Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[cliftonbros89]

Also, starting Friday with a bit of surprising news. I sent a bit of a first review to the guy for the Macnaught company, the manufacturer for the oil pump and grease guns, he responded first thing this morning.

I was honest in my review and told him my dislikes with things. He responded saying that he’d really like to see things in person. He said he’d really like to see the products in action at our operation and get a better understanding of negatives I had with the products.

So I’m waiting on a reply. Sounds like we may have a visitor to the farm some time soon.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Sounds like he wants customer satisfaction...… what a concept!
I hope he works with you until the products are working better than you expected.
Yesterday I worked on trimming out windows until about 2 then we went to my youngest daughters for Thanksgiving. I had some of my son-in-laws bacon wrapped venison "very good".
Thanks for sharing,

 

[Sifan]

A visit would be great, nothing replaces real life hands on.

One worked for Kraft Foods, they sent a team of industrial engineers to two of their newest distribution centers to develop standards to measure product distribution efficiencies. Once they developed these standards they sent them to all facilities to use. I took one look at them and started shaking my head and laughing. Our facility was built in the 30's and in no way compared to the newest centers. Like comparing a model T to an F250 LOL When I completed our first report we graded out at 22% and frankly, I was surprised it was that high. When I sent the report in to the team, I included an invitation to visit our facility. To my surprise, two of them showed up , unannounced, with a we'll show you attitude. Thirty minutes later, they both looked at each other and said "you're on your own kid, take us to the airport" LOL

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sounds like he wants customer satisfaction...… what a concept!
I hope he works with you until the products are working better than you expected.
Yesterday I worked on trimming out windows until about 2 then we went to my youngest daughters for Thanksgiving. I had some of my son-in-laws bacon wrapped venison "very good".
Thanks for sharing,

Yeah I’m looking forward to hearing back from him and finding out what his plan is.

I love having deer meat for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love it in general. We fried up the loins the other day for lunch while we were processing everything. That’s the best.

 

[cliftonbros89]

A visit would be great, nothing replaces real life hands on.

One worked for Kraft Foods, they sent a team of industrial engineers to two of their newest distribution centers to develop standards to measure product distribution efficiencies. Once they developed these standards they sent them to all facilities to use. I took one look at them and started shaking my head and laughing. Our facility was built in the 30's and in no way compared to the newest centers. Like comparing a model T to an F250 LOL When I completed our first report we graded out at 22% and frankly, I was surprised it was that high. When I sent the report in to the team, I included an invitation to visit our facility. To my surprise, two of them showed up , unannounced, with a we'll show you attitude. Thirty minutes later, they both looked at each other and said "you're on your own kid, take us to the airport" LOL

I’m interested to see how serious he is about coming to check it out.

That’s sounds what I kind of told him about my view on some tool companies. They all think everything we have and use is new, huge, bulk and industrial. Most companies don’t realize not everyone works on a large scale. There is no middle ground for the guy who works on his own truck on the weekend and buys everything at Auto Zone and the company that has a fleet of 50 truck hauling large equipment. There’s no much room for things if you’re on a budget or working with older stuff.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well today was a fairly easy day.

Noah was off of school again today and joined me. We checked on all the cattle, did the feeding and put out hay for all of the cattle.

It was a dreary, cloudy day all day long. So we did some work in the shop.

We checked the toe-in on the 2520 and finished things up with the tie rods. Then we took apart and repacked the wheel bearings on it as well. Put it all back together and tightened things up. Checked the torque on all the bolts on all 4 wheels.

Then we cleaned the shop up. Swept, cleaned up all the tools, put things away. Then I had him sort a container of miscellaneous hardware that’s compiled in between jobs in the shop.

After that we decided to call it a day. By late this afternoon rain moved in and has been pretty steady this evening. Chance of more tomorrow. I’m hoping this winter doesn’t end up like last year. At this rate it’s definitely setting up to do so.

So pretty slow week really. Sounds like I won’t be getting anything done over the weekend either. Thanksgiving events to attend tomorrow, Saturday, then again on Sunday. I have to say I always get a little frustrated this time of year. Between dealing with everyone for deer season, thanksgiving and the start of Christmas events it can make it difficult to get much accomplished in between doing all the regular daily chores.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well like I said it was a weekend off this weekend. Went across the river for Thanksgiving with my girlfriend’s grandmother. That was all day.

Cards in my basement with friends for the late hours of the night.

Sunday was breakfast with my girlfriend’s niece to see Santa Claus. Followed by Thanksgiving at my sister’s with my family.

I spent almost two hours laying on my nephew’s floor setting up forts with Lincoln logs for his little army guys. It’s hard for a 6 year old to understand the concepts of the damage of different types of artillery and different countries in general. Not to mention the fact that those other countries have weapons, and trained people as well. He also couldn’t figure out how countries like China could have such a larger population than that of the U.S. but I figured some of that stuff can probably wait.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Back to normal schedule finally by tomorrow. Deer season is done...for now...part of the holiday activities are over. Hopefully I can get some things done this week! If not I may become a bit aggravated.

Also, no word back from the company with the oil pump yet. Be interesting if I see something back in a few days about this possible trip that may be happening. The guy said he’d bring a few other things to try out as well if he would come. So i guess we’ll wait and see.

 

[Fr8dog61]

He also couldn’t figure out how countries like China could have such a larger population than that of the U.S. but I figured some of that stuff can probably wait.

Hell, most 26 year olds in this country can’t figure that out!


Good on ya for spending the time with him and explaining it!

 

[cdsloop]

I took it out to the shed and used it on the 9770.

For some of the easier to get to fittings it wasn’t bad. But yet again I had trouble with it actually wanting to immediately lock on to all the fittings. Then if it doesn’t it gets grease everywhere, therefore making the coupler that much more of a pain in the *** to pull back and lock on to other fittings.


Did you guys buy your 9770 new? I notice the yellow paint marker marking your grease points on your combine. Did you put those there, or was it like that when you bought it? Our 9500 combine has what looks like the same hand drawn yellow arrows at the greasing locations. We bought our 9500 at Mayer in Ohio about 4-1/2 years ago... I didn't ask where the combine came from previously.

 

[Sifan]

In laws have a Dewalt 20v cordless grease gun, wow worth every penny!
And I'll bet everything gets greased twice as often. Now if they would put a nice locking end on it

 

[cliftonbros89]

Hell, most 26 year olds in this country can’t figure that out!





Good on ya for spending the time with him and explaining it!

I try. Pretty positive he had no clue what I was talking about. But he really likes my fort building skills.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Did you guys buy your 9770 new? I notice the yellow paint marker marking your grease points on your combine. Did you put those there, or was it like that when you bought it? Our 9500 combine has what looks like the same hand drawn yellow arrows at the greasing locations. We bought our 9500 at Mayer in Ohio about 4-1/2 years ago... I didn't ask where the combine came from previously.

No we bought the 9770 used. Owner before us did the paint marker arrows. It came from southern Illinois. But he didn’t mark each fitting. That’s why I had the stickers made up. That way, especially, if it’s not me greasing the combine, the fittings are a little less likely to be forgotten.

 

[cliftonbros89]

In laws have a Dewalt 20v cordless grease gun, wow worth every penny!
And I'll bet everything gets greased twice as often. Now if they would put a nice locking end on it

I wish I had a second one for the truck. I won’t hardly use a regular grease gun anymore. It’s just too handy. Not to mention there are a lot of harder taking fittings that the DeWalt can handle better than the Lincoln. Some days it makes me think I’m lazy. But after greasing that 162 fittings on that 1990 air drill with a manual grease gun, more than once, I think I’ve earned the right to use a battery operated gun.

 

[Sifan]

Wow, 162!! how many times do you have to reload?

Really like the sticker idea and passing it along to nephew. With as many different pieces of equipment that you have and many only used once a year, it would be impossible to remember every one. Especially when manufacturers are so skilled at hiding them I actually think less grease is wasted with the Dewalt than a regular gun, especially the pistol grip. And wasted grease is not really all that much $$. it the getting it on your hands, the seat of your pants when you back up and then the time to get it off of everything you come into contact with before you understand the problem LOL

 

[cliftonbros89]

Wow, 162!! how many times do you have to reload?

Really like the sticker idea and passing it along to nephew. With as many different pieces of equipment that you have and many only used once a year, it would be impossible to remember every one. Especially when manufacturers are so skilled at hiding them I actually think less grease is wasted with the Dewalt than a regular gun, especially the pistol grip. And wasted grease is not really all that much $$. it the getting it on your hands, the seat of your pants when you back up and then the time to get it off of everything you come into contact with before you understand the problem LOL

The drill usually takes about 2 1/2 tubes of grease if you do every fitting.

I agree about the DeWalt I typically do have less of a mess when I use it as opposed to my Lincoln. Less of a mess is definitely better.

As far as the stickers go I believe it should be in the thread here somewhere. Deere has been putting those on newer equipment. They’re on our mower conditioner and round baker. Naturally Deere wants over $2 a piece for them. So I just ordered one and took it to a local sign shop in town and had them make 100 for me. They stick just as well and the cost was less than half.

 

[Sifan]

Thanks for the info!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Things were back to normal today.

Drove around and checked on all the cattle. Everyone got corn today.

Little muddy out today after the rain we had over the weekend. I didn’t check the gauge this morning but I think it was over an inch and a half all together.

Kubota didn’t want to start this morning.

After pulling it in the shop I found that the positive cable end had busted. Luckily I had a new end. Got it one and was good to go again.

We had some stuff to discuss over lunch today. Plan for the week, assuming things go as planned.

Since dad hasn’t ever swapped the pump on the fuel trailer I decided to do it so it can be pulled out of the shop this week. So I took the old pump out.

Had to break out the thread cutter to thread a pipe that I had to cut for the new pump.

I got it on and wired up, ready to roll. Had to replace a few pieces of pipe for a larger size but luckily we had everything laying around that I needed.

If I get a chance I think I’ll take apart the old pump. See if it can be rebuilt. If not maybe I can salvage a few things off of it.

Since I was doing that dad finally started working on the bale carrier.

He went to town and picked up some metal to fix it. Welding a new piece in was going to be a lot easier than trying to straighten what was there.

We have to straighten the one spear on it too. It’s been a little abused. Dad didn’t get to finish since he had a levee district meeting to go to.

I headed out early to catch the Matco guy. I gave him the money to give to the guy selling the heat inductor tool. Decided to go ahead and buy it. Picked up a pickle fork set and a socket I ordered too.

 

[NKlamerus]

Just caught up from post ~1300 or so.

Not to poke a wound but do you plan on replacing the Excel spreadsheet with parts, use, and quantity? I think it went missing off a tablet? Seems like something too handy to work without.



Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[cliftonbros89]

Just caught up from post ~1300 or so.

Not to poke a wound but do you plan on replacing the Excel spreadsheet with parts, use, and quantity? I think it went missing off a tablet? Seems like something too handy to work without.



Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I do plan to do something. I’m just not exactly sure what it is yet. I think that’s something that may have to wait til the first of the year. By then I’ll have most of the parts I’ll be reordering back in stock. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet.

There are some apps that can be used for inventory. Most require an over expensive subscription. There are some free ones too. But the bad thing about them is they usually require constant cell service. We just don’t have it at every farm. It’s actually hard to get in the shop as well. Even worse in the loft where all of the parts are at.

The other option I’ve been considering is possibly a lab top or computer for the shop. Maybe a software program for it for inventory. I’m not sure if there are options for those that I could also tie in to also work on the iPad or not.

If anyone knows of any options I’d love to hear it. I’m not sure I want to go the excel spreadsheet option on the iPad if I don’t have to.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well I decided it best if I stayed away from blowing a bunch of money for the weekend with these “deals”.

But today I treat myself to an early Christmas present. I ordered some Wera stuff from KC Tool. Seemed like a decent deal so I’ll be sure to post it when it arrives.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Almost forgot the update on the oil pump. The guy from Macnaught that I’ve been talking to is the Vice President and General Manager for the American division. So we talked and he’ll be coming by the farm next Wednesday. Says he wants to really get an idea of things that their products will be used on in agriculture. He also said he’s going to bring along one of their prototypes of their extra long locking coupler that they haven’t released to the market yet.

We’ll see how it goes. Should be interesting.

 

[captain14]

Good luck on the field presentation for the lubrication equipment. Emphasize there are still lots of small operations like yours. Their equipment should perform flawlessly and quickly since you have to multitask many times throughout the work day.

 

[Sifan]

Last thing for the visit, let him perform the all important leave the gun on top of the combine tire and drive over it

It's always fun to walk by the shop scrap pile, pick out an item and ask "what's the rest of the story" LOL

 

[Prospecter]

I do plan to do something. I’m just not exactly sure what it is yet. I think that’s something that may have to wait til the first of the year. By then I’ll have most of the parts I’ll be reordering back in stock. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet.

There are some apps that can be used for inventory. Most require an over expensive subscription. There are some free ones too. But the bad thing about them is they usually require constant cell service. We just don’t have it at every farm. It’s actually hard to get in the shop as well. Even worse in the loft where all of the parts are at.

The other option I’ve been considering is possibly a lab top or computer for the shop. Maybe a software program for it for inventory. I’m not sure if there are options for those that I could also tie in to also work on the iPad or not.

If anyone knows of any options I’d love to hear it. I’m not sure I want to go the excel spreadsheet option on the iPad if I don’t have to.

More of an observation than a recommendation. I know a lot of folks who use Google Sheets and Google Docs. These are less robust than Microsoft products, but can also be made to work offline, and then upload to the cloud when a connection is available. Another option is LibreOffice. These are free, open source products that are comparable to MS apps. The downside, off course, is that they do not upload to the cloud, so you have to back up your device.

 

[lis2323]

This is what I would do if still farming today.

Set up a temp controlled dedicated parts room with computer and counter. Hire a cute smart girl (don’t let your GF do the interview) to look after inventory control, parts receiving and scheduled equipment maintenance.


This should make life easier and enjoyable.

 

[Farmall450]

In laws have a Dewalt 20v cordless grease gun, wow worth every penny!
And I'll bet everything gets greased twice as often. Now if they would put a nice locking end on it

I love mine. And have the locking end. Reloads are soon smooth. Killed a tube on the backhoe and pickup.

 

[cvairwerks]

Take a look at how jblnut has done his inventory. It's a single spreadsheet file with a tab for each piece of equipment. It lists all the routine service parts, cost data and service information.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Last thing for the visit, let him perform the all important leave the gun on top of the combine tire and drive over it

It's always fun to walk by the shop scrap pile, pick out an item and ask "what's the rest of the story" LOL

I wonder if that’s covered on their 10 year warranty?

 

[cliftonbros89]

More of an observation than a recommendation. I know a lot of folks who use Google Sheets and Google Docs. These are less robust than Microsoft products, but can also be made to work offline, and then upload to the cloud when a connection is available. Another option is LibreOffice. These are free, open source products that are comparable to MS apps. The downside, off course, is that they do not upload to the cloud, so you have to back up your device.

I briefly tried Google Sheets before. But I didn’t seem to get alone with it as well as I have Excel. If I recall I don’t think I was able to search on Google Sheets. But I may check it out again.

 

[cliftonbros89]

This is what I would do if still farming today.

Set up a temp controlled dedicated parts room with computer and counter. Hire a cute smart girl (don’t let your GF do the interview) to look after inventory control, parts receiving and scheduled equipment maintenance.


This should make life easier and enjoyable.

Well we have the dedicated, some what temp controlled room. But I’m have my doubts on finding a girl willing to sit there all the time to just get a part, sometimes at minimum, one time a week.

Although I have most maintenance stuff wrote down I wouldn’t mind having it all on a computer/tablet setup as well.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Take a look at how jblnut has done his inventory. It's a single spreadsheet file with a tab for each piece of equipment. It lists all the routine service parts, cost data and service information.

I’ll have to look it up or message him. I have a lot of parts replaced wrote down. But I do need to get something set up again. I was hoping to set up a cross reference for the original set up as well.

My original set up was part number, bin location, shelf location, quantity, then what equipment it fit.

I’d also planned to put price on there as well. Then cross reference that to divide up the parts for each particular piece of equipment.

But that plan went to hell after I lost everything.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I love mine. And have the locking end. Reloads are soon smooth. Killed a tube on the backhoe and pickup.

What brand of locking end do you have on yours?

 

[Farmall450]

What brand of locking end do you have on yours?

The Canadian version of lock n lube. Name is escaping me atm

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well today was another day.

I went around and fed all the cattle. Some of them I locked in the lots. We may try to ween some calves tomorrow.

After going around and checking on all the cattle dad had a different job in mind for the day.

We loaded up the saws and headed out to cut some wood.


We dropped a pretty large tree along the edge of the pasture at my uncle’s and loaded the blocks all up on the wagon.

Took a little while but we got it all loaded up and headed out with it.

Luckily dad only lost a couple pieces going up and down the hills in the pasture.

Then after a late lunch we split the whole wagon load. We got done after dark. I forgot to take a picture while we were spitting. Had the 420 on the splitter. About 3/4 of the way through it just stopped. So we put the 4020 on the splitter instead.

So not much to report from today. Just another day.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well today was a little different than yesterday.

I checked on the cattle and got them all in the lots to ween calves today.

It took the whole morning to move them all around and separate the calves. Some of them weren’t the most cooperative.


All together we culled 5 cows too. They were older cows that are getting in rough shape or aren’t having calves anymore and just costing us.

So we also weened 15 calves all together. So we put them in the lot and fed them for the evening.

Then we had to grind a batch of feed for the big calves.

We also got a new young bull today.

We’re going to put him with the group of heifers I’ve been feeding. If he can bred them he’ll likely replace one of the older bulls some time down the road.

So after helping dad’s brother-in-law with a few things, after he randomly showed up, then I hung around the shop for a little bit further looking over things on the 2520.

 

[Farmall450]

So I think I have a Gurtech on my DeWalt gun and a Univer-Co on my pistol grip Lincoln (for tight places, due to the much smaller end). Really need a 90 degree setup, too.

https://www.gurtech.co.za/locknlube-grease-coupler/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E7PFJOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://docap.com/product/lock-on-grease-coupler/

After a few LnLs died, we have been using the Gurtech (I need to find the rebuild kit to be 100% sure) instead. I haven't killed either, but my brother broke (2) on his M18 gun

 

[cliftonbros89]

So I think I have a Gurtech on my DeWalt gun and a Univer-Co on my pistol grip Lincoln (for tight places, due to the much smaller end). Really need a 90 degree setup, too.

https://www.gurtech.co.za/locknlube-grease-coupler/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E7PFJOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://docap.com/product/lock-on-grease-coupler/

After a few LnLs died, we have been using the Gurtech (I need to find the rebuild kit to be 100% sure) instead. I haven't killed either, but my brother broke (2) on his M18 gun

I have one from Univer-Co I like the size of it but I have had several issues with it locking up because of pressure build up. Do you ever have that problem? I’ve seen that have a valve you can put in line on it but I’ve never tried one of those.

 

[Farmall450]

I have one from Univer-Co I like the size of it but I have had several issues with it locking up because of pressure build up. Do you ever have that problem? I’ve seen that have a valve you can put in line on it but I’ve never tried one of those.

No, but I only have that guy on the hand one.

 

[cliftonbros89]

The last of the week wasn’t very busy.


Did all the feeding and let the new bulk in with the heifers.

But the rest of the day was just cutting wood.


We cut some trees down along the edge of the pasture at dad’s.

We got some things setup for splitting.

We had to stop early though. Had a seed meeting to attend again. Good free meal too. So not much accomplished for the day. But at least we have a good amount to wood to be ready to be cut and split.