SAE Visit Down on the Farm Tractor Restoration

Recently I visited a student of mine and got to see his SAE projects he has worked on the last four years of high school.  Before heading out to visit, Mark and I looked at his AET record book and evaluated the overall record book specifically honing in on his goals section.  We talked about how after graduation it will be crucial for him to continue putting in detailed records like he does now.  Mark is currently a senior at Lampeter Strasburg High School and has taken ag. classes all throughout his high school career.  Currently Mark is taking tractors and machinery.  He is the head foreman on rebuilding an Allis Chalmers C.  Mark’s knowledge and skills truly shine when he is in the agricultural mechanics shop.

Mark is a talented welder and machinist.  I met Mark in the shop on his family farm where he has spent much of his time in the evenings and on weekends.  For his placement project books Mark has restored two tractors.  Mark has over 500 hours combined in the two tractors.  The first tractor Mark restored was a Farmall 100.  Most of the restoration on this tractor was minor engine repair, hydraulics, and painting it.  The second tractor Mark restored was a Farmall 300.  When Mark got this tractor it had seen better days.  Mark overhauled the entire tractor rebuilding the carburetor, tinkering with the torq-amplifier, adjusting the hydraulics, replacing the tires, and painting it. 

Mark finds his satisfaction working in the shop on equipment.  This winter he received his Keystone Degree and is going to continue with a placement SAE on the family farm to get his American Degree.  Mark lives on a family owned dairy farm and hopes to take it over from his dad and uncle when the right time comes.  Visits like this have shown me the connections you can make on a more personal level with your students.  The excitement Mark had showing me his project was contagious.  I look forward to making more visits in the up in coming weeks with students who have gotten livestock animals to show at the fair.