Episodes

Jan. 11, 2025

Do not get fooled by counterfeit parts. 908-652-0154. Aired 1/4/25

What may look like a factory part may be a cheap knockoff. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find...
Jan. 8, 2025

Buying the torque curve of an engine. 908-652-0154

In this episode we take a deep dive into why you need to buy the torque curve and not horsepower.
Jan. 6, 2025

The importance of engine cranking speed and how to check it. 908-652-0154

Originally published 3/11/2020 This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer If it does not crank… it will not run!
Jan. 4, 2025

Cetane and injector cleanliness. 908-652-0154. Aired 12/28/24

Getting a diesel to start in the winter goes beyond preventing the gelling of the fuel. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to...
Jan. 1, 2025

Government overreach. 908-652-0154

Is the government intentionally working against the citizens of America?
Dec. 30, 2024

Are you considering re-powering your equipment? 908-652-0154

Originally published 3/4/2020 This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer It is a choice that requires an educated decision.
Dec. 28, 2024

The honeymoon period. 908-652-0154. Aired 12/21/24

Keeping the passion for that new machine or vehicle as time goes by. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you...
Dec. 25, 2024

A Christmas gathering. 908-652-0154

Ray takes a break from talking technical. He imagines getting together with the audience after Christmas dinner and catching up on life.
Dec. 23, 2024

Looking beyond oil viscosity and gasoline octane ratings. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/26/2020. This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer Only the numbers may be the same.
Dec. 21, 2024

Why you should choose a low horsepower version of a high horsepower engine.  908-652-0154. Aired 12/14/24

Understanding internal engine stress. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Thank you...
Dec. 18, 2024

Causes of brake pedal pulsation. 908-652-0154

Brake rotor lateral runout is not always the cause.
Dec. 16, 2024

Learn the importance of pulley ratios and how to determine them. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/19/2020. This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer It may be the cause of poor performance.
Dec. 14, 2024

The importance of reading low-level CO in a building. 908-652-0154. Aired 12/7/24

Being exposed to low doses of CO over time is a serious health threat. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, y...
Dec. 11, 2024

Measuring lateral runout. 908-652-0154

The need to invest in a dial indicator and get comfortable using it.
Dec. 9, 2024

Understanding abnormal combustion in gasoline engines. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/12/2020. This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer The cause of detonation and how to avoid it.
Dec. 7, 2024

The great Thanksgiving. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/30/24

Do not let the challenges of life steal your thankfulness. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find...
Dec. 4, 2024

The secret life of engine oil. 908-652-0154

The challenges motor oil must endure.
Dec. 2, 2024

The second annual HRF gift guide from Christmas 2019. 908-652-0154.

Originally published 12/2/2019. This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer Click here for gift suggestions for this year. Click here for gift suggestions from last year.
Nov. 30, 2024

Understanding absolute zero. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/23/24

The problems caused by thermal stress in metals. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here...
Nov. 27, 2024

Finding latent vacuum leaks. 908-652-0154

Version 1.0.0 Unknown vacuum leaks have the potential to cause many issues.
Nov. 25, 2024

Minimizing diesel exhaust fluid consumption. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/5/2020. This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer Learn how DEF usage can be a diagnostic tool.
Nov. 23, 2024

Quick starting of an engine. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/16/24

How an engine starts is a diagnostic clue. Success on the farm or ranch requires efficient machinery. I am Ray Bohacz, the Hot Rod Farmer from New Jersey, and I want to help you maximize the reliability of your equipment. Please join me every Saturday at 11:00 am Eastern for Farm Machinery Digest Radio, where steel and soil meet, on Rural Radio, Sirius/XM Channel 147, with a replay Sunday at 6:00 pm Eastern. But if you miss an episode or you want to hear it again, you will find them here. Than...
Nov. 20, 2024

The importance of valve seat angles. 908-652-0154

The valve seat determines low lift air flow.
Nov. 18, 2024

What you need to know about farming with an older tractor. 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/29/2020 This episode of Idle Chatter aired in the early days of the podcast. The introduction and audio are a little different from what I use today. The information is timeless, foundational, and just as relevant to your success. Agriculture runs on machinery… but profits on reliability! Thanks for listening, Ray Bohacz… the Hot Rod Farmer Ray Bohacz lays out a plan for success.