[Donn Hewes]

I have worked with several number sevens and like them just as well as the nines. given the age of these machines, the condition of the mower is what determins if it is a good one or not. Good luck with it. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Ed, that is a number nine mower. The process for removing the flywheel shaft is similar for both. The flywheel is pressed and peened on the end of the shaft. By a combination of grinding and a press, the flywheel can be removed from the shaft, but usually it is not. The only reason to remove the flywheel from the shaft would be a broken flywheel or a replacing a scored shaft. the shaft connects the flywheel to the gear box, and usually the shaft is removed to correct a leaking seal, or replace a brass bushing when there is wear or excessive play on the fly wheel end. On a number seven there is a bushing supporting each end of the shaft and a number nine has a bushing on the flywheel side and a baring on the gear box end.

It is a pretty regular desire to remove these shafts during most rebuilds just to change the seal and check the bushing. The shaft is held in by a pinion gear that is threaded on inside the gear box. As this tightened while mowing you would think they would be impossible to remove, however they usually come off with a little effort. They are constantly lubricated and I am sure that helps. the difficulty is to hold the pinion while turning the flywheel. Counterclockwise if you look at it from the front. I use a small crow bar that goes in the gear box and comes up between the pinion and the drive gear, locking them up. With the clevis on the flywheel I can apply force with out too much concern for breaking the flywheel. Which I have done.

In the first picture you can see one hand is ready to hold the crow bar in the gear box while the other is ready to turn the flywheel. if it is tight this is easier done with two people insted of two hands, but I have done it by myself.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Ed, That sounds great. I wonder if your link is right? my computer didn’t go right to it. off to the fire Station. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Eli, Beautiful horse, nice job on getting her going. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

thanks Jen, That worked great. Geoff, how is everything out in Idaho? I do use an export button on the picasa, which reduces the file sizes and leaves it in a file marked “exports”. I have used many photos before I ran into this problem. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Are they worth fixing is a whole other question. I think they are sweet looking set of discs. I will guess this has wood bushings that needing replaced (surprisingly you can sometimes buy those). The grease cups have no tops and some appear missing. These could be replaced with zerks. Some discs appear broken and these shafts can be a bear to take apart. Also this is a good size disc (not sure how long), but it might need three horses in some conditions, and the full tandam might use six. If it was close by and I could get it for near free, I would drag it home!

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Guys, it is a little confusing because you are talking about the “disc behind”. The first piece I see pretty clearly has a seat post and was pulled by horses it seems to me. I would look for evidence of a tongue or tongue truck. The second piece looks like a tandem for the first. Is there a place on the first to drop a pin and hook it up? Also the second piece appears to be made in same style and type as the first. Scrapers, discs, bearing cases, and grease cups all look similar. As for the heavy disc behind the others. I like a heavy disc if you have enough horses. I have a tandem that I use with five horses. I think those are nice looking discs. donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Fogish, I am not sure which pictures you are looking for (d ring?) but you can see all my pictures at: picasaweb.google.com/mulemandonn

Incidentally, I have been fooling with different three horse hitches for the D ring for almost to years. I only wanted one tongue, but all three horses hooked up. I had fashioned sort of an evener affair that went in front of the horses and it worked OK. Then I realized there was some good torque involved when we tried to back up a plow stuck in a little mud. They had no problem breaking the tongue.

I really don’t know the name of the strap that holds your front side straps up when not in use (Lazy straps?), but mine have always been parachute cord. Now I have had some just made this week which will include a conway buckle and a snap. if I want to use three horses I will just unsnap and triple them up (on two horses) to make them short. I believe this will hold the yoke up nicely, but haven’t tried it yet.

Also, I have no problem using four abreast and Drings. I have an evener affair on my PTO cart the two regular neck yokes snap on to. Talk to you soon, Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Andy, I think it is a great idea too. I would be interested to know if people feel the educational videos or webinars would be more useful. I guess there would be pros and cons of each. This is a project we could invest time and energy in. Talk to you soon, Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Sorry everyone, but I already sold these tires. donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Billy, i think I can answer one part of your question and you can answer the other. You said you trained the five year old to drive and ride. Was he a completely green horse when you started? How has he turned out and did you enjoy the process? Do you want to do the same thing again?

My part of the answer is; if you can start a horse single and get them working successfully, putting them together as a team is certainly no harder, and usually simple. Horses like to work together. They are herd animals. The reason we start each animal single is not because it is the easiest thing to do, but because it is the best way to ensure a trainee is focused on us and learning form us.

One more thing to consider. An older more experienced horse is not all ways more expensive. Just keep your eye peeled for a good horse, if you feel you have the ability to start the green horse you just have a wider pool to search from. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Kevin, I am sorry for your loss. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Farrier, I am like the mules and have two myself. I don’t belief the basic training is really different from a horse. The individual mule may be more cautious or independent, but this will be true of some horses as well. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I am trying to encourage folks to use the search at the top of the page. Try “catch a horse”. The only reason I suggest this is that there are already some excellent long posts on these basic questions. Try the second one down in the search. Don’t hesitate to bring back a post or thread with more questions or comments. Good luck, Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jody, Your horses look great. I have been planning to use pete and mary as mule names in the future! talk to you soon, Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Carl, I think your point about the focus on their arguments is well said. I look forward to reading your letter. The DAP NET BOD did send a letter of support / Letter to the editor to the Green Mountain College today. I will attach a copy here. November 13, 2012

Dear Editor:

DAP Net – Draft Animal Powered Network is an organization that promotes the use of working animals, primarily horses, mules and oxen, to create more sustainable farming, forestry, and communities. As such, we applaud the efforts of the Green Mountain College to publicly discuss the end of life decisions for working oxen that have lived and worked on their farm.

This is an opportunity for many to learn about the reality of raising and caring for livestock. It also allows the community to discuss the role of livestock in a healthy ecosystem; how healthy milk, eggs and vegetables are supported by livestock on the farm. These discussions can and should include how and when an animal is killed and for what purpose.

In order for these discussions to take place, Green Mountain College needs to feel secure that their community supports their rights and control of their own livestock. When outside groups such as VINE (Vegan is the Next Evolution) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) bring boycotts and threats, mass emails and picket lines to this discussion; they do us all a disservice. They have attempted to end a discussion and silence those that must care for these animals and are ultimately responsible for them. They have disrupted a civil discourse that many in the Green Mountain community and beyond would have benefited from.

Green Mountain College, DAP Net, and thousands of small farms all across this country take great responsibility for the ethical treatment of animals. We will continue to reach out to each other to strengthen our communities, build networks, and share what we learn.

Donn Hewes – Farmer
Vice President, DAP Net

[Author]

Posts