Pro Tips, News & Events

John Deere Mower Deck Repair Guide
Jul 24, 2026

John Deere Mower Deck Repair Guide

Uneven cuts and shaking are signs your deck needs help. This John Deere mower deck repair guide shows you how to fix cracked spindle mounts, replace worn pulleys and belts, and sharpen blades for a better cut and longer equipment life.

What Is SPN 636 FMI 2 and How to Fix It?
Jul 24, 2026

What Is SPN 636 FMI 2 and How to Fix It?

SPN 636 FMI2 signals a fault in the crankshaft position sensor circuit. The FMI2 suggests that the electronic control module (ECM) has detected an abnormal signal from the sensor, which could lead to poor engine performance, misfires, or difficulty starting the engine. In this guide, we’ll dive into the symptoms, causes and easy fixes of the error code.

Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms: How to Tell If It’s Failing
Jul 24, 2026

Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms: How to Tell If It’s Failing

Bad ignition switch symptoms: how to tell if it’s failing? No crank?No crank? Starts then stalls? The catch is, a weak battery, a starter on its last leg, or a wiring glitch can pull off the same act. This guide takes you through the usual warning signs—no crank, starts and stalls, dash power cutting in and out, a key that doesn’t turn smoothly, or power suddenly returning when you move the key—and helps you sort out whether it’s the switch, the battery, or the starter. We’ll also walk through what to check before you replace anything: battery voltage, terminal connections, ground straps, fuses, and the connector for heat damage or corrosion. Look at the whole pattern—one symptom alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

2026 Construction Survival Guide: Why Cost-Cutting Can Be Risky
Jul 23, 2026

2026 Construction Survival Guide: Why Cost-Cutting Can Be Risky

2026 Construction Survival Guide: Why Cost-Cutting Can Be Risky. If you’re still using 2025 cost baselines for parts or downtime projections, you’re already behind. Input prices jumped 6.2% in early 2026 alone—more than the previous three years combined. Tariffs are adding an invisible tax on hydraulics, steel, and aluminum. Meanwhile, the industry is short 349,000 workers. Delaying a repair today doesn’t save money—it locks you into higher prices tomorrow. Smart fleet owners treat construction equipment maintenance as a financial survival strategy, not just an expense. The shift to quality aftermarket parts helps bypass OEM markups, reset life cycle costs, and protect margins. The question isn’t whether to adapt—it’s whether you can afford not to.

How to Read V-Belt Numbers: A Complete Belt Size Identification Guide
Jul 23, 2026

How to Read V-Belt Numbers: A Complete Belt Size Identification Guide

This guide explains how to read V-belt numbers to ensure you buy the correct replacement. We cover standard, wedge, and metric belt codes, what the ‘X’ suffix means, and how to measure a belt if the number is worn off.

AC Blowing Hot Air? A Troubleshooting Guide for Beginners
Jul 23, 2026

AC Blowing Hot Air? A Troubleshooting Guide for Beginners

When summer is in full swing, nobody wants to climb into the driver’s seat and drive around sweating like a pig. Picture being on a long trip in a heavy-duty truck or a car to another place and your A/C suddenly blowing warm air, with the temperature quickly reaching 150 degrees. That’s freaking daunting, right? In this guide, we’ll walk you through why your car AC blowing hot air and how you can troubleshoot the unit and fix it yourself before taking it to your local mechanic.

Camshaft Seal Leak: Causes, Symptoms & Fixes
Jul 22, 2026

Camshaft Seal Leak: Causes, Symptoms & Fixes

There are many oil seals and gaskets in an engine to lock lubricant inside to grease and cool various parts. The camshaft seal is one of the most critical engine parts. While made from tough materials, the cam seal can wear out over time, causing serious oil leaks and costly repairs. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the symptoms, causes and fixes of a camshaft seal leak.

Why Is My Lawn Mower Carburetor Leaking Gas & How to Fix It?
Jul 22, 2026

Why Is My Lawn Mower Carburetor Leaking Gas & How to Fix It?

Is your lawn mower carburetor leaking gas? This common issue usually points to a stuck float, a worn-out bowl gasket, or a simple loose bolt. Our guide walks you through finding the source and fixing it to get your mower running safely.

How to Test for a Bad Intake Manifold Gasket?
Jul 22, 2026

How to Test for a Bad Intake Manifold Gasket?

How to test an intake manifold gasket? Start simple. Listen for a vacuum hiss at idle, pay attention to how the engine runs, and check the manifold area for any coolant residue. If those symptoms point to a leak, grab a scan tool and check fuel trims—if they’re high at idle but come down when you rev the engine, that’s a strong sign of an intake leak. The best way to pinpoint the leak? A smoke test. And know your symptoms: intake gasket problems give you rough idle, hissing, and lean codes; head gasket failure shows as overheating, white smoke, or coolant contamination. Avoid false leads like cracked hoses, PCV leaks, or sensor faults. Always smoke-test before you start replacing parts.

MTL vs CTL: What’s the Difference and Which Loader Is Better for Your Terrain?
Jul 21, 2026

MTL vs CTL: What’s the Difference and Which Loader Is Better for Your Terrain?

Compact track loaders (CTL) and multi-terrain loaders (MTL) are both popular types of track loaders. However, many people use the terms “compact track loader” and “multi-terrain loader” interchangeably. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the faceoff: CTL vs MTL to help you choose the right loader for your terrain.

How to Test a Camshaft Position Sensor?
Jul 21, 2026

How to Test a Camshaft Position Sensor?

Learn how to test camshaft position sensor on off-road machinery using a multimeter. This guide explains Hall-effect and magnetic sensors, common failure symptoms, and step-by-step tests to help you diagnose sensor and wiring problems before replacing parts.

How to Level a Box Blade and Fix Clearance Problems?
Jul 21, 2026

How to Level a Box Blade and Fix Clearance Problems?

How to level a box blade and fix clearance problems? Start with three checks: top link length, lift arm leveling, and hitch compatibility. Most leveling issues fix without new parts. This guide walks through adjusting the top link for proper cutting angle, leveling side-to-side, and checking clearance when running a front snow blower and rear box blade together on a compact tractor. It also covers what to inspect before buying a used box blade (A-frame, pin mounts, side plates, hitch pins) and the most common setup mistakes—adjusting the top link before leveling the tractor, ignoring side-to-side adjustment, and assuming longer lift arms fix every conflict. Fix the geometry before replacing parts.