Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[Farmall450]

I agree, I was thinking about $300 as well. Most of the value being the valves.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I agree, I was thinking about $300 as well. Most of the value being the valves.

Our thoughts as well. That’s what dad said too. If we weren’t able to get rid of it he as going to keep the valves, few fittings, and maybe the cylinders, the rest was going to scrap.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I just realized yesterday that I now have to add everything to the shop for the 4010. Maintenance and repair sheets, filters, I’ll have to add the serial number to my serial number list, also the filters to the filter list.

Yes, I have papers on all that ****, some of them even laminated. I have a list for all filters that refers to which equipment they’re compatible with which somewhat cross references to a list of the equipment and a list of each filter that goes to that particular piece of equipment.

There there’s the serial number list which has the serial number for every tractor and and sort of implement that we own. A separate list for small engines (pumps, generators, chain saws), and a 3rd list with all the truck and trailers VIN’s and licens plates. However, it needs to be edited due to the purchase of the newest truck. Not to mention all the license plates are changing and will be changing later in the year. Missouri is issuing new plates for the state’s bi-centennial.

 

[Dividing Creek]

How many green tractors do y'all have ?

 

[cliftonbros89]

How many green tractors do y'all have ?

It depends on what kind we’re talking about. If we’re talking what I’d consider working tractors it’d be 13. But if that includes the “for fun” or “for play” tractors, then that’s an additional...18? I think...somewhere around there.

 

[grassman]

First I would like to thank you for the thread. I really enjoy this and this is what I do to wind down in the late evening. You mentioned about possibly purchasing an indicator and/or micrometers. I was a machinist for 20 yrs. before moving on to something else. You should be able to get a quality indicator and magnetic base for less than 250.00. i had a lot of Starrett tools but there is quality in Brown and Sharpe and Mititouya(spelling?) If you check with MSC Direct there are lots of options on brand name and value line. I don't buy Value Line because as you know you get what you pay for. Hope this helps.

 

[cliftonbros89]

First I would like to thank you for the thread. I really enjoy this and this is what I do to wind down in the late evening. You mentioned about possibly purchasing an indicator and/or micrometers. I was a machinist for 20 yrs. before moving on to something else. You should be able to get a quality indicator and magnetic base for less than 250.00. i had a lot of Starrett tools but there is quality in Brown and Sharpe and Mititouya(spelling?) If you check with MSC Direct there are lots of options on brand name and value line. I don't buy Value Line because as you know you get what you pay for. Hope this helps.

Thanks! I’ve been looking at those same brands. I’m just not sure what type I need, as far as how precise on measurement and just how much of a measurement I would need. Would 1” be too much?

 

[grassman]

What are you looking to check? In the shop 1" was kinda the standard but that was different work than what you're doing. You probably won't need 1" travel for run out but possibly to get access. Probably didn't answer your question but trying to get a feel for what you're going to do or will do down the road. after that you can pick the indicator and then a magnetic base and/or clamp system. As far as micrometers, what diameters would you be measuring? Dial calipers might fill the need but don't do large diameters well. Hopefully this helps and isn't babbling.

 

[cliftonbros89]

What are you looking to check? In the shop 1" was kinda the standard but that was different work than what you're doing. You probably won't need 1" travel for run out but possibly to get access. Probably didn't answer your question but trying to get a feel for what you're going to do or will do down the road. after that you can pick the indicator and then a magnetic base and/or clamp system. As far as micrometers, what diameters would you be measuring? Dial calipers might fill the need but don't do large diameters well. Hopefully this helps and isn't babbling.

Yeah that helps. I just need to look over my manuals a bit more to search for what kind of measurements I’d be taking. Thanks.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well been a busy few days. But I’m getting caught up.

Started the day finding a new arrival out at the retirement farm.

Dad and I did all the feeding and checking on the cattle. Things had actually started to dry up a bit. It was nice to not be in mud half way up to my knees.

After feeding I started on the 7510.


Changed the oil, changed the filters, cleaned all the air filters, and looked things over.

The front 2 hazard lights weren’t working. I’ve had several issues with these and the ones on the 8400. They’re the same style and there’s usually problems with the terminals on the wire ends with them.



Each one had a bad terminal and a bad bulb. I had both on hand so I crimped on a new terminal and popped in a new bulbs in each.


Dad finally cleaned up the F-250 to get it ready to sell.


The last few parts for the planter finally came in so as soon as I get them on the planter will be ready to roll.


I also found Friday that the DeWalt T-Stak boxes fit perfectly underneath my biggest toolbox. This may come in handy for some potential future storage of things if needed.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I also went back out to the retirement farm late Friday to check on the newest calf.

It seemed to be doing fine and the cow was keeping a close eye on it. I’m just worried with it being an older cow she may not be able to produce enough milk for it.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

Saturday morning I was at it pretty early.


Checked on everything and put out some corn.

Over at my uncle’s there’s a new calf that was born Thursday that is just small enough to crawl under the electric wire. For some reason it insists on constantly going under it and out of the pasture. I found it here Saturday morning laying in the ditch of my uncle’s lane laying down. It wouldn’t be as bad if it didn’t majorly stress out the cow. But I managed to get him back in with the cow and moved her away from the fence so maybe the calf wouldn’t be tempted to do so again.

Of corse had to feed the calf out in the barn too.

 

[cliftonbros89]

After I did the feeding I had to head out. Our dry spell also didn’t last long as storms came in Saturday morning into the afternoon.

However, I had to quit early as I was to attend a bachelor party for a friend.

Went up to the city to throw some axes, which were all from HF. Went to some bars and restaurants. Also, went to the casino.

I’ve never been a gambler cuz my dad was never a gambler. My grandpa always said, “I don’t gamble cuz I’m a farmer so every day is a gamble”. But I did play some slots for a little while. I spent $25 but walked out with $48 so I decided it was a good time to quit. By no means was I going any further. We also attempted to go to a TopGolf. However, there was a 3 hour wait for a bay so we backed out of that.

Nothing too crazy. But also, nothing that we really had to leave town for either. Two of the 7 guys even said, “we could’ve just all bought cheap camping hatchets at Walmart and thrown them at your farm. Plus we could’ve just hit golf balls out in the pastures instead of waiting for 3 hours for a bay at TopGolf.” I have to agree. It would’ve been cheaper. But it was a good time regardless. A little bit of a change of pace since I’ve been putting in so much time at the shop and checking the cattle.

 

[Farmall450]

Yeah, that gimmicky stuff is addictive, even when expensive.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Yeah, that gimmicky stuff is addictive, even when expensive.

Luckily, since we didn’t do the golf thing I saved some. What I won at the casino covered my cost for the ax throwing. So more only expense was room, food and beer. The food and beer would’ve happened if I went out of town or not. So $71 for a hotel was the main cost.

 

[Farmall450]

Yeah, we've pretty much learned to stay away. Once and a while hit up the town, it's fun, and see some scenery, but more times than not going to someones shop is the better move.

 

[NKlamerus]

Re: Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

Had the same reaction about costs of cheap quality fun.

Wanted to do some axe throwing but it was 25$ a person locally. I grew up throwing them down south for free, just had to deal with pops being mad we broke all the handles.

I work at a fairly large hardware store and get everything at cost+10, thought about loading up on decent hatchets and going at it myself

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well after taking it pretty easy I was back to it Monday. It turned out though while I was gone dad decided to spend some money over the weekend. He went to the auction that was in town on Saturday...not sure if I’m 100% on board yet. But he made some purchases.

First was the wagon. An old JD wagon, very similar to one we already have. It’s in pretty good shape so I guess I was ok with it. Side boards on it are pretty decent too.

Next was the water tank that’s in the wagon. Not sure what he paid for it but I know it wasn’t much either. I think he’s planning on putting in on an old wagon gear to use like the other old metal water tank that we have to use for spraying. It’s going to need some of the rest cleaned off of it though.


Also, in the wagon are several grey totes that he got cheap as well. They are smaller ones inside of most of the larger ones. I’m not sure how many are there. But it’s probably more than we need.



He also picked up this old Deere chemical pump. Don’t know much about it but it’s in really good shape. All original, even have the manual with it. He paid $30 for it. I’m pretty sure we won’t be using it. But he tends to get caught up on unique items like this whether we’ll use them or not. I’ve never seen one and he never has either. It actually belonged to his cousin.

Then the last and largest purchase is the one that I’m not really 100% sure about...

A 148 loader. Which is like the 148 loader on our 3020. Except with a different set-up for the valve. It is in somewhat decent shape. But he thinks it’s really in a lot better shape than our 148 and think it’ll hold up a lot longer than our older abused one that they’ve had forever. This newer one also came with a bucket, bale spear and one big *** heavy duty set of pallet forks.



So with that said I started the day feeding all the cattle. Zack has the day off of school because of some teacher meetings and wanted to work for the day. So he helped me do all the feeding.

We also moved around the big calves from one lot to the other because dad decided he wanted to sell them. They were big enough and we’ll be needing room for the newly weened calves as we’re going to be needing to ween more calves right away. So we loaded a load of the big calves up and dad hauled them off to the auction barn.

While dad did that I worked on some other jobs in the shop and had Zack do some tractor washing.


When dad returned from hauling off the calves my b-i-l, dad and I removed the old 148 loader from the 3020 (which we’d gone to the retirement farm earlier in the day and had brought down the road to the shop).

You’ll have to forgive me for not having any pictures as we were pretty busy as the time and trying to pay attention to what we were doing. But we made things a little easier and used the 4020 and loader to pick up the 148 off of the 3020. Then unbolted the frame for the loader and put it all on the trailer.

There’s another auction this weekend just south of us that dad wants to take it to to sell.

So then we started putting the newer 148 on the 3020. Again using the 4020 to assist.

It wasn’t much trouble and we got it on. Now the main different for this loader from our is the valve. Our valve was mounted on the loader and power by and power and return directly from the tractor. The valve was controlled by 2 levers.

This newer one was set-up with a completely separate valve which was powered by hoses running to the SCV on the back of the tractor. Which I guess was ok if you never needed the SCV and our 3020 only has one anyway. So we were going to have to set things up differently. The other difference was that rather than having 2 levers this loader is operated by more of the joystick type lever like a lot of modern loaders.

Which was going to also have to be mounted somewhere.

So that was a bit of an unexpected and also long job for the day.

 

[lis2323]

Two thumbs up on the loaders single control lever.

What capacity is that tank? Would it not be more efficient to find a used semi tanker to use for a nurse tank?

We were able to find a clean one that hauled molasses and used it to feed our sprayer. We didn’t have anywhere near the acreage as you guys though but our crops required 100 gallons per acre for drench insecticide.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So today started out with checking on and feeding the weened calves and the small calves. Then of corse feeding the calf in the barn.

We loaded up the remaining calves to take to the auction barn. We’re selling 30 total. The auction is tomorrow.

So dad’s project for the day was to get the loader going.

I looked it over and found that I didn’t like the looks of several of the old hydraulic hoses. I replaced several of the hoses on our old 148 last year...let’s hope that’s a selling point...

I also found one of the seals on the cylinders is blown and leaking...


I took the hoses to town to have new ones made at the New Holland dealership. But they ran out of fittings. So they’ll finish my remaining hoses in the morning.

We also decided to get new tires on the front of the 4010.


Not cheap but they do look good.

So while I got the hydraulic hoses and made several other stops dad worked on mounting the valve for the 148.

He removed the step on the frame and mounted a bracket to mount the valve to.

Then against my suggestions he mounted the lever to the fender...

So I’m not a fan of the set-up compared to our old loader. I’m also not to thrilled with how much extra money we’re putting on this thing. But on the bright side all the pins on it are tight and not wore like our old one. Plus it doesn’t have places that were welded from breaks like our old one. So we’ll see how this works out...

This evening I also worked on cleaning up the 7510. I still need to look over a few things on it but we need things ready to go for the preschool trip tomorrow.

I need to clean the cab yet but I did get it waxed. So it’s looking a little better.

So the shop is pretty full right now. Not to mention pretty dirty. We have a lot of work to do to have things ready to go for Friday!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Two thumbs up on the loaders single control lever.

What capacity is that tank? Would it not be more efficient to find a used semi tanker to use for a nurse tank?

We were able to find a clean one that hauled molasses and used it to feed our sprayer. We didn’t have anywhere near the acreage as you guys though but our crops required 100 gallons per acre for drench insecticide.

Thanks.


It’s 1000 gallon tank. The one thing that is a little tricky is being able to have the water where we’re spraying. There are plenty of times that I’m doing something else while dad is spraying. So when he moved field to field and farm to farm is hard for me to be there to also move the tank for him. So if he can have a few 1000 gallons tanks in between farms hooked up the hydrants he can be filled up without requiring someone to be there to transport the water for him.

Luckily majority of our applications don’t require nearly that much water per acre. But we’re still looking for a set-up similar to the truck I turned over last summer with the 2500 gallon water tank.

 

[Sifan]

See the news in Paducah, Ky? Should be able to get a great deal on a grain bin ... tornado took it and wrapped around a 2018 Chev Silverado on the highway. Driver had scrapes and scratches and thankfully stayed in the truck until they got the powerlines shut down.

 

[cliftonbros89]

See the news in Paducah, Ky? Should be able to get a great deal on a grain bin ... tornado took it and wrapped around a 2018 Chev Silverado on the highway. Driver had scrapes and scratches and thankfully stayed in the truck until they got the powerlines shut down.

Haven’t seen that

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well it’s been a busy last few days. Taking care of the cattle.

But also getting things ready for the big field trip day.



The 7510 is all cleaned up and ready to go.


We put the older 148 loader up for sale.


We used the loader to put the bucket on the loader.

We made to do some rearranging in the shed to make room for things.



Everything was out. We also had some gravel hauled in for the driveway.


Then we put things away, although most of them will be pulled out for tomorrow

We had everything ready to go for the 3020. Since the new 148 was looking pretty faded I decided to shine it up a bit.

It looks better.

I shined up the 4010 with a coat of wax too. Whoever painted it didn’t do the best job. But it looks better than it did.




I washed up the Kubota too.

It even got waxed.



Things were looking good. But the shop needed a major cleaning.

 

[lis2323]

Nice! Cliftonbros Tractor Detailing.

The kids are sure to enjoy the field trip!


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[cliftonbros89]

Well we had anywhere from 1.5-2” of rain overnight. Which made things muddy again.

But luckily by mid morning the sun came out and the temp went to 70.

I pulled everything in the shed to await the festivities tomorrow.


Then we started on the shop. We picked things up, did some sweeping, and used the air hoses to blow dirt around.

Then we even broke out the pressure washer to help clean things.


We fed hay late this afternoon so we won’t have to do it tomorrow after all the kids leave.

It took awhile but I even cleaned up the 7230. Cab and even waxed at least the hood and fenders. It’s not quite as clean as the others but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was. Even though it’ll be ruined as soon as we feed hay again.

Then my sister came over as did her husband and we set everything up for tomorrow.

If anything it’s a good excuse to get everything cleaned up once. I even gave the toolboxes, carts and cabinet a good cleaning once. They were a lot dirtier than I thought. I also made my sister relocate the kids table so my toolboxes will not be in direct fire of the pedal tractors. One was nailed pretty good last year. I didn’t want it to happen tomorrow.

So we’ll see how it goes. I’m sure it’ll be a very busy day tomorrow. Lots of high winds set in today with this warm front. It wasn’t easy washing the 7230 in 30 mph winds. But it happened. More wind tomorrow. But it’s not going to be as warm.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Nice! Cliftonbros Tractor Detailing.

The kids are sure to enjoy the field trip!


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Thanks. I’m glad most of them are done now. I’m tired of doing it. I’m ready to start working on other things!

 

[XJSuperman]

Wow, everything looking good. Might have missed it, whats the plan for the 4010 since you removed the loader? Just going to be a wagon hauler and auger power source?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Wow, everything looking good. Might have missed it, whats the plan for the 4010 since you removed the loader? Just going to be a wagon hauler and auger power source?

Thanks.

Actually, I may have forgot to mention it. But you’re right on track. It’ll likely just be for pulling wagons, running augers, maybe on the feed grinder. It likely won’t get a lot of hours on it during the year. But can you really have to many?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well yesterday was the big day. But it started as usual.

Fed the calves and checked the cattle. Then prepped everything for the arrival of the kids. We moved the calf, now referred to as Ben since my nephew named him, to the truck shed so the kids could see him.

I only gave him enough to tide him over so the kids could help feed him later.


I got most of the crew out and lined up for the kids to check out.

I was busy all day helping running the show so I didn’t get any pics. But we took a hay ride to the neighbors to feed the chickens and horses, picked eggs out of the chicken coop, fed the cows hay, fed Ben a bottle, everyone got a tractor ride in either the 7230, 7510, or 8400, then lunch followed by another hay ride and checking out the combines in the shed. Everything went pretty good and they all seemed to have a good time.

After the kids left we went straight to clean up mode.
Shop cleaned out, tractors put away, even had time to move the 3020 back out the retirement farm. We had everything wrapped up by about 4:30.

Ended the day by putting Ben back out in his stall in the barn. Dad tied a lead on him to get him back to get barn. But Ben quickly escaped out of it and took off. So I took off the catch him just as dad attempted to throw the rope around him. So as I grabbed Ben he was trying to dodge the rope. That ended in him head butting me. That resulted in a ****** lip for me. But it was pretty much just a scrap. Not enough to blood to stop me from getting him in the barn and feeding him.

 

[cliftonbros89]

It’s 3/16 today. Happy Stone Cold Steve Austin day today.

 

[lis2323]

That poor lone Kubota looks out of place there.

I don’t blame you for not keeping it green though. We had two JD Gators (still have one) and there’s not a whole lot to like about them compared to the competition.


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[cliftonbros89]

That poor lone Kubota looks out of place there.

I don’t blame you for not keeping it green though. We had two JD Gators (still have one) and there’s not a whole lot to like about them compared to the competition.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I kind of thought so too. But I figured I’d park it there since it was all cleaned up.

Yeah that’s what I’ve experienced from older Gator’s as well. Definitely not top of the class. I’ve heard pretty good things about some of their newest models though. Especially the diesel. But I’ve never seen any of the new ones in use. I know the price for a new one runs right with the competition.

 

[Sifan]

That's a good thing you're doing, that may be the only farm experience in some of those kids life.

Years ago, when in driver's training, one of the townies asked: Why do farmers always drive so slow, why don't they mash the gas like the rest of the world?

Also FYI, one of my customers took their semi tractor and trailer to school so the drivers training class could get get a view from the semi driver's seat. Umm, if you leave the key in the truck, guaranteed someone will try to start it, don't do that. And he finally got all the knobs back when the teacher said "no more student driving until ALL of the knobs, cd's are returned" LOL dang kids.

 

[lis2323]

That's a good thing you're doing, that may be the only farm experience in some of those kids life.



Years ago, when in driver's training, one of the townies asked: Why do farmers always drive so slow, why don't they mash the gas like the rest of the world? .

OVER loaded and UNDER powered.




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[cliftonbros89]

Well not much to report from the weekend. I checked on all the cattle and fed the calves Saturday morning. Dad went to a sale over in Illinois as well. I’m it sure if he ended up with anything yet.

The rest of the weekend I spent at my aunt and uncle’s (one of dad’s sisters) about an hour north of home. I always try to make a couple trips to see them and their family and some of their neighbors a few times a year. Things are about to become extremely busy so I thought I’d go while I had a chance. Not to mention I have something every weekend from last weekend all the way to the beginning of May. Not sure how that’ll all work out.

 

[Farmall450]

Not a bad deal on the loader if it comes out a wash in cost - I'm a big fan of the single joystick. Fender holes are no bueno, tho.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Not a bad deal on the loader if it comes out a wash in cost - I'm a big fan of the single joystick. Fender holes are no bueno, tho.

I’m used to the single joystick on the 7230. But I’m so used to having two levers on the 3020 it’s hard to get used to. I keep reaching for that second one.

I’m also not a fan of dad mounting it on the fender. But he was in a rush. When he gets in a rush he doesn’t think things through. I’m hoping he realizes he’s going to regret it.

The hoses going to the valve could be replaced as they’re looking to be in rough shape and I think at least the bucket cylinders, obviously the one for sure, need new seal kits. That part of cost kind of concerns me as it’s obvious dad made a bit of an impulse decision to buy it and didn’t really look things over as close as I would’ve. But I suppose on the other hand should we replace those hoses and re-seal the cylinders it should be good to go for quite some time.

 

[Tom Sestito]

What’s the issue with mounting to the fender?

 

[cliftonbros89]

What’s the issue with mounting to the fender?

To me just the possibility of causing damage to the fender over time. Sure it’s mainly just a cosmetic issue. But it’s just the fact that we could’ve done something different that would’ve prevented that possibility.

Honestly, the position there for the control is a pretty good spot. But not the ideal set-up.