cvairwerks
Well-known member
Those are army vehicle electrical repair kits...
Between the River Hills & the River Bottom
- Thread starter cliftonbros89
- Start date
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cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Between the River Hills & the River Bottom
It’s just after midnight and I’ve just finished for the day. As is often common, my day didn’t go as planned.
I started down in the bottom fairly early with the field cultivator. I greased up the tractor and cultivator and got to it right away. However, it wasn’t very long and the 8760 started getting hot again. I slowed things up a little and it cooled down. That didn’t last very long either. I let it cool off and drove it back to the shed. I started checking everything over but still wasn’t for sure what the issue could be. Being in a rush and not wanting to mess around I called the JD dealer to see if a mechanic could stop by. They said there was one in the area but he was working on something and he couldn’t stop by until the afternoon.
At that point I left it. My uncle was finishing planting the bottom field he started yesterday evening and was going to need to move to one of the farms we no-tilled. He was also going to need more seed corn.
The seed corn we had left at the shop we’re planning to plant at a different farm so I had to go pick some more up. I picked up 40 bags from the place on the other end of the bottom where we get out fertilizer and anhydrous.
Just as I’d finished picking up the seed corn my uncle called that he was ready to move the planter. But first we had to put on the no-till disk for the no-till ground
I mounted the disk on the back 8 rows while my uncle replaced a disk bearing that had gone out (one of those ones I was complaining about awhile back). At least it wasn’t one I’d just replaced when I had it in the shop. After we finished we headed out.
As I mentioned yesterday we usually harrow over the no-till fields after anhydrous to knock down what was tore up from the applicator knives. Dad had started on that this morning first thing. But sometimes, even after being sprayed that big harrow likes to drag around grass and weeds as you go through the field. Then when you turn around at the edge of the field it tends to drop a big pile of everything that it was dragging.
I took a torch along to burn that stuff in the field so it wouldn’t cause problems with the planter. So after I tended to the fires I made sure my uncle got started planting and back down the road I went.
Still no word from a mechanic I took care of a few small thing real quick. Then I drove back to the shop to grab a few things. I had the 8760 diagnostic manual (a copy updated in ‘91), my multimeter (which reminds me I need to keep it or get another decent one to keep in the truck at all times), my brother-in-laws temp gun again, and my pressure tester.
The cab of my truck was loaded with stuff today.
To keep the story short I tested several things. I looked everything over well. It wasn’t loosing water, it would cool down fairly quick when slowed down. But one thing I wasn’t sure of was the fan or fan clutch. It appeared to be running fine. The manual had some sort of confusing was to check part of the process of the fan. However, that processed consisted of about 6 pages with lots of asterisks. It didn’t make much sense to me.
Finally I got a call from one of the mechanics. He was on his way.
He arrived I explained everything to him. He was a bit confused as well. Then he mentioned the fan. He said he wanted to try it with the clutch locked. He called another mechanic to get his opinion he suggested the same thing. Luckily this guy had his truck loaded with stuff. He had a scrap piece in the back of his truck to make a strap. Luckily he had a big awesome U.S. Wilton vise and welder on the truck.
So for a temporary fix and test we locked the clutch up. I set out in the field to try it. It worked! It was the damn fan clutch the whole time! This is why I don’t consider myself a mechanic.
So by this time I was about 5 or a little after. I was going to work the 2 fields in the bottom where we plan to plant beans. I’d also planned to go over the farm in the hills (where I spread fertilizer yesterday). Luckily, while dad was coming down the road with the harrow he decided to try to level things up with just the harrow. He said it was working good to he kept going. So that was one job scratched off my list.
The 8760 was running great so I kept going. I ran nonstop til I finished both fields. Which was about 11:45.
I’m not sure what to expect for rain. I didn’t see the news anytime today. But it sounds like we will for sure be getting some in the early morning hours. We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it doesn’t wash any corn away.
I’m not sure how far along my uncle got this afternoon. But we should have possibly over 200 acres of corn in the ground by now. There’s only a little over 60 acres of ground left to prep with fertilizer and anhydrous yet. So we need to get the planter caught up. Hopefully the rainfall doesn’t amount to too much.
One job on the list for tomorrow is putting on the new fan clutch for the 8760. I should have one in the morning hopefully. By Friday morning at the latest. I’ll probably be hanging on to that temporary lock just in case. There are also several sweeps to replace on the cultivator too.
It’s just after midnight and I’ve just finished for the day. As is often common, my day didn’t go as planned.
I started down in the bottom fairly early with the field cultivator. I greased up the tractor and cultivator and got to it right away. However, it wasn’t very long and the 8760 started getting hot again. I slowed things up a little and it cooled down. That didn’t last very long either. I let it cool off and drove it back to the shed. I started checking everything over but still wasn’t for sure what the issue could be. Being in a rush and not wanting to mess around I called the JD dealer to see if a mechanic could stop by. They said there was one in the area but he was working on something and he couldn’t stop by until the afternoon.
At that point I left it. My uncle was finishing planting the bottom field he started yesterday evening and was going to need to move to one of the farms we no-tilled. He was also going to need more seed corn.
The seed corn we had left at the shop we’re planning to plant at a different farm so I had to go pick some more up. I picked up 40 bags from the place on the other end of the bottom where we get out fertilizer and anhydrous.
Just as I’d finished picking up the seed corn my uncle called that he was ready to move the planter. But first we had to put on the no-till disk for the no-till ground
I mounted the disk on the back 8 rows while my uncle replaced a disk bearing that had gone out (one of those ones I was complaining about awhile back). At least it wasn’t one I’d just replaced when I had it in the shop. After we finished we headed out.
As I mentioned yesterday we usually harrow over the no-till fields after anhydrous to knock down what was tore up from the applicator knives. Dad had started on that this morning first thing. But sometimes, even after being sprayed that big harrow likes to drag around grass and weeds as you go through the field. Then when you turn around at the edge of the field it tends to drop a big pile of everything that it was dragging.
I took a torch along to burn that stuff in the field so it wouldn’t cause problems with the planter. So after I tended to the fires I made sure my uncle got started planting and back down the road I went.
Still no word from a mechanic I took care of a few small thing real quick. Then I drove back to the shop to grab a few things. I had the 8760 diagnostic manual (a copy updated in ‘91), my multimeter (which reminds me I need to keep it or get another decent one to keep in the truck at all times), my brother-in-laws temp gun again, and my pressure tester.
The cab of my truck was loaded with stuff today.
To keep the story short I tested several things. I looked everything over well. It wasn’t loosing water, it would cool down fairly quick when slowed down. But one thing I wasn’t sure of was the fan or fan clutch. It appeared to be running fine. The manual had some sort of confusing was to check part of the process of the fan. However, that processed consisted of about 6 pages with lots of asterisks. It didn’t make much sense to me.
Finally I got a call from one of the mechanics. He was on his way.
He arrived I explained everything to him. He was a bit confused as well. Then he mentioned the fan. He said he wanted to try it with the clutch locked. He called another mechanic to get his opinion he suggested the same thing. Luckily this guy had his truck loaded with stuff. He had a scrap piece in the back of his truck to make a strap. Luckily he had a big awesome U.S. Wilton vise and welder on the truck.
So for a temporary fix and test we locked the clutch up. I set out in the field to try it. It worked! It was the damn fan clutch the whole time! This is why I don’t consider myself a mechanic.
So by this time I was about 5 or a little after. I was going to work the 2 fields in the bottom where we plan to plant beans. I’d also planned to go over the farm in the hills (where I spread fertilizer yesterday). Luckily, while dad was coming down the road with the harrow he decided to try to level things up with just the harrow. He said it was working good to he kept going. So that was one job scratched off my list.
The 8760 was running great so I kept going. I ran nonstop til I finished both fields. Which was about 11:45.
I’m not sure what to expect for rain. I didn’t see the news anytime today. But it sounds like we will for sure be getting some in the early morning hours. We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it doesn’t wash any corn away.
I’m not sure how far along my uncle got this afternoon. But we should have possibly over 200 acres of corn in the ground by now. There’s only a little over 60 acres of ground left to prep with fertilizer and anhydrous yet. So we need to get the planter caught up. Hopefully the rainfall doesn’t amount to too much.
One job on the list for tomorrow is putting on the new fan clutch for the 8760. I should have one in the morning hopefully. By Friday morning at the latest. I’ll probably be hanging on to that temporary lock just in case. There are also several sweeps to replace on the cultivator too.
Last edited:
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Thanks. It’s very true. If there was another one of me there’d probably be plenty for him to do to work 70+ hours a week too.
I had a feeling it would be something to do with that. I know the place beside the airport works on several small military aircraft. Maybe something from there. I’m not sure how the made it over to the airport. There was a tag with mine said it was manufactured in ‘89. I’m not sure if they all were or not.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well the rain arrived early morning hours as expected. It was about 4/10’s in the gauge. However, the showers that arrived throughout the day were longer and heavier than expected. I’m not sure what the total was but I know it was more than enough to keep use out of the fields til next week.
Due to the rain we didn’t get in much of a rush this morning. However, there’s plenty to do. Dad and I talked over the plan.
Apparently Wednesday evening mom was mowing grass and the deck was making quite a bit of noise.
That of corse meant it was pulled in the shop. The problem seemed to be some wear and play on multiple pieces, including a tensioner pulley, the bushings on the arm for the pulley along with the shaft the arm slides on. We got the parts. But before it I had a chance to put it back together dad cleaned up the bottom of the deck, sharpened the blades and welded a cracked spot by one of the braces for one of the deck wheels.
Unfortunately, the lawn mower wasn’t the only thing with problems. Dad informed me his morning that he had a problem with the harrow yesterday evening.
Apparently we’ve failed to pay attention to how bad the yolks, yolk pin and frame mount have worn for the lift cylinders on the harrow. At one point yesterday evening one of the yolk end on one of the lift cylinders broke apart while dad was harrowing the field. So...more repairs to make. This is yet again one of those times I remind myself and dad that this is why things need to be throughly looked over before time to use them.
If you want to see what a $1,200 fan clutch looks like, here it is!
That’s the fan clutch for the 8760. I knew it’d be pricey but damn! I didn’t get a chance to put it on yet. Buts it’s on the to do very soon list.
Dad and I each had several places to go today. I picked up the fan clutch, ordered the harrow parts, I also picked up the lawn mower parts, a weed eater we had worked on in town, oil filter for my girlfriends car, and some supplies to stock up on for the truck. I also dropped by the insurance office. A few years ago I thought it’d be a good idea to insure all the tools I have in the truck, just in case of some accident or theft. So I changed a few things on that policy today. I figured I’d rather be safe than sorry. Plus, it’s just a one time a year payment with a reasonable deductible. While I made those stops dad picked up some lumber we’re going to use to make some of our forms for the concrete pour for the new bin.
This afternoon I picked things up in the shop a bit. There were tools, parts, and supplies all over the place from running in and out the last few days.
I also took the time to again reorganize some of the supplies in the truck.
I at least have the bolts, washers and nuts organized and easier to quickly find. Although there are a few sizes I may need to put in yet. I’m hoping I can find some time to some what finish organizing the rest over the weekend.
So like I said there’s plenty to do. We also need to haul off some grain once too. Prices have jumped up a little bit lately. Not to mention we’ll be having some big bills due very soon. It doesn’t take long for 10’s if tons of fertilizer, 10’a of tons of anhydrous, and $1,200 fan clutches to start putting a pretty big dent in the bank.
Lots of options of things to do tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.
Due to the rain we didn’t get in much of a rush this morning. However, there’s plenty to do. Dad and I talked over the plan.
Apparently Wednesday evening mom was mowing grass and the deck was making quite a bit of noise.
That of corse meant it was pulled in the shop. The problem seemed to be some wear and play on multiple pieces, including a tensioner pulley, the bushings on the arm for the pulley along with the shaft the arm slides on. We got the parts. But before it I had a chance to put it back together dad cleaned up the bottom of the deck, sharpened the blades and welded a cracked spot by one of the braces for one of the deck wheels.
Unfortunately, the lawn mower wasn’t the only thing with problems. Dad informed me his morning that he had a problem with the harrow yesterday evening.
Apparently we’ve failed to pay attention to how bad the yolks, yolk pin and frame mount have worn for the lift cylinders on the harrow. At one point yesterday evening one of the yolk end on one of the lift cylinders broke apart while dad was harrowing the field. So...more repairs to make. This is yet again one of those times I remind myself and dad that this is why things need to be throughly looked over before time to use them.
If you want to see what a $1,200 fan clutch looks like, here it is!
That’s the fan clutch for the 8760. I knew it’d be pricey but damn! I didn’t get a chance to put it on yet. Buts it’s on the to do very soon list.
Dad and I each had several places to go today. I picked up the fan clutch, ordered the harrow parts, I also picked up the lawn mower parts, a weed eater we had worked on in town, oil filter for my girlfriends car, and some supplies to stock up on for the truck. I also dropped by the insurance office. A few years ago I thought it’d be a good idea to insure all the tools I have in the truck, just in case of some accident or theft. So I changed a few things on that policy today. I figured I’d rather be safe than sorry. Plus, it’s just a one time a year payment with a reasonable deductible. While I made those stops dad picked up some lumber we’re going to use to make some of our forms for the concrete pour for the new bin.
This afternoon I picked things up in the shop a bit. There were tools, parts, and supplies all over the place from running in and out the last few days.
I also took the time to again reorganize some of the supplies in the truck.
I at least have the bolts, washers and nuts organized and easier to quickly find. Although there are a few sizes I may need to put in yet. I’m hoping I can find some time to some what finish organizing the rest over the weekend.
So like I said there’s plenty to do. We also need to haul off some grain once too. Prices have jumped up a little bit lately. Not to mention we’ll be having some big bills due very soon. It doesn’t take long for 10’s if tons of fertilizer, 10’a of tons of anhydrous, and $1,200 fan clutches to start putting a pretty big dent in the bank.
Lots of options of things to do tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.
NKlamerus
Well-known member
You'd think that thing was titanium or something???
Not too savvy with tractor cooling systems, could you upgrade to electric fans against the radiator? Not worth it?
Not too savvy with tractor cooling systems, could you upgrade to electric fans against the radiator? Not worth it?
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I’m not saying there may not be another option out there. But I’ve learned sometimes the reality is that taking the easier more expensive option is sometimes better. I was able to have the fan clutch in hand less than 24 hours later, the exact thing I needed, no rigging something new up, drilling new holes to make something cheaper fit, no running new wires. I had the exact part I needed and it took maybe 15-20 minutes to take off the old one and put on the new one. No hassle. Plus this is a tractor we’re likely not to keep forever. Resale value means a lot. People don’t always like when things have been thoroughly adapted just to take a cheaper route to fix a problem.
NKlamerus
Well-known member
Oh I wasn't thinking cheaper, I was just thinking more efficient while you're in there.
Electric fans swap would probably cost the same if not more for a decent set of fans, after owning a few vehicles with both I definitely prefer the electric option though.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well like I said, I know we won’t be keeping it forever. This is the first time we’re ever had an issue with a fan clutch on any of the tractors before. Considering it’s probably the better part of 20+ years old I’m not too concerned with having the same issue again with this one.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well we ended up with 1-1/2” total of rain. Enough to make things nice and wet again. Thursday dad and I each had some stops to make. Parts, and some items to stock for the truck. Not a whole lot to action.
Friday as far as the weather goes was nice. I had everything to put the lawn mower deck back together. But, one of those bolts broke off when I was trying to put one of the deck blades back on.
It was broke off pretty far down in there. But it was loose. I managed to cut a bit of a groove in it with the dye grinder. Then I used that, with the vibration from the grinder to just slowly back it out. Worked a whole lot better than I’d expected it to.
Mower was back together. But we’re going to have a tube put in one of the back tires.
After that dad and I went to the bottom shed to put the new fan clutch on the 8760. The field cultivator also had several sweeps that needed to be replaced.
Dad bought some chrome acorn nuts he wanted to have put in the trailer instead of the older rusty nuts from the old axles. He wanted to make it look good since everything else has been redone.
So I put those on for him.
When the yolk on the lift cylinder for the harrow broke it also messed up the threads on the rod for the cylinder. We took a thread file to it but it wasn’t quite enough. We called around several places to see if anyone had a thread chaser we could use. But no luck on that. It’s 1-1/2” with 12 tpi so it’s not something very likely for someone to just have laying around.
McMaster-Carr to the rescue. We figured it was worth it to try and save it rather than trying to buy a new rod or whole new cylinder.
It required a 2-9/16” wrench. So that part I definitely wasn’t going to spend the money on. This is one time I’m ok with using an adjustable. But it cleaned the threads up pretty good. I ran it over the full threads 3 times. So hopefully the new yolk should go on without any issues.
I had some time to finish organizing and stock up general supplies for the truck.
I plan to do a little research on things and make sure I have the correct sizes of certain things (retaining rings, roll pins, square keys) so I can eliminate sizes we likely won’t need and have a few of the ones we might. Other than adding a kit if o-rings I think I’ve got most of the basics. Other than adding a few more sizes of metric bolts.
Also to end Friday dad picked this up.
A mini-excavator we rented to dig the footing for the bin.
Friday as far as the weather goes was nice. I had everything to put the lawn mower deck back together. But, one of those bolts broke off when I was trying to put one of the deck blades back on.
It was broke off pretty far down in there. But it was loose. I managed to cut a bit of a groove in it with the dye grinder. Then I used that, with the vibration from the grinder to just slowly back it out. Worked a whole lot better than I’d expected it to.
Mower was back together. But we’re going to have a tube put in one of the back tires.
After that dad and I went to the bottom shed to put the new fan clutch on the 8760. The field cultivator also had several sweeps that needed to be replaced.
Dad bought some chrome acorn nuts he wanted to have put in the trailer instead of the older rusty nuts from the old axles. He wanted to make it look good since everything else has been redone.
So I put those on for him.
When the yolk on the lift cylinder for the harrow broke it also messed up the threads on the rod for the cylinder. We took a thread file to it but it wasn’t quite enough. We called around several places to see if anyone had a thread chaser we could use. But no luck on that. It’s 1-1/2” with 12 tpi so it’s not something very likely for someone to just have laying around.
McMaster-Carr to the rescue. We figured it was worth it to try and save it rather than trying to buy a new rod or whole new cylinder.
It required a 2-9/16” wrench. So that part I definitely wasn’t going to spend the money on. This is one time I’m ok with using an adjustable. But it cleaned the threads up pretty good. I ran it over the full threads 3 times. So hopefully the new yolk should go on without any issues.
I had some time to finish organizing and stock up general supplies for the truck.
I plan to do a little research on things and make sure I have the correct sizes of certain things (retaining rings, roll pins, square keys) so I can eliminate sizes we likely won’t need and have a few of the ones we might. Other than adding a kit if o-rings I think I’ve got most of the basics. Other than adding a few more sizes of metric bolts.
Also to end Friday dad picked this up.
A mini-excavator we rented to dig the footing for the bin.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Saturday was all work on the bin site.
We dug the trench for the footing. We also put in all the rebar and made some forms for some of the edges. With it being off grade on one side we’re going to pour a deeper footing on the low side. Then we’re going to pour a wall on the low side. After that pour we will do the whole floor. It’s going to take some time. But it should work out pretty good.
We also dug a few trenches to lay some drain pipes for some gutters on the barn. We only had it for the day so we had to take it back in the evening.
So now that part is done. The plan is for tomorrow (Monday) to pour the footing. Hopefully everything goes as planned. It shouldn’t be too strenuous of a job.
We dug the trench for the footing. We also put in all the rebar and made some forms for some of the edges. With it being off grade on one side we’re going to pour a deeper footing on the low side. Then we’re going to pour a wall on the low side. After that pour we will do the whole floor. It’s going to take some time. But it should work out pretty good.
We also dug a few trenches to lay some drain pipes for some gutters on the barn. We only had it for the day so we had to take it back in the evening.
So now that part is done. The plan is for tomorrow (Monday) to pour the footing. Hopefully everything goes as planned. It shouldn’t be too strenuous of a job.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I also sold one of the sickle mowers yesterday.
Another item I sold in less than 24 hours after I listed it for sale. Got another $300 too. If I can make some money off the other old sickle mower it’ll really make moving them well worth it.
Another item I sold in less than 24 hours after I listed it for sale. Got another $300 too. If I can make some money off the other old sickle mower it’ll really make moving them well worth it.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
We rented one a few times a year for odd jobs and ended up purchasing a Bobcat 341E and wish we had done so decades ago. We talked about it for a while and didn't think we could justify owning a MiniEx but we've put almost 300hrs on it each year the last 4 years. Not sure how, but it has turned into the most used piece of equipment on the farm.
You should buy one
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
We rented one a few times a year for odd jobs and ended up purchasing a Bobcat 341E and wish we had done so decades ago. We talked about it for a while and didn't think we could justify owning a MiniEx but we've put almost 300hrs on it each year the last 4 years. Not sure how, but it has turned into the most used piece of equipment on the farm.
You should buy one
It would be nice to have one. But I’d like to have a skid steer first! That would be really nice!!
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well despite a few surprise showers, that luckily avoided the farm, we were able to do the first pour for the bin.
I can’t say I’m very knowledgeable when it comes to working with and figuring up concrete. But I had the help of my brother-in-law, my 2 neighbors, who are both very experienced in construction in concrete work, and one of my uncles.
View attachment 765519
View attachment 765520
View attachment 765521
View attachment 765522
Everything worked out great. Turned out really well. So now we just have to prepare for pour number 2.
We also poured some concrete for the gutter drain pipe from the barn we put in. Also we filled in a spot under an older concrete pad where the grain tank sits in the barn that we store feed in. The ground hogs and whatever else has done number on digging out the rock under the the tank sits in so we poured some concrete there as well.
That took most of the morning. In the afternoon I spread off a little bit of fertilizer that was left on the spreader. I wanted to empty it before I unhooked it. That was about the only thing a few fields are dry enough to do yet. Things were still fairly wet.
When I finished with that I went to the shed where the hay equipment is at. I hooked the 7510 to the hay cutter. It took it to the shop. Dad brought the rake to the shop yesterday and brought the tedder today.
View attachment 765523
I did a brief look over on it. I changed a few knives, greased everything, checked the tires, checked the oil in the gearboxes and cutterbar, checked the belts and pulleys, some of the bigger bearings and the lights.
There’s a chance of rain Wednesday. But depending on what the weather man shows in the morning we may start cutting some rye hay for one of our landlords tomorrow morning or Wednesday. But dad also needs to get some spraying done. If it doesn’t rain we’ll need to get the 8760 and cultivator back in the field.
Haven’t got the parts for the harrow but hopefully they’ll arrive sometime this week. We could really use it this week, especially if it doesn’t rain Wednesday. So we’ll see what happens.
This evening I did a few small things in between everything else. Also, my brother-in-law pulled the forms and form pins from the. Concrete looks really good.
So we’ll see how things work out. A lot to do between more concrete prep work and pour, plus the spraying and field work, then add the hay making on top. It’s busy.
I can’t say I’m very knowledgeable when it comes to working with and figuring up concrete. But I had the help of my brother-in-law, my 2 neighbors, who are both very experienced in construction in concrete work, and one of my uncles.
View attachment 765519
View attachment 765520
View attachment 765521
View attachment 765522
Everything worked out great. Turned out really well. So now we just have to prepare for pour number 2.
We also poured some concrete for the gutter drain pipe from the barn we put in. Also we filled in a spot under an older concrete pad where the grain tank sits in the barn that we store feed in. The ground hogs and whatever else has done number on digging out the rock under the the tank sits in so we poured some concrete there as well.
That took most of the morning. In the afternoon I spread off a little bit of fertilizer that was left on the spreader. I wanted to empty it before I unhooked it. That was about the only thing a few fields are dry enough to do yet. Things were still fairly wet.
When I finished with that I went to the shed where the hay equipment is at. I hooked the 7510 to the hay cutter. It took it to the shop. Dad brought the rake to the shop yesterday and brought the tedder today.
View attachment 765523
I did a brief look over on it. I changed a few knives, greased everything, checked the tires, checked the oil in the gearboxes and cutterbar, checked the belts and pulleys, some of the bigger bearings and the lights.
There’s a chance of rain Wednesday. But depending on what the weather man shows in the morning we may start cutting some rye hay for one of our landlords tomorrow morning or Wednesday. But dad also needs to get some spraying done. If it doesn’t rain we’ll need to get the 8760 and cultivator back in the field.
Haven’t got the parts for the harrow but hopefully they’ll arrive sometime this week. We could really use it this week, especially if it doesn’t rain Wednesday. So we’ll see what happens.
This evening I did a few small things in between everything else. Also, my brother-in-law pulled the forms and form pins from the. Concrete looks really good.
So we’ll see how things work out. A lot to do between more concrete prep work and pour, plus the spraying and field work, then add the hay making on top. It’s busy.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You guys don't have a skid loader
Yeah, I'd put that on the list before a MiniEx !!!
We had a mid size (160 class) John Deere excavator on the farm but sold it this spring.
Got a mini now and it's soo handy. Nice for doing yard work around the house too.
Personally I hate skid steers. We use compact wheel loaders now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Got a mini now and it's soo handy. Nice for doing yard work around the house too.
Personally I hate skid steers. We use compact wheel loaders now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
We had a mid size (160 class) John Deere excavator on the farm but sold it this spring.
Got a mini now and it's soo handy. Nice for doing yard work around the house too.
Personally I hate skid steers. We use compact wheel loaders now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I think we could get by without an excavator. But I sure would like a skid steer myself. It’d be nice in our older barns. It would have plenty of room.
You guys don't have a skid loader
Yeah, I'd put that on the list before a MiniEx !!!
Yeah I know. We’re behind. It seems like almost everyone has at least one. I’d really like to have one with a grapple bucket.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well luckily our landlord decided to hold off on having us cut hay for him today. Although it looks slim there’s still a chance for rain tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.
Since we weren’t cutting hay, things were dryer today so we got right to it. I helped dad move around with the truck and sprayer a few times today. Not counting traveling between farms he managed to spray 140 acres today.
I loaded my uncle up with seed corn this morning. He got back to planting corn. I think he got over a good amount of ground today too.
I had to start my day trying to get parts for that harrow that broke last week. The JD was supposed to look some up for me last week. I called them this morning, they still hasn’t found anything for me. So I called the Case IH dealer south of us. After 3 returned phone calls they had at least managed to get the stop bolt on the frame for me. It’s coming from one of their locations in Arkansas. I finally called the local New Holland dealer. After 3 calls with them they were finally able to find the yolk end I’m needing. They won’t be here until Thursday. Crazy how all three dealerships, JD, IH, and New Holland, are all dealers for the McFarlane brand harrows and no one had parts and has to try like hell to even find parts. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Especially since there are a ton of those harrows all over this area. Maybe we’re the only ones who are hard on it?
I hooked to the baler this morning.
I backed it in the shop. I didn’t get to do as thorough of an inspection on it as I’d like. But after this first round of rye I’m planning on checking some more things out on it. Plus, changing the pins on the belts. I replace them every year.
This is a prime example of why things should be gone over before using.
This was a big wad of net wrap that someone picked up with the baler at the end of last summer. A sure way to screw up a bearing and a good way to start a fire on a baler. I had to take a few things off to get it cut out.
At the end of the summer the baker usually get a quick greasing, then all the dirt blown off before being put in the shed. By then we’re in a rush to start prepping thing for fall so there isn’t much attention if the hay equipment when we’re done with it.
This afternoon I took the field cultivator to the field on the outside of the levee.
As you can see it already has a lot of green popping up. I went over it to take them out before they get too big. I need to go over it a second time. The weeds weren’t very dry by the time I’d finished going over it once. It all likes to ball up when it’s still green. So I stopped that for the evening.
Tonight I hooked the rake to the 2520 and backed it in the shop.
I checked things over on it. It’s a good rake but it definitely wasn’t made for some of the places we make hay. Like on the levee for example. Needless to say it’s seen some roughy days. It has a few welds here and there.
Besides greasing everything, checking tires and everything else on it I replaced 21 broken teeth and one of the wheel springs
We’ll see what the weatherman shows in the morning. I can’t say I’m sure what it’ll do. Last year when we were trying to make rye hay there was a day we were only supposed to have a small chance of some light showers. That turned in to a pour down of 2” in about an hour while we were finishing baling. That why we don’t want to take to big of a chance on it.
Since we weren’t cutting hay, things were dryer today so we got right to it. I helped dad move around with the truck and sprayer a few times today. Not counting traveling between farms he managed to spray 140 acres today.
I loaded my uncle up with seed corn this morning. He got back to planting corn. I think he got over a good amount of ground today too.
I had to start my day trying to get parts for that harrow that broke last week. The JD was supposed to look some up for me last week. I called them this morning, they still hasn’t found anything for me. So I called the Case IH dealer south of us. After 3 returned phone calls they had at least managed to get the stop bolt on the frame for me. It’s coming from one of their locations in Arkansas. I finally called the local New Holland dealer. After 3 calls with them they were finally able to find the yolk end I’m needing. They won’t be here until Thursday. Crazy how all three dealerships, JD, IH, and New Holland, are all dealers for the McFarlane brand harrows and no one had parts and has to try like hell to even find parts. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Especially since there are a ton of those harrows all over this area. Maybe we’re the only ones who are hard on it?
I hooked to the baler this morning.
I backed it in the shop. I didn’t get to do as thorough of an inspection on it as I’d like. But after this first round of rye I’m planning on checking some more things out on it. Plus, changing the pins on the belts. I replace them every year.
This is a prime example of why things should be gone over before using.
This was a big wad of net wrap that someone picked up with the baler at the end of last summer. A sure way to screw up a bearing and a good way to start a fire on a baler. I had to take a few things off to get it cut out.
At the end of the summer the baker usually get a quick greasing, then all the dirt blown off before being put in the shed. By then we’re in a rush to start prepping thing for fall so there isn’t much attention if the hay equipment when we’re done with it.
This afternoon I took the field cultivator to the field on the outside of the levee.
As you can see it already has a lot of green popping up. I went over it to take them out before they get too big. I need to go over it a second time. The weeds weren’t very dry by the time I’d finished going over it once. It all likes to ball up when it’s still green. So I stopped that for the evening.
Tonight I hooked the rake to the 2520 and backed it in the shop.
I checked things over on it. It’s a good rake but it definitely wasn’t made for some of the places we make hay. Like on the levee for example. Needless to say it’s seen some roughy days. It has a few welds here and there.
Besides greasing everything, checking tires and everything else on it I replaced 21 broken teeth and one of the wheel springs
We’ll see what the weatherman shows in the morning. I can’t say I’m sure what it’ll do. Last year when we were trying to make rye hay there was a day we were only supposed to have a small chance of some light showers. That turned in to a pour down of 2” in about an hour while we were finishing baling. That why we don’t want to take to big of a chance on it.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Another busy day today.
This morning I helped dad get started with spraying some more corn ground.
I also helped my uncle move the planter and got him loaded up with seed corn.
I moved the 2520 and rake down the road to the rye field with the 7510 and cutter.
There was a bit of debate as to whether or not it was going to rain to we held off on the hay.
After dad finished spraying we put the 8400 back on the anhydrous toolbar to move it to the last farm we plan to plant corn. I picked up 4 wagon loads of anhydrous which will be just enough to take care of this last farm.
Before dad could start anhydrous we moved the 7230 and box blade down to that farm. Despite the fact we had it in rye as well over the winter, there were several washed ditches through the field from last spring/summer. Dad was going to fix those places first. It is yet again another very hilly farm.
Toward the evening our landlord who we’re cutting the hay for (and his brother, which is actually dad’s brother-in-law) decided he thought we should get a start on it this evening.
So while my dad fixed ditches, my uncle kept planting, and my brother-in-law started making the forms for the next concrete pour I started cutting hay. There were a few more little surprise pop up showers but luckily they avoided me. There was another one at about 9 that moved through just a few miles south of me. Lots of lightening but not even a drop on the windshield. So I cut until about 10.
After I quit cutting hay for the evening I headed back to the shop to put on a roller chain that needed to be replaced on the baler. It was a 60H chain and we didn’t have any so I had to get one. I put it on so it should be ready to go when we need it.
Loads of stuff to do in the next few days. Last I checked the 10 forecast was showing nothing but sun. We’ll see if it stays like that. I have enough to do that I’ll stay plenty busy should it stay sunny.
Talking about temps almost reaching 90 over the weekend. I’m not ready for that. Just 2 weeks ago lows were in the mid 30’s and there were frost warnings. Looks like we’re going straight to summer.
This morning I helped dad get started with spraying some more corn ground.
I also helped my uncle move the planter and got him loaded up with seed corn.
I moved the 2520 and rake down the road to the rye field with the 7510 and cutter.
There was a bit of debate as to whether or not it was going to rain to we held off on the hay.
After dad finished spraying we put the 8400 back on the anhydrous toolbar to move it to the last farm we plan to plant corn. I picked up 4 wagon loads of anhydrous which will be just enough to take care of this last farm.
Before dad could start anhydrous we moved the 7230 and box blade down to that farm. Despite the fact we had it in rye as well over the winter, there were several washed ditches through the field from last spring/summer. Dad was going to fix those places first. It is yet again another very hilly farm.
Toward the evening our landlord who we’re cutting the hay for (and his brother, which is actually dad’s brother-in-law) decided he thought we should get a start on it this evening.
So while my dad fixed ditches, my uncle kept planting, and my brother-in-law started making the forms for the next concrete pour I started cutting hay. There were a few more little surprise pop up showers but luckily they avoided me. There was another one at about 9 that moved through just a few miles south of me. Lots of lightening but not even a drop on the windshield. So I cut until about 10.
After I quit cutting hay for the evening I headed back to the shop to put on a roller chain that needed to be replaced on the baler. It was a 60H chain and we didn’t have any so I had to get one. I put it on so it should be ready to go when we need it.
Loads of stuff to do in the next few days. Last I checked the 10 forecast was showing nothing but sun. We’ll see if it stays like that. I have enough to do that I’ll stay plenty busy should it stay sunny.
Talking about temps almost reaching 90 over the weekend. I’m not ready for that. Just 2 weeks ago lows were in the mid 30’s and there were frost warnings. Looks like we’re going straight to summer.
Dividing Creek
Well-known member
Straight to summer here too. Normally bailing hay by now but the cold dry spring has everything weeks behind here. Guessing grass will likely seed head out on much shorter stalks than normal. Always a balancing act, cut it before the stalk gets tough but let it go as long as possible for the most blade growth. Your 835 MoCo is a nice piece of equipment.
That Frontier rake is crazy wide, no one has anything that big around here, how wide is it ? Must make one huge windrow.
That Frontier rake is crazy wide, no one has anything that big around here, how wide is it ? Must make one huge windrow.
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OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Yeah. It’s for pre-emerge.
Same thing here too as far as fescue goes. But the rye was pretty well ready to go. We want it out so we can start getting prepped for beans behind it too.
The 835 is nice. It’s handle a lot. Runs really well. Always cuts really nice too. Plus is makes it easy to cut swinging it to either side.
As far as the rake goes I’m not sure on an exact measurement in width. But running all the way open on a straight row it can handle 3 of the windrows from the 835, 2-1/2 if it’s tedded. There’s several rakes around this area that big. It’s honestly almost too big for a few of the smaller fescue patches we do.
The good thing about the whole set up is we can move quick. The 835 cuts quick and clean. The rake can handle a lot at one time and move quick too. Best part is the 569 baler can eat anything I give it with the rake. When conditions are right we can get some **** done. I think I record on clover is about 380 bales in a day. When dad is running it on average he can drop a bale in about 55 seconds.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well everyone went their own way this morning. Dad set off to fix more ditches and finish anhydrous. Uncle finished planting the farm he was at.
View attachment 766583
View attachment 766584
View attachment 766585
I finished cutting rye which took the majority of the day. I think it’s just a little over 60 acres all together. Once I finished dad arrived with the 7230 and baler. Hay was still tough so we went down the road.
View attachment 766589
View attachment 766590
My brother-in-law had already scheduled concrete to arrive. So we helped him do the second pour for the grain bin. He formed it up yesterday. Only about 3 yards worth so it didn’t take too long.
After concrete our landlord was certain the rye was ready to bale. So we headed back out. I set out on the rake and realized quick that it was still to wet. I only made a few rounds. Dad baked up 2 bales to set everything and just to show that it was still too wet. So that’s on tomorrow’s agenda.
So back down the road we went. Dad started spreading fertilizer where he finished anhydrous. I took the 8400 back to the bottom. I put away the anhydrous toolbar. We’re done with it now. I drove the 8400 back to the shop and hooked it to the harrow. Parts for it arrived today. So this evening I put the new yolk/clevis (whatever you prefer to call it) ends on the hydraulic cylinders with new pins. After I cleaned the threads up with that thread chaser again.
Dad has to weld up the spot where that stop on the frame is in the morning.
Dad managed to find, without any trouble, a decent deer shed yesterday.
View attachment 766593
Kind of neat that it has a double brow tine.
My latest SK club socket came today.
A size that seems to be coveted by many here on GJ. Its the 1/4” drive 5/8” socket. I thought what the hell, I’ll give it the shot. It actually would’ve worked really well for the bolts on the SCV’s on the 8760. But I already have a compact 3/8” ratchet so it’s basically the same thing.
So it will likely be a busy day tomorrow. Lots of rye to rake up.
View attachment 766583
View attachment 766584
View attachment 766585
I finished cutting rye which took the majority of the day. I think it’s just a little over 60 acres all together. Once I finished dad arrived with the 7230 and baler. Hay was still tough so we went down the road.
View attachment 766589
View attachment 766590
My brother-in-law had already scheduled concrete to arrive. So we helped him do the second pour for the grain bin. He formed it up yesterday. Only about 3 yards worth so it didn’t take too long.
After concrete our landlord was certain the rye was ready to bale. So we headed back out. I set out on the rake and realized quick that it was still to wet. I only made a few rounds. Dad baked up 2 bales to set everything and just to show that it was still too wet. So that’s on tomorrow’s agenda.
So back down the road we went. Dad started spreading fertilizer where he finished anhydrous. I took the 8400 back to the bottom. I put away the anhydrous toolbar. We’re done with it now. I drove the 8400 back to the shop and hooked it to the harrow. Parts for it arrived today. So this evening I put the new yolk/clevis (whatever you prefer to call it) ends on the hydraulic cylinders with new pins. After I cleaned the threads up with that thread chaser again.
Dad has to weld up the spot where that stop on the frame is in the morning.
Dad managed to find, without any trouble, a decent deer shed yesterday.
View attachment 766593
Kind of neat that it has a double brow tine.
My latest SK club socket came today.
A size that seems to be coveted by many here on GJ. Its the 1/4” drive 5/8” socket. I thought what the hell, I’ll give it the shot. It actually would’ve worked really well for the bolts on the SCV’s on the 8760. But I already have a compact 3/8” ratchet so it’s basically the same thing.
So it will likely be a busy day tomorrow. Lots of rye to rake up.
Dividing Creek
Well-known member
Wow man, thats getting it done.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
This morning started with helping dad get things set to quickly weld the stop bolt on the frame of the harrow. It was finally ready to go.
I returned 2 of the 4 now empty anhydrous wagons since we’re done with that.
Dad and I moved the harrow to the farm he was at yesterday. I took the planter there so it was there and ready for my uncle.
We had some seed corn arrive. A new brand we’ve never planted before. Another smaller farmer in the bottom started selling it a few years ago. We were in need of some seed to finish so dad decided to try some.
After that it was all about the rye. I set out taking and dad was right behind me with the baler.
After I finished raking I took over the baler for dad. My uncle had harrowed part of the field he was getting ready to plant. So while he started planting the first half my dad went to finish harrowing the rest of the farm and finished spreading the last of the fertilizer so my uncle could keep planting.
I baled the last 50-60 bales. 60+ acres and 206 bales done. Landlord got all of them out of the field and ready to be wrapped in the morning. All in all not a bad day. Got all the equipment moved back to the shop this evening too.
I’m not sure what’s on the schedule for the weekend yet. Lots to do. Finish planting, get bean ground ready, cut more rye of our own for hay, plus get the forms made for the final pour for the floor of the grain bin. I’m not sure where we’re starting.
I returned 2 of the 4 now empty anhydrous wagons since we’re done with that.
Dad and I moved the harrow to the farm he was at yesterday. I took the planter there so it was there and ready for my uncle.
We had some seed corn arrive. A new brand we’ve never planted before. Another smaller farmer in the bottom started selling it a few years ago. We were in need of some seed to finish so dad decided to try some.
After that it was all about the rye. I set out taking and dad was right behind me with the baler.
After I finished raking I took over the baler for dad. My uncle had harrowed part of the field he was getting ready to plant. So while he started planting the first half my dad went to finish harrowing the rest of the farm and finished spreading the last of the fertilizer so my uncle could keep planting.
I baled the last 50-60 bales. 60+ acres and 206 bales done. Landlord got all of them out of the field and ready to be wrapped in the morning. All in all not a bad day. Got all the equipment moved back to the shop this evening too.
I’m not sure what’s on the schedule for the weekend yet. Lots to do. Finish planting, get bean ground ready, cut more rye of our own for hay, plus get the forms made for the final pour for the floor of the grain bin. I’m not sure where we’re starting.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Today my uncle finished planting the last of the corn. We moved all the equipment back to the shop. We got things ready for dad to finish spraying the corn tomorrow. Dad also harrowed some of the ground in the bottom that we’re getting ready for beans.
For me today the main focus was on working getting things ready for the final concrete pour for the grain bin.
Everything is filled in and packed down and leveled, the forms are in place and to spec. Plastic down, rebar in place, tied, and raised. Also have a pad set for where the fan will go. It’s already to go. Just have to get the concrete. As of right now we’re planning on doing that next Saturday morning. It’ll be nice to have that job finished up.
The bin is supposed to arrive on June 6. Should be a crew in a day or so after to put it up.
So tomorrow will be another day. Possibly going to cut our own rye hay tomorrow. Chances of rain middle of the week. So we’ll see. We’re also planning on getting started on planting beans right away. So we’ll need to also get more ground ready for that. The planter also needs to be switched over for beans too.
For me today the main focus was on working getting things ready for the final concrete pour for the grain bin.
Everything is filled in and packed down and leveled, the forms are in place and to spec. Plastic down, rebar in place, tied, and raised. Also have a pad set for where the fan will go. It’s already to go. Just have to get the concrete. As of right now we’re planning on doing that next Saturday morning. It’ll be nice to have that job finished up.
The bin is supposed to arrive on June 6. Should be a crew in a day or so after to put it up.
So tomorrow will be another day. Possibly going to cut our own rye hay tomorrow. Chances of rain middle of the week. So we’ll see. We’re also planning on getting started on planting beans right away. So we’ll need to also get more ground ready for that. The planter also needs to be switched over for beans too.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Got a few things done today. I started with pulling the planter in the shop.
I took the no till coulters off. Then I switched everything over and set things up for soybeans. Then greased it up.
Dad cut our rye. We should be getting it baled tomorrow.
After I finished with the planter I took the 8400 and harrow to he bottom. I finished the bottom field that dad didn’t get to yesterday. So the bottom ground on the inside of the levee is ready to go for beans.
After I finished with the harrowing I took the 8760 and cultivator to the outside of the levee.
I went over that ground again to level it up better break up the weeds. It’ll be ready to harrow too.
Lots to do again before another potential few days of rain. Hopefully we can get everything taken care of. We’re hoping to get some beans in the ground. Also hoping to get the fields in the hills worked to be ready for beans before the rain.
I took the no till coulters off. Then I switched everything over and set things up for soybeans. Then greased it up.
Dad cut our rye. We should be getting it baled tomorrow.
After I finished with the planter I took the 8400 and harrow to he bottom. I finished the bottom field that dad didn’t get to yesterday. So the bottom ground on the inside of the levee is ready to go for beans.
After I finished with the harrowing I took the 8760 and cultivator to the outside of the levee.
I went over that ground again to level it up better break up the weeds. It’ll be ready to harrow too.
Lots to do again before another potential few days of rain. Hopefully we can get everything taken care of. We’re hoping to get some beans in the ground. Also hoping to get the fields in the hills worked to be ready for beans before the rain.
OOBER
Well-known member
Cool pics and story. Thanks for posting 
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
The first of the corn has been popping up th last few days.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Today we got things set for my uncle to start planting beans. Loaded up some beans and got equipment moved.
As for the rest of the day dad and I took care of the rye hay.
We raked and baled it all up. 222 bales off just a little over 30 acres. About half the acreage and more bales than that rye we did for our landlord. Not sure exactly what went wrong on his.
We gathered up all the bales and moved them. We’re supposed to have them wrapped tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, as I type this there’s a nice unexpected thunderstorm headed straight for us. Looks things might be nice and muddy to wrap them tomorrow. Not to mention we really didn’t want them getting rained on before they were wrapped anyway. We’ll see how it ends up. Damn weatherman can never figure this stuff out.
As for the rest of the day dad and I took care of the rye hay.
We raked and baled it all up. 222 bales off just a little over 30 acres. About half the acreage and more bales than that rye we did for our landlord. Not sure exactly what went wrong on his.
We gathered up all the bales and moved them. We’re supposed to have them wrapped tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, as I type this there’s a nice unexpected thunderstorm headed straight for us. Looks things might be nice and muddy to wrap them tomorrow. Not to mention we really didn’t want them getting rained on before they were wrapped anyway. We’ll see how it ends up. Damn weatherman can never figure this stuff out.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Luckily, the rain shower last night managed to break apart before it got here. Only half of 1/10 in the gauge this morning. So no worries about things being wet.
I helped my uncle get set for planting some more beans this morning.
But most of my day was spent on getting the rye bales wrapped.
A neighbor of ours family farms too. They have a wrapper. They wrap the rye for us. So one of them brought it over today. We wrapped all 222 bales. Took about 4 and a half hours to do. We wrapped 121 bales at dads and 101 at my uncle’s. Takes some time but they’re all wrapped up well to be fed for the winter.
As far as the rest of the day I spent it in the 8760 disking.
Dad’s friend had done some for us yesterday. Then dad started out this morning. After I finished wrapping bales
I took over for him. He went to the bottom to harrow the ground on the outside of the levee and continue spraying the field by uncle has been planting beans in.
This afternoon I was disking a farm we just started farming last year. It neighbors our pasture and my uncle’s. It’s some pretty hilly stuff. I have to cross some pasture and they’re nice enough to open a few fences for me to get through.
It’s defiantly not a farm that was set up for bigger equipment.
I managed to avoid another shower that built up this afternoon.
The cloud and rain isn’t as dark in the picture as it was in person.
I also started disking a creek bottom field and another old pasture field that we farm. These two fields I hate. It’s also way too much work to prep them to plant. They never pay out either. It’s simply just ground that shouldn’t be farmed. That’s all there is to it. They just wash too bad. Dad and I argue about this each year.
We had some more seed beans arrive today too.
More possible rain in the forecast for the next couple days. No idea what it will do. The weatherman doesn’t seem to have much of idea either, as usual.
I helped my uncle get set for planting some more beans this morning.
But most of my day was spent on getting the rye bales wrapped.
A neighbor of ours family farms too. They have a wrapper. They wrap the rye for us. So one of them brought it over today. We wrapped all 222 bales. Took about 4 and a half hours to do. We wrapped 121 bales at dads and 101 at my uncle’s. Takes some time but they’re all wrapped up well to be fed for the winter.
As far as the rest of the day I spent it in the 8760 disking.
Dad’s friend had done some for us yesterday. Then dad started out this morning. After I finished wrapping bales
I took over for him. He went to the bottom to harrow the ground on the outside of the levee and continue spraying the field by uncle has been planting beans in.
This afternoon I was disking a farm we just started farming last year. It neighbors our pasture and my uncle’s. It’s some pretty hilly stuff. I have to cross some pasture and they’re nice enough to open a few fences for me to get through.
It’s defiantly not a farm that was set up for bigger equipment.
I managed to avoid another shower that built up this afternoon.
The cloud and rain isn’t as dark in the picture as it was in person.
I also started disking a creek bottom field and another old pasture field that we farm. These two fields I hate. It’s also way too much work to prep them to plant. They never pay out either. It’s simply just ground that shouldn’t be farmed. That’s all there is to it. They just wash too bad. Dad and I argue about this each year.
We had some more seed beans arrive today too.
More possible rain in the forecast for the next couple days. No idea what it will do. The weatherman doesn’t seem to have much of idea either, as usual.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well yesterday and today we were still at it. Back and forth between working ground with the disk and field cultivator plus spreading fertilizer.
Worked over some more of that ground that should be farmed. Got a few more fields prepped for beans. Worked up that CRP ground I mowed awhile back.
Here’s the entry to that one creek bottom field
The 8760 and disk are all that can fit through there. You have to go through the gates just right to not rip down the post. On one side is a hill side covered in trees. On the other side is a steep bluff that falls 10-15 foot to the creek.
Not much of a bridge over the creek either.
My uncle got all the beans in the bottom planted. Got fertilizer spread on some of the worked fields. Dad started to harrow them today.
However, this afternoon we had some rain move in.
Didn’t amount to much. But it wasn’t enough to make things sticky. There’s a chance there may be a few more showers on the way. We managed to avoid them the last couple days. But we could honesty use some rain. Especially, in the ground we worked it’s starting to get a bit dry. I think dad could use a day off anyway.
So as usual we’ll see what the weather brings. It’ll determine how the next few days go. But plans to do the final pour for the grain bin are still set for Saturday morning.
Worked over some more of that ground that should be farmed. Got a few more fields prepped for beans. Worked up that CRP ground I mowed awhile back.
Here’s the entry to that one creek bottom field
The 8760 and disk are all that can fit through there. You have to go through the gates just right to not rip down the post. On one side is a hill side covered in trees. On the other side is a steep bluff that falls 10-15 foot to the creek.
Not much of a bridge over the creek either.
My uncle got all the beans in the bottom planted. Got fertilizer spread on some of the worked fields. Dad started to harrow them today.
However, this afternoon we had some rain move in.
Didn’t amount to much. But it wasn’t enough to make things sticky. There’s a chance there may be a few more showers on the way. We managed to avoid them the last couple days. But we could honesty use some rain. Especially, in the ground we worked it’s starting to get a bit dry. I think dad could use a day off anyway.
So as usual we’ll see what the weather brings. It’ll determine how the next few days go. But plans to do the final pour for the grain bin are still set for Saturday morning.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I enjoy seeing the different types of terrain you guys farm. I've always pictured everything South of us to be this perfect, flat, black land that my ancestors passed by and settled up here by the rocks and trees. It's nice seeing there is ground like we run down there.
After all, flat fields with no rocks would be really boring. Just imagine working in the same flat, black section for a few days in a row. I'll take my 3 - 25 acre fields
After all, flat fields with no rocks would be really boring. Just imagine working in the same flat, black section for a few days in a row. I'll take my 3 - 25 acre fields
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I enjoy seeing the different types of terrain you guys farm. I've always pictured everything South of us to be this perfect, flat, black land that my ancestors passed by and settled up here by the rocks and trees. It's nice seeing there is ground like we run down there.
After all, flat fields with no rocks would be really boring. Just imagine working in the same flat, black section for a few days in a row. I'll take my 3 - 25 acre fields
Oh yeah. Don’t worry! There is some rough terrain around here. There’s even some that seems to grow rocks too.
Land gets sold all the time around here. Usually some one from out of town with a lot of money or some one in town with a larger company and a lot of money. They’ll want anything that isn’t woods farmed. There plenty of ground that would be far better left for pasture or hay ground. But back when people saw soybeans hit $16 a bushel they thought it was gold. Didn’t take long for several other farms to start being worked over and drilled in beans.
I’ve picked up my fair share of rocks too. There was 2 different places we used to farm. Every year before we plant I’d get to spend a full day driving around with the tractor and loader just picking up and dumping rocks in each field.
In the bottom ground we don’t get rocks. But when the drainage ditches overflow or the river rises in the field on the outside of the levee there’s usually a good full day that involves picking up drift wood.
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cliftonbros89
Well-known member
We’ll overnight into Friday morning we had a pretty hard rain. We had 2” in the morning. A few showers on and off through the day. Then a few more late Friday night.
Dad and I messed around cleaning some things in the shop. We were going to get some grain hauled off so we can have some money in the bank for all these bills that will be coming in. But with the on and off rain we decided to hold off.
I had some stops to make in town. So did dad. Earlier in the week we had a flat on the disk. I took it to be fixed.
I pulled dad’s truck in the shop since it was due for an oil change.
I had to work around all the bean seed boxes and totes that we delivered this week. I changed the oil and filter. Replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter and checked the brakes.
I decided to check the coolant level. I took the cap off and noticed the reservoir was almost empty! I decided to hook up the pressure tester to it.
I pressurized it and let it sit a few minutes. I checked on it again. It had lost pressure and then I could hear bubbling coming from somewhere. After checking things over I found the thermostat gasket was leaking. Another job added to the list.
Dad and I messed around cleaning some things in the shop. We were going to get some grain hauled off so we can have some money in the bank for all these bills that will be coming in. But with the on and off rain we decided to hold off.
I had some stops to make in town. So did dad. Earlier in the week we had a flat on the disk. I took it to be fixed.
I pulled dad’s truck in the shop since it was due for an oil change.
I had to work around all the bean seed boxes and totes that we delivered this week. I changed the oil and filter. Replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter and checked the brakes.
I decided to check the coolant level. I took the cap off and noticed the reservoir was almost empty! I decided to hook up the pressure tester to it.
I pressurized it and let it sit a few minutes. I checked on it again. It had lost pressure and then I could hear bubbling coming from somewhere. After checking things over I found the thermostat gasket was leaking. Another job added to the list.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Well the weekend was a busy one, even though there were a few more rain showers.
Saturday morning we finally finished the concrete for the grain bin.
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I didn’t get the picture til the evening but you get the idea. Glad that’s one job finally off the list.
After we poured concrete I set in on dad’s truck to fix the thermostat gasket problem. Except on of the bolts on the thermostat housing was rusted to the cover for the thermostat. It made the job a lot longer than it should’ve been.
View attachment 770861
A little extra time, a cutoff tool, drill, and blue point (rigid rebrand) extractor tool later I got the bolt out. It was aggravating to say the least.
So after all of that excitement for the day we set out on a different task. So if you recall me mentioning those tool boxes from the local municipal airport, we managed to come across a few other things. Within the municipal airport was also an aviation company. It was run into the ground and bought out. The friend of mine that has painted some of our tractors, mostly recently our trailer, used to paint planes there. At this place there were 2 junk yards. Since it was bought out those junk yards were bought for scrap. Someone was down there pulling everything and selling it for scrap. So my brother-in-law found out there was an aluminum refer box trailer down there, which would be good for potential storage. Problem was it wasn’t on wheels. Dad contacted the scrap people and decided to buy it...but...that meant we had to move it...
So before you know it my dad, my brother-in-law and myself are at the airport with the 4020, 7230 and dad’s truck with the gooseneck. Long story short we loaded it up with both loaders, and some pipes to roll the box on on to the gooseneck.
We strapped and chained it down, then also propped the loaders against it since there was a strong storm about to roll through.
After letting the storm pass we headed down the road...I was right behind with the 7230 just in case a problem occurred.
So here it was, not highway approved by any means. Another thing to add to the list of dad’s ideas I didn’t approve of. Luckily, it was just through the bottom where we honestly only came across 3 vehicles on the 15 mile journey back.
Now...there just needs to be a place to put it. Plus I’d really like to get that fruit off the door.
Saturday morning we finally finished the concrete for the grain bin.
View attachment 770853
View attachment 770854
I didn’t get the picture til the evening but you get the idea. Glad that’s one job finally off the list.
After we poured concrete I set in on dad’s truck to fix the thermostat gasket problem. Except on of the bolts on the thermostat housing was rusted to the cover for the thermostat. It made the job a lot longer than it should’ve been.
View attachment 770861
A little extra time, a cutoff tool, drill, and blue point (rigid rebrand) extractor tool later I got the bolt out. It was aggravating to say the least.
So after all of that excitement for the day we set out on a different task. So if you recall me mentioning those tool boxes from the local municipal airport, we managed to come across a few other things. Within the municipal airport was also an aviation company. It was run into the ground and bought out. The friend of mine that has painted some of our tractors, mostly recently our trailer, used to paint planes there. At this place there were 2 junk yards. Since it was bought out those junk yards were bought for scrap. Someone was down there pulling everything and selling it for scrap. So my brother-in-law found out there was an aluminum refer box trailer down there, which would be good for potential storage. Problem was it wasn’t on wheels. Dad contacted the scrap people and decided to buy it...but...that meant we had to move it...
So before you know it my dad, my brother-in-law and myself are at the airport with the 4020, 7230 and dad’s truck with the gooseneck. Long story short we loaded it up with both loaders, and some pipes to roll the box on on to the gooseneck.
We strapped and chained it down, then also propped the loaders against it since there was a strong storm about to roll through.
After letting the storm pass we headed down the road...I was right behind with the 7230 just in case a problem occurred.
So here it was, not highway approved by any means. Another thing to add to the list of dad’s ideas I didn’t approve of. Luckily, it was just through the bottom where we honestly only came across 3 vehicles on the 15 mile journey back.
Now...there just needs to be a place to put it. Plus I’d really like to get that fruit off the door.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Included in part of Saturday was also part of Sunday’s trip. Among the trailer purchase was a few others. The people buying the scrap had also ended up purchasing contents of some of the buildings. Which included several things. Again to keep a long story short. We ended up with several of the contents. All for cheap.
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Shelves, cabinets, other miscellaneous things. Some mine, some dad’s, some my brother-in-law’s. Some stuff isn’t even pictured. But I can tell you the most expensive thing was $25. That being 2 Rigid wrenches, that we found out brand new have a valve of possibly a little over $1,200. Not counting the trailer we spent a combined total of less than $300 for a trailer and truck bed full of stuff. Honestly not entirely sure where it’s all going to go. It was a little over the top to say the least. But dad was in bargain/hoarder heaven.
On the other hand I did get to see this.
No it wasn’t for sale. But it was pretty cool. Had everything except an engine. Was supposed to have been built in ‘76. I’ve never been right on top of military plane like that before. Especially one half apart. That part was pretty cool.
View attachment 770870
View attachment 770871
View attachment 770872
View attachment 770873
View attachment 770874
View attachment 770875
Shelves, cabinets, other miscellaneous things. Some mine, some dad’s, some my brother-in-law’s. Some stuff isn’t even pictured. But I can tell you the most expensive thing was $25. That being 2 Rigid wrenches, that we found out brand new have a valve of possibly a little over $1,200. Not counting the trailer we spent a combined total of less than $300 for a trailer and truck bed full of stuff. Honestly not entirely sure where it’s all going to go. It was a little over the top to say the least. But dad was in bargain/hoarder heaven.
On the other hand I did get to see this.
No it wasn’t for sale. But it was pretty cool. Had everything except an engine. Was supposed to have been built in ‘76. I’ve never been right on top of military plane like that before. Especially one half apart. That part was pretty cool.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Now as far as Monday goes it was back to normal. Still really wet. So we set off to haul some grain. Dad and I hauled off the last 3 loads of beans that we had. Pretty decent price so it was good timing.
Although when we first put the sweep in the bin the belt managed to come off. Which then in turn managed to result in the cord getting sucked into the auger in the floor.
Which ripped a bit of cord off. Luckily the trusty service truck fixed everything. It just took a few minutes.
This evening after finishing with beans I loaded the trucks up with corn. Still lots of corn to haul.
We’ll see how much we get hauled this week.
Lots to do. It never ends.
Although when we first put the sweep in the bin the belt managed to come off. Which then in turn managed to result in the cord getting sucked into the auger in the floor.
Which ripped a bit of cord off. Luckily the trusty service truck fixed everything. It just took a few minutes.
This evening after finishing with beans I loaded the trucks up with corn. Still lots of corn to haul.
We’ll see how much we get hauled this week.
Lots to do. It never ends.
OP
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
On a side note I’m not sure if all my pictures are showing up. Some of them are showing up as separate attachments on my Tapatalk app.