diff --git a/farms/.package b/farms/.package
index 191141a..a8dee05 100644
--- a/farms/.package
+++ b/farms/.package
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 {
 	required = {
 		'core',
+		'turtle',
 	},
 	title = 'Programs for farming resources',
 	repository = 'kepler155c/opus-apps/{{OPUS_BRANCH}}/farms',
diff --git a/farms/attack.lua b/farms/attack.lua
index 041ad0a..0ba6805 100644
--- a/farms/attack.lua
+++ b/farms/attack.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-local Peripheral = require('peripheral')
+local Equipper   = require('turtle.equipper')
 local Point      = require('point')
 local Util       = require('util')
 
@@ -18,34 +18,14 @@ local Runners = {
 	Blaze   = false,
 }
 
-local function equip(side, item, rawName)
-	local equipped = Peripheral.lookup('side/' .. side)
+Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_sword')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
 
-	if equipped and equipped.type == item then
-		return true
-	end
-
-	if not turtle.equip(side, rawName or item) then
-		if not turtle.selectSlotWithQuantity(0) then
-			error('No slots available')
-		end
-		turtle.equip(side)
-		if not turtle.equip(side, item) then
-			error('Unable to equip ' .. item)
-		end
-	end
-
-	turtle.select(1)
-end
-
-equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_sword')
-
-equip('right', 'plethora:scanner', 'plethora:module:2')
 local scanner = device['plethora:scanner']
 local facing = scanner.getBlockMeta(0, 0, 0).state.facing
 turtle.point.heading = Point.facings[facing].heading
 
-equip('right', 'plethora:sensor', 'plethora:module:3')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
 local sensor = device['plethora:sensor']
 
 turtle.setMovementStrategy('goto')
@@ -55,9 +35,9 @@ local function findChests()
 	if chest then
 		return { chest }
 	end
-	equip('right', 'plethora:scanner', 'plethora:module:2')
+	Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
 	local chests = scanner.scan()
-	equip('right', 'plethora:sensor', 'plethora:module:3')
+	Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
 
 	Util.filterInplace(chests, function(b)
 		if b.name == 'minecraft:chest' or
diff --git a/farms/farmer.lua b/farms/farmer.lua
index c39fc52..f3943c3 100644
--- a/farms/farmer.lua
+++ b/farms/farmer.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local Equipper    = require('turtle.equipper')
 local Point       = require('point')
 local Util        = require('util')
 
@@ -17,9 +18,8 @@ local FUEL = Util.transpose {
   'minecraft:blaze_rod:0',
 }
 
-local scanner = device['plethora:scanner'] or
-  turtle.equip('right', 'plethora:module:2') and device['plethora:scanner'] or
-  error('Plethora scanner required')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
+local scanner = device['plethora:scanner']
 
 local crops = Util.readTable(CONFIG_FILE) or {
   ['minecraft:wheat'] =
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ local function scan()
 end
 
 local function harvest(blocks)
-  turtle.equip('right', 'minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
+  Equipper.equipRight('minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
 
   local dropped
 
@@ -185,11 +185,11 @@ local function harvest(blocks)
 
     elseif b.action == 'bump' then
       if turtle.faceAgainst(b) then
-        turtle.equip('right', 'plethora:module:3')
+        Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
         os.sleep(.5)
         -- search the ground for the dropped cactus
         local sensed = peripheral.call('right', 'sense')
-        turtle.equip('right', 'minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
+        Equipper.equipRight('minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
         Util.filterInplace(sensed, function(s)
           if s.displayName == 'item.tile.cactus' then
             s.x = Util.round(s.x) + turtle.point.x
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ local function harvest(blocks)
       end
     end
   end)
-  turtle.equip('right', 'plethora:module:2')
+  Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
 end
 
 local s, m = turtle.run(function()
diff --git a/farms/rancher.lua b/farms/rancher.lua
index 16967cd..9058a0f 100644
--- a/farms/rancher.lua
+++ b/farms/rancher.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 local Adapter    = require('core.chestAdapter18')
 local Config     = require('config')
-local Peripheral = require('peripheral')
+local Equipper   = require('turtle.equipper')
 local Util       = require('util')
 
 local device     = _G.device
@@ -30,28 +30,8 @@ local ANIMALS = {
 
 local animal = ANIMALS[config.animal]
 
-local function equip(side, item, rawName)
-  local equipped = Peripheral.lookup('side/' .. side)
-
-  if equipped and equipped.type == item then
-    return true
-  end
-
-  if not turtle.equip(side, rawName or item) then
-    if not turtle.selectSlotWithQuantity(0) then
-      error('No slots available')
-    end
-    turtle.equip(side)
-    if not turtle.equip(side, item) then
-      error('Unable to equip ' .. item)
-    end
-  end
-
-  turtle.select(1)
-end
-
-equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_sword')
-equip('right', 'plethora:sensor', 'plethora:module:3')
+Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_sword')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
 
 local sensor = device['plethora:sensor']
 
@@ -84,7 +64,7 @@ local function getAnimalCount()
 end
 
 local function butcher()
-  turtle.equip('right', 'minecraft:diamond_sword')
+  Equipper.equipRight('minecraft:diamond_sword')
   turtle.select(1)
 
   turtle.attack()
@@ -92,7 +72,7 @@ local function butcher()
     turtle.turnRight()
     turtle.attack()
   end
-  turtle.equip('right', 'plethora:module:3')
+  Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
 
   turtle.eachFilledSlot(function(slot)
     if not retain[slot.name] then
diff --git a/farms/spawner.lua b/farms/spawner.lua
index 45f31a6..3734e99 100644
--- a/farms/spawner.lua
+++ b/farms/spawner.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-local Peripheral = require('peripheral')
+local Equipper   = require('turtle.equipper')
 local Point      = require('point')
 local Util       = require('util')
 
@@ -11,29 +11,8 @@ local STARTUP_FILE = 'usr/autorun/spawner.lua'
 
 local mobTypes = { }
 
-local function equip(side, item, rawName)
-	local equipped = Peripheral.lookup('side/' .. side)
-
-	if equipped and equipped.type == item then
-		return true
-	end
-
-	if not turtle.equip(side, rawName or item) then
-		if not turtle.selectSlotWithQuantity(0) then
-			error('No slots available')
-		end
-		turtle.equip(side)
-		if not turtle.equip(side, item) then
-			error('Unable to equip ' .. item)
-		end
-	end
-
-	turtle.select(1)
-end
-
-equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_sword')
-
-equip('right', 'plethora:scanner', 'plethora:module:2')
+Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_sword')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
 local scanner = device['plethora:scanner']
 
 turtle.reset()
@@ -51,7 +30,7 @@ Util.filterInplace(data, function(b)
 end)
 local chest = Point.closest(spawner, data) or error('missing drop off chest')
 
-equip('right', 'plethora:sensor', 'plethora:module:3')
+Equipper.equipRight('plethora:module:3', 'plethora:sensor')
 local sensor = device['plethora:sensor']
 
 if not fs.exists(STARTUP_FILE) then
diff --git a/farms/superTreefarm.lua b/farms/superTreefarm.lua
index a0a4f2a..7867f56 100644
--- a/farms/superTreefarm.lua
+++ b/farms/superTreefarm.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local Equipper   = require('turtle.equipper')
 local GPS        = require('gps')
 local Point      = require('point')
 local Util       = require('util')
@@ -469,7 +470,7 @@ local function makeKey(b)
 end
 
 local function findDroppedSaplings()
-  equip('left', 'plethora:sensor', SENSOR)
+  Equipper.equipLeft(SENSOR, 'plethora:sensor')
   local raw = peripheral.call('left', 'sense')
 
   local sensed = Util.reduce(raw, function(acc, b)
@@ -490,7 +491,7 @@ end
 local function scan(pt, filter, blocks)
   turtle.pathfind(pt)
 
-  equip('left', 'plethora:scanner', SCANNER)
+  Equipper.equipLeft(SCANNER, 'plethora:scanner')
   local raw = peripheral.call('left', 'scan')
 
   return Util.reduce(raw, function(acc, b)
@@ -595,7 +596,7 @@ local function fell()
   local pt = Util.shallowCopy(HOME_PT)
   while Util.any(blocks, function(b) return b.y > pt.y + 6 end) do
     -- tree might be above low scan range, do a scan higher up
-    equip('left', PICKAXE)
+    Equipper.equipLeft(PICKAXE)
     pt.y = pt.y + 8
     blocks = scan(pt, filter, blocks)
   end
@@ -605,7 +606,7 @@ local function fell()
   -- add any locations that need saplings
   getPlantLocations(blocks)
 
-  equip('left', PICKAXE)
+  Equipper.equipLeft(PICKAXE)
   if not Util.empty(blocks) then
     print('Chopping')
 
@@ -657,12 +658,12 @@ end
 local function findHome()
   local pt = GPS.getPoint(2) or error('GPS not found')
 
-  equip('left', SCANNER)
+  Equipper.equipLeft(SCANNER, 'plethora:scanner')
 
   local facing = peripheral.call('left', 'getBlockMeta', 0, 0, 0).state.facing
   pt.heading = Point.facings[facing].heading
 
-  equip('left', PICKAXE)
+  Equipper.equipLeft(PICKAXE)
 
   if not state.home then
     setState('home', pt)
@@ -716,8 +717,8 @@ local function updateClock()
 end
 
 local function startupCheck()
-  equip('right', 'modem', MODEM)
-  equip('left', PICKAXE)
+  Equipper.equipRight(MODEM, 'modem')
+  Equipper.equipLeft(PICKAXE)
 
   local slots = turtle.getSummedInventory()
 
diff --git a/miners/.package b/miners/.package
index dca161c..3778bd4 100644
--- a/miners/.package
+++ b/miners/.package
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 {
+	required = {
+		'turtle',
+	},
 	title = 'Turtle mining programs',
 	repository = 'kepler155c/opus-apps/{{OPUS_BRANCH}}/miners',
 	description = [[Provides two types of automated mining:
diff --git a/miners/findSwarm.lua b/miners/findSwarm.lua
index 441c4a0..cb5f715 100644
--- a/miners/findSwarm.lua
+++ b/miners/findSwarm.lua
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ local function run(member)
           for _ = 1, 3 do
             Sound.play('block.note.pling')
             os.sleep(.3)
-            end
+          end
         end
       end
       turtle.go({ y = pt.y })
diff --git a/miners/scanningMiner.lua b/miners/scanningMiner.lua
index c0f6abc..daf9b6f 100644
--- a/miners/scanningMiner.lua
+++ b/miners/scanningMiner.lua
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@
     Plethora scanner
     Bucket
 --]]
-local Event   = require('event')
-local GPS     = require('gps')
-local Point   = require('point')
-local UI      = require('ui')
-local Util    = require('util')
+local Event    = require('event')
+local Equipper = require('turtle.equipper')
+local GPS      = require('gps')
+local Point    = require('point')
+local UI       = require('ui')
+local Util     = require('util')
 
 local colors     = _G.colors
 local fs         = _G.fs
@@ -316,26 +317,10 @@ local function collectDrops(suckAction)
   end
 end
 
-local function equip(side, item)
-  if not turtle.equip(side, item) then
-    if not turtle.selectSlotWithQuantity(0) then
-      ejectTrash()
-    end
-    if not turtle.selectSlotWithQuantity(0) then
-      turtle.select(16)
-      turtle.drop()
-    end
-    turtle.equip(side)
-    if not turtle.equip(side, item) then
-      error('Unable to equip ' .. item)
-    end
-  end
-end
-
 local function scan()
-  equip('left', 'plethora:module:2')
+  Equipper.equipLeft('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
   local blocks = peripheral.call('left', 'scan')
-  equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
+  Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
   local throttle = Util.throttle()
 
   local bedrock = -256
@@ -507,11 +492,8 @@ end
 
 -- in plethora code, we can override initialize with a scanner version
 turtle.initialize = function()
-  if turtle.isEquipped('modem') ~= 'right' then
-    equip('right', 'computercraft:advanced_modem')
-  end
-
-  equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
+  Equipper.equipRight('computercraft:advanced_modem', 'modem')
+  Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
 
   local function verify(item)
     if not turtle.has(item) then
@@ -526,11 +508,11 @@ turtle.initialize = function()
 
   --os.sleep(5)
   local pt = GPS.getPoint(2) or error('GPS not found')
-  equip('left', 'plethora:module')
+  Equipper.equipLeft('plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
   local facing = peripheral.call('left', 'getBlockMeta', 0, 0, 0).state.facing
   pt.heading = Point.facings[facing].heading
   turtle.setPoint(pt, true)
-  equip('left', 'minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
+  Equipper.equipLeft('minecraft:diamond_pickaxe')
 end
 
 local function main()
diff --git a/turtle/apis/equipper.lua b/turtle/apis/equipper.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58e1263
--- /dev/null
+++ b/turtle/apis/equipper.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+local peripheral = _G.peripheral
+local turtle     = _G.turtle
+
+local Equipper = { }
+
+local SCANNER_EQUIPPED = 'plethora:scanner'
+local SCANNER_INV      = 'plethora:module:2'
+
+local reversed = {
+  left = 'right',
+  right = 'left'
+}
+
+local function getEquipped()
+  Equipper.equipped = { }
+  Equipper.equipped.left = peripheral.getType('left')
+  Equipper.equipped.right = peripheral.getType('right')
+
+  if not Equipper.equipped.left or not Equipper.equipped.right then
+    -- try to detect non-peripheral type items - such as minecraft:diamond_pickaxe
+    local side = Equipper.isEquipped(SCANNER_EQUIPPED)
+    local meta
+    if side then
+      meta = peripheral.call(side, 'getBlockMeta', 0, 0, 0)
+
+    elseif turtle.has(SCANNER_INV) then
+      local swapSide = peripheral.getType('right') == 'modem' and 'left' or 'right'
+      turtle.equip(swapSide, SCANNER_INV)
+      meta = peripheral.call(swapSide, 'getBlockMeta', 0, 0, 0)
+    end
+
+    if meta then
+      if not Equipper.equipped.left then
+        Equipper.equipped.left = meta.turtle.left and meta.turtle.left.id
+      end
+      if not Equipper.equipped.right then
+        Equipper.equipped.right = meta.turtle.right and meta.turtle.right.id
+      end
+
+    elseif not Equipper.equipped.left then
+      local slot = Equipper.uneqip('left')
+      if slot then
+        Equipper.equipped.left = slot.name .. ':'  .. slot.damage
+      end
+
+    elseif not Equipper.equipped.right then
+      local slot = Equipper.uneqip('right')
+      if slot then
+        Equipper.equipped.right = slot.name .. ':'  .. slot.damage
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  _debug("Detected Equipped")
+  _debug(Equipper.equipped)
+end
+
+function Equipper.unequip(side)
+  local slot = turtle.selectOpenSlot()
+  if not slot then
+    error('No slots available')
+  end
+  turtle.equip(side)
+  Equipper.equipped[side] = nil
+  return turtle.getItemDetail(slot)
+end
+
+function Equipper.isEquipped(name)
+  if not Equipper.equipped then
+    getEquipped()
+  end
+
+  return Equipper.equipped.left  == name and 'left' or
+         Equipper.equipped.right == name and 'right'
+end
+
+function Equipper.equip(side, invName, equippedName)
+  if not Equipper.equipped then
+    getEquipped()
+  end
+
+  -- is it already equipped ?
+  if Equipper.equipped[side] == (equippedName or invName) then
+    return
+  end
+  -- is it equipped on other side ?
+  if Equipper.equipped[reversed[side]] == (equippedName or invName) then
+    Equipper.unequip(reversed[side])
+  end
+
+  local s, m = turtle.equip(side, invName)
+  if not s then
+    error(string.format('Unable to equip %s\n%s', (equippedName or invName), m))
+  end
+
+  Equipper.equipped[side] = peripheral.getType(side) or invName
+
+  _debug("Equipped: " .. invName)
+  _debug(Equipper.equipped)
+end
+
+function Equipper.equipLeft(invName, equippedName)
+  Equipper.equip('left', invName, equippedName)
+end
+
+function Equipper.equipRight(invName, equippedName)
+  Equipper.equip('right', invName, equippedName)
+end
+
+return Equipper
diff --git a/turtle/lavaRefuel.lua b/turtle/lavaRefuel.lua
index 3c562eb..1df0948 100644
--- a/turtle/lavaRefuel.lua
+++ b/turtle/lavaRefuel.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-local Point = require('point')
+local Equipper = require('turtle.equipper')
+local Point    = require('point')
 
-local device = _G.device
-local turtle = _G.turtle
+local device     = _G.device
+local peripheral = _G.device
+local turtle     = _G.turtle
 
 local MAX_FUEL = turtle.getFuelLimit()
 
@@ -13,9 +15,10 @@ if not turtle.has('minecraft:bucket') then
 	error('bucket required')
 end
 
-local scanner = device['plethora:scanner'] or
-	turtle.equip('left', 'plethora:module:2') and device['plethora:scanner'] or
-	error('Plethora scanner required')
+local swapSide = peripheral.getType('right') == 'modem' and 'left' or 'right'
+Equipper.equip(swapSide, 'plethora:module:2', 'plethora:scanner')
+
+local scanner = device['plethora:scanner']
 
 if not turtle.select('minecraft:bucket') then
 	error('bucket required')
@@ -60,7 +63,7 @@ turtle.gotoY(0)
 turtle.go({ x = 0, y = 0, z = 0 })
 
 turtle.set({ status = 'idle' })
-turtle.unequip('left')
+turtle.unequip(swapSide)
 print('Fuel: ' .. turtle.getFuelLevel())
 
 if not s and m then