Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[cliftonbros89]

Saturday I didn’t rise as early as usual. We had rain.



The cattle didn’t seem to be enjoying it much.

By the time I got to the shop we had .7 and it kept going on after that.

We had a brief break. So I checked the rest of the cattle and took care of the calves.



Then it was to the shop.


Oil change on the 8760. Replaced the fuel filter and the air filters.

Since we’ve been having some many cooling system problems I figured I better check out the 8760 too.

Hooked up the pressure tester to let it sit overnight.

Then more rain through the afternoon.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Checked the all this morning.



Everyone seems to be doing fine today.

Sure enough the 8760 lost pressure too.

Guess I’ll have to look into that tomorrow.

Definitely have to get some work done this week. Lots to catch up on.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So Monday I was back at it. Took care of checking on the cattle and feeding hay. Afterwards dad and gave a second round of shots to the calves at my uncles.

We moved them over to dads as more rain set in.

Luckily that’s done for now and all the calves are together.


We didn’t go to the sale we took the anhydrous toolbar to. But dad’s neighbor did.


Neighbor bought himself a worn out disk for deer food plots. But apparently dad had the neighbor bid on a planter for him too. It’s worn out to. It must’ve been a 6 row and was chopped down to 3 and someone made a homemade 3 point hook up for it, likely made for the same reason that dad wanted it, which is deer food plots. He didn’t actually tell me how much he spent so I’m sure it’s more than what he should’ve spent. Another worn out piece that’s going to need shed space...

By the afternoon I had to do some price comparing.

Needing some parts for some of the two cylinders and dad wanted me to find the best deal on everything. So it took awhile comparing prices through a few aftermarket places and Deere.

I looked over the 8760 a bit more too.

Luckily the cooling tester pressure lose was fixed with the tightening of a few hose clamps.


It was a drizzly and wet evening.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today I checked over all the cattle.

Put out a batch of feed for all the calves. They’ll likely be going through it pretty quick now that they’re all together.

It was nice, likely the nicest day we’ll have this week. So I gave the 8760 a decently thorough wash job.

Followed by the 7230 yet again. I wanted it cleaned up cuz it’s due for service. It’s a lot easier to work when it’s cleaner.

So the shop was full for this evening.

I let the 7230 sit til tomorrow and started waxing up and cleaning the cab on the 8760.

It’s pretty much good to go. Just need to look at a few more things to make sure we won’t have any issues. We’re also having someone come work on the a/c on it as it wasn’t working properly last year and I don’t know anything about a/c work.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So obviously everyone’s aware of all the world’s situations. It’s brought some real low grain markets for us. More rain is supposed to be on the way. Plus, currently the river is back up some more. Right now it’s actually just above the flood stage. Not enough to really hurt anything. But the longer it stays up the worse off we are. Not looking to be a good start to the year by any means.

Also today I read a report that some a-holes are now estimating almost record acres of corn to be planted this year. Which really contradicts the report a few months ago estimating possibly record acres of beans planted because lack of corn planted last year. Which really contradicted the report before that saying there was literally millions of acres of beans that were never even planted last year. Estimates are fun.

 

[XJSuperman]

I had to explain to some family members yesterday that farming doesn't stop becuase there is a virus going around. They were concerned crops wouldn't be planted this spring. Best I can tell from my pov, guys are very close to hitting the fields for tillage and planting up here. Of course its been raining all night, so now everything is soaked, but yesterday afternoon it was pretty dry, warming up, looking promising.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I had to explain to some family members yesterday that farming doesn't stop becuase there is a virus going around. They were concerned crops wouldn't be planted this spring. Best I can tell from my pov, guys are very close to hitting the fields for tillage and planting up here. Of course its been raining all night, so now everything is soaked, but yesterday afternoon it was pretty dry, warming up, looking promising.

It definitely doesn’t stop. Things are getting close to ready here too. Close enough I really need to get on the ball and get everything ready to go. But we’ll just have to wait and see if the weather and river cooperate. Not that it’s getting late by any means. But it’d be nice to have a gradual start on things instead of rushing with everything.

We just have to hope that something drastic doesn’t take place. Like companies not delivering fertilizers and seed and what not. Then it would get ugly.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Same for places like Deere and delivering parts.

 

[XJSuperman]

Right, my office is a ghost town, but many are working remotely. Slows things a bit, but not much here. Im not sure what dealers are doing. I know my local NAPA is still open cause I called and ordered parts yesterday. I also don't know what the factories are doing, but I know all inter-facilities travel has been banned at deere currently, and all facilities are on a lockdown of some form. My buddy has a seed sales company and they had some delievery issues before all the craziness started, but he's still working and staying super busy now.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Another usual start to the day.


Then rain set in for the morning.



Made the mud muddier.

So with the rain it was to the shop.

I finished waxing up and cleaning up the 8760. Other than the a/c it’s good to go. I hope.

After taking care of the 8760 I had to make some stops in town.

Finally got a fuel pump picked up for my Silverado.

After I returned from town I started on the 7230. Engine oil, axle oil and hub oil all needed drained and replaced.


For some reason the drain plug for the axle was super tight. I had to get my 3/4” SK out of the truck.

As I pulled the drain plug out I immediately freaked out as there was a bunch of metal stuck to the magnet on the drain plug.

But I quickly discovered that luckily it was just the sealing washer for the plug. Judging by the looks of it that was likely due to the plug being so tight.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Possible storms expected in the early morning hours and then another possible round tomorrow evening. Not looking too good.

Last I checked the river was predicted to crest higher than previously expected. Which would put it over the ground on the outside of the levee again.

The price of corn fell again today. I also saw a report predict the possibility of ethanol plants closing if gas goes any cheaper. Therefore creating less of a demand for corn, therefore potentially causing the market to drop more. Or at the least stay down.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Right, my office is a ghost town, but many are working remotely. Slows things a bit, but not much here. Im not sure what dealers are doing. I know my local NAPA is still open cause I called and ordered parts yesterday. I also don't know what the factories are doing, but I know all inter-facilities travel has been banned at deere currently, and all facilities are on a lockdown of some form. My buddy has a seed sales company and they had some delievery issues before all the craziness started, but he's still working and staying super busy now.

I haven’t heard anything of any parts stores or places like that closing up shop yet.

I did see a memo on my Deere dealer’s website stating that they would leave parts site outside of the store for pickup if requested. But no mention of any drastic changes. Yet.

I’ve seen a few farm articles striking fear at the possibility of fertilizer companies and the like not hauling or delivering anything. But I think they’re jumping the gun a little on that just yet.

 

[XJSuperman]

Thunderstorms up here today. Unfortunately we are sending the water downriver to you.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Thunderstorms up here today. Unfortunately we are sending the water downriver to you.

Yeah I checked the estimated river crest first thing this morning. It’s higher than yesterday. We’re getting some thunderstorms today too on and off. Adding even more to the situation.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Yesterday. Rain. Lots of it.

Got to take care of some of the cattle before it set it.

Finished up servicing the 7230.

Changed the oil, cleaned the air filters, changed the oil in the hubs and the front axle.

That Macnaught pump works good for those jobs.

Got the A/C fixed in the 8760.

Took a lot new compressor and condenser. But it works.


Hard rains came on and off.


I had a brief break to go check the rest of the cattle. But it set in yet again.

By 5 we had over an inch.


Had to make a run to town for some stuff.

Then back to the shop to finish some things up.

 

[cliftonbros89]

With the rainfall over night we ended up with a total of 2”. Nice and muddy.

Had to put out hay everywhere. Put out some straw so the calves had some place dry to lay.

Dad took the 8760 back to the bottom and brought out the 4440 and planter.

Had to fix a fence that a dead tree fell on. But the rest of the afternoon was spent in the shop with the planter.

Got some repairs to make and parts to get.

I think I’m going to need to re-evaluate my maintenance schedule a little. Get some things in before winter if possible after their needed. It seems like the planter is always rushed to get ready. I hate doing it last minute.

Markets slightly went back up today. So did the river. It’s really muddy, everything is soaked, another chance Sunday. We also went from about 70 degrees yesterday to upper 30’s tonight.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Pretty chilly today. Got up and checked all the cattle.

Got some of the stuff for the planter.

Decided to get some new coulters to put on it.

Old ones we’re getting pretty wore.

So dad and I did some more work to the planter. Got all the new coulters on. Most of the bushings replaced for the gauge wheel arms. Didnt have enough to finish the job though. Looked a few more things over. It’s getting closer to being ready to go.

But I quit a little early today.

Chance of rain tomorrow so I went home to mow my grass for the first time this year. Mower started right up. I figured the battery would be dead. Made the yard look good enough the neighbor had to do his after I was done.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Kind of took the day off on Sunday. Checked all the cattle though. Ended up with a few tenths of rain in the afternoon too.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Today started much the same.

Checked all the cattle.



Tomorrow there is another chance of rain. So we decided to try to get some wood cut and split for dad’s wood stove.




We cut and split 2 wagon loads. So now he should have more than enough to get through the chilly spring nights.

After we finished all up with that we put out hay for the cattle.

Not sure how much rain we may get tomorrow. Last I looked it was a chance I’d showers on and off through the whole day. So it looks like I’ll likely be back in the shop tomorrow. Should get the planter finished up. Except for parts that we’re waiting for. Hopefully we can get those parts this week. I’m not sure if the dealerships will be shutting down this week or not.

 

[welder57]

Did you buy the splitter or did y'all build it? It looks like a real tuff piece of equipment. My Dad built one out of railroad rails, flat plate and we hook it up to our JD 420 with the hydraulic splice thru the three point hitch with quick couplers.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Did you buy the splitter or did y'all build it? It looks like a real tuff piece of equipment. My Dad built one out of railroad rails, flat plate and we hook it up to our JD 420 with the hydraulic splice thru the three point hitch with quick couplers.

Dad built it going on 20 years ago. It’s pretty stout. He definitely built it to last. Blade runs both ways and it can handle big knotted stuff no problem.

We used to just have a splitter that hooked up to 3 point and ran off the hydraulics. But it just had a cylinder the pushed the block in to the blade, only ran one way, plus there was no place to put chunks off to the side. It took forever to split a wagon load.

This splitter now is the way to go!

 

[welder57]

May I ask to have more pictures? It's got to be something to see in person. My dad use to keep (3) sons busy on Saturdays in the fall before we moved out, cutting & splitting wood.

 

[XJSuperman]

If we're gonna take a wood splitter side-track, Ive got a pic of a monster I found at a tractor show in Iowa last summer.

 

[cliftonbros89]

May I ask to have more pictures? It's got to be something to see in person. My dad use to keep (3) sons busy on Saturdays in the fall before we moved out, cutting & splitting wood.

There’s some shots of it. I’ve seen several built ones over the years but this one of dad’s is definitely one of the better ones I’ve seen.

 

[cliftonbros89]

If we're gonna take a wood splitter side-track, Ive got a pic of a monster I found at a tractor show in Iowa last summer.

Let’s see it

 

[cliftonbros89]

Ok so we left off on Tuesday.

Another usual start to the day.

Since I was waiting in planter parts I decided to go through the bean meters.

I cleaned them all up, replaced a few brushes and put all new plates in them. You can see it was time for it.

My little radiator petcock socket worked great for the wingnuts on the meters.



Replaced some bearings on the drive.


Put some depth bands on the market wheels.


It was almost ready. Minus the bushings I was still waiting on.


Got a few things from Macnaught too.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Another start to the day Wednesday.


We took a trip to the bottom shed to get the truck.

Going to be awhile til we can do anything down there.

Dad used the truck to haul some gravel. While he did that I was in the shop.

Still waiting on planter parts, the Kubota was ready for an oil change. Engine oil and filter change, transmission oil and filter change, hydraulic oil and filter change, and a radiator flush and refill.

Then it was time for an oil change in dad’s lawn mower.

Macnaught sent me something to try out.

They want to test a long hose on their high volume stem.


It’s supposed to be about 25 foot or so. They said it should work good horizontally. But they want to see how it will work in more vertical applications. I think I’ll see what I can do to try it on the sprayer and the combines.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Between the River Hills & the River Bottom


Thursday things warmed up and we actually had some sun for once.



Then dad and I spent the whole day checking most of the fences around the pasture. Luckily they weren’t in terrible shape.

Pastures are really starting to green up.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Another day today.

We ended up turning all the cattle out on the pastures. Little earlier than usual but there’s grass out there.


The calves sure were excited to get out there.

Finally got the last of the planter parts in.


I finally had it all together.

Got it all greased up and the monitor hooked up and it’s ready to go.

I had to shuffle things around again but I got the planter in the shed for now.

So I was able to pull the 4440 in the shop.

I got things ready to work on.

 

[Riley]

I appreciate the effort you're making to keep us up dated. While my experience is limited, the effort you and your family document is wonderful. Thanks!

 

[ambenz]

Very cool stuff...may be "old hat" for you but those simple things like checking the fence is something ...of a thousand you do. I also noticed the grass here in the NW burbs is growing in the back yard. I ran the snowblower dry and moved it in the storage spot where the mower was, and visa versa. Got a few tornados this Saturday just west of us, any concern for twisters by you? So I am guessing beans for oil is the cash crop since E85 has to be too expensive to make now days....bet corn isn't a cash crop, but what do I know?!!!!

 

[NKlamerus]

Somewhat rudimentary question, but for the cows you lose and find relatively quickly, do you harvest them?

Or just bury them?

My neighbor used to buy all the dead cows, horses, goat, and livestock in the county, used them for gator or coyote bait

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[cliftonbros89]

Very cool stuff...may be "old hat" you you but those simple things like checking the fence is something ...of a thousand you do. I also noticed the grass here in the NW burbs is growing in the back yard. I ran the snowblower dry and moved it in the storage spot where the mower was, and visa versa. Got a few tornados this Saturday just west of us, any concern for twisters by you? So I am guessing beans for oil is the cash crop since E85 has to be too expensive to make now days....bet corn isn't a cash crop, but what do I know?!!!!

Luckily no tornadoes near us. Just rain. As far as crops go, neither beans or corn are doing very good. Beans have come up some but they’re still not where we’d like them to be. With everything that’s going on in the world right now all the markets are down.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Somewhat rudimentary question, but for the cows you lose and find relatively quickly, do you harvest them?

Or just bury them?

My neighbor used to buy all the dead cows, horses, goat, and livestock in the county, used them for gator or coyote bait

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

We typically just bury them. Nine times out of 10 they were sick before hand anyway. So normally we just bury them. But occasionally we’ll sit one out to use for coyote bait. My uncle likes to watch for them. Unfortunately, Guthrie coyote population in the county has been extremely high the last several years so there are a bunch around. But most of them have been rather smart about going for dead cattle.

 

[cliftonbros89]

On to Saturday more of the same.

Checked the cattle and finished working on some fences.

Then it was back to doing more work on the 4440 and oil change.


Besides doing some other small jobs that pretty much summed up the day.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Didn’t take a break today.

Checked all the cattle. Everyone seems to be enjoying the pasture.

Put a new set of batteries in the 4020.


Then it was back to the 4440.

I finished looking it over and checking things out. Cleaned it up and waxed it and cleaned up the cab.


4440 is all fueled up and ready to go. Just need to get it hooked up to the planter. Hopefully getting the sprayer in the shop tomorrow. Have to rearrange things to get it out. Shed is full right now.

Got home just in time to get the grass mowed this evening too.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Farmall450]

Looks like you're making good headway. Super wet, windy, and tornado like here.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Looks like you're making good headway. Super wet, windy, and tornado like here.

Getting there. Hopefully I can keep it up.

We had another 4 tenths of rain yesterday and more scheduled to arrive Tuesday as a cool front comes in. So it doesn’t sound like we’ll be getting ready to do any field work this week yet.

 

[Oldpine]

Thank you for this thread. I find it fascinating, eye-opening and educational.
And the picture of the cattle in the pasture is beautiful.
Thanks again.
Tom

 

[XJSuperman]

Better late than never. You'll appreciate this because you know how big the tractor powering it really is. Its an 8100 powering the splitter by pto. The ram is as long as those guys are tall. They were loading logs onto it with a skidloader and the logs were 4-6ft long