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4-H Small Engines Project

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Small engines power our lives for work and play. Learn how small engines work, how to maintain and repair them, and how to apply this information to a hobby or career.

Learn basic to advanced information about small engines.
Learn life skills such as planning, organizing, comparing and measuring, decision making, communication, safety and problem solving.

Sections

Starting Out Basic/ Level 1

Identify parts of a small engine.
Start an engine.
Identify tools used with small engines.
Identify and use safety equipment.
Understand oil grades.
Understand and perform deck maintenance procedures.
Understand water and air cooling systems.
Learn to perform engine maintenance on spark plugs, air cleaners and carburetors.
Understand safety labels.
Match the machine to the job.
Compare how different cuts affect grass growth.
Determine engine size.

Learning More Intermediate/ Level 2

Classify small-engine types.
Identify internal small-engine parts.
Identify specialty tools.
Test the compression of an engine.
Be able to clean a carburetor and understand carburation.
Learn to season a small engine.
Understand transmission of power in the engine.
Understand a machine’s center of gravity.
Buy small-engine parts.
Obtain information about careers related to small engines.

Expanding Horizons Advanced/ Levels 3

Identify small engines by sound.
Identify and use diagnostic tools.
Learn to assemble and tear down an engine.
Learn to tear down and rebuild an engine’s electrical system.
Maintain work machines.
Investigate trends in the small-engines industry.
Learn about rules pertaining to small engines.
Select a replacement engine.
Make recommendations for buying a machine with a small engine.
Start your own business.

OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE:

Give a presentation or demonstration on small engines at your club meeting and communication arts event.
Teach younger 4-H members in your club about small engines by playing small-engine bingo.
Research careers that work with small engines.
Research education requirements for working with small engines.
Visit a mechanic shop.
Attend local workshops or tradeshows
Interested in a college education in engineering or landscape architecture? Schedule a visit with North Dakota State University, www.ndsu.edu.

Display

Create a poster on small engine safety or maintenance.
Display proper and improper or defective plugs.
Create a poster or display demonstrating routine repair and maintenance.
Display a small engine you overhauled or repaired.
Display a reconstructed engine in good running order.
Create a safety poster on any lawn and garden equipment.
Create a poster on how an engine runs.
Display maintenance or equipment operations (gears, belts, etc.).
Create a display comparing 2- and 4-cycle engines.
Display lawn and garden equipment or some other application of small engines.

4-H Small Engines Project

OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE:

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