Do your own equipment maintenance, or send it to a shop?

[TreeClimber57]

I hope you tie those down somehow, I'd hate to be the guy behind you otherwise.

LOL

And tie down securely or might end up disappearing to the 5 finger discount (or maybe 10 fingers in this case )

 

[TreeClimber57]

Major Engine and Hydrolic work I let the other guy fix it. Other than that it gets fixed at home. I put together an inexpensive set-up ~ generator, air compressor, and small welder, on this 4x4 trailer that helps when I break down in the field.

Neat idea. I have a small enclosed trailer.. 5 X 6 with locking door on back. And have it stocked with most of my stuff.. (some stuff I carry with equipment as well of course).. but in trailer I have belts, teeth, oil, filters, generator, gas powered compressor, mig welder (bigger welders will not run on generator). I have torches at shop.. have none in trailer as did not want to have compressed gas in there all the time. Does not get used a lot, but had trailer from days gone by and was easy to set up. If doing stuff at shop just about as easy as if the stuff was in the shop. I am going to rearrange it a bit this spring if I have time to make it a bit easier to get to stuff in in.. more compartments, etc.

 

[NCTREE]

I try to do what I can, oil changes small repairs mostly. I'd like to do more if I could. I have plenty of tools and what not just somethings seem out of my league. Being in business now for 5 years I realize how much money i'd save if I could do the repairs myself. I'm completly sick of dishonest mechanics ripping me to the point where i'm paranoid to take equipment to the shop. I have an 86 dodge dump I just purchased recently that needs some engine and tranny work. I love to dive into it myself just dont have a clue wear to begin.

 

[fishercat]

Do my own.

I was a mechanic for 15 years and have fixed more than one mistake by another mechanic that didn't take pride in his work.

I take tires to a tire shop.otherwise I do it myself.I don't even like getting warranty work done.I just do it my self.That way I know it was done and done right.

 

[ronnyb]

Im from a farming background, so taking anything you own and use to anyone else to fix was considered more of a personal failure than eating your own young.

I dont have time to fix everything, but chippers, stumpers, saws etc are pretty straight forward most of the time. But if Im really busy I will take gear to a shop, mostly because getting the parts and doing it can be a painful process. I hate having to wait on shops to get there crap together, so i try to have at least 2 of most things.
I have a pretty good collection of tools, got a couple welders and collection of hammers. Im set. I also have a very knowledgable ex mechanic for a father in law, hes worth his weight in gold.

This site has been a MASSIVE help, if you use the search function and have the patience, there is a goldmine on info. This site had both cost me and saved me tens of thousands of dollars. Thanks guys!

I'm from a farm background also. I work on just about everything, and have a brother in law that is a mechanic for the stuff that I can't fix or don't have time for.

 

[pdqdl]

Do my own repairs, usually with my hired mechanic. I usually do our own engine, clutch, and driveline replacements, along with all the minor repairs. I have done a few gear transmissions, but I found that it was too specialized for me to do it properly. Automatic trannys...I pony up and pay to get them done.

Recently, I have been fighting with all the computer operated Ford trucks. I can't figure out the problem, so I take it to the OMG expensive Ford truck center to get an estimate. They take me down for about $200 for the repair estimate, and then we take it back to our shop and fix it. They are such crooks; they only want to replace every truck component that comes near whatever isn't working. Even paying them for the overpriced diagnosis, we always cut their estimate by at least 2/3rds.

I recently got lucky: a fellow walked in the door looking for work at the same time I had fired my previous mechanic. He's the best mechanic I ever hired; in fact, he is considerably better than me.

I may re-open my small engine repair shop just to keep him busy.
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I didn't start out with any particular mechanic skills. It's just that an "I can do this" attitude will solve most of your problems. Do that for 25 years and you get pretty good at fixing things.