Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[cliftonbros89]

Had a few days break for multiple Thanksgiving get togethers Friday-Sunday. I’m not really much of a fan of holidays.

But I’ll sum up the good parts of it with that picture there.

A bit of rain Friday and a little more Sunday left things a little wet again. Had some major winds yesterday and last night bring in a cold front. It brought enough wind to blow open my storm door and screw it up.


Started the day feeding hay to all the cattle.

Ground a batch of feed.


Dad picked up a ton of mineral, a ton of protein buckets, and a ton of supplements to mix with feed.

Dad had some errands to run. So I headed to that last farm we finished up at to mow around the fields.

That farm also has a large area that we can’t actually farm. So we mow paths every fall for some rabbit hunting. So between hunting paths and mowing the field edges it took up the afternoon and took til after dark to finish up. But it’s all mowed. So I’m hoping to get a start on getting tractors and equipment pulled in the shop for service. I hope I can get something in there this week.

No word on the truck yet either. I’d be surprised if they even got to it today yet.

Despite the fact we have harvest wrapped up there are plenty of jobs on the to-do list. We have to play catch up on everything else. Especially, since we’re a little further behind that usual due to all the weather mishaps this fall.

 

[Farmall450]

Watch your fingers on those 200# tubs!

I just had a guy use the smallest Teske trailer to pick up a ton of them (pulling it with his tiny car, I might add).

 

[cliftonbros89]

Watch your fingers on those 200# tubs!

I just had a guy use the smallest Teske trailer to pick up a ton of them (pulling it with his tiny car, I might add).

Oh I know. I’m always sure to grab them from the top of the tub. I always set things up to move as easy as possible to get them moved around.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Did some feeding this morning and took care of putting away the things dad picked up yesterday.

I also stopped by the retirement farm this evening.

However, my day didn’t go quite as planned. It seems dad made plans to rabbit hunt. I don’t mind rabbit hunting. But we have a ton of stuff we should be getting done.

Not to mention we only ended up with 4 rabbits. Which was a bit disappointing.

I did get to see one neat thing today.

If you look closely at the center of the picture you can see some antlers hiding. I’ll have to get the picture dad took of him tomorrow.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

Back at it on Wednesday. We spent most the morning moving things around and hauling off a few loads of beans. It was pretty cold so the trucks and tractors had to warm up a bit. We took the augers down since we’re all finished up.

Afternoon came and I looked over both combines headers.


I cleaned both of them up, greased everything and oiled the chains. Replaced a few things and looked things over on them real good. The 35 foot head is due for a belt and possibly a pulley. But that’ll have to wait til later since I don’t have the pulley on hand.

After the headers and cleaned off the brush hog a little bit. I pulled it in the shop as I intended for it to be the first thing I look over for the winter so it can be put away and out of the way.

With the golf cart and other junk in the shop, plus all the junk from my truck fitting the brush hog in still hooked to the 7510 took some maneuvering to fit things all in.


I also did a quick project I’ve been meaning to do for awhile. I made up 2 sets of studs for mounting wheels. I think they’re handy anyway. This set is for the front wheels of the 3020, 4020, and 4440.

Naturally, I had to put a coat of paint on them.

I think they’ll work good. Although unnecessary, they’re grade 8 bolts, but that was all I could find in a fine thread in town.

I’m sure the paint will scratch off right away but they look good. I have a set for the shop and a set for the truck.

I had to make them a different color than my 9/16” set. That way there’s less confusion.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today wasn’t as cold, nor as windy. But still cloudy. So it was a bit nicer than yesterday.

I started the day going out to the retirement farm and checking on the cattle. They were due for some hay. (I also forgot to mention I stopped there yesterday to check on them and give them some corn) When I got to the shop dad and I decided to start with giving the rest of the cattle hay. Most of them are really starting to eat at it pretty good. We’ve been feeding them several rye bales and some fescue/Johnson grass hay. They’re eating it all up fairly well.

After putting out hay we had to grind some feed. We ground a couple batches. One batch for the creep feeders for the young calves and another for the lot of the remaining calves from the group that had been sick. We’re trying to get them to grow a bit but they’re not going very quick. There are still a few of the old cows with them too.

After lunch we took both combine headers to the shed so they were finally out of the weather since we’re finished up with them.

Then I got started on the brush hog.

I looked thinks over pretty good on it. Greased everything up, checked the gearboxes, checked bearings, tires, shafts, everything else. I checked all the slip clutches. I also loosened the plates up as to possibly prevent an occurrence similar to the one I had early this year when I’d first used the brush hog after sitting for the winter. Hopefully, doing so will let me avoid something like that from happening again.

I check pretty much everything over.

Then I decided to call it an evening and got a few things ready for tomorrow.

I’m planning on sharpening up the blades a bit, then checking to make sure the blades, pans, and gearboxes are all torqued down properly.

So we’ll see what I get done. Hopefully, I can put the brush hog away and pull another piece of equipment in right away to start on and keep things moving.

 

[Toothaker]

Do your cattle eat fescue? I ask, because I've heard horses won't eat it. Local horse owners were griping about the fescue being planted along the roadways, and how it was encroaching into the nearby fields.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Do your cattle eat fescue? I ask, because I've heard horses won't eat it. Local horse owners were griping about the fescue being planted along the roadways, and how it was encroaching into the nearby fields.

We feed the cattle fescue a lot. Actually out at the retirement farm that’s almost all we feed them. Our cattle really like the fescue. Sometimes they even seem to prefer the fescue over clover. Some of our second cut hay might have some Johnson grass or some foxtail mixed in but they still eat it fairly well for the most part.

As far as horse go I think there are several people who would rather not feed their horses fescue. I know the few horse my uncle and his wife have usually don’t get fescue. But I could say for sure. I can’t say I’m a big fan of horses aka hay burners.

 

[Farmall450]

We feed the cattle fescue a lot. Actually out at the retirement farm that’s almost all we feed them. Our cattle really like the fescue. Sometimes they even seem to prefer the fescue over clover. Some of our second cut hay might have some Johnson grass or some foxtail mixed in but they still eat it fairly well for the most part.

As far as horse go I think there are several people who would rather not feed their horses fescue. I know the few horse my uncle and his wife have usually don’t get fescue. But I could say for sure. I can’t say I’m a big fan of horses aka hay burners.

What he said ^

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well I have a bit of catching up to do.

So Friday arrived and I was back in the shop to do some work. I finished up with the brush hog. I checked over things once more, sharpened the blades and made sure everything was good to go.

I then had a bit of an unplanned interruption. My girlfriend changed jobs a few months ago. She’s working in an office with 5 other women. The company’s local location is going to be expanding a bit so they moved office spaces. However, it was left up to the 6 of the women to relocate everything. They’re new location was only about 2 blocks away, but they still needed a bit of help. So I was volunteered to assist in the move. It lasted a bit longer than I’d expected, taking apart and moving desk and other office furniture, however they did pay for my lunch.

So after that, by late afternoon I was back to the shop. I drove the brush hog down to the bottom to put it away in the shed so it was out of the way. Then I pulled in the 8400.

Due to the delays and slightly unusual fall we’ve had it’s has kind of changed my schedule for servicing things. The 8400 was over due for an oil change. So I wanted to get it looked over, especially if we try to get the fall ground work done soon. So I managed to get a few little things started on it before the end of the evening.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Saturday arrived, I made a trip out to check the cattle at the retirement farm. Then off to the shop.

We had a bit of rain late Friday and into the night as it brought it a warm front.

But over a inch, which was really more than anyone wanted.

So I got to checking over the 8400.


Changing filters, oil, checking hoses, wiring, lights and what not. So that took a big part of the day.

A few guys came by the shop to cut up some deer meat they had in the cooler, so they were hanging around the shop while I was working.

Which seems to be a common theme.

Our county was one of the counties in Missouri to have a doe only firearm weekend season for the weekend. So dad and I headed out just before dark, although with no success.

Sunday was basically a day off, the dreaded holiday activities have already begun. So we got one out of the way on Sunday.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Monday, first thing I did was check the cows at the retirement farm yet again.

I headed down the road to the shop. Dad had his monthly doctors appointment so I was on my own.

All the cattle were due for hay so that took a chunk of the morning.

Then, as it’s that time of the year, I helped my uncle pull out a couple trees for firewood.

I had to run to town to pick up a few parts at the Deere drop box, a few for the 8400 and some for the grain cart I plan to replace soon.

I continued some work on the 8400, including removing the full hood by myself, which was a bit tricky, but I managed.

I stopped at the shop a bit early. The elevator across the river where we sell most of our grain was having a meeting that included a meal. So I went to that as dad was unable to go since he had a levee district meeting to attend.

At the meeting the discussed some of the contract plans they have to offer, plus discussed trends to watch that effect the grain markets, as well as some things to watch relating to the latest with all the tariff and farm bills issues. It was actually pretty informative for me.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Back at it today. I was about to get back to the 8400 when dad informed me we were having a meeting with one of our landlords.

We went to that, which ran a little longer than expected. We also had a few other errands to run in town. One of which included stopping by my grandpa’s jewelry store. He needed some light bulbs changed over some display cases and my mom also needed some assistance to hang some holiday lights up in the store. So that also ran a little longer than expected.

We finally made it back to the shop late this evening and were just getting started on things when my uncle (the one who works construction and lives next to dad) came to ask us to help move some old furniture out of his basement.

So after finishing yet another volunteer job I was finally back in the shop.

One of the few jobs I managed to do was removing a hydraulic steering hose on the 8400 that I didn’t like the looks of.

I also started some more work on continuing a list I started on parts to order. The Deere dealership is having a discount sale on parts this week so I need to get several things ordered. They’re also having a filter sale all month so I need to get that list together as well. I always try to get a majority of things I think we’ll need ordered now, even though they should be having another sale in February.

I’m hoping I can at least get the 8400 out of the shop in a day or so.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Oh. I broke out the ‘ole Snap On 3/4” torque wrench. I wanted to check the torque on the wheels on the 8400 and a few things on the brush hog.

It’s really one hell of a wrench. But I have to say I’ve been considering looking into a torque multiplier to use. I’ve never personally used one. But I know a tire guy that one and really likes it. I’m just not sure of the pros and cons of it compared to this 3/4” torque wrench. But I bought it a handful of years ago as I bought it used and managed to get a good deal on it. Plus, my old Snap On guy even put a new kit in the ratchet head on warranty and Snap On even messed up the quote for having it recalibrated a few years ago and I was charged about half what they usually charge for repair. So, I’ve been pretty pleased with the purchase.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Wednesday I started off checking the cattle. Fed some corn and mineral.


Dad bought some new LED bulbs for the shop. So we put those in.


They’re definitely different. But they do add some light.

I sent dad to have the new hose made for the 8400. I figured Deere would be the most likely to have the correct fittings. Unfortunately, they didn’t. So I didn’t have it by the end of the day.

Deere has a filter sale this month and this week they also have a discount on parts. So I got to checking the shelves and my notes to see what I needed to order.

So to help out I broke out my serial number list, and filter list, that also cross reference to which things the filters apply to.

I also got dad started on fixing the bale carrier that I noticed had a cracked weld.


I also had yet another meeting. But this one was just for insurance. But it was another interruption for the day.

So I spent most of my evening putting together my list of parts and looking up parts.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today I started on a few things in the shop. I also got back to doing things on the 8400. Since there always seems to be confusion, for everyone else...

I painted the SCV covers to make it easier to identify the right SCV for the hydraulic hoses.

Later on dad and I ended up cutting a load of wood.

We also split it all before lunch.

This afternoon dad was able to get the 8400 hose made and dropped off my list of parts and filters to order. I’d also found part of the exhaust had an issue.

There were a few spots were it’s started to rust through and exhaust was leaking out on to the turbo. So it took some hard hitting but I got the old exhaust out and put the new piece in.

Today I also found just how handy my M12 1/4” ratchet is. I’m pretty please with it.


I hope the paint holds up on the SCV covers.


So after cleaning a few things up I finally got the 8400 back together and ready to roll out of the shop.

It obviously isn’t all cleaned up like usual. But we’re hoping we get a chance to work some ground with it soon. So I’m holding off on the wash and wax job for now. But at least it had a fresh oil change some repairs made.

So getting the 8400 out at least allowed me to get the shop picked back up. At least a bit.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Oh! I forgot to mention! Bad news for the truck! Ends up the bottom of one of the cylinder walls is cracked. So it’s junk.

They guy said those blocks that were cast on ‘96, as this one was, almost always crack at the cylinder wall. It’s the later ones that always have the head issues.

So, we’re having a used engine put in it. Maybe, hopefully, we’ll have better luck with this one. He said I’d have it by the end of the week. But I haven’t heard anything yet. If I had to guess I’d say it’d likely be next week some time.

 

[welder57]

Sorry to hear about the truck. I click on your thread to see what going on in your neck of the world during the week. Make me thankful for all the framer that put food on our tables for us. Good luck on the hunting, dad is keep you busy on his end.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sorry to hear about the truck. I click on your thread to see what going on in your neck of the world during the week. Make me thankful for all the framer that put food on our tables for us. Good luck on the hunting, dad is keep you busy on his end.

Thanks

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well luckily no bad weather for today or last night as they’d been talking about all week.

I started the day at the retirement farm to give the cattle some corn and some hay. After I went down the road I gave the rest of the cattle hay as well.

Dad and I cleaned up both the trailer trucks today. Both are due for federal inspection and we’re running out of time to get they finished before the end of the year. So we managed to be able to run one of them to town this morning for inspection this afternoon.

After returning from town I cleaned up the shop from working on the 8400. I also rinsed off the 8400.

After I washed it up I hooked to the grain cart and backed it in the shop.

I forgot how much room it takes up. This afternoon I staring taking things apart to take out the gear box. Which included undoing the whole PTO shaft to the gear box, and also taking loose the auger.

That required some help from the 7230 loader and a chain to pull it out a bit.
It didn’t help that some of the bolts holding it in place were a bit wore down.

But with some assistance from dad I got the bolts out and the auger pulled up.

So I at least managed to get the gearbox out.

Next up is replacing the bearings and seals in it. Since I ended up having to pull the whole shaft off I think I may as well go ahead and replace all of those bearings as they’re getting pretty wore. I can get some of them replaced with a Deere bearing. However, one of them I can’t find a cross reference part number for Deere so I’m going to have to have probably get one from J&M. But my Deere dealership can also order J&M stuff. It just doesn’t arrive as quick.

So hopefully it won’t be too difficult or troublesome of a job.

 

[captain14]

Too bad about the motor on the service truck. Do you have any kind of history in the used motor or warranty?

Will you be spending most of the winter servicing the farm equipment besides daily chores?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Too bad about the motor on the service truck. Do you have any kind of history in the used motor or warranty?

Will you be spending most of the winter servicing the farm equipment besides daily chores?

Yeah he gave me some history on it. Has around 70,000 miles on it. But he said he rebuilt quite a bit on it. He discussed a warranty with me. I don’t recall all the details at the moment since that’s been a few weeks ago. So hopefully it shouldn’t be any trouble.

Yeah. At least that’s the plan. Servicing equipment and getting things ready to roll for spring. But of corse there’s everything with the cattle between now and then. We’ll also likely sell quite a bit of grain in the next few months too. So there will be a lot of truck driving.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So Saturday wasn’t much but I did some work to the gearbox for the grain cart.

I washed all the dirt and oil off of it and brought it in to take it apart.

It appears it was a good time to do so. One of the bearings on the auger end was pretty much shot. It also appeared to have collected some moisture at one time as the one gear actually had some rust on it. But with the seals worn it wasn’t keeping the proper amount of oil either.

I broke out the bearing splitter and the puller.

It worked well for 3 of the 4 bearings. The forth was on the side of the gear that had the most rust, which was of corse the bearing that wasn’t any good. I tried the bearing splitter with no success. Also, took my small St. Louis Pneumatic cutoff and die grinder too it as well. That wasn’t making much progress either. So finally I had to break out the torch.

Torch did the job and it was ready to roll. I have the new bearings and seals for the shafts. However, there are seals for the back of the gearbox that didn’t look to great and I didn’t have them. So I called up Deere and ordered them today. Not sure when they’ll be arriving.

So I’m waiting on the seals for the gearbox and also I ordered new bearings for the rest of the driveline of the cart as well. So while waiting for those parts I have to drive the new bearings on the shafts of the gears. They fit nice and tight.

 

[Farmall450]

Sorry to hear about the truck, that's an odd issue to have a newer vehicle, but ig that's not an engine you see a lot of here.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I realized I really fell behind this week. Sunday I had the day off but I was back at it Monday.

After doing all the feeding and what not I was in the shop.

I started putting the gearbox back together. But I’m still waiting on a few things for it.

The bearings on the rest of the driveline weren’t in the best of shape either so I took that part too. I’m still waiting on those bearings too.

Since I was waiting on parts for the grain cart I decided to pull the 2520 in the shop to start on it.

I got started on servicing it.

That was a good portion of Tuesday too.

In between things I’ve been feeding and checking on the cattle. Putting out mineral and what not. I’ve also had to do a few other jobs around too.

One thing this week, we had some water line moved for a hydrant over by a group of cattle. We had the local well drilling company do it.

One of their guys forgot his clamp meter. I returned that to them today.

With starting oil changes I was beginning to get a bit aggravated since all out barrels for used oil were full.

The New Holland dealer has an oil burning furnace at their shop. I called them and they came and picked it up and dropped the barrels back off for me.

But dad decided to try a new route that he’s been wanting to try for a long time.

We moved this container into the shed now to store the oil in. You may have seen us move this earlier in the year.

With all the oil being moved we decided to move a few other things around.

I loaded up a bunch of the jugs we had from late summer to haul to the recycling center.

The last few nights I’ve been going a bit crazy on making some spreadsheets.

I’ve been making inspection sheets for several more pieces of equipment I had not previously made. I even did some for the grain bins. I also made some sheets for list for parts to order and some travel log and fuel log sheets for the use in the trailer trucks.

Like I said, it’s been several.

Today I managed to finally get a few things warrantied by the Snap On guy.

This is only the second time I’ve been on his truck. I did actually pick up 2 things.
I’ve been wanting this ratchet for awhile now. The wrench will be handy too. I also ordered a crowfoot from him. Plus he knocked $30 off the ratchet. So I was pleased.

I have to say. I wasn’t too impressed with his selection on the truck. He’s been at it for awhile now. He also has a large route. It seems like he still just has all the basic stuff. Wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, some impacts, picks, pry bars. That’s just about all he’s got. I had him order me a 5/16”, 1/4” drive crowfoot. He didn’t even know Snap On made a 1/4” drive crowfoot. He didn’t even know how or where to find it in the catalog. But he’s getting me what I want so I’m not going to complain too much.

Today we got some rain.

More expected tomorrow and possibly Saturday.

I continued work on the grain cart.

I also continued some work on the 2520.


Just trying to fix a few things that are getting worn. My repairs have been taking awhile longer than I’ve planned but my week hasn’t gone as planned either.

But I’m at least getting some of my papers organized.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So I was planning on having the truck back by now. But it hasn’t happened yet. They put the other motor in it. Ran it and said everything ran fine. But they had trouble with the oil pressure sender and had a fuel leak somewhere.

Apparently they put that on hold to work on a few other jobs. But he told me they’d have it finished tomorrow. However, that’s about the 3rd time I’ve heard that.

I sure will be glad to have it back. It’ll be nice to not have my Silverado full of stuff. It’d be really nice to get all the stuff out way in the shop that’s supposed to be in the truck too. Plus, I’m sure all my neighbors enjoy hearing it rattle around when I start it in the mornings.

 

[cliftonbros89]

 

[cliftonbros89]

One thing I did this week was dig out the cart I picked up when we got all the stuff from the airport.

After I get some things out of the shop I’m hoping to make this in to a kind of lube cart. I thought it’d be nice to have the cart ready to go with fluids for when I’m working on things.

I’m just not sure how I want it set up. I was thinking maybe 5 gallon buckets with pumps. It may work easier for oil changes and the like rather than going back and forth with our old 2.5 gallon jugs. Also, the same for hydraulic oil. Plus have gear oils, coolants, brake fluid, funnels, drip trays, things like that.

But I haven’t decided yet. I’m still throwing around and looking for ideas.

...of corse I’m going to have to make it green too...

 

[Growlertdi]

Thanks for sharing all that you do. its refreshing to see how you take care of all of your equipment and are integrating newer technology to help you keep track of all of your stuff and all of their moving parts.

 

[Farmall450]

Changing over and bleeding/priming pumps might be a bit of a hassle, but ig if you're using it enough to justify that it's the best solution.

 

[jdw8320]

What are you going to use the crows foot for hose clamps?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Changing over and bleeding/priming pumps might be a bit of a hassle, but ig if you're using it enough to justify that it's the best solution.

I’ve been thinking of just getting the regular 5 gallon bucket pumps. I figured 2 buckets of each the engine and the hydraulic oil in most cases would usually be enough for a regular service. Just trying to weigh my options.

 

[cliftonbros89]

What are you going to use the crows foot for hose clamps?

Which crowfoot are you referring to?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well yesterday, Friday, was busy just not as I’d planned.

To start the day off the Pioneer salesman came by to talk about some seed. So we booked some seed corn and some beans for spring.

I was supposed to have the truck back before Friday. However, that didn’t happen. They put off finishing my truck for the day.

All the parts I ordered from Deere had finally came in so dad and I picked those up.

I also got my metric JD wrenches that I didn’t order last year.

I also ordered a socket set. But I discovered after I got the shop that they’d actually got the wrong set.

So besides that the rest of the day mainly consisted of putting out hay, which was while it was raining. It ended up raining most of the day.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So Saturday morning it was still raining. I forgot to check the gauge at the shop today but I think since late Thursday we had over 2 inches almost everywhere. So needless to say things are definitely saturated.

I got to the shop and sorted out and put away all the parts I’d picked up.

My SK socket of the month came in, as well as my order with the latest SK coupon. I also ordered a SK plug socket set from HJE that also showed up today.

I worked on the grain cart since I finally got the parts for that.

I got the gearbox back together was well as the bearing for the driveline. Now both the gearbox and driveline just need to be put back on the cart.

I also did a little work to the 2520 as well.

It was rainy and wet most of the day.

Being so, two of the cats snuck inside the shop to enjoy a bit warmer air and to stay dry.

This morning I also had a hose made at Napa.

I plan on using it to test hydraulic pressure at the SCV’s on the tractors. Just to make sure some things are working properly. Just another tool to store in the box.

So after all was said and done I decided to take a break for the night.

 

[1949 caddyman]

Looks like a new version of monopoly, with handcuffs?

 

[jdw8320]

The 1/4 drive 5/16

 

[cliftonbros89]

Looks like a new version of monopoly, with handcuffs?

Yes, it’s the Cheater’s Edition. So there is even more cheating than usual that goes on. When you go to jail you’re cuffed to the board. But you can also attempt to escape from jail as well.

 

[cliftonbros89]

The 1/4 drive 5/16

I had actually thought it would work for hose clamps should I need it. But the main reason is for a drain plug for the filter housing on the 2520. I can’t fit a socket on it. It’s also a little tough to fit a regular wrench on. So I thought I’d try a crowfoot.

 

[cvairwerks]

I see you have a "cat scan" in progress on the buggy...