OT ? Maintanence Software?

Do you know of any software that is some kind of template or application that fits with MS Excel or other common program that is useful for tracking the small farm equipment maintenance. I have been trying to keep stuff and notes in a spiral notebook, but think there must be a better way. I know there are huge programs for tracking all the details of a big fleet, but it seems to me that requires an almost full time person to learn and use the program. I want something easy that is almost immediately useful. Maybe one of the state universities has developed something for public use?

Thanks,

Paul in MN

Thanks for the responses and sharing the ideas.

I don't know whether my thinking is right or not, but I think I should have some program that is a bit more robust. Here is our situation: 10 tractors, 9 thrower type bale wagons, 5 trailers, snowplow equipment, 2 thrower balers, tillage equipment, 4 vehicles, 2 garden tractors with mowers, plus shop tools and equipment. I don't know what features are available in freeware or low cost programs that don't take too long to learn to use. Maybe it can tie in oil and filter and spare parts inventory. I am trying to make my shop more organized, and make my head more organized too.

Thanks,

Paul in MN

Cars is a vehicle maintenance program

You just have to create you a logon, and then add your vehicles, and then add the service history.

I made a folder on my desktop titled equip maint

Int hat folder, I made a another folder for each piece of equip we own. Inside each of those folder is 3 text files. The first file has the machines sn, date and any unit codes i need, plus a list of all the filter numbers and any specialty oils, etc that it takes.

2nd file is 'parts' 3rd file is maint.

In the parts file, I make an entry for each part I buy for that machine, as follows

part price where purchase/instaled hours

headlamp 5$ TSC 3-1-07 /3-10-07 720

as an example..

In the main section, I make a line item for each time i do maint on the machine

date, hours, maint performed

3-1-07 720 greased all zerks

etc.

Those 3 files just keep running... a new line for each entry.. and you have a top to bottom list of all parts bought and when they were installed ( warranty? ) and where you got them...

notepad or wordpad with windows is all you need to do this... With a couple clicks you can bring up the machine info file when you need to order filters.. or you can open the part file and see the date you purchased a part to check on warranty.. ect. You can opent he maint file and see when your last lube or filter change was.. etc.

Soundguy

Your idea sounds great to me! Thanks again.

John,PA

Soundguy

I have always found that this means that they can start-over for "depreciation values" for their insurance companies. Basically "brand-new" AGAIN, regardless of original dates on casting stamps.

Hope this helps ya. Have a good week-end.
John,PA