Episodes

Aug. 23, 2025

Breaking in an engine, Part 1. 908-652-0154. Aired 8/16/25.

An engine’s life expectancy begins on the first start-up when new. 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 w...
Aug. 20, 2025

Think talk! 908-652-0154

Verbalizing out loud how something works is effective to fully understand its function.
Aug. 18, 2025

Finding lost power in a gas engine. 908-652-0154

Originally published 10/21/2020. 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 I help a listener diagnose a weak GM 366 in a TopKick.
Aug. 16, 2025

A completely wrong diagnosis. 908-652-0154. Aired 8/9/25

How following what I thought was a clue lead me down the rabbit hole. 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, yo...
Aug. 13, 2025

A simple life. 908-652-0154

This week Ray laments over how complex life has become.
Aug. 11, 2025

Should you buy new, preowned or keep the equipment that you have? 908-652-0154

Originally published 10/14/2020. 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 Take an analytical approach to machinery purchases.
Aug. 9, 2025

Understanding a catalytic converter. 908-652-0154. Aired 8/2/25

It has been around since 1975. It is time we get to know it better. 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 ...
Aug. 6, 2025

Why I dislike rear disc brakes. 908-652-0154

Does the consumer care as long as the vehicles stops?
Aug. 4, 2025

Driving (operating) for economy. 908-652-0154

Originally published 10/7/2020. 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 makes sense to squeeze every fuel dollar your farm spends.
Aug. 2, 2025

A listener’s question about a MAP sensor. 908-652-0154. Aired 7/26/25

Once it is understood it makes sense. 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...
July 30, 2025

Enjoy maximum efficiency with your  A/C system. 908-652-0154

Following the proper protocols make a world of difference.
July 28, 2025

The lost art of diagnosing. 908-652-0154

Originally published 9/30/2020. 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 Taking a methodical approach to find the problem.
July 26, 2025

The forgotten parts of a radiator. 908-652-0154. Aired 7/19/25

You need to understand how a radiator works to solve a cooling issue. 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, yo...
July 23, 2025

Battery Basics. 908-652-0154

A review of the components of a storage battery.
July 21, 2025

Solving the mystery of the carburetor choke. 908-652-0154

Originally published 9/23/2020. 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 does not work the way most think.
July 19, 2025

Air conditioning service, Part 2. 908-652-0154. Aired 7/11/25

How to properly service the refrigerant part of an A/C system. 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 ...
July 16, 2025

The Siren’s Song a machinologist hears. 908-652-0154

The mythological siren calls to us still today.
July 14, 2025

Why your farm needs a battery and alternator load tester. 908-652-0154

Originally published 9/16/2020. 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 When it comes to charging circuits… you must know and not guess!
July 12, 2025

Air conditioning service, Part 1. 908-652-0154. Aired 7/5/25

Getting ice cubes to blow from the vents! 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...
July 9, 2025

Stepping out of your comfort zone. 908-652-0154

You only can grow when you step out into the unknown.
July 7, 2025

What the temperature gauge is not telling you. 908-652-0154

Originally published 9/9/2020. 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 There is more heat in an engine than you think.
July 5, 2025

What you need to know about an extended warranty. 908-652-0154. Aired 6/28/25

Today’s vehicles are complicated which means they are very expensive to repair. 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...
July 2, 2025

Road tripping! 908-652-0154

Summer is here and it is the perfect time to make memories with a road trip!
June 30, 2025

Return control to a carburetor’s idle mixture screw(s). 908-652-0154

Originally published 9/2/2020. 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 What to do when the carburetor will not adjust.