Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[cliftonbros89]

I have a friend who farms in South Dakota, he is also a pioneer seed corn dealer. He is always ready to give away promotional items to his customers.
I am going to enjoy following this thread, keep up the good work. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I’m 28. I really wasn’t to heavily involved with the farm until I graduated high school. I hadn’t really decided what I’d do. But there was a few rough years and they needed the help. Then my uncle decided he wanted to get thing underway to retire. Then my dad had his own issues this year. So I’ve stuck around. Can’t leave the old man hanging.

 

[Whitey1]

Sounds like your career found you. Good for you.

 

[Darryl2]

Really enjoying your Farm Thread! You are very fortunate to have property in the family!

As you are along the Mississippi River I would think you all find a few arrowheads and such. If it is appropriate and not sabotaging your thread I'd like to see a few pics of artifacts you may have found. I hunt arrowheads but have never had much luck even though I am along the Mississippi River in Missouri also. Thank You!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Really enjoying your Farm Thread! You are very fortunate to have property in the family!

As you are along the Mississippi River I would think you all find a few arrowheads and such. If it is appropriate and not sabotaging your thread I'd like to see a few pics of artifacts you may have found. I hunt arrowheads but have never had much luck even though I am along the Mississippi River in Missouri also. Thank You!

I can honestly say I’ve yet to find any sort of artifacts around here in my life. Never found an arrowhead or anything. I’ve ventured through the woods quite and bit. Been down by the river and a lot of the creeks and streams. I’ve yet to find a thing. I know when I was a kid my dad said he found a few arrowheads. But it was back when he was just a kid and like I said it wasn’t even a handful.

Only things I’ve ever found is just old scrap pieces of metal and bits of rock or brick where an few old buildings had stood here or there. Even at that it was never anything special. Maybe an old rusty piece from some old farm equipment but that’s it.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Had a slow start to what will probably be a busy week. I had to run to a few places in town this morning. After that I got back to the farm. Needed to put out hay again this morning. They didn’t have all the racks empty. But we try to keep somewhat of a schedule so we can keep the racks full and we don’t have to run around every day with the tractor.


I’ve been using our 7230 to put out hay. It’s what we usually use to feed when it gets cold and wet later in the winter too. It probably gets the most hours put on it out of any of the tractors during the year. It get used for a lot. Loading, lifting, feeding, pulling, leveling, baling, mowing and everything in between.

I also had to grind a batch of corn again for the big calves today. They’ve been going through a batch in about 8 days. So that’s always a job that has to be worked in.

I don’t have any pictures. But we also had to work on a sliding door on one of our sheds this afternoon. One of the rollers on the door ran out of the slide. We had to lift up and shove around on the door for a bit to get it rolling again.

This evening I loaded a truck load of soybeans out of the bin. Need to haul off a few loads to pay some bills. We’ll be having a few more coming before the end of the year. Several things to get paid from fall.


I used the 60 again. The one I used to split wood with last week. We have another model 60 but in the past few years we did quite a bit of work to it. It’s a little more on the show quality side of things.
We may end up hauling off some corn this week too. One of our landlords wants their share of corn hauled off and sold before the end of the year.

In other news today I got back my mag for my 1940 JD model L (its my profile pic/aviator, whatever you want to call it). I had a guy rebuild it for me. He’s had it for probably 2 years and got it done about the end of summer.
I’d told him he didn’t have to be in a hurry. I knew from the beginning this was going to be a long project. I’d take the engine apart the winter after I bought it. They block was misshaped and over bored so I found a block that was standard bore and got it cleaned up and bored out. I had quite a bit of machine work done to it. Had to have the head fixed. So getting this mag is one of the first steps to getting this thing back together. But there’s still a lot to do before I really getting into putting things back together.


This is the tractor here. It’s in fair shape. I’ve got quite a few parts to swap out and a lot of work ahead of me. This was shortly after I got it. It’s pretty dismantled now. The engine in it isn’t the stock engine for that specific year. But hopefully when it’s done it’ll be at about 13 or 14 horsepower. I know it doesn’t sound like much. I’m sure this will be making a few more appearances in the thread.

 

[MacTexas]

When you get time I would enjoy a tour of your property. I have seen pictures of a number of buildings in the background and a garage workspace with a concrete floor and one with a dirt floor.
Even pictures of your house would be of interest.
Thank you for the informative and interesting thread.

 

[Ben Jamin]

Ditto! I enjoy following you &" out on Quaker rd" ! I grew up on a grain farm in Indiana and have never stopped missing it.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Thanks guys. I’m sure I’ll fill in with some things as I go. I’ll probably run out of some things to go with. Things can get repetitive.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[cliftonbros89]

Hauled off some beans today. Part of a load was for a landlord. Had to get the truck weighed to get all the numbers figured out. We hauled the soybeans off and started loading the trucks with some corn to haul off for another landlord. Got a free hat and coolie cup from the elevator we hauled to.


But we had a bit of a surprise. We had a guy from our local Deere dealership come by with some guys that actually work for Deere to talk about some things that John Deere is offering. Got a free small igloo cooler. This past week has been great for free stuff.


That ran most the afternoon. Then we hauled to bring in an old cow. We have a load of about 7 cows that we’re going to take to be sold tomorrow. A few of them are pretty old and in rough shape. Then there’s a few others that haven’t had a calf the last year or two that aren’t doing us any good.

After that I changed the oil in my girlfriends car and checked the spark plugs in it. Looks like those will need to be replaced. Another job to add to the list of things that need to be done this week. It may have to wait until next week.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well we hauled off some more corn yesterday and today. Got the one landlords part of corn hauled off with a little of our own. Dad is thinking about hitting up a few cattle auctions this weekend to pick up a few younger cows.


Yesterday we hauled off 6 old cows from around the farm. The few that were about on their last day and the rest just haven’t been having calves. So off they go.

Yesterday afternoon I had to go to town for a few things. Also, sold some Craftsman raised panel ratchets, an Armstrong ratchet, and a few other odd and end tools that I wasn’t using anymore and listed on Facebook market place. Ordered a headlight for one of the trailer trucks and picked up the spark plugs for my girlfriends car.

I used the spark plugs as an excuse to pick up a few new spark plug sockets. I’m usually not a huge fan of Gearwrench but CarQuest had them for cheap. Plus I like having a variety of spark plug sockets. Even if I don’t use them too often.

I found the Gearwrench swivel with the extension really isn’t much different than my Snap-On wobble extension with my Lang magnetic socket. But I’ll give it a shot.

I got back to the shop to find dad picked up a new addition for the shop on the way back from the cattle auction.

Small propane heater. There isn’t much John Deere won’t put their name on anymore. The shop is pretty well insulated, we also have an old wood stove in it too. Plus, one of those diesel burning heaters. It doesn’t get too cold in the shop during winter unless it’s well below freezing for several days. It’s nice to run that diesel burner overnight so it’s warm in the mornings on days we spend majority of the time in the shop. But we’ll have the test out this new propane one soon.

We finished off yesterday with deboning deer for a few hours. We have a homemade walk in cooler that we built with some other guys. So we always let them hang for about a week before the cut everything up.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Now this afternoon since today was good weather and we have a few more nice days I wanted to get started on some clean up.

Got both the trailer trucks washed up. They were both pretty dirty from the last bit of fall from coming in and out of the field and unloading. Both are scheduled for inspection next week. The 8600 is set to get a new passenger side mirror tomorrow from the local glass shop and the 9400 is getting new tires on the front axle beginning of next week so we wanted them looking decent for once.

I also got started on cleaning the combines up from fall harvest. It’s nice to get all the dust and dirt off of them for the winter. Plus it makes them a lot easier to inspect and service. This isn’t one of the favorite jobs to do. But someone has to do it and I’m usually that someone.

It definitely requires a bit of protection. Especially from that bean dust. That **** itches and chokes you up in now times.

First step I park it out of the way and take the heavy duty leaf blower to it to get the real heavy stuff off first (an example being the big pile on the back on the chopper).


After I get a good majority of it off I take it over closer to the shop and use the air hose in it to get in all the tight spots and corners. The thing about combines is there’s a lot of nooks, lips, corners, holes, and tight quarters where dirt likes to sit and hide out. This usually takes awhile.

First step here is too take off the big shield and open everything up that you can swing open. Then there’s a few other smaller shield that help you reach in to some tight spots.

It works best to start at the top and work your way down. So I always start up at the grain tank and engine compartment.


It took me I know at least 3 hours this evening to get most of the **** blown off of it.

I kept going until it got dark. So I have a little bit to finish up tomorrow before I can actually start washing up on it. Which is also something that takes a while to do.

So the month of December the John Deere dealer has a sale on filters all month long. All next week they have a discount on all parts. This is always a good time for me to start on an inventory of what parts we have on hand. However, currently the loft in the shop where we keep the parts is a disaster. It’s very unorganized.


It’s where we keep parts, supplies, a few bigger, rarely used woodworking tools (plainer, big chop saw), repair manuals and parts books. There’s a lot of stuff up there. I keep most the parts tag so we know the part number and what it goes to. Which is nice as there are a lot of parts that will work on multiple pieces of equipment.

Tonight I at least figured out what filters I’m going to need to order. I always keep all engine and/or cab air filters in stock for each tractor. I also usually like the keep at least 2 of each engine, transmission and hydraulic oil filters for each tractor as well. Some tractors share a few of the same filter so those a may keep 3 or 4 on hand. I do the same for fuel filters, water separators and the occasional coolant and in-line fuel filters. I also managed to get a small list started on some parts I know I need to get ordered for next week to that I’d like to have on hand ready to go.

Keeping track of what we do have and how much and what we don’t have and need to order can be kind of pain the *** sometimes. But it sure makes things a lot easier when the time comes and you need something if there happens to be an issue some place.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Yesterday I also found another spot in the shop needs some organizing. I went to search where dad keeps the electrical supply of things to search for a 100 amp breaker that needs to be replace in a box for a bin fan. He has all these supplies in a plastic toolbox and some metal box he found some place.

This is what I found! A mess. Stuff was falling out of the boxes and went all over the cabinet they’re in. So, not only did I not find the breaker I was looking for I couldn’t find anything else because of how much of a mess it is. Anyone have any ideas for organization? There’s breakers, switches, connectors, wire nuts, staple, wire and more wire, plugs, tape, loom, plugs, fuses, breakers, relays, testers, test leads, screwdrivers, utility knives, calves cutters and stripper/crimper pliers. I plan on picking up some more wire, heat shrink connectors and terminal kits to add to this. So I have a feeling I’m going to need something major to keep the stuff half way organized.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[jblnut]

I also usually get stuck with the crappy jobs like blowing the combine off and washing the spreader and the like. I've done it so many times I just go into autopilot and think about something else for the most part.

That parts room would make me all itchy and crawly until it was organized !!!

I have a couple Durham metal cabinets that I keep stuff in and they are pretty sweet. Nice and neat and clean !!

 

[cliftonbros89]

I also usually get stuck with the crappy jobs like blowing the combine off and washing the spreader and the like. I've done it so many times I just go into autopilot and think about something else for the most part.

That parts room would make me all itchy and crawly until it was organized !!!

I have a couple Durham metal cabinets that I keep stuff in and they are pretty sweet. Nice and neat and clean !!

I’m the same way. Been doing it since I was a kid.

It drives me crazy. It’s getting a major clean job as soon as I get a few other jobs done.

I’ve been considering some like that. But I’d also like an option for on the go too. Just not sure which way to go.

 

[jblnut]

At work we have a pair of 7x14 enclosed trailers with a large Durham cabinet in the nose filled with every small part you could imagine for everything robotics related made by Lely. We have larger shelves running down the sides for the larger parts with a large area at the rear to put a 60gal horizontal CastAir compressor on a cart. When we need to go fix a milking robot we hook up to a trailer to our work vans and away we go with every part we'd ever need. I've been thinking about something similar for the farm but we just don't travel the distances needed to warrant something like that at home.

I have a cheap Craftsman tool chest and 8 Durham small parts drawers in the work van that work great for storing everything from tools to fuses and air fittings.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a 12 drawers Durham in my service truck. It’s pretty full with bolts, nuts, roll pins, cotter keys, etc. but I do have a 4 drawer craftsman box I’ve been considering using for electrical. I’m maybe considering the DeWalt T-Stack if they’ll fit in a box on my truck.

But I’m going to need to find something for in shop too. Along with the parts loft needing reorganize our work bench does as well. I just need to convince dad he can fit some of his power tools that are in the work bench cabinets into his old Craftsman toolbox in the shop. It’s going to be a process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lowbucktruck]

Enjoyed reading your thread. Good to follow the daily grind of a farming man. I hope your father is doing well.

 

[ambenz]

I often cruise the back roads of rural America and see farms like yours so it is interesting for me to see what goes on, your thread here is really informative!
I've been down Hwy C from Ste. Genevieve to Rte 79 up by and around Hannibal...love those back roads.
I think I was on I 55 during that flooding...the Mississippi can back up onto the expressway near New Madrid. The mighty Mississippi is a force to be reckoned with!

I want to mention to you, you are really showing a positive upbringing that your folks can be proud of...I am sure they are proud. To take a lot of the farming load on your shoulders is a positive achievement, showing good character!
It will serve you well in the future.
So many young adults, especially here in the metropolitan areas are still living with their parents, without a job, and playing video games all day...and doing drugs and getting into trouble.
I've noticed young adults away from a metro area tend to be a bit more responsible and respectful.
They tend to get it...they have learned how society works and they do a better job in learning responsibility.
So hats off to you for taking the time to document these early days and sharing them with us.
I sure hope our government is helping our small farms in a continuing effort to operate and grow while still making a good profit to afford a high standard of living.
I am a bit curious if you plan on taking a vacation during the off season?
Can you get neighboring ranchers to take care of things for a couple of weeks and visa versa?
Maybe head down to the gulf and fish, swim, or just chill on the beach?
Everyone needs a vacation...try to find a way to take one...it is good for your mental health!

 

[cliftonbros89]

^^^ Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.

As far as vacation goes.... probably not going to happen. I haven’t had a vacation in over 2 years. I’ve got a lot to catch up on this winter. I want to be prepped for spring on time this year.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well the end of my week didn’t go quite as planned. Friday I fed hay as usual. Unfortunately, we were a bit delayed on things. Two of dads friends stopped by at different times. One to borrow something, again. The other dropped by to take care of a deer stand. So naturally they wanted to stop and talk while they were here too.

I’m not sure if I’d mentioned it yet but my dad and uncle like to pull antique tractors. It’s something they’ve done for a long time. But about 6 or 7 years ago they got back into it. The main circuit the pull in is the Nation Antique Tractor Pullers Association (NATPA). Most of the pulls are during the winter months and they’re held all over the country. Friday morning a husband and wife that also pull tractors stopped in. They were leaving a tractor pull from another pulling circuit down south from last week. The next one they’re going to is in western Missouri beginning of January. But they live in Ohio.


They haul their tractors in this truck and pull their car behind it. That way they can avoid driving the truck back and forth. So they’re storing the truck at our place until the next pull. So they visited for a few hours and wanted to see some of our antique John Deere’s (I believe there’s 19 in all).

That afternoon we traded some deer meat to the guy who did some of our spraying this summer. He refused to take money and insisted that we give him deer meat. He also insisted dad had to be in good enough health this fall to shoot the deer himself. We owe him 2 but so far we only have one for him. So he stuck around and hung out at the shop for awhile too.


So finally by Friday evening I was able to finish blowing the dirt off the 9770 and cleaning out what beans were left in the grain tank.

By the time I got that wrapped up it was dark and I had to go help my brother-in-law move a new safe into his basement.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Saturday started off with an auction on a farm down in the bottom. It was a big auction. Lots of equipment, lots of older International and Farmall tractors, shop equipment, and a bunch of other stuff. Dad went to check out the equipment and wanted me to go check out the shop stuff. I couldn’t find anything worth waiting around for. Nothing special so I stuck around for about an hour or so and decided the day was too nice I wanted to get some stuff done.

Dad didn’t buy any equipment but he did come back to the shop with this. I think he said he paid $10 for it. I honestly had no idea what it was until he told me.

It’s sitting upside down in the picture but for those who don’t know what it is, it’s basically a lift for dual wheels. It’s lifted by the eye hook and the wheel sits in on the wheels. Makes removing and installing a bit easier. Dad was pleased so I was fine with it.

I left the auction and replaced that breaker switch on that one grain bin fan.

Breaker works, but the fan is still have some issues. But I found I like those Wera screwdrivers.


By the afternoon I finally got around to washing the off the 9770. Took more than a few hours. Still is by no means perfectly clean, but it’s much better than it was. I was in the midst of getting ready to grease it after I’d finish washing it. About that time 2 friend of mine pulled in. They kept insisting I quit so we could go grab a drink. I finally told them I could quit earlier if they’d get their asses in gear and help out. It didn’t take much and we on it. One was washing off the pile of panels from the combine while the other was helping me with a few thing on the other combine. We finished up about dark so I ended up calling it a day.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I’ve been working on compiling my list of parts I need to order this week for all the parts and filters for the big sale. So I’ve been looking over all the tractors.

Had to feed hay and grind some more feed today.

The weather is going to be taking a turn and cooling down so I’m sure by the end of the week the cattle will really be starting to go through the hay.

We took one trailer truck for inspection this morning and the other for a few tires before it gets inspected tomorrow. So a few trips back and forth to town to move trucks blew some time.

We’re going the be having another project to work on this week too.
My moms parents have a house on a community lake on the other side of the county. They’re house is right in the lake but this spring a big storm did a lot of damage to their old dock (it was there already when the bought the place). So we’ve been getting supplies for that. It’ll be floating on barrels. This is going to be their Christmas present this year.

I dropped by and saw my Matco guy. We finally got my issue with my coolant pressure tester not fitting those old JD’s figured out. The I went ahead and order a few new tools and picked up a few things for my dad and b-i-l for Christmas too.


Another unexpected job I had to do this evening was work on my girlfriend’s car. I’d planned on changing the plugs and plug wires already. But over the weekend she had a low engine oil pressure light come on. Oil pressure and everything else seemed ok. I bought a new oil sender and put it in this evening and replaced all the spark and plug wires. Everything seems ok so far. But it was another reminder why I’d rather work on tractors instead of cars. They also do frustrate me. But some ones has to do it. On top of that my girlfriend ended up sleeping in the car majority of the time I was actually working on it.

So this week is another week. I’m hoping to really get some things done this week. But we’ll see how it goes. Never know when another visitor might want to stop on...

 

[Lunker]

Good stuff, keep it coming! I love farm life.

 

[1949 caddyman]

I’m a retired chevy tech. The rear plugs on that V6 can be a challenge! Good that you replaced the wires also.

 

[jbailly]

Man I really feel like a little guy we only have 260 acres total and only put out about 50 acres of beans or corn depending on the year and about 50 acres of corn with about 20 head of beef cattle. We are planning on replacing our old 4400 John Deere combine with a 9500 John Deere and that is a major jump in size and technology, but when the 9500 is the small combine...well my hats off to you. I've done most of the same stuff just on a smaller scale. Well done.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I’m a retired chevy tech. The rear plugs on that V6 can be a challenge! Good that you replaced the wires also.

This was the first time they’ve been replaced since she’s owned the car. It was a bit difficult to reach those rear plugs, especially after the porcelain broke off the old plug on cylinder 5. Took a little time and patience to do. What’s your socket of choice for that job? I found that magnetic Gearwrench socket with the extension attached to work pretty good.

Man I really feel like a little guy we only have 260 acres total and only put out about 50 acres of beans or corn depending on the year and about 50 acres of corn with about 20 head of beef cattle. We are planning on replacing our old 4400 John Deere combine with a 9500 John Deere and that is a major jump in size and technology, but when the 9500 is the small combine...well my hats off to you. I've done most of the same stuff just on a smaller scale. Well done.

Thanks. Nothing wrong with that. Work is work. Going to a 9500 is a big jump but it’s a good choice. Those 9500’s have always been good combines. There’s still a lot of them around here.

 

[Lunker]

Man I really feel like a little guy we only have 260 acres total and only put out about 50 acres of beans or corn depending on the year and about 50 acres of corn with about 20 head of beef cattle. We are planning on replacing our old 4400 John Deere combine with a 9500 John Deere and that is a major jump in size and technology, but when the 9500 is the small combine...well my hats off to you. I've done most of the same stuff just on a smaller scale. Well done.

With 260 acres it should be a lot cheaper to Custom Hire someone to take off the Beans and Corn than buying a Combine

 

[cliftonbros89]

Another slow start to the day today. Had to do some paper work and mail a few things. Had a cold front move through overnight and had 25 mph winds til this afternoon. Just getting the first taste of winter finally.

I solved my dilemma with my coolant pressure tester. As it turned out the only thing I needed was an extra washer because the neck on the radiator is too deep for the tester. Like I said yesterday I picked that up from my Matco guy last night.

It’s one of those times when the smallest part completely shuts down the operation. My Matco guy said he’s never had someone need that before so he didn’t even know about it until we started searching.

So I pressure tested the 2520. Everything on it checked out for now. So I put fresh coolant in it and took it for a drive the run it through the whole system and tested it afterward to make sure everything was good. Then after the wind calmed down and the sun peaked out a bit I pulled the 2520 back outside to give it a good wash.

I got it decently cleaned and backed it back in the shop for now. Hopefully, at some point this week I can get a good coat of wax on it and pull it out of the shop so I can start working on something else.

Also, finally did a bit of work to the 420 that’s been parked in the shop since it wouldn’t start on thanksgiving.
Put new points and condenser in the distributor. Cleaned up the cap and rotor real good. Put a new pair of spark plugs in it. Put some fresh can in the tank too. Battery was a bit drained so it’s on the charger overnight and it’s going to hopefully be pulled out tomorrow and hooked back to the wood splitter so it’ll be ready to split some more wagon loads of wood soon.

This evening dad and I started on that dock for my grandpa and grandma. It’s 12’x12’ so it’s a pretty decent size.

We got started building it. I mentioned earlier it’ll be supported by barrels to float and go with the level of the lake. So after we got all the boards across the top we carefully picked it up with the pallet forks and a few straps with the 4020. That required carrying it outside with the loader and slowly lifted it up on its side and turning it over.
We definitely had to take out time. It’s pretty heavy and wouldn’t take much for the forks on the loader to do some damage. After we got it back in the shop we grabbed the barrels to put in.

We have to grab one more barrel (dad miscalculated), then we’ll be ready to fasten down all the barrels. It’s not super fancy but it’ll do the job. So we should hopefully finish up with it tomorrow evening. Only took us a few hours to do everything so far. Not a bad job.

We wanted to make sure all the plugs on the barrels were nice and tight so there isn’t potential for one of them to leak and start filling a barrel with water. We don’t have a bung wrench or socket of any kind so of course that meant making one.
It’s pretty crude but it did the job. One end is spaced for the caps on these plastic barrels. The other end is spaced for the metal caps on the fuel barrels we have for the pulling tractors. I may have to clean it up a bit and shoot a bit of paint on it. Anyone else is probably likely to think it’d just some junk scrap metal. But like I said it works, that’s all that matters.

 

[jblnut]

With 260 acres it should be a lot cheaper to Custom Hire someone to take off the Beans and Corn than buying a Combine

Where's the fun in that ??

There are a lot of guys in my area that have their own combines so they don't have to worry about a custom operator not showing up on time or doing a poor job. For $30k or so you can have a 9500 with heads that is in decent shape and has a fair bit of life yet. Of course for 10 times that you could have an S690 in great shape with no heads and have your corn combined in a couple hours

 

[cliftonbros89]

Where's the fun in that ??



There are a lot of guys in my area that have their own combines so they don't have to worry about a custom operator not showing up on time or doing a poor job. For $30k or so you can have a 9500 with heads that is in decent shape and has a fair bit of life yet. Of course for 10 times that you could have an S690 in great shape with no heads and have your corn combined in a couple hours

Of corse if you take the S690 route you’ll have to get a bigger grain cart to even keep the combine moving. That’ll require a bigger tractor. If you get a bigger tractor you may as well get bigger equipment to work ground with. Then you may as well invest in a dirt pan just in case. That S690 is going to want at least 12 rows at a time. So should probably upgrade to at least 12 row planter. Might need a larger tractor for that too. Then if you’ve got that equipment a guy could probably start farming a few hundred more acres. If you do that may as well put up more storage for grain. Then might need some more room to store the equipment. So bigger shed it is. This is fun. It shouldn’t be too crazy expensive to swap all that out right?

 

[jblnut]

Of corse if you take the S690 route you’ll have to get a bigger grain cart to even keep the combine moving. That’ll require a bigger tractor. If you get a bigger tractor you may as well get bigger equipment to work ground with. Then you may as well invest in a dirt pan just in case. That S690 is going to want at least 12 rows at a time. So should probably upgrade to at least 12 row planter. Might need a larger tractor for that too. Then if you’ve got that equipment a guy could probably start farming a few hundred more acres. If you do that may as well put up more storage for grain. Then might need some more room to store the equipment. So bigger shed it is. This is fun. It shouldn’t be too crazy expensive to swap all that out right?

You missed step one: Get to be buddies with your banker

 

[cliftonbros89]

You missed step one: Get to be buddies with your banker

Already on that. My girlfriend works at the bank. All of her co-workers love me. Something about a cranky sarcastic sense of humor that they really like.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I guess I could say today was productive. We finished up the dock this morning. We used some heavy no. 9 wire to help hold the barrels on the bottom in place. We just used a roll we had in the barn with our fencing supplies. Luckily we had just enough (almost 2 foot to spare).

We finished things up and moved it outside with the tractor again.

We wanted to flip it up right again so it’ll be ready to load when we move it. It’ll also make it easier to move when we unload it at the lake. So we used a few straps on the loader on the 4020 to flip it. We also tied a rope to the loader of the 7230 to keep tension just for safety concern. We didn’t want the dock to fall forward and get damaged or damage the tractor.


After that we used some of the left over lumber from the dock to patch up that mineral feeder the calves broke through awhile back. We also put a board up in the middle to possibly deter them from trying to jump through it again. We’ll see how well that works.


After that I couldn’t help but suggest to dad that along with his electrical stuff (I posted about a few days ago) he needs to reorganize his carpentry tools and power tools. It’s gotten to be a bit of a mess. (If only you could see in the boxes) He grabbed the older metal Tru-Test box that’s on the work bench out of the garage today. He said he was going to put stuff in that. That box has apparently been in his garage for I’m thinking at least 15 years and he’s never used it. I didn’t even know he had it.


This afternoon I finally got the 420 pulled out of the shop. I ended up taking it for a quick drive out the road and back to pick up the mail so it could run for a bit. Then I took it out to the shed to hook to the wood splitter so it’s ready for next time.


Later on I went to a farm we rent that’s about 7 miles down the road. There’s a shed there that we keep all of our hay equipment and wagons in. I gave everything some what of a quick look over so see if anything for sure stuck out for any parts I need to order this week for the sale.

After that I headed back to the shop to clean things up from the construction of the dock. Then I got out everything to wax the 2520. I got it all shined up and the hood and shields all back on. It should be good to go now. I think it’s going to need a few small jobs done yet over winter. But nothing major. Plus those are also all parts that are going on the list to order this week.

After I got it all back together I finally got it pulled out of the shop. I drove it over to the shed with the other equipment and parked it by the combines. Got things picked up in the shop and called it a day.

Now to hopefully finish up all the parts list tomorrow.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well the end of the week was full of the basics. Feeding hay and what not. Got all the trucks federally inspected this week. Had to do a few little jobs to both of them.


The 8600 needed some work to the fifth wheel. The 9400 needed a headlight assembly replaced. I got several spare parts off that headlight assembly. It’s always nice to pick up a few things

The actual headlight was still good but the housing was broke so it wouldn’t stay in. All the other hardware was in decent shape yet.


Got the 2520 out to load a truck load of corn that we hauled off for one of the other landlords.


Saturday we loaded up the dock and the tractor to take to the lake.

It’s pretty much impossible to unload the ramp at my grandparents lot so we had to unload it up a little ways at a boat ramp. We put 3 trolley motors on it and my dad and my brother-in-law cruises up to my grandparents. I met them up there and pulled them in the line things up to connect to the rest of the dock. We had to replace this section because the old section was damaged pretty bad this spring in a storm. It was pretty old and in rough shape.

Not the fanciest dock around but it works. We attached the new section and fixed a few other places. So it’s good to go. I think grandpa and grandma will enjoy it.

The weekend was spent with Christmas activities. Two parties Friday night, Christmas shopping Saturday, another Christmas Saturday night and yet another today. More on the way next weekend. But plenty of jobs to catch up on in the week ahead.

 

[welder57]

What type of steering assembly do you have on the 420? We had a 420 with a tricycle front end, the steering wheel was straight up with no tilt-just wondering if it was made that way? Thanks- great post!!!

 

[cliftonbros89]

What type of steering assembly do you have on the 420? We had a 420 with a tricycle front end, the steering wheel was straight up with no tilt-just wondering if it was made that way? Thanks- great post!!!

The later models had the tilted steering wheel. Which was nice for driving and getting on and off the tractor. But when the splines on the shafts is the linkage began to wear and the joint (similar to a u-joint) began to wear its cause for a lot of play in the steering. Then if you have it worked on or find a NOS linkage you’re looking at $350 to replace or fix it.

 

[Lunker]

Of corse if you take the S690 route you’ll have to get a bigger grain cart to even keep the combine moving. That’ll require a bigger tractor. If you get a bigger tractor you may as well get bigger equipment to work ground with. Then you may as well invest in a dirt pan just in case. That S690 is going to want at least 12 rows at a time. So should probably upgrade to at least 12 row planter. Might need a larger tractor for that too. Then if you’ve got that equipment a guy could probably start farming a few hundred more acres. If you do that may as well put up more storage for grain. Then might need some more room to store the equipment. So bigger shed it is. This is fun. It shouldn’t be too crazy expensive to swap all that out right?

Ha! You sound like a good buddy of mine

They run a 12 row combine and the backlog is the semis and bins. That combine just sits in the field waiting

 

[cliftonbros89]

Wind, wind, and more wind the last few days. The wind combined with the dropped temperatures hasn’t inspired me to do a whole lot. Not to mention I’ve been a little under the weather myself since the weekend. Overnight is when I seem to really feel bad. Which of corse makes me sleep like total ****.

But anyway besides the regular daily chores we’ve had a few meetings. Had a Pioneer seeds salesman come by. They also want to to try to book seed before the end of the year and claim it’ll include a bunch of discounts. It seems like that is **** cuz that Pioneer seed is still expensive.

Yesterday afternoon we had to settle up with our biggest landlord’s sons. They farm some of their ground themselves. We farm the remainder. We farm their ground on shares so we have to always settle on the figures of the crops at the end of the year. They hauled a few loads of beans, we put some of their share in their bins of corn and beans. So it can be a pain in the *** sometimes figuring out the amounts from different trucks and different bins. Plus we always do custom work for them. We apply their anhydrous for corn and make their clover hay on shares. So we had to discuss plans for that.

In the meantime I also pulled the 4440 in the shop to start regular maintenance on it. It also has some leaks that needs to be taken care of and checked over good. It’s about due for a full overhaul. But it only gets about 150 hours on it a year, at the most. It’s main job is planting so it doesn’t get worked too hard during the year.


It’s starting to show some wear but it’s still a good strong tractor. Bad thing is it’s almost too small to do too many jobs anymore. But I plan on making sure it’s kept around.


Naturally been feeding hay like usual. Good thing about it being so dry right now is it sure makes it nice to feed. Makes it nice for the cattle too.

Another meeting this afternoon or later in the week with the crop insurance guy. Always seems to be several things thrown in last minute at the end of the year. Everyone’s looking to sell something.

 

[cliftonbros89]

This afternoon we had another visitor. Since we didn’t get many square bales made this summer, mainly due to drought, we bought some alfalfa bales from a guy. We bought some from him last year too. They were good for grinding feed. I told him this summer we would take some more this year.

He brought a wagon load and said to just keep the wagon for now. So we just backed it straight in the barn. It will at least make it easier for me to mix some of it with a little of our other hay for awhile while I’m grinding feed. Naturally he wanted to stand around and talk for awhile after.

After he left I got back to work doing some things on the 4440. Found there’s a few parts I need to replace that I’ll have to order tomorrow.

I had to take a shot of this while cleaning things up for the day. I couldn’t help but think this would probably be one of those times when my girlfriend would complain about me having too many tools. Although she seemed to retract that statement some after I worked on her car last week.

So amongst that I spent about an hour or so trying to locate where to file a form we have to file for the trailer trucks. One thing about owning your own trucks, is state and federal want you to really give them some money for driving those things down the highway. It’s always fill out this form and fill out this other form, now your required to fill out another one. Then there’s a charge for this and a charge for that. It’s drives me crazy sometimes. But that’s the way it goes.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

Really didn’t get much accomplished today. Dad said earlier in the week he wanted to go rabbit hunting. So today his friend came down with his dogs and that’s what we did.

Nine total for the day. So it was terrible. Should’ve been a few more but we missed a few. They had several holes to go hide in that the dogs could run them out of. Makes for a good supper though.

Got another package in today too.
Got my socket of the month from SK Club. I noticed the box seemed a little heavier than normal. Opened it up and this month it came with a hat and a pocket screwdriver. I was pleased. Wish they included some extras with the socket every month.