Maintenance

Workboat

The right tools for the job

Workboat maintenance obviously cannot be carried out without the proper tools. This month our marine engine specialist lists some of the tools which should be found in the workshed of a practical planter.

The first and most obvious re quirement is a set of hand tools, e.g. spanners, combined open-end and ring types to cover the range on the boat engine. It’s also a good idea to have a set of spanners in SAE from i in. to i in. to suit tractor or car.

Other essential hand tools are screw drivers, heavy and light, pliers, tin snips, small pin punches, large and small hammers and a 1 in. flat chisel and i in. or I in. cross cut chisel.

A good stout breast drill or a small hand drill are important on a plantation. If, however, you have electric power on hand, it would be a better idea to get hold of an elec tric drill and with a bench attach ment. An electrical drill is useful in a number of ways, e.g. with a wire brush rust can be removed from machinery, etc. and propeller blades can be cleaned with an emery or sanding disc. The drill can also be used as a grinder.

Welding

A blowlamp should be kept for soldering, etc. and it is now possible to get a small gas welding outfit. A small assortment of dies or die nuts are very useful. For plumbing and pipe repairs keep a pair of Stilson wrenches and several pipe size die nuts—i.e., \ in., I in. and 1 in. Gas.

(Bsp).

It is now possible to get a small power driven hacksaw which can be very useful for cutting shafts, bars, bolts, chain, pipes, tubing and wood. A useful small saw bench, complete with a wide range of opera tion equipment is now on the market at a reasonable price.

The use of a Black Hawk type hydraulic jack is worth considering as it can be used as a permanent press unit quite apart from its normal use. This sort of jack is portable, labour-saving and reasonably priced.

Testing equipment for engine fuel systems is not vitally necessary, as there has been an increase in fuel injection service stations in the Islands. Unless you were very re motely stationed, you would require only a small nozzle cleaning kit. A small test gauge is obtainable for injectors.

Electrical maintenance equipment is not very expensive and it is worth while getting hold of a volt meter and ampmeter to check charge rate and battery voltage. It is possible to get a small testing box (with leads, etc., included) at a low cost.

A good hydrometer is useful but if you can afford it, a battery “prod meter” is better for telling the con dition of a battery. A pair of portable leads of HD cable with alligator clips are a good workshop time saver.

This is a list of the basic tools for the planter who carries out his own maintenance. For further details of the equipment mentioned please write to the editor of the Practical Planter section.