Electric 1

During Electric I class we have a few demonstrations. This demonstration shows the effects of overloading an electrical circuit. A 14 guage wire will carry about 400 amps for a few seconds but after a few seconds things get out of control.

 

You have to love the sparks at 8am.

 

Fundamentals and Safety Class Highlights

For the last 3 weeks we have been busy solving many of the world's mysteries. Here are a few examples:

What do all of these buttons do?

How do I set the wheels and steering stops on the front of a tractor? 

What is a lock collar?

What size is this bolt?

How tight is tight enough?

Is this how an elevator works?

How does a grain tank come off?

Can you have fun without an engine?

The following all fall under the same category. 

"What is teamwork?"

Fall Classes Begin

We are off to a running start with 39 new students this year. After the first few days they are tired of hearing me talk and ready to get on with Fundamentals and Safety class. We have two older combines to tear apart this year six new tractors to play with. We have played with fire extinguishers, talked about tools and shop safety. Service ADVISOR is becoming our new friend. The best is yet to come (micrometers, acronyms, and fasteners) and I can't wait! Here are some pictures.

John Deere Tech

Summer Classes are Done!

Well it’s hard to believe but summer classes are over. It was a fast 3 months and now it is time to go back home and work until mid-November. We had some opportunities to spread a little oil around the shop while learning about hydraulic systems and completing John Deere Hydraulic Certification. We took a trip to Lanesboro for a bike ride and some food. We learned about air conditioning and completed MACS AC Certification. The shop is all cleaned out and ready for the new class to start is a couple weeks. Here are some pictures. John Deere Tech

Summer Trip 2013

Last week during the heat we went on our annual summer trip. This year we went to Component Works in Waterloo, Corporate Headquarters, The Pavilion, Harvester Works in Davenport and then Dubuque Works on the way home. We had a little excitement with a hotel reservation (or the lack thereof) but it all worked out in the end. We were unable to take pictures in the factories but we do have a few to share.
John Deere Tech

The 9880i Gets A New Cab

We found a donor for some parts for the combine and John Deere provided us with the remaining pieces required to make it fit on the combine. Nathan spent some time moving parts from one cab to the other and on Friday it moved under its own power to the other shop. We also put new steps and the ladder landing on it to make it easier to get in and out. It looks like there may be a few electrical challenges and a little AC work left. Click on the post to see before and after pictures.
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Summer Classes Are Going Fast

Power Trains class is just over so now it's on to Hydraulics II and AC. We have been working on many different transmissions from syncro-ranges to IVTs and main engine gear cases to MFWD axles. Here are a few pics.
John Deere Tech