How to Repair and Restore Antique Farm Tractors

Tractors have been used as farm implements since the time of steam engines. Classic tractors are restored and collected in the same way that people collect vintage automobiles. Depending on the starting condition of the vehicle, restoring a tractor can be a lengthy, labor-intensive process. It can also be a rewarding process that results in a collectible piece of history. Restoring classic farm tractors is a reasonable do-it-yourself project for anyone with basic mechanical knowledge.

Things You'll Need:

• Drive-socket set
• Wrench set
• Screwdrivers
• Adjustable pliers
• Jack
• Tractor manual
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint

Step 1:

Replace the tires on the tractor. Many tractors that have been sitting for long periods of time have weather-rotted tires. Putting new tires on the tractor will not only make it look nicer, but easier to drive. The exception is if the tractor has antique metal wheels, in which case, they will be treated as the other metal parts.

Step 2:

Rebuild the engine. Take the engine apart and clean each part until it has been restored to original factory condition. Inspect each component for any cracks or other defects, and replace any parts that have physical damage. Put the engine back together and refill all fluids, including oil and engine coolant.

Step 3:

Restore the metal parts of the body. Classic farm tractors in need of restoration will often have damage from rust. Sand all rusted areas until the rust is gone and bare metal is showing. Apply a coat of primer, and then paint the metal to prevent rust from recurring. If the rust has eaten a hole all the way through the metal, you will need to either weld a new piece of metal in place or purchase a replacement part.


Tips:

Research the history of your tractor to discover what colors the manufacturer originally used. Using the original colors will increase the appeal of the tractor on the collector market.

References:

• Google Books: How to Restore Classic Farm Tractors
• Antique Tractor Internet Services: Frequently Asked Questions About Antique Tractors

How to Design Your Own Floor Plans and Blueprints

Building a dream home is easy if you plan well. Floors are the most attractive thing in the design of the whole house.  Making a floor plan is vital for home decoration.  Before setting up a floor plan, it is important to decide how you will set up your furniture and other things on the floor. There are two ways of working out floor plans and blueprints. One is drawing out the plan manually using paper, scale and pencil. The other is using a computer software to build and plan the floor to any design that you want.

The term house plan, blueprints, floor plans can be confusing for a new builder. But designing and creating your own floor plans and blueprints on a piece of paper can be easy if you follow these simple step by step guide.

Things You'll Need:

• Grid paper
• Pencil
• T-Square
• Triangle
• 6 Sided architect's ruler

Step 1:

Use the paper to draw the view of the whole home using scale of 1/4“ = 1’.  Get as much help as you can from the internet. There are websites that offer videos on how to draw the whole house using this scale measurement.

Use the formula to calculate the exact dimension of the floor.
Floor area = Length x Width of the room. 

Step 2:

Get the exact dimensions of each room, the total living space, the furniture, the closet, the electrical gadgets, telephones, and the other things that are to be placed on the floor. The room size should not be lesser than the minimum allotted by the Housing Authorities.  The recommend space is 125sq.ft while the minimum is 100sq.ft.  Living room should be at least 150sq.ft while the recommended value is 250sq.ft.  You can have the dining room as small as 120sq.ft.

Step 3:

Decide on the furniture to be placed on the floor.  Use the stickers.  You can even make your own pieces by cutting out furniture pieces from magazines.  Make sure they have common dimensions so that you can easily rearrange them.  Also allow some free space, in case you buy new furniture.

Step 4:

If your house is going to be a single story, then your plumbing fixtures can use a common wall.  Allow space for plumbing lines by making the wall 2X6.


Step 5:


Make photocopies of your plan and work it out with your building constructor. 

Using a software:
You can incorporate every conventional architectural floor design feature you need to make your home highly functional and beautiful for your lifestyle without any expertise from your side.  Software will come with pre-drawn shapes and furniture.  You can see your floor plan in 3D view as well.  You can save a copy of the file even in BMP, JPG and PDF formats. 




Tips:


Check the floor plan to see if you have utilized space wisely.  This will help a great deal when you start decorating the house.

There are home floor plan kits available in the market.  They are very easy to use and can be reused as well.  Some even come with Styrofoam miniature furniture.

Try to put closets near inner walls to provide insulation against noise.




References:

• My Construction Planner: Floor Plan Tips 
• Build Wisely: Floor Plan Tips
• eHouse Plans: Home Quick Planner
• Andy's How To: Room Design Floor Plans
• About: Architecture: Design Software

How to Buy Gold for Spot Price in Singapore

The value of gold is commonly measured by a number referred to as the spot price. This price represents the wholesale melt value of gold on the market. The average consumer typically pays a rate much higher than the spot price, which is typically only paid by institutional investors  dealing in thousands of ounces of gold. Singapore is one of the few places where any member of the public can buy gold at spot price, without having a minimum order size.

Things You'll Need:

• Investment Capital 

Step 1:

Select the price point at which you will buy gold. The value of gold changes slightly from day to day. Identify the target price at which you would like to buy gold. Monitor the market with a financial publication or financial news network and wait for your ideal purchase price.

Step 2:

Go to Little India. Although Singapore is predominantly Chinese, the Indian section of the city is most widely known for it's gold suppliers. Little India is situated along Serangoon Road, between Kitchener Road and Bukit Timah Road.

Step 3:

Visit one of the many gold vendors located along Serangoon Road. Jewelers are referred to as goldsmiths in Singapore. Any of these stores sell their gold according to the current spot price. Because much of the gold comes in the form of jewelry, sometimes even antique items, the actual value of the item may exceed the spot price.

Step 4:

Discuss the amount you would like to spend. The merchant will weigh an amount of gold for you, based on the spot price, measured against the purity of the metal. For example, 24k gold is pure and will be weighed according to the spot price. However, 14k gold is only 58 percent pure, so it takes a larger quantity to meet the spot weight.


Tips:

Gold can also be sold to the same goldsmith you buy from, allowing you to profit by buying and selling from day to day.


References:

• Street Directory: Map of Little India, Singapore 
• Street Directory: Goldsmith Shops in Little India 
• National Geographic: Singapore Walking Tour: Little India Temples 
• Virtual Tourist: Little India, Singapore 
• Metropolasia: Little India Shopping

Resources:

• Your Singapore: Little India 
• The World Around: Singapore's Little India 

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How to Test Streaming Media with Unix

Steaming media is a way of sharing audio and video content over the Internet. Often referred to as rich media, these files can be quite large. To stream the digital files, they are compressed and encoded. The end user then uses a media player to decompress and play the files. This compression and decompression technology is referred to as a codec. The codec must be tested periodically to make sure you are producing the highest quality media stream available.

Things You'll Need:

• Media Player
• Streaming Content

Step 1:

Run an "ipfw" test. Unix systems have an inbuilt test within the operating system. To begin testing the capability of your network in streaming, open the command console and type in the command "ipfw" (without the quotation marks).

Step 2:

From the ipfw window, add the following lines.

sudo ipfw pipe 1 config bw 400kbps
sudo ipfw add 10 pipe 1 tcp from any to me 1935
sudo ipfw add 11 pipe 1 tcp from any 1935 to me

Once these commands have been typed into the operating system, your bandwidth connections in Unix operating systems will open up and improve. This method also gives information on how well your computer can stream online media.

Step 3:

Print the results of your test. Restart the computer to clear the memory and return to normal operation.


Tips:

There are different forms of media available for streaming. The most common is the flash video (FLV) format, which allows users to create and upload average-quality videos. The bigger the file, the better the video and audio quality.


References:

• Hunter College: Manfred Kuechler: Streaming Video Server Test Page

Resources:

• Netlimiter 
• Spirent Federal: Streaming Media 
• Learning API: Tools for Testing Streaming Media 

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How to Locate a Bad Wire in a Wiring Harness

A wiring harness, also known as a cable harness, consists of a batch of wires and cables. These cables transmit signals containing information, as well as energy in the form of operating currents. They are generally bound together by things such as cable ties, conduits and electrical tape, and are then organized in the form of a wire harness. The harness organizes cables according to their purpose, making it easier to trace down problems with complex electrical systems.

Things You'll Need:

• Magnifying Glass
• Advanced Electric Meter
• Digital Multimeter

Step 1:

Visually inspect the wires in the harness. A magnifying glass can be used to give better perspective. Look for any places where the insulation has been damaged, or for obvious burn marks caused by exposed wiring. Also check to see if the contact points are contamination free and do not have any visible corrosion.

Step 2:

Prepare the harness for a continuity test by turning the power off, since an open circuit could result in the meter getting damaged. Use a fuse or breaker to cut off the power supply for the entire harness.

Step 3:

Perform a continuity test with the aid of a multimeter, as this helps to find breaks and resistances in a circuit. Place the settings on the digital multimeter to "Resistance" so that it can give an effective reading. If an Advance Electric Meter is used, change the settings to the lowest and reset the meter by ensuring the two probes touch together and then turning the thumbwheel until the meter shows zero.

Step 4:

Use the multimeter's probe tips to touch the surface or area which you wish to find a damaged wire in. A low reading means that the circuit is closed and has no bad wiring, but if it reads as "Infinite" it means that the circuit is open, indicating that a wire is damaged.


Tips:

Using a digital multimeter allows you to check each wire individually, allowing you to quickly identify which specific wire is causing the problem.


References:

• Crutchfield: How to Use a Multimeter 
• eTrailer: Trailer Wiring Harness Diagrams 

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How to Find My IP Address Using Flagfox Geotool

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique number associated with a specific device, such as a computer  or network printer. Devices use IP addresses for identifying and communicating with each other. An individual network device or system must have its own unique IP address. The IP address associated with your home Internet connection makes it possible to identify your web surfing activity. It is easy to see what the IP address of your computer is.

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Connection

Step 1:

Open your web browser and locate the address bar. Type the address of Flagfox Geotool (see References) in the address bar and press "Enter." A new page will open.

Step 2:

Input your domain information in the space provided. The page will display areas for "Hostname," "Country," "Region," "City," "Country code" and "IP Address/Hostname." Type your domain name in the "IP Address/Hostname" box and click the "Submit" button. Then you will find your IP address of the provided domain name.

Step 3:

Review the information. You find not only the domain name, but also information about the country, city, region country code, ISP, flag, local time, latitude and longitude. 

Step 4:

Make note of the IP address. Write it down for safekeeping.


Tips:

Note that your IP address will be changed each time your Internet connection is restarted, so if a power outage causes your modem to reboot, you will have a new IP address.


References:

• Flagfox: Geotool
• Domain to IP: IP

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How to Check and Maintain Proper Tire Air Pressure

Maintenance of proper air pressure can extend the life of your tires. It helps your tires retain traction with the road, even in adverse conditions, and can increase the fuel economy of your vehicle, so you can drive farther on the same amount of gas. Keep a few basic tips in mind as you regularly check the inflation of your tires.

Things You'll Need:

• Pressure Gauge
• Air Compressor

Step 1:

Check the inflation in the morning, before the car is driven and while the tires are cool. Set the pressure according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold-tire pressure.

Step 2:

Adjust the pressure for extra-cool conditions. If the car has been parked in shade for many hours, check the pressure using the gauge and adjust the pressure higher by two pounds per square inch, or PSI.

Step 3:

Adjust the PSI to account for the amount of time you have driven the vehicle within the previous three hours. When driving short distances or speeds less than 45 miles per hour, set the pressure four PSI higher than the recommended cold inflation pressure. When driving for long distances, set the pressure six PSI higher than the manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure.


Tips:

Most tire pressure gauges have a stem on the back side. This stem can be pressed into the tire's valve stem to release air, in the event that you have added too much pressure.


References:

• Tire Rack: Air Pressure - When and How to Set
• Nitrogen Tire Machine: Proper Tire Air Pressure

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How to Age Ivory Micarta

Micarta is a synthetic form of ivory that looks and feels identical to the natural version. Ivory micarta is used in a wide variety of consumer products, from gun and knife handles to piano keys. A popular method of customizing ivory micarta is to put it through a simulated aging  process, which makes the material look more like antique ivory than a new item. This process can give many items a vintage look that many people find appealing.

Things You'll Need:

• Ivory Micarta
• Coffee, Tea or Wine

Step 1:

Tan the ivory micarta. Put the ivory micarta in a room that gets plenty of sunlight. Put the material where it will get partial sunlight and leave it there for two weeks. If the ivory micarta is a knife handle, make sure both sides get equal "tanning" time. After two weeks, check the color. If you are not satisfied with the effect, "tan" it for two more weeks.

Step 2:

Polish your ivory micarta. Use a commercial polish to change the color. Make sure the polish is a colored compound. Start by using as little polish as you can, and increase the amount until you get the desired finish. Try to polish equally on both sides. You can also try polishing the material with turmeric, but this color change may not last long.

Step 3:

Stain the ivory micarta. Brew coffee or tea and leave the ivory micarta in it overnight. Be aware that this method may give uneven color. Wood stains are also recommended. Another alternative is to use wine.

Step 4:

Dye ivory micarta whatever color you wish. Leather or oil dyes work well. Use an old cloth to apply the dye according to manufacturer instructions. This process typically involves allowing the dye to set for a prescribed period, then washing the ivory. Dyes may last longer than stains and polishes.


Tips:

Experiment on a spare or scrap piece of ivory micarta before using a new technique on a final product.


References:

• Janz Supply: Handle Material/Micarta 
• Dawson Knives: Ivory Micarta 

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How to Determine Your Heating Air Duct Requirements

The heating and air conditioning system  is an important consideration to keep in mind when building a new house. Installing the ductwork for your heating and air is more difficult and costly if done after construction is complete. This makes installing ducts in a new house somewhat easier than doing the same job  in existing construction. The process of installing heat and air ducts is a straightforward process that only requires the installer to follow a few standard instructions.

Things You'll Need:

• Building Plans
• Heating and Air Conditioning System
• Air Ducts

Step 1:

Keep the home's heat gain in mind. Look over your building plan and consider the number of bedrooms and the total size of the house. You can refer to the house's total heat gain computation, which is dependent on the material it is built with, whether it has insulation, and the overall size of the home. As a general rule, the bigger the house, the bigger the heat gain, the larger capacity of the required air conditioning system.

Step 2:

Consider the placement of your air conditioning and heating systems, particularly if they will be sharing the duct work. Your heater and fan will most likely be at the basement, while your air conditioning condenser will usually be outside.

Step 3:

Consider the size of the air ducts you will be installing. Because the air conditioning fan needs to maintain constant pressure across all areas of the duct work, you should consider the correct size and proportion of the air ducts. As you go higher through the house, and as the air ducts actually drive air into a room, the size of the ducts must be decreasing, so that the air being pumped is in constant pressure.


Tips:

For best results, consult with an HVAC contractor on the proper design and materials you will need for your heating and air conditioning system.

You will need to plan and build return air ducts. These are air ducts that have air flowing in reverse of the original air ducts. These are necessary to maintain the correct flow of air into each room, and likewise outside from each room and back into the air conditioning system. Reverse air ducts are usually situated directly opposite the in-flowing ducts.


References:

• Ask the Builder: Air Conditioning 
• Ask the Builder: HVAC Return Air Duct 
• This Old House: Adding Central Air

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How to Learn Microsoft FoxPro Online

FoxPro is a text-based procedural programming language  that is very useful for creating interactive, high-end performance software and powerful database management systems. If you are new to FoxPro or have some skill in the field, you can learn FoxPro in a short period of time by enrolling in an online study course that will teach you how to use FoxPro efficiently. There are a number of great course options that use video tutorials to teach you how to program with FoxPro.

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft FoxPro

Step 1:

Identify which version you want to learn. There are many versions of FoxPro in use, with Visual FoxPro 9.0 being the latest. Since the differences from one version to the next are minor, it is generally recommended to learn the most recent version, even if you expect to use a previous version of FoxPro.

Step 2:

Decide which FoxPro course you wish to take. There are several great courses to choose from. Microsoft, Garfield Hudson and Alvechurch Data are popular options that team both beginner and advanced lessons in how to program with FoxPro.

Step 3:

Enroll in the FoxPro course at the site you have selected. Most sites offer free and affordable online FoxPro courses, with tips, e-books, pdf files, how-to articles and practical tools. Some websites offer video lessons, which feel more like a traditional classroom setting. You can read through the articles and books to learn on your own. Certified courses will require a fee. Some online FoxPro sites offer career and certification training by format and location.

Step 4:

Open your lesson plan. The tutorials will provide coding tips and techniques. You can also choose downloadable videos on FoxPro. You can redo the exercises and lessons at your own pace. The best method would be to copy the lessons with your own version of FoxPro. Learn the codes unique to this version and unlearn the older codes and commands of the previous version. They have been known to give varying results. Also the SELECT -- SQL limitations of the command are now obsolete.

Step 5:

Attend online classes to learn FoxPro in a detailed and extensive way. Online tutors provide virtual classrooms for one-to-one training. Unlike videos, the student gets the chance to interact directly with the instructors in a classroom environment.


Tips:

Taking a periodic refresher course may remind you of elements you have forgotten.


References:

• Software Informer: Microsoft Visual FoxPro 
• Microsoft: Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0 and Visual Studio Installer Tutorial
• Alvechurch Data: Access and Visual FoxPro Training 
• Garfield Hudson: Learn Visual FoxPro

Resources:

• Online Teach: Microsoft Visual FoxPro Training: Free Tutorials 
• Microsoft: Visual FoxPro

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How to Open an Online Currency Exchange

Running a currency exchange has the potential to be a lucrative business. The traditional business model for currency exchange businesses  is simple. Locate yourself where travelers can be found and provide the service of exchanging the currency of one country for the currency of another, charging the consumer a small fee for the transaction. Online currency exchanges work in a nearly identical manner, with the exception that you are trading one digital currency for another, or sometimes cashing out currencies for consumers.

Things You'll Need:

• Investment Capital

Step 1:

Conduct research into the market you are entering. Identify who the major competitors in the market are, as well as what their strengths and weaknesses are. Make note of their fees in a comparison chart that will help you decide how to price your own services. Pay particular attention to any areas that the market underserves or does not serve at all, since these are areas where you can gain a competitive edge.

Step 2:

Write an online currency exchange business plan. Download a free business plan template and fill it in with details about the online currency exchange that you will be starting. Detail how you will enter the market, what your operational plan is and what staff you will need to carry the plan out. Having a written business plan that covers every foreseeable aspect of the company's operations will help keep the currency exchange on track, even during hectic times.

Step 3:

Obtain the investment that is required to start your currency exchange. Use your business plan to meet with banks and potential investors. Business loans, personal loans and venture capital investment firms can serve as the primary source of funds for your business. Your bank may also be able to qualify you for an SBA guaranteed loan from the Small Business Administration.

Step 4:

Register a company to obtain a business license for your online currency exchange. Contact either your local City Clerk, County Clerk or Secretary of State to obtain the appropriate forms to register a Limited Liability Company (LLC). List someone to serve the roles of President, Secretary and Treasurer. The same person can serve all three roles. Also, list each of your investors as members, declaring what their contribution was and what percentage of ownership they have in the venture.

Step 5:

Decide which currencies your online currency exchange will deal with. Remember that most of your business will come from people who have money in one ecurrency and want to trade it for money in a different digital currency. Also, make a final decision on what fees you will charge for each currency. The fees should be high enough to profit on top of the transaction fee you will bill, but should also be low enough for your currency exchange to remain competitive in the market.

Step 6:

Choose a software program to manage your currency exchange. You can hire a team of PHP programmers to create a custom software program, or you can purchase a commercial package off the shelf. Some online currency exchanges prefer to operate with no software at all, and process each transaction manually. While this is more time consuming, it cuts down on the chances of a fraudulent transaction getting through.

Step 7:

Procure the hardware that is needed to run the software. Since online currency exchange software is designed to be implemented over the Internet, a standard web server meets the typical system requirements for the software, and can also be used to host the currency exchange website. Note that you will most likely require a dedicated server, particularly when your online currency exchange is fully operational and processing a large number of server queries.

Step 8:

Create a website for your online currency exchange. Keep in mind that the currency exchange website is more than a place for members to log in. The website also serves as your first impression to potential customers. The process of building a website involves purchasing a domain, obtain a web hosting account and writing the HTML or PHP code that tells the web browser how to display your site. Most people who are not web developers prefer to outsource this step to a company that designs websites professionally. Make sure the design is clean, easy to navigate and generally professional in appearance.

Step 9:

Implement any sales and marketing strategies that you have developed to announce your presence in the market. Consider who your target audience is and what methods are available to reach that audience. Internet advertising, such as banners and sponsored links, work great for advertising an online currency exchange. Magazine and radio ads are also good options. Narrow the focus to determine which of those are within your budget, and also consider what the CPM (cost per thousand customers) is for each option.


Tips:

Keep on top of industry trends, especially with the latest tactics to battle credit card fraud and cyber phishing. Joining trade organizations, such as the Community Currency Exchange Association, will help you stay on top of the latest news.

References:

• The History Of: The History of Currency Trading - Sailing the Seas of Money 
• Financial Shopper Network: Currency Trading - The Ins and Outs of the Money Trading Game
  

Resources:

• Gold Pages: Exchange Providers and Agents
• Coin Mill: Gold Calculator

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How to Build a Ladder Website

Everything is easy when you know how it is done but to make a ladder website is an entirely different thing.  For one, knowledge of programming languages will be a big help.  Even if you do not know Perl/VB or are new to coding, you can get help online from those who do know the stuff.  There are also written scripts available for free on the internet.  Once you get hold of that you are well on your way to make a ladder website.

Things You'll Need:

• Domain
• Web host
• Ladder content

Step 1:

Get to know the elements that are involved.  A ladder website can contain rudiments like blogs and forums, activities like previews and reviews, codes and scripts free or at a cost for users and also your facebook and twitter accounts. 

Step 2:

Think of a theme for the site.  The ladder website should have a main theme, say for example action games.  Make layouts related to the theme.  Save them as templates which you can use as you add on more pages.

Step 3:

Design the logo and banners.  Select relevant graphics and colors. 

Step 4:

Organize your rungs.  The gaming activities should be foremost as they will be the ones that get published the most, probably more than 5 times in a day.  Next will follow the social networks depending upon their frequency.  The blogs can follow next and lastly your newsletter which will be only once a week. 

Step 5:

Collect ladder scripts from well-known sites.  If they are offered free, check them well as they may have a lot of mistakes.  You can even take them apart and redo them according to your needs.  You can also make your own scripts if you know programming.  If that is going to take much of your time, pay the experts to make them especially for you. 

Step 6:

Get a hosting domain.  A simple Google search will bring up free and paid domain hosting sites for you.  For a ladder website, the most recommend one is that go for the paid ones as they will offer more options and flexibility. 

Step 7:

Select relevant keywords.  They are the success behind your site.  The right keywords will bring in new people everyday through search engines.  Once you put them in your site, try them out by inputting them in search engines and checking the results.  If your site does not come up in the first two pages, then try other keywords.  

Step 8:

Test out the site.  First, post a small content with the keyword in the first rung of your ladder to check its popularity with the readers.  Then check out the workings of the ladder to work out any faults in the scripts. 


Tips:

Make sure the ladder is easy to understand and user friendly.  If it is confusing, your readers may not visit you again.  


References:

• AOTA: Gaming Ladder Scripts 
• Social Media Today: 5 Steps to Create an Integrated Social Content Ladder
• Coding Forums: Gaming Ladder Site

How to Restore Classic Farm Tractors

There are many types of tractors for doing various farm works. Know the type of tractor you have. Take a thorough look at it to know what it needs. Gauge its weight and horsepower to know its potential. You can also convert the tractor to do other jobs by implementing certain parts to it. It might prove expensive as you might need to change damaged parts and upgrade other parts. However, at the end of it, you will have a tractor which is as good as new. 

Things You'll Need:

• Drive-socket set
• Wrench set
• Screwdrivers
• Pliars
• Jack
• Tractor Owner's Manual

Step 1:

The tires might have been filled with liquid to make it heavy. But this water could have frozen during winters and caused damage to the tires. So replace the tires first.     

Step 2:

Take out rusted parts and clean off the dirt and rust. Repaint the parts with a protective paint. 

Step 3:

Check the coolant by removing the radiator cap. Inspect the liquid inside. If the liquid is an antifreeze solution, it is good. Even clear water should be ok. The color also has to be clear. If it is brown then it could have been caused by rust. This is a bad sign as it signals a structure weakened by rust. This could cause a leak. It also should not be oily. This will mean sealing work where oil is leaking into the coolant. 

Step 4:

Horsepower has to be regained. This is vital as you need the horsepower proportionate to the load of work it needs to do. The engine will have to be made frictionless and the transmission restored. If there is a leak in the transmission shaft seal, then it will have to be replaced.

Step 5:

Assess the sediment bowl for rust. This rust is from the tank. A little is ok. An occasional cleaning will be required. But if there is a lot then the tank will have to be changed.

Step 6:

Change fluids and replace the battery. In most cases, this should be enough to get the tractor going again.

Step 7:

Check the sheet metal whether rust has a hold on it. Rust remover and a coat of paint will make it look like new. Weld any cracks that you can see before you paint it. You can also use epoxy to hide cracks.


Tips:

If you are buying an old tractor, run it first for a few minutes. Listen for knocks or other weird sounds. Stop the engine and restart it. Sometimes the engine might act up. Also inspect for leaks. This preliminary examination will tell you whether the tractor is safe to buy or not.


References:

• Google Books: How to Restore Classic Farm Tractors
• ATIS: Antique Tractor FAQ
• Wise Geek: How do I Restore a Pedal Tractor?

How to Restring Pella Blinds

Pella was founded by Pete and Lucille Kuyper in 1925. They came from the small Dutch community of Pela, hence the name. They invented a special window screen which had the ability to roll up and down like a shade. As of today the company is still run by the Kuyper family along with professional help and is the 2nd largest manufacturer in America of patio doors, windows and entry doors. Pella has a team of over 8600 members who work diligently to ensure the best quality and have more than 200 window and door showrooms.

Things You'll Need:

• Pella Window Blinds

Step 1:

Firstly remove the shade by pulling on the “U” shaped tab which is located on the corner. By doing this the side part of it would be removed. What’s required next is to move the shade away from the side hinge and to the side where the clipped panels are, which will remove it completely. (The new models come with hinges instead of clips)

Step 2:

The next step would be to pull the tab and then put the removed shades back in to the proper place. Pella blinds are now cordless therefore all one must do is check where the shade operator handle is located which is generally near the bottom of the panel. This can be found generally prior to the inserting the panel. Once this is done it will enable the operator handle to raise and lower the shade without any hindrance.

Step 3:

Then what is required is to place the blind into the removable glass panel, which is done by sliding the top part of the blind into the stud which helps to mount it. Then the operator drive should be changed to the drive gear which is the hole shaped area. This side is marked as A and is located on top of the head rail.   In certain cases you might have to move the blind operator handle upwards to ensure proper alignment of the blind.

Step 4:

Then firmly secure the blind head rail by pressing on the opposite side of the head rail over the other mounting stud, which is labeled as B on the top side of the shade. Finally close the hinged panel or in the case of the old blinds make sure the clip panel is reinstalled and closed completely. Failure to do so could result in the windows being fogged up.


References:

• Adobe Blinds and Shades: Pella Built in Shade Options