Hardscrabble Journal

Maintenance

Today we will take advantage of the warm weather to start up the tractors. Equipment maintenance is not an especially sexy topic, but it is a critical part of any farming operation.

Here at Linden we adore old machines, especially those without computers. We prefer to work on our equipment ourselves and feel defeated when outside technical help is required. Ironically, YouTube has helped us solve many a problem. While we enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of repairing our own equipment, this is not a weekend hobby. Our livelihoods depend on having functioning tractors, trailers, and crushers at critical times. Sometimes we have to let go of the old.

Parts are usually what force us to upgrade to something more current. It is very expensive for manufacturers to keep parts inventories of old models. Seems like once a piece of equipment reaches its twentieth birthday parts start to become scarce. “Junkyard” sources enter the picture. Our equipment is specialized and mostly European, which makes parts availability even more difficult.

If something goes down and the part is elusive, we are in big trouble. We still use Linden’s two original tractors—one is 1970s vintage, the other 1990s. But they can no longer be trusted as they are pretty worn out. Last year a new vineyard tractor was reluctantly purchased. It has all the bells and whistles. Literally. Which often drive us mad, but that’s the only way it comes. I’m fearing the day that the computerized whatever goes down and we are helpless. At least there is backup in the form of now antique tractors.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: April 8, 2020