Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[welder57]

That's a splitter and a half for sure. Must be for smokers and big grills for whole hogs and beef.

 

[Farmall450]

That's a splitter and a half for sure. Must be for smokers and big grills for whole hogs and beef.

Or steam boilers.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Thank you for this thread. I find it fascinating, eye-opening and educational.
And the picture of the cattle in the pasture is beautiful.
Thanks again.
Tom

Thanks

 

[cliftonbros89]

Better late than never. You'll appreciate this because you know how big the tractor powering it really is. Its an 8100 powering the splitter by pto. The ram is as long as those guys are tall. They were loading logs onto it with a skidloader and the logs were 4-6ft long

Yeah that thing is a beast! That looks like what you would use before you would use ours. That’s pretty impressive.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Another day today. Warmer with some sunshine.


Luckily dad was kind of on the same page as me today.

We moved a bunch of equipment around to get things ready.

I pulled the sprayer in the shop to start on it.


Also helped dad finish up with getting the anhydrous applicator ready to go.


Dad got distracted helping my uncle with some two cylinder mags.


Got started on the sprayer and tried out that extra long hose from Macnaught on the pump.

I checked more stuff out on the sprayer. Ganna have to do some brake work again.

Hubs need new oil so I managed to get one of them drained.


I have to say refilling hubs really is easy to do with this Macnaught BOP


Got quite a bit of it looked over but I’ve still got the rest of the hubs to do. Few other things too.

But the 8400 and toolbar and hooked up and ready to go and so is the 4440 and planter. Things are getting there.

Looks like the rain tomorrow may stay just south of us. If it does we might actually get some stuff done this week.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

"Necessity is the mother of invention"
I still get a kick out of the amount of uses your getting out of that cart.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you great work, I bet you still have a smile on your face when your using it. Thanks for sharing!

 

[cliftonbros89]

"Necessity is the mother of invention"
I still get a kick out of the amount of uses your getting out of that cart.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you great work, I bet you still have a smile on your face when your using it. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks. The set-up will be changing some once I get the truck setup and ready to go. But this is what I’ve been looking for, for quite some time. It saves me a lot of time to have everything together. Plus it’s so much easier to not have to deal with funnels and jugs.

Not to mention, for example, those hubs on the sprayer take 85-140, trying to squeeze that out of a quart bottle into the full hole can take forever. It’s way easier going this route.

Now I just need a small cart to hold buckets and trays for draining oil. That way all of that stuff is together and ready to go when I’m servicing stuff.

 

[Redwolf947]

Would something like this work?

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200611442_200611442

Just a thought..
Mike

 

[Biff Lungren]

I liked the picture of the cows by the pond on the last page. If you can get your cows to pose nicely like that again later this year I'd love to see those trees leafed out,

Looks like a good start to spring there!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Would something like this work?

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200611442_200611442

Just a thought..
Mike

Do you have a pic or part number? Every time I go to the link it just goes to the Northern home page

 

[cliftonbros89]

I liked the picture of the cows by the pond on the last page. If you can get your cows to pose nicely like that again later this year I'd love to see those trees leafed out,

Looks like a good start to spring there!

Thanks. I’ll see what I can do.

 

[captain14]

Do you have a pic or part number? Every time I go to the link it just goes to the Northern home page

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200611442_200611442

I copied his link. Does it work for you now? It opened for me. Spec page is below.

Product Summary
Features
Specs
Item#
37880
Brand
Roughneck
Manufacturer's Warranty
12 months limited parts / No labor
Ship Weight
49.0 lbs
Product Type
Drain
Tank Size (gal.)
15
Drain Bowl Height (in.)
14.2
Funnel Diameter (in.)
3/4
Hose Length (in.)
96
Air Inlet Size (in. NPT)
3/4
Dimensions L x W x H (in.)
48 x 25 x 7 7/8

 

[cliftonbros89]

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200611442_200611442

I copied his link. Does it work for you now? It opened for me. Spec page is below.

Product Summary
Features
Specs
Item#
37880
Brand
Roughneck
Manufacturer's Warranty
12 months limited parts / No labor
Ship Weight
49.0 lbs
Product Type
Drain
Tank Size (gal.)
15
Drain Bowl Height (in.)
14.2
Funnel Diameter (in.)
3/4
Hose Length (in.)
96
Air Inlet Size (in. NPT)
3/4
Dimensions L x W x H (in.)
48 x 25 x 7 7/8

Link still didn’t work but I looked up the number. I’ve thought about on of those before. Only thing is with hydraulic systems I’d need more than 15 gallons. Plus the waste oil is in the part of the shed that still has gravel. I’m not sure how well one of those would wheel around.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today another day.

Checked everyone. Then I was off to Deere.

Had to get parts the brake calipers on the front axle of the sprayer.

I got the parts and worked on that job.

These stupid pistons were wore down enough the lip for the seal was gone.

I worked on those then dad and I also swapped the narrow tires...

...for the wide tires.


Looked over the rest of the things on my list and finished draining and refilling the hubs.


Got things cleaned up and put back together and it was ready to go out.


In the midst of all of that I also had to deal with dad and my uncle messing with stuff.


My uncle started messing with this A and it was having carburetor trouble so he started tearing things apart.

It didn’t rain today so I think he’s wanting to start on some food plots tomorrow...you know...the important stuff.

Dad picked up both water tanks today and got them filled up ready to go.

He also picked up chemicals today too.

So the shop is empty for the night. Not sure what jobs await for tomorrow yet. But I know there will be plenty to do.

 

[Redwolf947]

Do you have a pic or part number? Every time I go to the link it just goes to the Northern home page

Sure, sorry that link didn't work.. the Item# 37880.

Can also search for "Drain caddies"

Edit: I see you got the number...

There are a few different types. I'd think it better than 5gl buckets..

You could modify the wheels for a more offroad option.. haha..

Thank you for sharing. I follow daily..

 

[XJSuperman]

Sign me up for the food plot duties if it means running the 60 on the disc. Lol. Been nice here the last couple days. I just saw a 9RT on a harrow that finished a field yesterday. Moving right along!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sign me up for the food plot duties if it means running the 60 on the disc. Lol. Been nice here the last couple days. I just saw a 9RT on a harrow that finished a field yesterday. Moving right along!

That’s definitely one of the pieces for that job. But my uncle wouldn’t allow that cuz then he’d think you want to hunt it too. If there’s one thing he’s not know for it’s sharing

 

[XJSuperman]

Are you sure we don't have the same uncle? lol. Sounds like mine. Shares equipment, and the shop, but doesnt work or play well with others. He has to be in control. If you need his backhoe for a day or even 20min, he has to be running it. Or breathing down your neck while you run it. If you borrow the truck and trailer to haul tractors, he would rather drive and do it on his own time rather than you. Oh well, we deal with it for now and work on acquiring our own stuff to eliminate that.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Are you sure we don't have the same uncle? lol. Sounds like mine. Shares equipment, and the shop, but doesnt work or play well with others. He has to be in control. If you need his backhoe for a day or even 20min, he has to be running it. Or breathing down your neck while you run it. If you borrow the truck and trailer to haul tractors, he would rather drive and do it on his own time rather than you. Oh well, we deal with it for now and work on acquiring our own stuff to eliminate that.

Well luckily mine doesn’t have his name tied to any of the equipment anymore except for the antiques. He’s more of the type to have you do something though so he doesn’t have to. Like when he takes things apart and just doesn’t put them back together.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Getting caught up.

Wednesday started the morning as usual.

Shop was empty to the brush hog was backed it to be looked at next.

I also went to the bottom shed to get the 8760 and field cultivator to make sure it was ready. But I had a problem. The 8760 wouldn’t start. It wouldn’t do anything.

Since I don’t have everything loaded back up in the truck yet for spring I had to run back to the shop. Went back down. Checked things out. There wasn’t really any explanation except for the starter. Dad came down and while I tried to start it he gave the starter a good whack with the hammer and bam it started.

So we took it to the shop. I looked over the field cultivator first.

Greased it.

Replaced some sweeps too. After I was done with that I took the starter off.


If it was going to happen I’m glad it happened now.

Dad was getting the sprayer ready to go but he had a hold up.

A check valve in the plumbing busted and was leaking. Luckily Deere had it and was going to leave it out for him to pick up since it was closing time.

So he got it back together and had it ready to go.

Pioneer seed got dropped off.

We’ve got almost all of it.


Also outside of the levee is still under water. Thanks to the river.Not much better on the inside either.

Before I went how that evening I had to make a pit stop to get some ethanol free gas’s

 

[cliftonbros89]

Thursday I checked the cattle at the retirement farm.

Then I headed south to have the 8760 starter fixed.

Dad had me pick up a new Honda pump. We’re hoping to get it set up with some tanks on that yellow trailer we bought last year.


Got the starter fixed and gave it a shot of paint.


After I got back and painted it dad was working on spraying the wheat.


I hauled some water for him.


But then I was back down the road.

Got the started back on.

So now we’re ready to roll.

Then I checked the rest of the cattle.

Then I loaded up some stuff for the cattle and dad cut some cedars for fence post.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today was a little different. I put out mineral and loaded up the the back rubbers for all the cattle.

Then we worked on some fences he had issues with. A line along the neighbors needed a new gate and new post. So we got that fixed.

Had to the Kubota loaded up.

We also took care of some tree limbs alone that fence too.

Dad played bull dozer.

Then we replaced some post over at my uncle’s

That took up a good part of the day.



I started checking a few things over on the brush hog this evening too.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Markets are down, River is still up, things are drying, but we got some sprinkles today and more on the way tomorrow possibly.

Lot of fertilizer going out since Thursday. I heard anhydrous is start to move too. But we didn’t want to get in too big of a rush just yet.

 

[XJSuperman]

They're throwing anhydrous down up here now. Couple fields just outside of town and a few more closer to DesMoines.

Looks like you guys got a lot done over the weekend. I need to stock up on gas too but prices keep dropping so Im holding out.

 

[cliftonbros89]

They're throwing anhydrous down up here now. Couple fields just outside of town and a few more closer to DesMoines.

Looks like you guys got a lot done over the weekend. I need to stock up on gas too but prices keep dropping so Im holding out.

Things are really starting to move here too. I’ve haven’t even got to covering activity from the weekend yet.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Left off on Saturday. Checked on all the cattle like usual and then we decided to get in the field.
We got the 8400 all ready to go.

Dad picked up a couple loads of anhydrous.

After we got that all set to go we hooked the 7230 to the box blade and dad and I both headed to the field.

I ran the field cultivator fixing washed spots in the field while dad filled in some deeper ones and moved some dirt around in other places with the 7230. Also had to move a few tree limbs too.

We went over a couple fields but didn’t get too crazy with it.

By the evening we went back to the shop. I finished looking over the brush hog and sharpening the blades and got it out.

All except the one flat tire on it that I took off that needs to be fixed.

Then I took a little time to start going through things to put back in the truck that was taken out for the winter.

I feel like I’m missing a lot.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Saturday we had some drizzle and Sunday was pretty much the same.

Checked on all the cattle, which seem to all be enjoying the weather lately.

Then we hooked the 8400 up and got it ready to try out the new applicator.

Dad tried it out while I got back in the 8760 to work on fields again.

I finished up a few more fields and dad was only able to do 2 loads of anhydrous since it was Sunday we were unable to get anymore. So we didn’t work too late Sunday.

 

[cliftonbros89]

And onto Monday...a foggy start to the day.


Nice and dewy too.

Sunday evening we ran the 8760 out to the retirement farm. So Monday morning I started fixing up the field out there first thing. Then the neighboring farm. Then down the road to fix up a farm that will be going in to beans this year.

So that kept me busy for a good portion of the day.

Dad was able to talk my uncle into hauling anhydrous for him so he was able to keep going steady. By afternoon I was able to get some fertilizer and a spreader delivered so I could start on that job.


Spread one load and then another.


But I had a bit of a break in between.

Earlier in the evening dad managed to break one of the disk on the applicator. Luckily, we had one on hand. So I ran that out to him and helped him get it on there. But later in the evening he broke another.

So due to that delay it was well after dark by the time I spread off the fertilizer that I had.

On the plus side, after dad busted 2 disk and figured out he needed to add more weight to the applicator and was able to let off the hydraulic pressure, the applicator seems to be doing a good job. If you notice in the pictures it hardly leaves a track. The old applicator would basically work up dirt like some sort of chisel plow almost. This Deere is definitely low disturbance. It will definitely save some time. The old one, if you recall, we would have to go over the field with the harrow afterward to level things back up and close up the knife tracks. That makes a big difference.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Now for today. I checked on the cattle. But I had to wait on some fertilizer. So I had a little time to kill.


So I pulled the truck in the start loading some stuff in it.

Dad started with anhydrous again. Now at the retirement farm and neighboring farm. When I finally got fertilizer I headed that way. Just in time to help my uncle replace a flat tire on an anhydrous wagon. This happens every year.

After fixing that it was back to spreading fertilizer.

While dad did anhydrous next door.

In between waiting on fertilizer I scooped up some old hay and dirt with the 3020 to fill in some washed out places in a few water ways we tried to establish last year.

I caught up everywhere that we had ready for fertilizer. So it was down the road and back to the field cultivator at another farm.


I ran it while my b-i-l ran the box blade and 7230. But we quit by dark today.

Rest of this week is supposed to be really nice. No chance of rain til Sunday. Hopefully we can really get some stuff done in the next few days.

Markets haven’t exactly improved, neither has the river, neither has the pump situation in the bottom either. So our chances of getting any corn planted in the bottom are becoming slimmer by the day...

 

[cliftonbros89]

So this evening I did a test run setup of the Macnaught oil pump in the truck.

Made a little shelf to fit my containers. I went with these instead of buckets because I can’t fit 3 buckets in there side by side. I’ve yet to ever need a full 5 gallons of engine oil at a time but it’s nice to have plenty to top things off when needed. But I have needed over 5 gallons of hydraulic oil at a time when there’s been a drastic oil leak. So I’d like to keep 10 gallons of that in the truck.

 

[Hugo L.]

Man, that’s a lot of cool machinery.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Man, that’s a lot of cool machinery.

Thanks

 

[cliftonbros89]

Hopefully I can get caught up sometime today

 

[cliftonbros89]

We left off on Wednesday.


Checked all the cattle. All was good except a big calf.

Dummy had itself laid down with its back down hill. I’m not sure why we have such an issue with cattle doing this. It was kicking and struggling to get itself turned over so I had to give it some assistance. Luckily it was smart enough to stay laying there for a good while to get its bearings back in line.

Then it was back to the field to fix things up.

I ran the 8760 and got my b-i-l to help with the 7230 again.

That took up a good chunk of the day.

We managed to get over a couple different farms. But then we had a little unplanned rain shower. Should’ve known better since it was about 85 degrees with 90% humidity for the whole day.

I’d got things moved back to the shop and dad had stopped anhydrous to catch up on spraying some fields.

But luckily it only amounted to a few tenths and it was through.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Then there was Thursday.

Took care of the cattle and a few things at the shop. Helped dad get things ready to go for spraying and anhydrous and then I set out to spread some more fertilizer.


Also found an rusty prybar/punch in one field where I’d worked some dirt.

Thought it could go with the old tool collection if I can get it cleaned up.

Helped dad get moved around with more anhydrous


I didn’t have much more I could do for the day so it was back to the shop to clean some things out of the truck and give it a much needed quick rinse.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Friday was more of the same. Cattle check. Move things around.

More dirt work too.

Then as I finished at one farm I got a call from dad...he turned over an anhydrous wagon...wouldn’t be spring without turning over an anhydrous wagon.

The hilliest, almost of the biggest pain in the *** place we farm, I think this is about the fourth wagon turned over down here in the last 8 years or so. Goat hills I like to call them. But we got it flipped over and he got it almost completely empty. Messed up the tongue, broke off the SMV sign, pretty sure it bent a rear spindle too. So looks like we’ll be doing some work before we return it...

Then it was right back to it for me. Moved down the road to another farm.


Got some field use out of the Macnaught BOP20 pump as the 8760 was running a little low on hydraulic oil.

I fixed up the fields at that farm and waited as dad arrived with the sprayer.

We got things moved around and ready for the following day to end the evening.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Then we arrive to Saturday.

Regular morning routine.


After I finished up I had some fertilizer delivered drove over to the neighboring farm to spread fertilizer.

Then had to stop as I got in the back field almost all of the neighbors cattle were in the back field that we farm.

These guys aren’t much on taking care of fences or keeping gates closed...actually the spot they’re standing at in the picture is where the were at last year and cleaned off about 2 whole acres of corn we planted last year, hence the extra abundance of weeds growing in that spot.

So I chased them across the field and locked them up where I was hoping they wouldn’t escape. Another situation where someone else’s problem becomes my problem.


Finished up at that farm and had fertilizer delivered for another farm. But then I parked it.

Radar was showing a good shower heading straight for us. I wasn’t going to have time to get up the road.

But then it didn’t even amount to anything, the radar was a liar. But it was going to be a mess to get moved up the road and I was only going to need another 3 ton of fertilizer and I would’ve been completely done with fertilizer in the hills. But by that time the fertilizer place had already closed for the day so it was no use.

So I helped dad get moved around to finished up with some spraying.

Then one of the main solution hoses coming from the flow meter blew a leak.

Luckily it was just the last 5 inches or so. There was enough there to hook it back up without any issues. But looks like I’m going to have to find a new one.

So dad finished up. I got things parked and put away.




Went through a lot of money in chemicals, fertilizer and anhydrous this week...let’s hope the price of corn goes up soon...

Got a few things going in the shop.

I want to service all of our small engines and get them cleaned up once.



My FL80 ratchet was slipping so I had the SnapOn guy drop off a repair kit at my house when he went through town the other day. Put some new guts in her and she’s ready to go.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well that’s the main stuff for the week. Been fairly busy week. Had a little rain shower but some storms are supposed to set in by this evening and into tonight. We’ll see what it amounts too.

River is almost before flood stage, pumps in the bottom still aren’t running so it’s a muddy mess down there. Temps are supposed to drop down this week, lows may even get down to freezing, a little chilly after being in the 70’s and 80’s this past week.

Grain markets are still bouncing around but low, I haven’t kept up with the cattle market but I’ve heard it’s low as well.

If we can get some dry and warmer weather we can hopefully get started on planting some corn. But we are also going to have to get rye cut and baled for hay real soon too. Lots to do in the near future. Let’s hope the weather cooperates.

 

[r57ed]

Do you have a thread on your dad and uncle's antique tractors? If not would you post a few pics.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Do you have a thread on your dad and uncle's antique tractors? If not would you post a few pics.

I don’t have a thread on them. But I might be able to get around to it sometime. There’s a lot of them around.