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March 16, 2026Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:06 — 122.9MB)
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Originally published 05/19/2021.
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
Hi Ray,
I just want to say how much I enjoy your show. I have been a listener since the beginning. Your show on stress relieving is spot on. I am a huge proponent of the process. Years ago I had a 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T pickup that warped rotors on a regular basis. I would then go to the dealer and buy new rotors. This was getting ridiculous. I had read an article you wrote about stress relieving. So I found a company that freezes rotors. Sent them a new pair and never had an issue again. This is not magic, it’s proven science. Anyone who is building an engine or has issues with warped rotors, get the parts stress relieved.
Thank you,
Gene Werst
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thanks so much for listening to the show and for your real world story. Either cryogenics or subharmonic vibrational stress relief will get the job done… it is all about realigning the molecular structure.
Have a blessed day!
Ray
Hey Hot Rod!
I have been listening for a few years and I have learned a great deal from your program. My background is in grain farming in western Canada, materials engineering and inspection/preventative maintenance of pressure vessels in the oil field.
I have noticed that on some equipment the tires tend to split open after many years of operation. I was trying to think of how to prevent this due to the high cost of replacing some of these larger tires when the only real issue is splitting.
This does not apply in all cases but in the case of equipment that has temporary high loads applied during seasonal use does it not make sense to drop the pressure for example on; air seed carts, combines, grain carts, ect. for storage.
I dumped 50% or more of the tire pressures on my air seed cart which holds 700 bushels (19 tons). The idea of reducing pressure out of season, should in my mind, reduce internal stress that is not necessary during storage.
This was not an original idea. After digging in Google searches on tire maintenance I saw a small thread where it was mentioned as an option to reduce external stress to prevent cracking.
Anyway, I enjoy the program a lot. The most crucial piece of information I learned was cryogenic metal treatment. I spent 2 years studying metallurgy that was never touched on anywhere in college 15 years ago. I had to open my books and study how the properties of metallurgy work now that I am dipping some items in liquid nitrogen. Fascinating stuff!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for listening and your kind words about my show. I am both honored and humbled by them, especially coming from a man with your background.
In regard to the tires, I have my own thoughts but instead of providing an opinion, I forwarded your letter to Brad Harris at Firestone Ag. He is their lead development engineer and also a farmer from Ohio. He has a grain operation that has been in the family for years.
I suggested that he responds directly to you so that a dialog can be established, in the chance that you have more tire questions.
I asked him to CC me so that I may learn too. Let us keep each other in the loop on this.
Historically, Brad is very good at responding but there may be a short gestation time due to his commitments.
I will send you an additional note regarding residual thermal stress in a few days. I am in the midst of writing the Ford F-250 road test for the website. I want to make sure that my comments about thermal stress are comprehensive.
Thank you for being a faithful listener to this dryland farmer from New Jersey!
Have a blessed day,
Ray