Getting Ready for Summer on Your Farm
Summer is a critical time on any farm. For most, it’s the second half of the growing season, and many will even start harvesting by the end of the warm months. It’s also just as hurricane season starts to rev up, and while some here in Texas probably won’t have to worry so much about the effects of the storms, others need to get ready for things like wind damage and flooding. The key to a successful summer is a good plan. Be ready for anything, but prepare as best you can. To help you out, Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. has provided some tips for getting your farm ready for the summer. Check them out and then stop by our location in Donna, Texas, with any additional questions you might have. We welcome all those from Harlingen and San Benito.
Taking Care of Your Equipment
In the spring, we often talk about pulling your equipment out of storage so it’s ready to go. In summer, you’ve probably already been using your equipment for quite some time, but as the weather starts to warm up, there’s bigger risk for your machines overheating.
One of the easiest, best ways you can keep your equipment healthy is to simply keep up on regular maintenance. Things like oil changes, clean fuel, and other basic concerns should still take top priority, no matter how busy things get. Usually, if something goes wrong, it’s because something’s not working the way it’s supposed to. If you live in a dusty environment, you’ll want to regularly clean out the air filters as well.
Finally, while prevention is key, you also want to prepare for the worst. No, not the equipment breaking down, as detrimental to your work as that can be. You’ll need to prepare for a fire. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher accessible at all times and, if it comes to this, always abandon a piece of equipment if it means protecting your health.
Taking Care of Your Health
Speaking of your health, working outside in the heat requires special care. You need to be taking care of your body so you can continue to work and don’t find yourself in a dangerous situation. Make sure you’re staying hydrated and if you feel yourself starting to get too hot, take a break and find some shade. Wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat to shield you from the harmful effects of UV rays.
You’ll also want to keep an eye on the weather. Even at lower temperatures, working in heat can be brutal, but there comes a point when it’s simply smarter to head indoors. Consider planning your day so all the work is done in the morning and late evening, when it’s coolest.
Also familiarize yourself with the tell-tale signs of heatstroke, a dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment. Symptoms include high body temperatures, altered mental state or behavior, dry skin (meaning you’re not sweating properly), all of which should prompt you to seek immediate medical assistance. In this regard, you should also make sure you’re working with someone. Whether it’s the two of you, or a group of people, check in on each other to make sure everyone is still safe and healthy.
When working with pesticides (as many farmers do at this time of year), make sure you’re wearing protective clothing, no matter how safe the product is supposed to be. And, if you have children home for the summer, make sure they’re safely away from harmful chemicals and heavy machinery.
The right plan is key to getting your farm ready for summer. Not only do you want to ensure a high yield, but you’ll want to make sure your equipment and your people are taken care of as well. While we can’t necessarily help keep you healthy, we can help keep your equipment running smoothly. If you realize one of your machines isn’t functioning properly, contact our service department here at Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. and let one of our experienced technicians help you out. We proudly serve those from Donna, Harlingen, and San Benito, Texas.