Agricultural Mechanics: Fundamentals & Applications

by Ray V Herren

Publisher: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 1435400976

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Book Description

AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS, 6th edition is designed for high school students learning agricultural mechanics.

The text aims to connect the theory behind mechanics with the practical application. Topics covered are those common to most programs and include metal and career selection; wood and metal working; tool identification; project planning; cutting and welding; paints and paint application; power mechanics; electrical wiring; plumbing; hydraulics; concrete and masonry; and agricultural structures. Safety rules and precautions are prominent in every section of the units as well as an entire unit on personal safety.

To engage the reader, Agricultural Mechanics Fundamentals and Applications, 6th edition is illustrated with up-to-date images that support text material. In addition, 36 charts and data tables are included to provide information for project planning and measurement conversions. The last section of the text is dedicated to detailed drawings of 58 complete plans that are designed for the skill levels students should acquire at the completion of their course of study in agricultural mechanics.

About the Author

Ray V. Herren has been actively involved in agriculture for most of his life. He grew up on a diversified farm, where he played a major role in the production of livestock. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education from Auburn University, a master's degree in agribusiness education from Alabama A & M, and a doctorate in vocational education (with an emphasis in agricultural education) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Herren has taught at Virginia Tech, Oregon State University, and the University of Georgia in Athens, where he recently retired as head of the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communication. In addition to being a national leader in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni organization, he has served on numerous committees from the local to international level, including a national task force to develop FFA programs for middle school and the National Committee for Career Development Events. His prolific scholarly activity includes 26 journal articles, 51 invited or refereed presentations, and 12 books and manuals. He has also earned several awards for his commitment to service, as well as UGA's prestigious College of Education Outstanding Teaching Award.

Customer Reviews

This book it a textbook for my college AGR 157 class, Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics. It is very basic, a type of textbook I would have expected to be associated with a eighth or ninth grade shop or ag class. Some terms and tool names are not correct, or conflict with the industry standard. For example, it uses the term "nut runners" for a tool that Craftman, Snap-On, Grainger, McMaster-Carr and all the industrial mechanics I've worked with call "nut drivers". The self evaluation questions at the end of each chapter have items that do not directly correlate with the given text. If one did not have familiar knowledge with the subject aready, these evaluations could be confusing at best. Some of the safety colors it says are used conflict with the industry standard. It says black and yellow are used for radiation, which is not true, yellow and magenta are the radiation colors. We use black and yellow for non forklift traffic area boundaries. One positive of this book is that it does have good, and clearly, written procedures for the use of the equipment in which each chapter describes.