Episodes

Dec. 13, 2025

Diesel exhaust after-treatments, Part 1.  908-652-0154. Aired 12/6/25

Cleaning up what left the combustion chamber. 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. T...
Dec. 8, 2025

Understanding why an EGR system needs to be maintained. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/17/2021. 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 Follow these tips for trouble-free operation.
Dec. 6, 2025

How to confirm if a jump-start box is good. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/29/25

It is meant as a rescue tool but they often leave you stranded. 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...
Dec. 3, 2025

The evolution of EGR. 908-652-0154

An excellent theory that evolved into a complex control strategy.
Dec. 1, 2025

Keeping the horsepower in the engine. 908-652-0154

Originally published 2/10/2021. 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 not power but BMEP.
Nov. 29, 2025

Using diagnostic tools to prevent a problem. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/22/25

Preventing a problem is better than diagnosing one. 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 h...
Nov. 24, 2025

Gasoline and diesel engine fuel system diagnostics. 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/27/2021. 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 How to determine the problem is in the fuel delivery.
Nov. 22, 2025

Avoid COVID issues. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/15/25

The pandemic caused other problems. 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 f...
Nov. 19, 2025

The evolution of ignition advance. 908-652-0154

It is all about controlling the cylinder pressure.
Nov. 17, 2025

Understanding gasoline engine emissions. 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/13/2021. 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 A failed smog test led me on a journey to understand combustion.
Nov. 15, 2025

When to change the  engine oil. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/8/25

When to service seasonal use equipment. 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 y...
Nov. 10, 2025

Understanding the importance of crankcase ventilation. 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/3/2021 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 Many give little thought to this…and suffer the consequences.
Nov. 8, 2025

Getting to know Jamey Smart from Firestone Ag. 908-652-0154. Aired 11/1/25

We learn what is new at America’s most iconic farm tire maker. 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 ...
Nov. 5, 2025

The evolution of power enrichment. 908-652-0154

Why the economizer adds fuel to the engine.
Nov. 3, 2025

A farmer’s guide to modern technology. 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/20/2021. 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 A simple explanation of why it is there.
Nov. 1, 2025

Low tension piston rings. 908-652-0154. Aired 10/25/25

Are they as bad as many believe? 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 for ...
Oct. 29, 2025

The devolution of machinery repair. 908-652-0154

This week Ray laments over how unrepairable things are today.
Oct. 27, 2025

The demise of the diesel? 908-652-0154

Originally published 1/6/2021. 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 Its days may very well be numbered…but I have an idea.
Oct. 25, 2025

Checking the battery and charging circuit. 908-652-0154. Aired 10/18/25

Winter is coming and you need to not guess at the charging circuit. 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 ...
Oct. 20, 2025

Troubleshooting electronic components. 908-652-0154

Originally published 12/30/2020. 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 to determine where the failure is.