How do you remember setup tips/techniques for occasional/seasonal equipment installs?

[LJH]

Oh hail, I can't remember anything I don't do at least once a week; never could.

I make notes on both manual and equipment/object/machine/whatever - be dead in the water otherwise. And since the advent of digital cameras I do that too, especially if I'm working on something I can't finish in one session.

I've always been in awe of those guys with parts and bits & pieces of assorted crap all over the shop floor who can still put something back together properly with no leftovers. I ain't in that club.

 

[EE_Bota]

Neatly write on the equipment the number in sequence that needs to be done. Make sure you use a permanent marker or paint stick.

I like that idea a lot.

 

[brin]

Since this is tractor-by-NET and we're all getting more tech savvy, thought I'd recommend Evernote if you're planning to write down your instructions. I've taken to scanning manuals and notes into Evernote, and now I always know where they are and can even "search" them. With a smart phone, I can find same notes from anywhere in the world (even my own pasture), add phone photos to existing notes, or create new notes in the field. Evernote is, unless it has changed, free... though there is a paid premium service that adds space and a few features.

HCH...Funny you would mention Evernote....I had forgotten about it an just today revisited my Evernote account...I agree with you...it is a free service and well worth the effort....folks should just go to Evernote | Remember everything with Evernote, Skitch and our other great apps. and set up an account and then they can just highlight anything they see on the internet and right click and save it to evernote...from there they can edit it , print it or send it on....Great that you suggested it...

 

[powerscol]

As I suffer from AAADD (age activated attention deficit disorder), Some-timers disease (sometimes I remember, but mostly don't), and also CRS (cant remember stuff) I have used a lot of the tips above. I use a white writing pen to mark specific points and parts (like AA of both ends of links that attach) along with pictures that go into word documents. I print them out and keep the page with my Manuals on the tractor. My Bobcat CT235 has a plastic watertight case on the back of the seat - very handy. I take careful notes and measurements, especially the top link location measures from a mark I made on the top knuckle. On my mower deck I actually used a steel number/letter stamp on parts so I knew where they went together.

I also learned the hard way to keep all my owners manuals together in one spot so I could retrieve them when needed, Filing is easy, it knowing where I filed them that is the problem, so I have a file cabinet in the shop with one draw dedicated to the manuals with a big label on the front "Manuals - remember to put back dummy!!!" Every time I see it It reminds myself of did I put it back? Also writing notes in the manuals has been a great help, especially if the original instructions were bad.

Hope this helps.... now what was it I was supposed to be doing? never-mind - the wife will remind me

 

[LJH]

Hope this helps.... now what was it I was supposed to be doing? never-mind - the wife will remind me

The dishes. You were supposed to be doing the dishes.

 

[FatTire]

I have a box with about 10 different size bolts for a piece of equipment that we took apart a few months ago. I sure wish I'd put each size in a zip-lock bag and written the use/location on each bag with a sharpie. Maybe someday I'll get organized.

 

[whistlepig]

I keep all my manuals and instructions carefully organized in a file cabinet. However, I never get them out and read them. I prefer to bumble through things.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My stuf is relatively simple so this problem doesnt show up much. I do however often find myself assembling a custom set of nuts/bolts/spacers/washers/pins/etc for each of various tasks. Iv taken to preserving these "Set Ups" in a drawer. Wish I had done it sooner. ... I can always find that drawer.
larry

 

[whistlepig]

These days I don't know whether to take metric tools or inch tools when I crawl underneath something. Some times I need both. I don't crawl around on the floor as well as I used to. I do mark my manuals with what size tool is needed before I start wallowing around underneath something.

 

[herringchoker]

I have always serviced my vehicles and used to often get underneath with the wrong wrench to drain the oil. It got worse with age. So, on the front body panel under the hood, or on the fan shroud, I write (using either felt marker or tire crayon) the following: oil viscosity, oil fill capacity, filter number and drain plug wrench size. Sure saves time, not to mention wear and tear on my poor old knees!