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Requirements September 1958 until June 1972

1. Make a list of mechanic's tools usually found in a well-equipped farm shop.  Explain the uses of at least four.

2. Select any farm machine and explain how power is transferred to do a job.

3. Do ONE of the following: (a) Put a new handle in any tool found on the farm, such as an axe, hammer, hoe, fork, or shovel. (b) Sharpen any cutting tool found on the farm, such as a hoe, cultivator tooth, pruning shears, or a section on a mower sickle. (c) Construct for the home shop a tool rack and suitable place to store nails, bolts, washers, etc.

4. Do ONE of the following: (a) Make an adjustment on a piece of farm equipment or machinery (for example, adjust cultivators on a tractor fan belt, adjust and check a seeder or planter for proper seeding rate, register a mower or combine cutter bar).  (b) Select a piece of farm machinery or equipment.  Check all nuts, bolts, and screws, tightening any that are loose and replacing those that are missing, worn, or damaged.  Prepare a list of items you tighten or replace. (c) Repair a piece of farm machinery or equipment (for example, replace broken or worn mower cutter bar sections, replace worn ledger plates on mower guards).

5. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Perform the following types of services on a tractor in the presence of your merit badge counselor, farm manager, or parent:  lubricate tractor, change oil and oil filter, remove and clean air cleaner, drain and flush cooling system, clean radiator fins.

(b) With any farm machine, perform a daily service check for field use (check fuel, water, battery, lubrication, tires or tracks, worn or loose parts, and perform other operation necessary for best field performance).

(c) Prepare any farm machine (does not have to be power driven) for winter storage.

6. Visit an implement dealer.  Prepare a list of the safety features found on a tractor and one other farm machine displayed there.  Explain the purposes of these safety features.

This merit badge may be earned as a 4-H'er by completing a club project in that subject or as an FFA member by meeting these requirements through the FFA-supervised farming program.