored.
In this episode we explore common problems that can occur with a ground circuit that are not easy to locate.
In this episode Ray uses an issue with the drive-by-wire system on his Ford Fiesta to explain what you need to know about checksums.
Ray Bohacz teaches you how to limit annoying regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
In life many people like to tell you what to do. This week Ray counters that by telling you what NOT to do to an engine.
A few podcasts back I was talking about the HVAC system on my Ford Fiesta. Boy was I wrong about how it functions!
Just because they do not visually move does not mean that all mounts do not wear. In this episode their secret life is revealed.
As much as things change, they remain the same. Carbon deposits are just as much if not more of a problem now than in previous times. In this episode learn an easy and effective means to eliminate them.
Looking for that special gift for the motorhead in your life? In this episode Ray steers you in the proper gift giving direction.
When studying the performance of any machine the micro data is more telling than most recognize. This week you will learn to analyze both and why.
Just because the alternator, voltage regulator, and battery are good, may not result in a functional electrical system.
In this episode I go over the three different sources for engine vacuum, and why it is important for you to understand each. One of our family’s beloved hens Melania, goes home to the Lord on Thanksgiving Day. I share how even in a loss; God’s faithfulness is revealed.
A pitfall of a growing farm enterprise means employees will be operating and working on your equipment. This week Ray discusses how to make sure they learn how you want it performed without micromanaging your employees.
As a young boy Ray went with his dad to look at a new, at that time, John Deere tractor. The salesman said it was 45 diesel horsepower. It took decades before Ray fully understood the difference. It is the focus of this week’s episode.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode Ray shares how he was exposed to proper diagnostic protocols and equipment, at a young age.Molly and Faith make a cameo appearance!
A switch to SUV and truck production along with a multi-billion-dollar pivot to electrification has the potential for dire consequences for America and the agricultural community.
Hear the inspiring story of Justin Forcier (for-sear). A now successful attorney who paid for his education driving a Safety-Kleen Peterbilt tanker. He would study in the cab during his lunch break. Justin never lost his passion for the family farm in Alabama, working with his hands in both grease and soil, along with his blue-collar roots and love for animals. A true American success story. A must listen episode. If Mario Lanza was the singing truck driver, then Justin may very well be the truck driving lawyer!This was one of the first fish Justin caught. This was caught from the pond on his Grandmother’s farm in Alabama. This started a lifetime love of the outdoors. Grandmother’s farm in Section, Alabama in the mid-1990s. Justin and his first dog, Winston, a Basset Hound. Justin (and his twin sister, Candace) got Winston for their birthday in 1993. He was a wonderful dog.Justin’s current dogs. The Black Lab is named Bernard and he has been part of the family since 2017. The Coon Hound (mix) is named Nellie. She was a stray that Justin found on his Grandmother’s farm in 2022. Abby and Justin’s wedding day on June 16, 2023.
This week Ray takes a deep dive into how to determine the efficacy of an engine’s cylinder sealing. But first he laments over how most current-day parts counter people can easily be stymied when dealing with someone that wants to hot rod a chainsaw.
Volumetric efficiency (VE) is the key to engine power and success on your farm.Let Ray Bohacz improve your VE!
Many off road and small gasoline engines are switching to electronic fuel injection. This week Ray explains why this is not a wise move, and the reason some engines should be kept carbureted.
You will find some carburetors, regardless of the application, that will not respond properly to an adjustment. In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer explains how to identify a manufacturing issue or if it is just a carburetor that needs to be cleaned and have new gaskets installed.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer will ask you if four conventionally accepted beliefs about machinery are fact or fiction! A fun way to learn.
This week Ray takes a deep dive into understanding sound and why it is important to the health of your engines and machinery. Don’t worry… he makes it simple!
Ray Bohacz explains what you can do now to yield a season with minimal to no down time or expense.
Modern equipment is full of wiring and connections. When something becomes compromised, the proper repair procedure is essential.
Though this episode had many early interruptions by my cats, I eventually made everyone happy. We then took a deep dive into how engine issues impact a catalytic converter.
If you can't part with that old ??? Let Ray Bohacz show you how to make it useful again.
When brake parts wear out it important to explore what went wrong and not just replace the shoes or pads.
In this episode Ray tells of his crop failure. He also makes some suggestions about often-overlooked pre-winter maintenance around the farm.
Buying a scanner was the easy part. Ray will steer you in the proper direction to get the most out of your investment.
Ray is back from harvest (well maybe) this week and laments over the unnecessary complication of modern vehicles and farm equipment.
DEF usage is not only specific to an engine design, but the way the machine or truck is operated and its mechanical health.
Long harvest hours take their toll on you and your engines. This week the Hot Rod Farmer tells you how to minimize the impact on your machinery.
Not every Tier 4 diesel engine employs the same control devices. This week Ray explains why.
This week Ray relates a story about a Denny’s restaurant in Michigan and how we need to take a lesson from them.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Ray Bohacz asks, “Do you know where your DOF are?” Listen to find out.
This week Ray does his best to help a neighbor of a listener that is dealing with a false warning light on his JD combine.
Would suggest that someone shovels snow in a bikini? Of course not. But many invest in the incorrect farm machine or vehicle for the task they plan on using it for. This week Ray explores the mindset you need before you open your checkbook.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
What do a 200+ mph Bonneville Salt Flats F-150 and a wet harvest have in common?Ray Bohacz says more than you would think.
Did you ever take a test over the airwaves of Rural Radio? Well, there is always a first time! The Hot Rod Farmer wants to test your knowledge in this episode.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Life was going along fine for this husband and father of three teenage children. A trip to the doctor revealed that all was not well, he had cancer. That diagnosis quickly spiraled into a severe heart attack that blocked the blood flow to the optic nerve and left him permanently blind. Mike openly shares the struggles of the last ten years. The unwavering love of his family and his trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ, has enabled him to withstand this ordeal without ever asking, “why”. A compelling story that everyone needs to hear and learn from.
Mike and his guide dog, Polar, by his son’s John Deere 4440. Proudly wearing their HotRod Farmer t-shirt and license plate.
This week Ray asks for the listeners’ input regarding road testing electric vehicles for the podcast and radio show. There is now a public charging station less than two miles from the farm. He also laments on the state of society and how General Motors was ruined in 2009, by the then current president of the United States.
This week Ray explains what can go wrong with a ground circuit, how to prevent that issue, and how to confirm its integrity.
Sometimes you must relearn what you already know. A good teacher is a 1,500 horsepower Mustang that takes a ring land off a piston. The fundamentals of a hydraulic system are everywhere on the farm and revisited this week.
There is a difference between being mechanically inclined and a mechanic that can diagnosis and repair modern farm equipment. Ray explains why and what he plans on doing about it.
This week Ray does his best to help a listener that has an oil-thirsty Cadillac, and another with a bad turbocharger on a 110 hp Valtra tractor with 14,000 hours on it.
Cruise control fuel economy, pulse width modulated circuits and determining the proper tire pressure are explained by Ray Bohacz
Trouble codes are meant to steer diagnostic decisions. In this episode Ray explains what a PID loop is and how it influences diagnostic code diagnostics.
In this episode Ray tells the story of his exploded belt tensioner. He shares why it will be almost impossible to understand new technology without visiting the past.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer shares some often unknown tips to keep your vehicle happy while the miles roll under the tires.
In this episode, Ray explains how air temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity impacts any type of engine. He discusses his trip to the PTI Farm in Pontiac, Illinois, and shares his experiences from the road.
Ray Bohacz explains how anti-freeze wears out and why you need to stick with the proper color.
This week Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, solves the mystery behind what causes leaks in farm machinery and engines.
We all have made diagnostic mistakes. The difference being, did you perform the proper due diligence and were just led astray or did you take short cuts?
Let Ray Bohacz explain why you need to know the difference between rebuilt, remanufactured and new.
The Hot Rod Farmer makes a compelling case to own this truck with a few caveats though.
Prompted by several engine related queries, Ray explains the difference between “building” an engine and “rebuilding” one.
The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, discusses the need to "think outside of the box" if you want your farm to prosper. It is not what you make...it is what you keep!
The Hot Rod Farmer explains why your container of anti-seize compound should always be kept handy.
In this two part series, Ray Bohacz explains why the agriculture community needs to take a lesson from the auto industry of 30 years ago to successfully lobby for this cause.
This week, the Hot Rod Farmer shares some important facts that you need to know about the parts industry and how it can impact your farm or ranch.
In this episode Ray Bohacz asks you the question are you investing in too much horsepower, too big a truck, or anything way beyond what you truly need.
In this two part series, Ray Bohacz explains why the agriculture community needs to take a lesson from the auto industry of 30 years ago to successfully lobby for this cause.
There is much more going on with a drive belt than meets the eye. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, tells you what you need to know!
Did you ever wonder why a modern engine’s idle speed flares up after starting? In this episode, Ray explains why that occurs and what it accomplishes.
Ethanol is being demonized by those with an agenda.
Fight back by learning the truth from Ray Bohacz, The Hot Rod Farmer.
Ray Bohacz explains why you most likely are not applying to your field and crops the application rate that you think that you are, even with the most advanced sprayer controller. A must listen for anyone that operates an agricultural sprayer.
There are three areas that when serviced on a modern gasoline or diesel engine make a big difference. This week the Hot Rod Farmer shares them with you and how to accomplish these simple tasks.
Did you ever wonder why your wife's 300 horsepower minivan cannot pull a chisel plow like your 150 horsepower tractor? Well it is all in the math! Ray Bohacz explains how horsepower is calculated and why torque is king.
There is no reason why that old gasoline engine should not still run well. This week the Hot Rod Farmer reveals the common areas that can cause a problem.
"Tire degradation is explained during the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
It is summer almost everywhere now. In this episode, Ray explains what is happening to your engines and equipment when the mercury rises, and how to mitigate the concerns.
Do you want to feed your ego or your checkbook? You may be suffering from “not invented here” syndrome. Ray Bohacz, The Hot Rod Farmer, tells you how to diagnose and eliminate it.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
This week Ray is down in Georgia at the AGCO headquarters to learn all about what makes FENDT tractors tick!Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Ray Bohacz laments over the state of our nation and how true car guys are disappearing. He explains how this loss will impact the strength of America in the future.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Ray Bohacz explains how to look for and identify tie-up in a gasoline and diesel engine’s fuel system, along with other mechanical conditions.
Where America’s Farmers Go to Learn About Their Equipment.
There are four distinct areas or zones of a weld. This week the Hot Rod Farmer explains the different regions, how they are created, and the temperature required to tint the metal colors.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
The energy density of a fuel will impact how many miles per gallon it provides or hours per gallon on a farm machine. In this episode, Ray shares his experience measuring the specific gravity of gasoline and what it means to you; a practical application of this science.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Are all seed genetics or crop protection chemicals the same ? Replacement parts are no different. Ray Bohacz explains why you are not rich enough to afford to buy cheap parts.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
Did you ever check a circuit with an ohm meter, and it told you that it was good but still did not work? Well, that conundrum occured last week on the Bohacz Family Farm and is used as an example for how that can happen.Why volatilization of a crop production chemical follows the same physics of how a carburetor works, is discussed in the “Meet Me in the Farm Shop” segment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode, Ray explains how you can easily teach yourself to read a scope and multimeter to the level that you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a problem. His theorem is based on recognizing what is good, so that you can see what is bad.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
You need to find why any mechanical device failed of wore out prematurely. Institute a farm shop failure analysis program. Ray Bohacz will tell you how.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
A catalytic converter operates at over 1,000 degrees F. If it comes in contact with dry vegetation, a fire may start. Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, explains how this can happen and what you need to do to mitigate the fire risk. In the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment, disc brake pad rattle is discussed.
In most operations each machine is exposed to a different type of use and yet, most apply the same service intervals. This week the Hot Rod Farmer, explores how the use of a machine or a vehicle needs to modify the way it is serviced.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
This is the same message Ray Bohacz delivered on the Main Stage at Commodity Classic. Do not let your profits fly out the farm shop door! It is not what you make… it is what you keep!
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer dives into explaining how a solenoid on a PWM circuit can become lazy. If this occurs, it will impact the performance of your sprayer without you knowing.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Those that sell engine calibrations or what is knows as “tunes” for gasoline and diesel engines, claim to have “hacked” the factory ECU. Did they or did they purchase a software that allows them access to some of the calibration tables? And if so, how was that software created? In this must listen episode, Ray Bohacz, tells you the truth about aftermarket tuning and the dirty little secrets of that community.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Did you know that batteries in equipment can suffer from SDS? If not, you are not alone. Ray Bohacz explains this phenomenon and how to avoid it.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
This week, the Hot Rod Farmer, gets with Kevin Forth from AGCO to discuss the new Ideal combine.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Last summer an inmate in the NJ State Prison System wrote a letter to my “Ask Ray” column in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine.
He closed the note by asking me not to think poorly of him being incarcerated. He said that no one was hurt during his crime, nor was it his intent for that to happen.
He hopes to one day be able to help others from throwing their life away with a poor decision.
We became friends (though we never met), yet I learned this man’s heart.
This episode was recorded over the telephone from Jeff’s prison cell.
Please listen to Jeff’s heartfelt story told in his own voice. His sincere desire is to stop someone that is on the wrong path from ending up in prison. The way he hopes to accomplish this is to represent all that he gave up by being incarcerated.
A sequel to the “Mechanical Mysteries” episode. This week, Ray shares some myths that he heard growing up around cars and farm machinery during the good old days!
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.
Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!
Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer
Ever wonder what you are paying for at the pump? Ray Bohacz will explain how octane and cetane are important to every engine and why they are different.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
Machinery is meant to be worked and not manhandled in a rough way. In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, lists several causes and effects that take the life out of your equipment and money out of your pocket.The “Meet Me In the Farm Shop” segment returns this week. Ray explains why an engine’s intake and exhaust openings must be covered.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Maybe not in the same league as a UFO sighting from the 1960s… some of the mechanical events we experience can be just as unidentifiable. In this episode, Ray shares ten unexplainable phenomena with no answers.
This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success.Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability!Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod FarmerSuccess on the farm or ranch is a three-legged stool: agronomy, marketing and equipment. A poor decision in any one of these will be reflected in your farm’s bottom line. Ray Bohacz created the Idle Chatter podcast to help prosper the American farm and ranch; education delivered in an entertaining format.
Where America’s farmers go to learn about their equipment.
Most of us use numbers to make decisions. This week’s episode explains why you also need to look at the results in a percentage. When you employ both numeric and percentage data to your due diligence, it will often show that the raw numbers alone are misleading.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Did you ever wonder if cubic inches or more valves in the cylinder head are better? Then this episode is for you! Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, references two 485 horsepower production engines for his lesson. The 392 Dodge Hemi and the 302 Ford Coyote. One has more valves and less cubic inches while the other the opposite.
This Detroit hot rod is the first American vehicle that is designed to run on E-85. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, looks beyond the horsepower and why it is a milestone for corn growers and the ethanol community.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
A turbocharged engine can still build the proper boost pressure but experience a drop in horsepower and torque. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, hearkens back to his days of building drag race Buick GN turbo V-6 engines to tell you where to find the problem, regardless if it’s gasoline or diesel.
In this episode I take a different path and have a meaningful conversation about life and faith in God with a new and upcoming country music star. She hails originally from Louisiana, but now hangs her cowboy hat in Nashville, Tennessee.
Brei is an Army veteran, patriot, and country girl through and through.
Many gasoline engines in pick-up trucks and other vehicles use a new style fuel injection system called GDI. This week the Hot Rod Farmer explains the potential issues and how to easily correct them.Automatic transmission line pressure when shifting into reverse is covered in the meet “Me in the Farm Shop” segment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, cut his teeth on carburetors long before he was known for his EFI tuning abilities. Regardless of the type of engine, its size, number of cylinders, or intended use, the simple secrets he provides in this episode will make a world of difference if they are employed.
He grew-up in Australia on his parent’s 6,000-acre wheat farm five miles outside the small town of Dimboola. That life cemented a love of family and country that was juxtaposed against a wanderlust that could not be satisfied. His sojourns around the globe had him eventually land in America, working with a custom harvesting crew that traveled from Texas to the Canadian border. In South Dakota, he found his soul and the love of his life, Nicole, the woman he would marry… but not before he brought to his adopted nation the concept of the Walkabout Mother Bin. Learn the fascinating story of the man from Down Under who revolutionized harvest efficiency in North America.
In the background, the mural on the Faulkton grain elevator that Dave commissioned with artist, Guido Van HeltenDave riding a bull, and he did NOT make it 8 seconds.Dave’s wife Nicole and Dave on their wedding day.Dave and Nicole rescue senior huskies, this is their husky, Musky, and the children’s book Dave wrote about Musky, “The Adventures of Squirrel and Husky: Frank & Musky”Dave, Nicole and MuskyDave and Waverley Bike Shop owner, Dicky HunterDave and Musky reading Musky the Husky to the elementary school kids.
Everyone needs to be an educated consumer, especially when having a piece of farm equipment repaired or serviced. The Hot Rod Farmer tells you what to ask and why, to get a proper repair and not waste money.Vehicle and farm machinery weatherstripping is discussed in the “Meet me in the Farm Shop” segment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
We all have days that the temperature and other aspects of the weather affect how we feel and our energy level. Well, an engine is not any different. This week the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, explains the basics of air temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity, and how they impact a gasoline or diesel engine’s performance.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer travels to the AGCO headquarters in Duluth, Georgia, and talks with Arthur Santos, the marketing manager for the remarkable Momentum planter.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
We live in a world that says decisions should be data driven. In usual fashion, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, challenges the popular mindset with a unique look at how data can steer you wrong.
Known by millions of people around the world for his commentary on the financial and commodity markets along with his Holstein-themed attire, Scott is much more than that. His father Ronald, the original Cow Guy, who grew up dirt poor on the banks of the Mississippi River, had a profound influence on the man Scott became. A must listen and candid episode that you will never forget.
Scott Shellady, Host of ‘The Cow Guy Close’ on RFD – TVBrother Mark and Scott fishing in Minnesota Scott and his daughter on the banks of Lake MichiganThe original “Cow Guy” Ronald Shellady, (Scott’s dad).Former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie receives a Cow Jacket and “The Cow Guy” with Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy.
The first step to a successful crop is making sure your planter is set up as precisely as a drag race engine needs to be. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, points out the areas that most overlook.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
In this episode the combustion event in each cylinder is compared to a picket fence stand of corn. Ray Bohacz explains the difference in an engine design that skews combustion variability and how mechanical problems can accentuate it.
The trials and tears of life have done little to diminish this family’s faith in the Lord and their passion for agriculture. What began more than 40 years ago when a high school boy got a job picking apples, has led to an 800-acre fruit and vegetable farm in the shadow of New York City. A must listen story of grit, determination, and hope… when all looked lost.
Farmer Kurt W. Alstede started his farming career in 1982 with hay before transitioning to fruits and vegetables. The entire Alstede family participates in the operation of the farm and is part of the farm’s succession for the future. From left to right: Mary Thompson-Alstede, Rebekah A. Alstede, Kurt W. Alstede, Sarah J. Alstede. Alstede Farms grows over 250 varieties of fruits and vegetables on over 400 acres. Farmer Kurt W. Alstede inspects the upcoming strawberry crops.
Farmer Kurt W. Alstede poses with one of the fifty varieties of apples grown on his farm. High bush blueberries are also grown on the farm and are open for guest visitors to pick their own in season.
The entire Alstede Family is dedicated to providing families with opportunities to learn how food is grown while providing memorable farm experiences.
The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, explains how a light bulb is rated, engine coolant temperature is determined, and a hydraulic system is tested…all incorrectly. Disc brake pad adjustment is the topic of the “Meet Me in the Farm Shop” segment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
This week the Hot Rod Farmer shares his column in Hemming’s Muscle Machines, titled “Ask Ray”. Though the questions he receives are automotive related, the explanations can easily be adapted to similar concerns with farm machinery.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer teams up with David Fickle, Senior Marketing Manager for the new FENDT Rogator. Do not let his title fool you. He is a farmer, hydraulic engineer, and car guy! It is an episode that you will want to share with family and friends in the market for a new sprayer.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
Though there was a huge crowd in Kentucky, most of you could not attend. In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer provides his impressions of the event and why anyone in any business needs to have the heart of a servant.
These questions are asked by a listener and the Hot Rod Farmer addresses all three in this episode.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
A seminar on dairy cow nutrient digestibility and bovine methane emissions convinced Ray that it is time to discuss burn speed versus flame speed in an engine.
You cannot see them, but carbon deposits have the potential to cause a multitude of problems. In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer explains how they form and what you can do to eradicate them. Electric power steering is covered in the “Meet Me in the Farm Shop” segment.Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment.
Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern.
But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you for listening and never forget… agriculture runs on machinery but profits on reliability!
A friend of a friend reached out to the Hot Rod Farmer to explain how they solved a misfire on a RAM 5.7-liter Hemi engine. It is a mystery, but Ray does his best to explain and shed some light on the problem.
In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer, goes over all the little finesse items you need to perform for a perfect clutch replacement. A job that you do not want to do twice!
How did the industry go from a carburetor and breaker points to today’s sophisticated engine controllers? This week, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, provides a comprehensive timeline of the events that will allow you to make sense of this evolution.
Just as a human’s brain has different areas of function, so does an ECU found on an engine or any farm machine. This week the Hot Rod Farmer makes sense of the acronyms that identify each area of function, such as KAM, RAM , and ROM.Why your toolbox should have a set of pin gauges is the topic of the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
The formation of ice in a carburetor is a phenomenon that is just as relevant today as it was years back, it even takes place in the throttle body of an EFI system. This week, Ray explains what you need to know about the subject, how to combat it, and not chase your tail looking for a problem that does not exist.
When it is cold out, even a slight drop in heater discharge temperature is a concern. This week the Hot Rod Farmer shares with you how to keep your heater blowing hot."The problem a misplaced battery vent can cause is discussed in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
Before you can become proficient in diagnosing anything, you need to understand it to a much higher level than most others. If not, you are just guessing. This week ,Ray explains the theory of think talking and finding your voice in life.
Just as there is a difference in the quality of hardware the same holds true for the electronic components that are used in agriculture and other applications. This week the Hot Rod Farmer makes sense of this. How to check an EGR valve is covered in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
In response to a request from a listener, Ray will explain some common hot rod terms. This is Part 1. The series will air every few months.
There is a very good possibility that each tank of diesel or gasoline you buy has a different energy density than the previous or the next. Density affects fuel economy and to a lesser extent, power. Drive-by-wire engine control is reviewed in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
In today’s wireless and 5G world are there health issues that many do not want to talk about? Listen and learn about EMF, how to check it, and the potential health problems it may cause.
Bob and Ray share the story of ordering this remarkable vehicle that few have ever heard,and even less, have experienced.
Since it is Christmas, the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, uses this episode to share with you a little about himself and his vision for the radio show in 2023.
Once Christmas is over and 2023 is here, it is time to tackle some of the many often overlooked machinery maintenance items. This week I provide an eclectic list for you to consider.
This week Ray shares with you his trip to AGCO Corp in Georgia, responds to a listener that disagrees with him, helps another to understand a drop in fuel economy his Silverado is experiencing, what was wrong with his B&S generator, and who Hilton should not have at the front desk of their hotel.
There are AC, DC, and EC electric motors found on the farm. Learn what you need to know about the differences in this episode."The sound of a fuel injector conveys its health and is the subject of this installment of "Meet Me in the Farm Shop".
A piece of farm equipment is a partner in your operation and becomes like kin folk. There is no reason to not keep it working side-by-side with you for decades. This week the Hot Rod Farmer shares some tips on how to accomplish that."How to easily check small, air-cooled engine running temperature is covered in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
This is a question to ponder before you invest in repowering any vehicle or farm machine. In this episode, Ray Bohacz explains why the factory is able to do some things better than the best engine shop.
Please use this podcast along with the companion buyers’ guide article to find the perfect gift.
The Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, explains why a smoke machine is an essential tool in your farm shop to find unknown leaks.The story of a heroic Vietnam War helicopter pilot is read this week instead of the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
Conventional wisdom would believe that horsepower is horsepower regardless if it is developed by a compression ignition engine or a spark ignition design. Ray Bohacz explains why the combustion event indeed makes a difference and why that is.
This week the mystery behind all the unique chemical compositions specified for use in modern equipment is solved.
The potential issues a dipstick can create is revealed in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
In this episode, Ray Bohacz takes a deep dive into spark ignition engine knock control and connects that with other PID loop circuits found on the farm.
The Hot Rod Farmer tells it like it is. In this episode he shares insider information about some key industries that you deal with daily.
What you need to know about fuel density is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
Once again, I state how important proper diagnostic procedure is, regardless of what you are working on.
The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, provides convincing facts for not warming-up an engine.
The proper way to check for spark on an engine is revealed in the "Meet Me in the Farm Shop" segment.
To accurately diagnose a problem you need both foundational and application specific knowledge. This week the Hot Rod Farmer takes you into the trenches with some true stories of a simple repair that became a complex nightmare.
The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, delivers a triple header this week. He tells what you need to know about ammonia slip on a Tier 4 diesel, explains what a PID loop is, and why you need to check for total harmonic distortion in your house and farm shop.
The pitfalls of mixing different oil brands is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
When an engine begins to leak oil it may be a sign of a bigger problem than a failed gasket or seal. Join the Hot Rod Farmer for this week’s episode to understand what to look for.
An outtake from Ray’s Main Stage presentation at Commodity Classic, "Latent losses that originate in the farm shop and how they affect your operation’s bottom line." In this episode, real life machinery problems and their financial impact are discussed.
The proper way to jump start an engine is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
Few things are worse than seeing the dreaded alternator light come on. Often you feel so helpless. This week the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, introduces some things to check that will cause a charging issue but may not be internal to the alternator.
Modern diesel engines in almost every application will greatly reduce their power if an emissions issue is detected. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer explains the control system logic behind this strategy and how to keep a derate at bay.
There is a wealth of information available via the OBD-II connector with short and long term fuel trim being one of them.
In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, takes you from the early days of Block Learn Multiplier and Integrator to modern fuel trim and how to interpret the values.
Gasoline is a hydrocarbon based fuel and the byproduct of combustion is carbon. If left unchecked engine performance will suffer and wear increase. The Hot Rod Farmer explains how the carbon can be removed without disassembly.
The need to renew hydraulic brake fluid is the topic of Meet Me in the Farm Shop.
There is much more to engine oil performance than the SAE rating and viscosity. This week Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, provides a farmer’s guide to tribology. Your engines are depending on you listening!
Did you ever wonder why there are no supercharged diesel engines? Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, explains the two different methods that can feed more air into an engine, and why a turbocharger is the method of choice for a heavy-duty application.
Engine oil wettability is explained in the Meet Me in the Farm shop segment.
With the fourth anniversary of Idle Chatter approaching, Ray so appreciates the bond the listeners have blessed him with and the latitude of the content they allow him to deliver. This week he laments on an eclectic array of topics that reveal how the world, society, and machinery have changed so dramatically since he was a young man. Life is not the same.
Most are familiar with the need to break-in an engine but not so about the rear suspension on a pick-up truck. This week, the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, explains why and how it should be done and the benefits you will reap for the life of the vehicle.
How engine coolant wears out is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm shop segment.
Manifold boost pressure is like electricity; you know when it there and when it is not, but you cannot see it. This week the Hot Rod Farmer provides some valuable tips to get the boost back regardless if it is a gasoline or diesel engine.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer bypasses the commonly known combine service procedures and takes an in depth look at static electricity and ground circuits that can cause not only a failure but a catastrophe.
Proper A/C operation is revealed in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
This week a question is posed wondering if an engine should be switched from a wet flow electronic fuel injection system to a dry flow design. In typical Hot Rod Farmer fashion, Ray Bohacz, provides his best advice and explains his thoughts technically, though it may not be the answer the person was looking for.
The educated farmer is the most profitable. When it comes to diesel engines, the method employed to control NOx needs to be understood. In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer explains what you need to know.
How to make an electric fuel pump last longer is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
When dealing with machinery, diagnostics is NOT replacing parts. Join Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, when he quizzes you this week on five different problems. Learn the proper thought process to get to the issue quickly and without wasting money.
This week the Hot Rod Farmer debunks the myth that trailer tires do not need to be in mass equilibrium, and why it is necessary to know exactly what your equipment weighs.
Understanding RTV sealant is covered in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
At first blush spark plugs seem simplistic but that ends with this week’s Idle Chatter podcast. The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, takes a deep dive into the topics that most do not think of when looking at a spark plug.
Growing up in the shadow of the NYC skyscrapers in a family that did not own a car, a five-year old boy’s life-long passion for anything with an engine was sparked by seeing the muffler of a brand new 1964 Buick Electra 225 as it backed out of a stranger’s garage. The journey that began that day has transcended decades and the joys and tears of life. The lessons and life skills that were tempered under the hood of a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner were the foundation for two successful careers, and a friendship with me since 1977. I invite you to hear this inspirational story of a life driven by passion.
Join the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, Ray Bohacz, as he speaks with James Condon, an expert on portable generator repair. They discuss the common problem areas, how to confirm generator output, and what to do when things go wrong.
The type of use a vehicle or machine receives will determine the wear patterns, especially when dealing with cyclical functions such as a transmission, hydraulic system, and others. This week the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, explains why you need to recognize these uses and modify the maintenance schedule.
If an engine requires more octane now than it did in the past, there is a reason. The Hot Rod Farmer explains what it means and how to cure the demand for more expensive fuel, inexpensively.
The temperature of a tire is critical when checking pressure or adding any air. This concept is covered in the Meet Me In the Farm Shop, segment.
Idle Chatter has turned into more than a podcast on farm machinery and engines. Though that is its main purpose and mission statement, this week I open up the microphone to answer some questions from the audience that are more about life than mechanical things.
Just as a crop begins with seedbed preparation, the Hot Rod Farmer explains why and how you should prepare to sell before a new machine touches the soil of your farm.
How to get the most out of any equipment purchase is discussed in the Meet Me In the Farm Shop segment.
In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, has you think-talk through the operation of an EFI system from engine start to full-throttle. By understanding how an electronic fuel injector operates under varied conditions, this knowledge will allow you to quickly diagnose a problem if it ever occurs.
After successful careers as a civil/environmental engineer (Don) and a holistic health coach (Donna), they found their true passion and God’s calling for their lives in an aquaponic farm in rural New Jersey. This first generation and later in life husband and wife team, share a passion for agriculture, community, and America. Their state-of-the-art aquaponic farm is positioned to not only grow safe, healthy, and sustainable food but their main crop is healing the soul of our nation through a return to community and faith.
I invite you to listen to the compelling story of the journey that brought them to the small farm they named, Freedom Loving Patriot Acres, and their hope for its future.
If you think rolling coal with your diesel is cool… you may change your mind after listening to this week’s episode. The Hot Rod Farmer explains why billowing clouds of black smoke is bad for your engine.
How to check for a leaky EGR valve is explained in the Meet Me In the Farm Shop segment.
If you are a listener to Idle Chatter than we share the same curse of never wanting to walk away from a failed repair. We become like a dog after a groundhog… he is long gone but the dog keeps digging and barking. Yet in life we must sometimes see the bigger picture and move on. In this episode I tell the story of a my beloved Briggs & Stratton generator and how I may need to say good-bye after only 36 hours of use.
Growing up in rural Texas, Larry heard stories of his relatives enduring hardships that were the result of the 1930s Dust Bowl. His family’s connection to those trying times plateaued with the loss of multiple lives as the result of a single tornado. These tragedies spoke to the young man’s heart. Originally on the path to become an electrical engineer, the rural Texas dust whispered to his soul… he needed to be part of a solution. This was the catalyst that launched a lifelong journey to conserve the blessings of the top soil that belongs to the High Plains of the Western United States. Larry’s desire to relegate the Dust Bowl to American history books, had him embark on a decades long passion for soil conservation that culminated with the award winning TV show, Out On The Land.
Please join me to hear the story of a man who dedicated his life to the soil and those that farm and ranch our blessed America.
At one time or another, we all have had an engine that ran hot but the reason defied us. In this episode, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, makes getting on to the proper diagnostic path easy.
The Meet Me In the Farm Shop segment explains how some electronic circuits on farm equipment can skew.
In life but especially in farming and working on machinery, you never stop learning, even with tasks you have done many, many times. This week Ray shares with you the lessons learned and obstacles faced during a week on Cat Swamp Road.
Pump-line-nozzle diesel engines are extremely reliable. Yet it is important to make sure each nozzle assembly responds the same way. Deep and shallow soil compaction is explored in the Meet Me the Farm Shop segment.
It is very frustrating and aggravating when you invest in a new vehicle or farm machine and there is a problem early-on. Most issues are caused by a supplier that changed something without telling the company. This week Ray Bohacz provides a behind the scenes look at what is truly happening in the automotive and farm machinery industry, and why COVID made things worse.
If the A/C in your farm equipment or vehicles is not blowing cold, spend 30 minutes with the Hot Rod Farmer to find out why. Oil centistokes is explained in this week’s Meet Me in the Farm Shop.
Sensors are found everywhere on the farm. This week the Hot Rod Farmer explains the output signal of the three most commonly employed sensors.
The concept of co-oping equipment is represented in the Meet Me in the Farm Shop segment.
The 1960’s advertising campaign featuring Dr. Oldsmobile convinced hot rodders that there was more going on under the hood than meets the eye. Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, discusses what you need to do when a machine or engine conflicts the science of how it should run.
Learn where to look when a carburetor does not perform properly or is showing any other sign of misbehavior.
This week Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, explains why five common misbeliefs regarding machinery can lead you down the wrong diagnostic path.
The importance of using a silicone spray and anti-seize compound are covered in the Under the Sheet Metal segment.
Just because a wire shows no sign of being burned or cracked does not mean that the insulation has not degraded to the level where electrical leakage will occur. In this episode, Ray provides a true story of secondary wire leakage and how easy it is to ignore.
Many think of a dynamometer as a tool for race engines but that is only one application. The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, explains the value of dyno testing and the different methods that are available to those in agriculture.
The terms rebuilt, remanufactured, and new are explained in the Under the Sheetmetal segment.
Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, brings to light the many factors you need to consider before investing in an electric vehicle.
Can Ford’s new compact pick-up truck be useful on a farm or ranch? Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, puts a hybrid and EcoBoost version to the test in the only farmer-focused road test, so that you do not have to.
The term blueprint when it comes to an engine is often misunderstood. The topic of this week’s episode was prompted by a question. Can you just take engine parts out of the box and install them?
Just as a plant will identify a nutrient deficiency by the color of its leaves, so will an engine if there is smoke from the exhaust. The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, covers what you need to know in this episode. In the Under the Sheetmetal segment, PID loops are explained.
Is the 2022 Ford Maverick compact pick-up truck farm tough or is it meant for those living in a subdivision? Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, puts both a hybrid and EcoBoost version to the test on the family farm for two weeks so that you can find out.
This week I get together with Preston Tolstad from Augmenta. He explains how the Augmenta systems use five cameras to provide the first real time crop analysis to control variable rate application of fertility during the growing season.
I was never a fan of hybrid powertrains for those that live in a rural area. Driving the 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid has changed all of that for me. This week I explain why you should consider a hybrid powertrain for your next vehicle and why the most efficient ones employ an Atkinson cycle engine and how that differs from a conventional design.
Almost every farmer has an old gas truck hiding somewhere on the farm that they could put to good use if it ran properly. Well, that is the topic of this week’s episode, along with how to care for your on-farm diesel fuel storage tank.
In this episode of Idle Chatter, Ray brings to light how a dysfunctional EGR system can impact how the engine is fueled, the injector or ignition timing, and why this occurs. Many hours and dollars have been spent trying to fix a problem that was being caused by the EGR system but its influence was not recognized.
Rural America has the heart of a servant. This week, the Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, provides insight to the special service requirements for the vehicles employed by rural EMS and fire departments.
The importance of pulley alignment is explored in the Under the Sheetmetal segment.
The combustion sound of a diesel engine is a true indicator of how the fuel is burning and must be recognized as a diagnostic tool. In this episode Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, explains why each engine has a certain combustion sound and it is a language that you must learn to understand.
When it comes to your farm or ranch, decisions about investing in equipment and trucks need to be rooted in business sense and not emotion. All too often we make the wrong choice and over time, it has the potential to have a huge impact on our operations profitability.
Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, expands on an answer he provided a listener in a previous episode regarding exhaust back pressure. He also touches on why engine coolant is degraded during heavy field work.
This episode was triggered by the discussion in the ethanol industry to encourage higher octane blends. Though Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, is a huge supporter of biofuels, the ethanol community’s claim that octane is the sole key to engine performance is false. For the good of everyone it needs to be debunked.
If you were to meet this three times world champion NHRA nitromethane funny car driver on an airplane and ask him what he did for a living, he would tell you that he is a farmer. This is no hobby farm though.
He is a first generation farmer that started his operation from nothing. He now runs 3,400 acres along with a 1,400 head commercial angus heard. The man behind the fire suit is a husband, father, son, and loving brother.
We are all guilty of identifying a rough running engine as experiencing a misfire. That is not always true. Technically, a defined set of circumstances constitutes a misfire. This is important for you to take the proper diagnostic path.
In today’s world everything is not what it seems. But this charade began more than 40 years ago in the auto industry with the Japanese. It is known as perceived quality and is by design. In this episode of Idle Chatter, the Hot Rod Farmer explains the roots of perceived quality and how it is migrating into agricultural machinery.
Some engines are more prone to diluting the oi with fuel and that is usually rooted in the size of the crevice regions in the cylinder. Recognizing crevice volume is paramount in establishing the proper maintenance schedule for the engine style and use it sees.
Spring has sprung so the Hot Rod Farmer provides some basic but often overlooked steps when getting ready roll!
More than 70 years ago a Pennsylvania dairy farmer started to sell IH tractors. Now the third generation is carrying on their grandfather’s legacy with the same passion.
The Messick Family were dairy farmers when they were approached by International-Harvester to open a dealership. The first location was built on land away from the farm and was run concurrently with the farm. More than 70 years later it is still a family business. The Messick Family all broke ground together on their new 217,000 square foot facility. Tired of constantly outgrowing their building, much thought, planning, and due diligence went into the new location.
The new showroom means that tractors and equipment of all sizes can occupy the showroom floor. This allows potential buyers to look it over regardless of the weather.
A family tradition of service and respect for the customer has created a large mail order parts business. Over three miles of shelving is found in the parts department. More than 50% of equipment sales are to those in production agriculture with the balance evenly split between commercial and land owner use. A full compliment of short lines are carried to offer the Messick’s customers the right machine for the job that needs to be done.
The parts counter is a key component of keeping farmers in the field. The team at Messick’s have experience and passion for doing what is best for the customers.
Situated on over 30 acres, the Mt. Joy location has plenty of room to display and inventory equipment. New Holland, Case/IH, and Kubota are the tractor lines represented.
Did you ever wonder how fuel usage, distance to empty, and oil life is determined? Once you understand the way this data is collected, it can become a useful tool.
Did you ever wonder where the do and don’t of some machinery repair procedures come from since they make no sense? Often they are the product of a lawyer and not an engineer. This week, the Hot Rod Farmer examines some common examples of this folly.
This week, Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer, explains the potential pitfalls of investing in used vehicles or farm machines that experienced very little use.
Is the government trying to over regulate gasoline engines to push an electric agenda? Soon, particulate filters along with their cost and complexity will be found on gasoline engines. Is this the shape of things to come, as the 1975 ad campaign for the Triumph TR-7 stated?
A 10 year old boy’s eyes in Brooklyn, New York, fall upon a 1934 Ford hot rod. A journey that would make him world renown begins.
Bob (right) and his cousin, Vinny, reunited with the car they made memories with. Shortly after this picture was taken, Vinny went home to the Lord.
Without any formal training, Bob has become an exceptional machinist by applying the same passion he has had since being a boy.
The friendship that Bob and Chip Banney (Dancing Bear Corvette) forged street racing in Brooklyn as kids too young to legally drive, never wavered. Bob lost Chip in 2019.
Bob and his son Rob, who carries on the Ida tradition of excellence.
After a two year wait, Bob’s brand new Ford GT being delivered to his shop. More than 40 close friends and family were there to welcome the super car into the Ida Family.
Unbeknownst to Bob, his dad lovingly built a trailer for him to safely tow his Willys to the drag strip.
Brooklyn- style street racing in the 1960s.
The amount of new and spectacular farm equipment is overwhelming. But is bigger always better and does every high-tech feature bring value to every operation? This week I take an analytical approach to investing in machinery.
This week Ray helps readers with a column he writes in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine. He shows how, regardless if it a hot rod or an irrigation engine, the diagnostics are the same.
In this episode the Hot Rod Farmer explains the dynamics of fuel puddling on the floor of the intake port and how to easily avoid the problem.
There are many design elements that differentiate a steady state engine such as one used on a generator set, from a transient operation engine as is found in a road vehicle. Each use has its own design challenges and both are found on the farm. Understanding the differences is important when diagnosing a problem.
The amount of energy consumed by an engine or electrical device is an accurate indicator of a pending issue.
In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer provides a simple way to track gasoline, diesel, or electrical usage and how to interpret the results.
I have been blessed in my life to have met these two families and the three men. These gentlemen, working with minimal to no resources in their garage, accomplished what a major corporation would struggle to do. Their passion for engines and the for betterment of America and the world more than made up for their humble roots.
It is critical to understand that parts of an engine or machine that rotate need to be in balance. But there are both fine and coarse balance, with the former being the desired result. In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer also explains why components need to maintain their orientation if removed and reinstalled.
The Hot Rod Farmer takes a look at the potential problem areas you may run into with an EFI engine. Is fuel injection better than a carburetor? That question gets answered in this episode of Idle Chatter.
Though there has not been a engine made for decades that uses breaker points, there are still many in use on a farm or ranch. Also, the tenet of operation is the same for a modern coil-on-plug electronic ignition system. Understanding modern ignition systems begins with an investigation of the breaker point design.
Since 1996, all light-duty vehicles offered a world of diagnostic data that can only be accessed with an OBD-II scanner. This is an inexpensive and easy to use tool. In this episode, Ray provides practical uses for a scanner beyond reading and erasing trouble codes.
In this episode, the Hot Rod Farmer explains the unique tools that are employed during the development of an engine. The journey from a concept to you owing it is a long and detailed one.
A long time Idle Chatter listener has had problems with using E-10 in small engines. The Hot Rod Farmer has had no issues at all in 25 years. How can some people have problems with this gasoline while others do not? In this episode, Ray applies critical thinking and possibly has an answer, since both findings are valid.
Everyone knows a Hot Rod Farmer but often they are hard to choose a Christmas gift for. Use this podcast episode and the companion article on the website to get some ideas that will get that Hot Rod Farmer’s engine running. They will remember you each time they use it!
This week I take a deep dive into the possible reasons why a John Deere 318 garden tractor is hard starting, explain why a 2021 Ford Expedition experienced large swings in fuel economy when towing, and if a Gleaner combine’s engine needs a new harmonic damper.
The lure of more power and fuel economy and no longer dealing with DEF and regeneration of the DPF can be alluring. But these gains come with a cost that many do not recognize until it is too late. Be an educated consumer and learn all the facts before you decide to tamper with your diesel pick-up truck’s engine.
The term high-performance is often misunderstood. In engineering parlance it is a design that is more efficient than the part that is normally employed. When replacing a worn or failed part, it is prudent to explore if a high-performance version is offered. In some applications the performance gain may be in fuel efficiency or longevity and not horsepower, but will be a worthwhile investment.
Almost everywhere you look on the farm or ranch you are interacting with the theory of fluid dynamics. A fluid is identified as a liquid, plasma, or gas (rarefied form). By having a basic understanding of this subdiscipline of fluid mechanics, you will be able to become a better diagnostician and make more informed purchasing decisions of the equipment that is used in your operation.
For further reading on fluid dynamics:
https://farmmachinerydigest.com/fluid-dynamics-a-discussion-on-hydraulic-motors/
https://farmmachinerydigest.com/fluid-dynamics-understanding-working-fluids/
When diagnosing an electronic device or the replacement unit does not perform properly, it may be the result of tolerance and drift. Learn what it is and how to identify it.
Starting an engine when it is at or near ambient temperature requires recognition of not only the dynamics that are involved, but knowledge of the system that is evoked. Following the proper protocols is essential for quick-starting regardless of the weather conditions.
In years past most if not all chemicals that claimed to work on a certain engine or transmission problem were false. Today’s modern engines bring a host of new aliments that can be treated effectively with advanced chemistry, and in some instances, is the only way.
The torque converter does more to define the performance of an engine than the automatic transmission. This fluid connection between the engine and the driveline will impact how well the vehicle drives and will move a load. A must-listen before a shop rebuilds any of your automatic transmissions.
Commonly used in the automotive industry, there is either a push or pull protocol in how production is related to consumer demand. By modifying this concept for it to apply to farm machinery maintenance, huge gains in reliability with a reduction in expenses can be achieved.
If the cylinder head needs to be taken off the engine, it is imperative that all necessary service procedures are followed.
The Next Generation of Fuel Act will allow the auto industry to redesign many aspects of the internal combustion engine. The fuel will be designed for the engine and not the engine for the fuel. It will result in huge gains in fuel economy and a further reduction in emissions.
If a repair or service procedure fails, you need to look at it forensically. The true cause must be identified to rectify the situation and not repeat the results.
Almost everyone was exposed to Ohm’s Law during their school years. This basic and often overlooked law is the foundation of everything that works on electricity, regardless if it is an AC or DC circuit. It is important when diagnosing or adding electrical or electronic equipment to farm machinery to recognize the basic tenant of Ohm’s Law, volts X amps = watts.
During the intake stroke the cylinder can be filled in a chaotic way or an orderly manner. Which occurs is by design of the cylinder head and predominantly the intake port. The cylinder fill pattern will impact every aspect of how an engine runs and it is important to understand this effect.
Machinery is inanimate and does not have feelings and emotions as living things do. Yet, their operation is influenced by other internal systems that appear unrelated. In that way they do have a low level of feelings and emotions. The medical community identifies the symptoms of a disease or aliment using the term, presents. When it comes to machinery, I have found that you need to recognize this phenomena. An issue in one area often presents as a malady in another, leading your diagnostics down the wrong path.
Engines are getting smaller and yet their horsepower is increasing even when they are not turbocharged. The industry is accomplishing this by optimizing cylinder fill through manipulation of the camshaft’s phase and the length of the induction path.
Advanced control systems are employed all around the farm. Be it either a grain bin, sprayer, planter, or anything else. The controls decisions are made using an algorithm. It is important to understand the basics of how this logic works. It all will make sense once you listen to this episode.
John, Ron, Andy, Fred, Jerry, and parents Walter and Yvonne Learn.
His family has lived on and farmed the same land continuously for 192 years.
Green Township, Pennslyvania
New milking operation at the Learn's farm
Left: Ron Learn. Middle: Ron's son, Matt, who milk the cows, Ron, and brother, John. Right: Family quilt-hanging on original barn
A must listen for any car guy or gal!
https://youtu.be/fz05zNO7phE Pete Maier (left) the youngest designer ever hired by GM, joins forces with Rob Ida, to build a three-wheeled car he designed in 1966… Pete’s first week at GM.
The drawings have waited 55 years to be born.
Despite many challenges these newlyweds become first generation farmers. Trusting in faith, agriculture, and America.
After seeing Peter’s work at the New York World’s Fair, renowned Automotive Designer and VP of General Motors Corporation, Bill Mitchell, hired him. Peter’s career was interrupted while he served in Vietnam.
Upon his return, Peter went on to a distinguished career as an Automobile Designer, one of the youngest ever to be hired by GM. He rose in the ranks to become Senior Designer for Cadillac, Pontiac and Chevrolet Motor Divisions, thereby becoming part of an elite group.
He left the security of his position at GM in 1980, and although approached by other major automotive companies, embarked on a journey to pursue his passion as a fine artist.
Pete, aged 33, Senior Designer at CadillacIn the design studio Pete directs modeler, Bob Schmidt on what was to become the 1980 Seville. Also pictured, Bob Ryland (back facing) and fellow designer, George Camp (distant).
Pete and "Wolfie" in front of his life-size graphite drawing
To see more of Pete's artwork visit his website.
The inventors of the the adjustable PCV valve.
Gene, Barbara, and Matt Wagner with the Ford Fairlane, the car that was the impetus for creating the DF-17 tunable PCV valve.
Click here to view the gift suggestions for this year. Click here for gift suggestions from last year.
Will this latest generation be able to live on a farm?
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Engine
Jon Cassel (pictured left).
Farmer, locomotive engineer, volunteer firefighter, and a Christian missionary to French speaking Senegal in Africa, for more than twenty years.
The Chevrolet Silverado’s all-new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turbo-diesel engine offers segment-leading torque and horsepower, in addition to a focus on fuel economy and capability.
Listen to another interesting Hot Rod Farmer podcast about "Frankengas"...
https://farmmachinerydigest.com/hot-rod-farmer-if-gmo-crops-are-frankenfood-then-is-e-85-frankengas/
This "second hand smoke" has far reaching implications.
As mentioned in this podcast listen to "How engines make power", part one.
http://farmmachinerydigest.com/hotrod-farmer-how-engines-make-power-part-1/