Workin on junk

• Pump Test, Fluid Pound...

[@farmin4468]

Most “normal” people don’t understand not being an employee. Thanks for another super interesting video Zach!

[@TheZachLife]

This is 100% the deal.

[@danjohnson1172]

Haters are going to hate. I like watching how you keep the old stuff alive.

[@obfuscated3090]

@@iridium8341 If it makes me money I'll work on anything.

[@daleburrell6273]

​@@obfuscated3090...well, that's ONE way of looking at it...(!)

[@WACRE44]

It came out of the ground

[@arthurbrumley5186]

Those of us that can keep junk running will win in the end!! Keep up the hard work and I hope that you keep sharing it with us!!

[@TheZachLife]

That's the plan!

[@racerdude7149]

Funny thing is most of this is not junk… it’s just old, and frankly, old stuff was built to last…. With a little tlc

[@demartin5366]

Another great video, Zach. Thanks for always taking us along with you. I like the way you "talk" to us like we are standing right beside you. You make your work look so easy and its great to see you enjoy it so much. I am learning so much about working in the oil fields watching you. I am glad you are getting this lease a second chance. Keep these oil field videos coming. Always a joy to see a new "ZachLife" video.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks, Thanks for watching.

[@shawnantel8238]

I absolutely love watching your videos! Learn something new every time. Maybe if other people would learn to just make it work with what you have available(the farmer way) this country would be better

[@markhobby7481]

It's called Adapt, Improvise and Overcome! You got it going man, it'll probably run for the rest of the life of the well.

[@AnthonyStankiewicz]

Na, didn't get that dizzy. Thanks for straightening us out, lol 😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidskiffington7039]

Zach, you say you’re an oilman, and you are, but you are spiritually identical to a farmer! I have an old water pump that feeds my cattle, it’s about 80 years old and the weld on its cast iron head has held for 15 years in spite of me using 7018 rods because that’s all I had on a Saturday evening. Not every job is a space shuttle mission. Good enough is good enough.

[@TheZachLife]

Haha that needs to be a t-shirt.

[@Zt3v3]

Not every job is a space shuttle mission. Well put friend.

[@TexasStormChaser]

You're not an oil man, you're a real man. Keep up the good work!

[@twisthard]

Zach, you are NOT a hack! You are an oilfield man and the work in the oilfield is not like building/tuning pianos. Good enough is good enough, if it works, it works! That's the way of the patch for over 100 years. More power to you man!

[@robertsprafke9376]

You and your business is what made the USA the greatest country it once was. As a kid at 17 years old I worked for a guy like you in LA California servicing about sixty wells and tank farms in town. Even then in 1973 the public generally hated us every day because they thought we were dirty and greedy. We were constantly being persecuted for one thing or another. They never took time to realize that there was no town there when those wells were drilled and put in service, and without the revenue from this specific business there would be no town. God bless the independent oil companies.

[@SFZ6hp]

I like keeping the old stuff running also, I collect and restore old flywheel engines. The old stuff was built to be repaired, not thrown away. Great video Zach.

[@TheZachLife]

I agree I like old stuff.

[@TIMMEH19991]

I just love those thrustless herringbone cut gears. Invented by Andre Citroën of the Citroën car company. If you look on the front of their cars, there are two herringbone teeth. Another great video. Thanks for uploading!

[@daleburrell6273]

0:18...WELL, NOBODY'S INFALLIBLE...and you're MY kind of people...

[@thomasfx3190]

I think it’s fascinating that I’m thinking of engines and you knew that! 😂 the properties of this gear case are so different than a truck motor and the tolerances are naturally different. Fascinating bits about the gear shaft and the oil slinger drains! Old VW engines worked the same way!

[@clintonmississippi2108]

Zach, I also really enjoy watching you repair the old oil field equipment. That's one thing I don't know anything about so I am learning a lot. Sam

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome thanks for watching.

[@tsmith235]

I like seeing stuff apart that I've never been even close to. But I've also had an interest in what they work like

[@RODALCO2007]

Fantastic work Zach, those 47 minutes flown by. Your engineering skills are superb, getting these machines going again. The dipstick is brilliant, easy to check. It is what demartin says, standing beside you in the workshop and on-site.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@marc0110j]

When you are actually doing the work, "good enough" is good enough. Watching these videos lets me know I'm not the only one that suffers from "forgot the right tool" and the "all day one hour job". I admire your ability to take on a job and do what it takes to get it done.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Thats a motto of mine. good enough.

[@bricebeaulac]

Dude, that gear would have been 100% on the wrong way for me lol

[@missyd0g2]

Zach, I enjoy watching you work on older technology where we can see it.

[@ericrotermund1004]

there is nothing new under the sun

[@Blazefork]

The Pakistani truck guys would be proud. The bottom line is all the critics ain't paying your bills, you are.

[@ahchu3256]

Machining a sleeve from tubing and loctite-ing to the shaft might be another option to avoid the shaft welding.

[@thomasfx3190]

One more thing, I’d love to hear ALL about that automation / observation/ control system you’ve got going!

[@TheZachLife]

It's coming soon.

[@tsrashotgun9304]

You're like an oil farmer. All the other trades and skills required to do the main job wrapped up in one person.

[@RobsWorldWV]

You done it just the way it needed done, it works now. Love oil field maintenance vids.

[@jimshives8557]

I have great respect for you. You make things work and not everyone can do that. I worked in the oil patch almost 40 years. Started as a roustabout, worked well service rigs and earned my Journeyman Electric license. So I enjoy your videos a bunch.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks for watching.

[@jamespayne8781]

Gotta say you don’t see old jack pumps worked on every day. Looks good.

[@Speedy2222]

that double herringbone gear pattern is so cool

[@TheQwik512]

That’s why they’re called spring passes. Great to see you back Zach.

[@anthonystankiewicz1060]

I agree; it's fun watching these projects 😁😔😁😁😔❤❤❤❤

[@rocksandoil2241]

Enjoyed this very much. If I had all the right new equipment to do the job, I'd be broke or so rich I didn't need the equipment in the first place.

[@rogervonschleusingen4603]

WE ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR SKILLS AND YOUR WORK, AWESOME TO SAY THE LEAST, LOVE THE T SHIRTS !!

[@derekbryant6137]

I'm watching your stuff because I want to learn how to do what you're doing and you do some neat stuff too

[@benjaminjordan2762]

I worked/contracted to an old school drilling company that had used the same yard for 50 years. There is no telling how many thousands of gallons of oil were spilled on the ground. When the property was sold the soil was tested for contamination. The only thing found was arsenic in two places. No one knows where that came from because they didn't use it. My guess is it came from the farms that were there years before. The oil simply returned to the earth it was taken from and the cycle of life goes on. Great video Zach, you and I would work well together.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Possibly very old graves from when they used arsenic as an embalming fluid? Or maybe some dude being treated for syphilis in the 1910s to the 1930s took a piss there when arsphenamine/salvarsan was the only medication available.

[@arlynsmith9196]

I love your channel and I appreciate and respect the way you work. I retired after a 20 year p;olikce career in a urban area and if I had been a safety maven I would never have gotten out of the car. Safety first is one of the phrases that really sets me off. Good work!

[@lt1nut]

Thank you for serving your community, that career has become an unbearable job in many locations. (Source -- My best friend is a retired Deputy of 30.xx years.)

[@rg3412]

This is how our oil is produced. No miracle, just hard work daily.

[@russellknight26]

I was thinking you were going to put the gear in the oven for the gear but then you busted out the deep fryer for the bearing races and that just made my day. Genius level shit right there. Love the videos keep it up!

[@d46512]

You are crazy. Sizing the dipstick with a sledge. Rainwater in the oil. Welded shaft. Loved every minute.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha

[@peter7624]

Zach, you' ve been doing this stuff for years and you know what works. Remember no matter what you post on the 'net, someone will disagree with it just because they can. Great video, thanks for posting.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

I have a few oil royalties here and there. I always was fascinated by oil wells. Thanks for your videos. It’s like a free education!

[@alexannal]

I think you are doing great. If it works, it works

[@13donstalos]

I really appreciate your comments about employees and safety. This is your gig to be as safe (or not) as you damn well please. Anyone who watches regularly knows you do just fine.

[@batchief]

I appreciate your real world common sensical experiences. Would like to meet you sometime! From Ellis county Texas. God bless!

[@Orbacron]

Let the useful items be useful. Put a rubber o-ring on your dipstick handle so it won't rain in your gearbox. Good call on that thicker gear oil👍

[@TheZachLife]

good idea

[@josephpadula2283]

Better to glue the o ring to the case so no way standing oil gets in , as the dipstick may not be flat if heavy enough to keep water out.

[@davidkuehl8713]

🎉 Your shirts crack me up. You have excellent mechanical knowledge and you use it well. Enjoy your videos.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@douglassfwilson]

Did all this in the 70's in the lower San Juan basin. Brings back lots of memories. Enjoy your videos.

[@ebenwaterman5858]

I love your adjustable hammer. ;)

[@MrKilleromo]

worked on pumpjacks for years miss foing these jobs

[@centexan]

Thanks for the videos ! Always fun and educational. I'm no expert, but these parts and workings on these wells sure seem to show some pretty unique mechanics. And they seem to last and last.

[@hmrody]

Please take each and every comment (including this one) with a shaker of salt. You are a doer. Yeah, as you say, maybe something could be better, but everything has a cost, and time and money come into play. Some folks (likely me), just comment and criticize just to flap their gums. Of course, everyone should learn from others, but... Well, I am sure you get my drift. I enjoy your videos immensely. I learn a lot. Please keep them up. Best!

[@baratono]

It lives again! I really enjoy your fix-it videos on this old equipment.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

I totally agree with you. I don't see the point in having to clean old equipment that produces income.

[@robpinter5431]

Mate the T-shirt made my day. Greetings from Australia. At times you can't just pop down to the store and buy parts or even a new item, I live in a rural area too and being retired mechanic, I make a lot if items to keep things going.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha thanks

[@imchris5000]

you should get one of those horse stall mats from tractor supply and put a chunk under your press so things have a nice rubber surface to land on. they also make great pads to throw down on mud so you can work on things without bogging your boots

[@TheZachLife]

Good idea

[@obfuscated3090]

Horse stall mats make great shop floor mats. My old pipeliner welding instructor had me line the toolroom floor which worked a treat. I use mine as ground mats between my house and shop because I don't want to pave over the water and electrical lines. (That immediately paid off because the garbage PVC water line installed by a previous owner failed a week later.) I wrench vintage motorcycles and when I redo my engine build area it will get more stall mats.

[@kennyward4674]

🙂 Best part of the video was "I've never actually had one of these apart, but all I'm gonna do is start putting bolts out of it" Just git'er done!! 👍👍👍😊😊😊

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha

[@okgroomer1966]

Don't let the safety police get to you. Some people value true freedom, and some don't. I'm with you on not living in bubble wrap.

[@blondestrainger]

Keep it up Zak ! I love old equipment and always rebuild our tractors and equipment myself

[@diesellivesmatter]

"that was weird" closes door and leaves. Yep oilfield, I will deal with that when it breaks.

[@scttchrm8515]

Enjoy watching you work, your a Jack of all Trades God Bless

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks 👍

[@trottermalone379]

Gib Key. They’re called Tapered Head Gib Keys… Yours is one of the best channels on KZbin, Zak. I have a stack of engineering degrees, accreditations, and credentials thick enough to stop a 45. Your breadth of knowledge, judgement and acumen are a marvel and a testament to the fact that Engineers are born not made.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@BigMikesGarage]

Nice repair Zach. Always enjoy your content.

[@randacnam7321]

That oil you spilled on the ground is dinner for some oleophagic bacteria in the dirt. Yes, things eat oil. Also, you should put some filler bolts in the cover jacking holes to keep the threads clean.

[@briantetreault1875]

Love this channel. Been watching it for a long ass while, such wholesome and honest work. Tips for heating up bearings, and races; put the parts in a wet paper towel and into the microwave for like 1-2 minutes. Alternatively; toaster oven. The deep fryer is a new to me method!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. What ever works.

[@brt-jn7kg]

A retired police officer who started his own outboard repair business. I work a lot of lower units off of outboards. I would be right at home working on this stuff.

[@MarkMunro-y8f]

I ran a hydro power station nine years.700 mwt 14000 volts . If the Karen's saw what I did they would have had a butter milk hemorrhage. 😂😂😂.

[@bigunone]

"They give you extra napkins for after" ROFLOL

[@RT10Viperman]

You said it right ...." I'm an oil man"

[@irgski]

Hey Brother, you do what you gotta do!

[@francodabronco3692]

I don't know why I enjoy watching this dude work. I'll most likely NEVER EVER work on any of the things he's working on.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha thanks for watching.

[@TomM-iw3te]

I’m an oilman and proud of my 40 years. You’re doing all the good and know how to self correct to keep your business running and others safe. 👍

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome thanks.

[@matthewmcdaniel8846]

🤣🤣loved the video man, the dip stick out of a welding rod was a great idea wish I had thought of it lol

[@Dandle01]

These are great videos. Your range of skills are really something. Thanks for sharing.

[@cjbain8975]

This is only my second video of yours that I have watched, and all I want to say is...wow my grandfather would be impressed with how you're keeping old machinery alive today. Hell, I'm impressed from what little he taught me of the "old school way to do things" yeah shit might not be done necessarily the correct way but as long as it works, and you don't break anything and it's not *that* sketchy/dangerous hell let's try it!

[@davidpatriot1082]

the price on that gear is just wild. its really hurting our nation that we have such high costs of doing business and such little competition and production something like that should be a 100 bucks

[@Zt3v3]

$100 bucks? It's a one off piece. The material alone is more than $100.

[@q2bman]

Yes. Another pumping unit video. Man I’m itching to see the detailed video of your scada stuff. Great video.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Should have some ready in a couple of months.

[@jreg2007]

never clicked on a video so fast. i just love your content. i have watched every video.

[@TerryLawrence001]

It's ironic that a gearbox for pumping oil out of the ground, fails from lack of oil! :-) I love the way you tackle field work!

[@TheZachLife]

Hahah

[@kandkmotorsports]

I been a mechanic 28 years, you're doin' just fine!

[@daleburrell6273]

5:31...well, "ya CAN'T win 'em ALL!!!"

[@MarkMunro-y8f]

Thank you Zack. Your lunch had more had more oil then That poor transmission .😂😊

[@williamnoel5092]

Excellent video. Keep up the good work.

[@jackson8085]

This guy's sassy tshirts crack me up.

[@JohnReid-p3o]

Dear Zach. I enjoy watching your videos that show me how the oil lease all works. I enjoyed the motor/generator welder with the differential wound generator episode. It was classic machinery that stimulated my electrical engineering interests. I also enjoy the plumbing and the separator videos. We don't have any oilfields where I am in Australia so your work and ingenuity really stimulates my interest. Keep up the good work Zach and I wish you success and prosperity. You have a warm personality free from vanity which makes you an excellent instructor and entertainer. Best wishes John

[@saintsi6997]

Top tip, get your self a big plastic washing up bowl. Then when you're taking stuff apart at site you throw all your nut a bolts washers and tools in it, keeps all the stuff together for that job. Great video keep them coming.

[@TheZachLife]

I've usually get a bucket or something.

[@able880]

I'm a third generation mechanic electrician or in the offshore oil fields we were refered to as SCR electrician just means I'm also into solidstate drives - I started in the offshore oil fields in the early 70s - some of the equipment was from the 1920s - there were still Worthington air injection diesels and oil engines generating power or running compressors and pumps - We just kept every thing running - there is a saying the oilfields never sleeps - It's true - I'm retired now - today much of the oilfields are high tech - every thing is changed out once a yr or every to yrs - The old generators and compressors my grandfather and uncles worked on were never changed out - they were just kept running - I had seen old 4 HP FM hit and miss engines on small shallow wells in the middle of no were in the marsh pumping oil - they were on gear boxes running running one or more jack pumps - . Working on old equipment is like stepping back in time -

[@goeachitt]

Amazing mechanical repair. Thanks for the video !

[@n-lessfix-itlist3836]

I think you done a fine job it's running smooth as ever

[@brokeminer475]

Keep it up! I just love watching this stuff.

[@JohnDoe-gm5ux]

You sir are a lot smarter than I expected. Good content

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha thanks.

[@Joeandfran]

Zach, I’m an older man, repair clocks and everything else, 40 years now, and you do just great! Keep it up!

[@Vernon-Chitlen]

Excellent shirt brother!!😏

[@tenkiller9999]

My favorite is the "These are difficult times" shirt.

[@cdabg]

You are a typical "do it yourself" oil man, farmer and you should be proud of it. It's people like you that made this country as great as it is. Keep up the good work!

[@jonusjonus9271]

i love how you got the old motor just layin on the ground...those damn lightning strikes, you werent kiddin!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@gt1man931]

Don't know why anyone would hate, what you did was more than good enough. It ain't like you were building a 9000 rpm race car engine.

[@togo3624]

Another great video. Really enjoyed watching. Thx

[@71bh]

Get it running make a living. Make it work that's what we do every day knowing enough to get buy, that's what's our dream, our dream HARD WORK, keep I up my freind

[@SuperKONR]

Nice save on making the gear work! Thanks for taking us along! As far as your transformer video goes, I'm with you on doing what it takes to get the job done. I do have to say, however, that you always think it's worth it to get the job done until one day you suddenly realize you're messed up in a life changing way. I've had some close calls, finally decided that the time that I might save on a job to go grab safety glasses, gloves, a chain hoist, etc. is not worth trading the well-being of the whole rest of my life. I'm a mechanic, I'm going to die with a wrench in my hand. But I want to die actually wrenching, not sitting there with cancer or a crippled back, not able to work, just waiting to die, because of some nasty PCB oil incident from 10 years ago. I know you already think about that stuff, and I'm not trying to shame you for doing what you do, like I said I've got the same mentality. But just try and think of what your doing for your own sake. We need many more years of ZachLife videos, none of us want to see you get messed up from this stuff. The quick and easy way is always quick and easy until it isn't.

[@craigsymington5401]

Well put. I did years of rigging radio towers and so on. One day I realized that if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done, and therefore the money, which had diminished, wasn't worth it. I guess it was coz I realized my boys needed a dad for at least a decade or two. I work a much safer cleaner job today, with my teen sons, but the body reminds me of my dumb antics every day. Of course I'm an adventurer, so factory work is slowly killing me. Also, lived 50 years in Africa, never a dull moment, including getting shot, safe and uneventful is great, but I can't help feeling like summing is missing!

[@craigsymington5401]

Hey Zack, great stuff! I never vlogged ' cos I didn't want any evidence 😊. There's a load of jobs I did in South Africa that just don't get done anymore coz guys like us just ain't around!

[@joeldawson442]

Thank you for keeping the life blood of the American economy flowing.

[@6usaa]

Another great video Zack. People that never owned their own business don't understand. I have and you can't always be perfect at the cost of missing a day or more of the equipment working.

[@sbruce899]

Common sense maintenance. Good job