This trusted text provides a thorough introduction to agricultural mechanics, covering fundamental mechanical and engineering theory, common tools and materials, and a wide range of practical applications. Units explore essential topics such as career opportunities, shop orientation and procedures, woodworking and metal working, tool fitting, project planning, cutting and welding, paints and paint application, power mechanics, electrical wiring, plumbing, hydraulics, concrete and masonry, and agricultural structures.Safety is also emphasized strongly throughout the text, both within each chapter and in a dedicated unit. To engage today's students and make even complicated principles easier to apply, the text features abundant, full-color images, illustrations, charts, and data tables, as well as detailed drawings of over 50 complete project plans. More than 300 of these visuals have been added or updated for the Seventh Edition, which also boasts a suite of dynamic digital teaching resources, such as an online Coursemate with lecture materials, videos, interactive quizzes, and more. The new edition also includes updates to reflect the latest innovations in materials, machinery, and methods, providing a current and comprehensive guide to help students plan and execute agricultural projects effectively.

Part I: EXPLORING CAREERS IN AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS. 1. Mechanics in the World of Agriculture. 2. Career Options in Agricultural Mechanics. Part II: USING THE AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS SHOP. 3. Shop Orientation and Procedures. 4. Personal Safety in Agricultural Mechanics. 5. Reducing Hazards in Agricultural Mechanics. 6. Shop Cleanup and Organization. Part III: HAND WOODWORKING AND METAL WORKING. 7. Hand Tools, Fasteners, and Hardware. 8. Layout Tools and Procedures. 9. Selecting, Cutting, and Shaping Wood. 10. Fastening Wood. 11. Finishing Wood. 12. Identifying, Marking, Cutting, and Bending Metal. 13. Fastening Metal. Part IV: POWER TOOLS IN THE AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS SHOP. 14. Portable Power Tools. 15. Woodworking with Power Machines. 16. Adjusting and Maintaining Power Woodworking Equipment. 17. Metalworking with Power Machines. Part V: PROJECT PLANNING. 18. Sketching and Drawing Projects. 19. Figuring a Bill of Materials. 20. Selecting, Planning, and Building a Project. Part VI: TOOL FITTING. 21. Repairing and Reconditioning Tools. 22. Sharpening Tools. Part VII: GAS HEATING, CUTTING, BRAZING, AND WELDING. 23. Using Gas Welding Equipment. 24. Cutting with Oxyfuels and Other Gases. 25. Brazing and Welding with Oxyacetylene. Part VIII: ARC WELDING. 26. Selecting and Using Arc Welding Equipment. 27. Arc Welding Mild Steel and GMAW/GTAW Welding. Part IX: PAINTING. 28. Preparing Wood and Metal for Painting. 29. Selecting and Applying Painting Materials. Part X: POWER MECHANICS. 30. Fundamentals of Small Engines. 31. Small Engine Maintenance and Repair. 32. Diesel Engines and Tractor Maintenance. Part XI: ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS. 33. Electrical Principles and Wiring Materials. 34. Installing Branch Circuits. 35. Electronics in Agriculture. 36. Electric Motors, Drives, and Controls. Part XII: PLUMBING, HYDRAULIC, AND PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS. 37. Plumbing. 38. Irrigation Technology. 39. Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Robotic Power. Part XIII: CONCRETE AND MASONRY. 40. Concrete and Masonry. Part XIV: AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES. 41. Planning and Constructing Agricultural Structures. 42. Aquaculture, Greenhouse, and Hydroponics Structures. 43. Fence Design and Construction. Appendix A: Projects. Appendix B: Data Tables.