Maintaining Peak Performance

When you purchase a tractor, you expect it to last. To make it work at peak performance, it must be properly maintained. That's no small task, we know, when you already have too much on your plate.

Every tractor is delivered with a operator's manual, but many growers do not take the time to read the manual. They put the machine to work and, later, wonder why they didn't get the field performance they expected.

Recently, we discussed this issue with Bob Coffin, Rainbow's Vice President of After-Market Services. According to Bob, many failures will be avoided by setting up, and sticking to, a rigorous service maintenance schedule. Often, significant repairs become necessary because a very simple maintenance procedure is ignored. Bob suggested that, "Every owner and operator should read their manuals before they head into the field. They are filled with good information on ballasting, transporting, PTO usage, safety and service intervals. Reading the manual is the better than any insurance you can buy to protect your tractor investment."

There are several important sections in a manual. Obviously, safety is the most important, but following closely behind is the section on service intervals. Although the suggested maintenance tasks are extremely important, many people neglect to follow through on performing the maintenance tasks suggested for their tractors, at the service intervals required for their machines.

To make your service maintenance easier, Rainbow has made a tip sheet that will keep your maintenance on track: Click here to download Rainbow's maintenance tips. It's a PDF, size 40k; Adobe Acrobat Reader required.

Although the required service intervals for your John Deere tractor are spelled out precisely in your manual, they apply generally to every tractor. If you can't find your manual and need another copy, you can easily purchase another. To replace your manual, contact Rainbow's service pros:

Lake and Mendocino County residents, call Tom Carkin at (707) 462-2404 and e-mail him at service@rainbowag.com;

Sonoma, Napa and Marin County residents, call Bob Coffin at (707) 942-4566 or e-mail him at rainbow@napanet.net.

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WINTER SERVICE SPECIAL! $90 + Parts: John Deere Compact or Utility Tractors Free 81-pt. inspection $75 + Parts: John Deere Utility Vehicles Free 65-pt. inspection $60 + Parts: John Deere or Husquavarna Garden Tractors Free 78-pt. inspection $39 + Parts: John Deere Walk-Behind Mower Free 39-pt. inspection This offer includes: Engine Oil Change, Oil Filter Change, All Fluids Topped-Off Get Something Extra! (additional charges apply) •  Pick-Up and Delivery Service •  On-Site Service Available •  Warranty Add-Ons •  Air Conditioning Tune-Up by a Certified Technician CONTACT OUR SERVICE SPECIALISTS FOR AN APPOINTMENT: In Lake & Mendocino County: Call Tom Carkin, 462-2404 or (800) 427-2404 In Lake & Mendocino County: Call Bob Coffin, 942-4566 or (800) 942-4566 Expires January 31, 2002

Rainbow will be there, and so should you! The Wine Grape Symposium January 29-31, 2002 Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA A must-attend industry conference, the Wine Grape Symposium features three days of program sessions and a two-day trade show of the best new products and strategies to boost your competitive edge. Jointly organized by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), the Wine Grape Symposium represents the collective experience, knowledge and background of the entire industry. Check out the symposium schedule: Click here.

"If you don't know where you are going, any path will take you there." -Ancient Sioux Proverb At Rainbow, one of the things we do at this time of year is update our strategic plan. We spend a great number of hours, and focused brain-power at this task. I believe it is the single most important tool Rainbow Ag has used to grow from a small, five-person irrigation company, to the five-county company we are today. Rainbow Ag's primary goal is to be the premier supplier of the finest equipment, products and services to the agricultural producers in our market area. Every year, we take time to look back and review our performance. More importantly, we look forward. While we recognize that the only opinion that counts is that of our customers, we also know that we had better understand what is going on in the industry if we are going to be successful. We recently completed our 2002 strategic plan. In this process we involve our entire staff in answering a number of questions: What is going on within the industry. What challenges and opportunities are our customers going to experience in the future? Who are our customers and what are the areas that we must excel in if we wish to maintain their business or wrestle it from our competitors? What are Rainbow Ag's strengths, weakness and opportunities? What threats are out there that we must be aware of? What are the important items that we must focus our efforts on in order to improve our organization? These questions help us focus our efforts and resources for the upcoming year. We know what path we are following. With the challenges facing the North coast Vineyard industry any organization, or vineyard operation could benefit from developing their own strategic plan. We have developed a step-by-step generic template that we use at Rainbow Ag. If you are interested in using this tool in your own organization or vineyard operation e-mail me at mayfield@rainbowag.com and I'd be happy to get you a copy. Jim Mayfield President Rainbow Agricultural Services

View Our Equipment Lot Online! John Deere Equipment -- Electronically! Tractors - Sprayers - Tillers - Attachments Click here to go to the Equipment Page on Rainbow's website, then look for the button with the John Deere tractor; it's your ride straight into the lot. Photos Hours Spec sheets Inspection Forms Serial Numbers Get all the information before you come in to buy! Only at Rainbow!