Plow Repair Skills explores the crucial role of plow maintenance in shaping agricultural practices and family life in farming communities. It highlights how the ability to repair and maintain plows fostered self-sufficiency and resilience within families. The book delves into the technical aspects of plow repair, such as fixing share wear and beam fractures, using tools and materials available to farming families. Interestingly, the functionality of the plow directly impacted a family's ability to cultivate land, produce food, and sustain themselves, making it the technological heart of pre-industrial agriculture.
The book examines the history of the plow, its designs, and operation, then progresses to practical repair techniques and the social and economic dimensions of plow maintenance. It illustrates how repair knowledge was passed down through generations, reinforcing familial bonds through shared labor. By focusing on the often-overlooked perspective of the farming family, Plow Repair Skills offers a unique, ground-level view of agricultural technology and its impact on rural life.