Bryant shares tractor repair knowledge in classroom

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Roger Bryant makes some adjustments to an engine in his Emory shop. He has been working on tractors for about 40 years, and has been teaching an ag machinery class for over 30 years. -- Staff photo by Kramer

April 7, 2005 - Roger Bryant not only repairs tractors, he teaches others the trade.

Bryant, 57, owns and operates Bryant's Agricultural Equipment Service and Repair near Emory. About 40 years ago, he started working on tractors in the 1960s at a shop in Hogansville. Later, he worked on his own tractors with his son.

"He worked the shop with me," he said. "Out of necessity, we made it work."

Bryant began working on tractors commercially in 1982. He said working on one tractor for someone led to another, and the trend continued. Now, after Bryant's son has pursued other avenues, Bryant has hired one fulltime employee, Gary Steed, who he says does about 90 percent of the actual work around the shop. Bryant works with the customer and gathers parts.

Last year he rebuilt a 1940 model L- John Deere, but still takes the time to fix common machines like lawn tractors.

"We're pretty diversified. We do mostly tractor repair. It can be any make and model, it doesn't make a difference," said Bryant.

If Bryant is not repairing a tractor, he is teaching someone else how to. He has been teaching Ag Power Machinery classes at Rains High School in Emory for 33 years. He said he does not favor either profession.

"They're both pretty tough at times," said Bryant. He added that he does not have to do both every day, but instead alternates between repairing tractors and teaching classes.

He said the shop gets very busy in spring and summer when "people are getting out and doing things and find out their equipment doesn't work."

In Bryant's oversized metal shop, under the fluorescent lights, he has examined an array of tractors with a variety of problems.

"About the time it goes out of warranty, that's when we see it," said Bryant. He added that most problems he sees in his shop could have been avoided with minimal attention and maintenance.

"During the fall (owners) need to take note of the things that need done, and do them in the winter," suggested Bryant. "That would be more timely and less expensive."

He noted that poor fuel quality causes the bulk of the problems he has seen. "If they've got fuel tanks, they need to make sure that fuel source is clean." He said that most agricultural equipment runs on diesel and those require very clean fuel. When fuel sits for the winter, the bottom of the tank should be drained to remove any water.

"A fuel filter pushing water through the system can end up costing between $800 and $1,500," said Bryant. As an alternative he suggested owners take time to properly service their tractors, make adjustments and check the fuel source.

Improper or incomplete maintenance can cause problems, dirty electrical connections, and improper storage can cause machinery problems. Most problems can be avoided by reading the owners manual, if available. Manuals can help producers troubleshoot and perform basic maintenance on machines.

Before storage for an off season, equipment should be cleaned of any residues and field waste to prevent heavier build-up in storage. Electrical connections should be cleaned before use and air, not water, is recommended for cleaning purposes.

Bryant said mismanagement of machinery cannot only cost money, but time. Basic maintenance can usually be done in one day, but other problems can take 30 days or longer to fix, according to Bryant.

While his shop gets busy, Bryant said he always tries to help the customer in a timely manner. "It gets demanding," he admitted. "There are people that are down, and we work pretty well around the clock to get them going."

Teaching tractors and fixing tractors come natural to Bryant.

"I've always been interested in tractors and family operations, so it's kind of my thing," he said.