Posts

Winterize your Tractor: for tractors being stored in the winter

Image
Winterize your Tractor:  for tractors being stored in the winter  Is your tractor ready to hibernate for the winter? When preparing to store a tractor for the winter, taking the appropriate steps is vital in order to maintain the optimal condition of your machine.  First and foremost, repair. The final fall harvest was likely done in a rush and repairs were pushed off. Now is the time, repair before they get worse; so the machine is ready for the spring.  Second, get a good clean on that machine. Keeping excess dirt, grass, and seed on your machine will only lead to corrosion. Get the pressure washer in there and restore your machine to clean. After the machine has been thoroughly cleaned, take one final inspection and check belts, hangers, blades, etc. Don’t leave a broken one on, get it replaced during the winter months while your machine is down.  Third, change your oil and air filters. Air filters will be dirty from the working summer months and your fluids need a ch

Safety on Farms

Image
Saftey on Farms Safety on farms is vital in maintaining a successful environment. Children often frequent family-run farms, so many safety rules must be set up from the start. We have compiled a list of safety reminders for all farms; from the Midwest to the Southern Highlands of Australia, every farm needs these reminders. Use this as a reminder that no matter how many times you've driven a tractor or used a baler, that it takes one day of carelessness, one day of throwing safety precautions to the side for there to be a tragic accident. When using equipment, remain aware. It’s early, you're exhausted because, well you run a farm. But if you're exhausted, this isn't the time to be on a piece of equipment. Wake up first, rest if you have to. Being drowsy at the wheel of any machine is a bad idea. If you wouldn’t step behind a car in that state, don't step behind a piece of farm equipment. Rogue parts lying on the ground like a skid steer part, tra

Pre Harvest Combine Checklist

Image
Fall harvest is around the corner. Before you hit the field, give your combine a once-over with this 12-point checklist. Clean the machine of dust and dirt for better operation and to help spot wear and potential problems. Attach headers to combine and make sure they are operational, checking height and contour controls. On the grain table header, inspect sickle blades and guards, inspect teeth in augers and reel. On the corn head, inspect gathering chains and sprockets, adjust the width of stripper plates. Check and adjust drive chains.  Remember:  Row unit gearboxes operate as mini transmissions and need to be checked once a year. Refill with grease or oil depending on age and brand of corn head. Check all belts for wear and replace as needed. Check all chains and bearings for wear; replace chains that can’t be adjusted or tensioned correctly. For axial combines, inspect rotor and concave, checking wires for damage and bars for wear. Check unloading system auger. If edges

21 Years of All States Ag Parts

Image
21 Years of All States Ag Parts Back in 1998, All States Ag Parts was founded by David Dyke and his two sons, Paul and John with a mission to bring the largest selection of new, used and rebuilt parts to the consumer with top notch customer service as the cornerstone of the business. “Our success always goes back to customer service.” says John Dyke, CEO. “We solve customers problems and that's our primary goal. We’ll never lose sight of that goal.”  In 2007, after years of doing solely phone and in-person sales, the company launched the e-commerce platform. The website brought a completely new range of customers to All States and grew the business rapidly. The visibility of the company increased dramatically and All States was positioned for massive success over the next decade.  All States Ag Parts started with just one location in Salem, South Dakota that began as a farm field. We have now grown to have 13 locations across the country that house our salvage yards,

FIRE!

Image
Fire! Equipment fire is a serious concern. Unfortunately, it is a very common problem in farming equipment. In fact, a large part of our salvage sales are from machines where there has been a heat-related issue on one section of the machine. Dry weather, high winds and hot machines aren't the best combination when it comes to fire, but with proper preparation, a fire can be prevented. How can you prevent a machine from catching fire? Often times, this is a completely preventable issue. Safety Specialist Dennis Murphy at Penn State University says it's important to have a clean machine. Remove all caked-on residue in the engine with a pressure washer. A clean engine runs cooler, and this reduces the chance of fire. It is also essential that any debris is blown out of the machine and out of any belts, bearings or moving parts. Here are some tips from Iowa State University on preventing machine fire Keep the machine clean, particularly around the engine and

Saving you Sales Tax

Image
Saving you Sales Tax There's a lot of new laws concerning sales tax. Over the past year, there have been changes to the sales tax laws in most states. The biggest change is that most online purchases are now taxable. Since most of the products All States Ag Parts sells are exempt when used for farming, we thought we'd let you know how you can remain tax-exempt when ordering on our website. Here's some information to help keep you exempt from sales tax. I'm a farmer, I thought I didn't have to pay sales tax on farming equipment. You're correct! You don't! Most products sold by All States Ag Parts are exempt from sales tax when they are purchased for use in agricultural operations. Products that qualify for sales tax exemptions vary by state, with Alabama and South Dakota being notable exceptions to sales tax exemptions on ag machinery and parts. I haven't paid sales tax on previous purchases, why the change? In 2018, the Supreme Cour

Tractor AC Checkup- As Easy as 1,2,3

Image
Tractor AC Checkup- As Easy as 1,2,3. Working inside the cab of a tractor during the heat of the day can be a very hot experience without a fully functioning air conditioner. Doing a tractor AC checkup before the season begins can make sure your AC doesn't go out one day in the field.  In three easy steps, you can check and troubleshoot if your tractor AC is working. Clean and blow out all loose dirt, dust, and chaff.  Start and adjust the engine to normal fast idle speed, then turn on the air conditioner and set it for maximum cooling with blower fan on high speed. Operate air conditioner for five to ten minutes to stabilize the system.  If your AC is NOT cooling, check for a charge by noting sight glass if used. Note the gauge readings for normal pressures. Establish that electrical components (switches, thermostat, blower and clutch) are functioning and check that the air passages and ducts, refrigerant lines, hoses, compressor drive and belts are all