[Jay]

Ditto Donn on start with the end of the push bar flush with the end of the hinge and then go from there. Jay

[Jay]

Donn, ditto Mark’s comments. Thanks for sharing the list and cost of the many small (and possibly seemingly inconsequential) parts to a smoothly functioning mower. In my experience, when there is just a little wear in 2 places, that increases the draft (effort required to pull mower and run knife) by about 4 times – not just double as we might be inclined to think. So with 4 or 5 places with “just a little” wear, the draft increases tremendously. So when the mowing gets tough, the mower just plugs….

Mark, I believe everything from the 3 bar bolts (9/16″) out the bar is identical and can be moved from one mower to the other (#7 or 9 to 22A and vise versa).
As often seems to be the case, there are the parts and then the labour and knowledge to set things up correctly and small adjustments make such a difference. Jay

[Jay]

We have a 40 acre diversified horse powered farm. 300 layers, 4 moderate size Suffolks, 2 milk goats, 5 sheep. In the past we have had 2 acre market garden (mostly hand cultivation) plowing, bedmaking, ect with horses, 3-5 sows for spring and fall piglets, milk cow for our own milk and occasional veal to sell, 1-200 meat birds to sell at farmer’s market as well as at farm store at home. Sleigh rides in the winter, Most of our marketing has been through the farmer’s market – what an education in how to figure out what people like and respond to. Continually trying to find a refinement that will draw people in and yet be worth the time it takes to do/make. We also raised foals and sold them for more than 20 years.
We have now sold the second house on the farm to and are leasing part of the land to another couple who have a 100 member CSA. We are sharing the horses with them. We put up about 20 acres of loose hay, spread manure, all the plowing, manure spreading, etc is with the horses. We have a roto tiller and a 2 wheel tractor with mower, snow plow, etc. All the heavy work is with the horses.

[Jay]

Welcome. Ask away! Many of us started much as you are. At least now there are more of us around to ask and we want to help in ways that we can so don’t be a stranger here… Can I ask how you market your vegetables? We spent 30 great years at farmer’s market among other places, so I’m always curious. Good Luck, Jay

[Jay]

I have also wrapped the strap in a piece of soft sheep’s hide with the hair on and that helped significantly with chafing. Jay

[Jay]

Donn, yes, I have occasionally had particularly nylon pole straps rub hair off the fore leg where they pass by. The leather seems better for me.
Yes, the conditions do change quickly in this kind of weather. Jay

[Jay]

You have described the problem as I understand it, Donn. Jay

[Jay]

I believe the trash man is Pat Palmer in Bristol Vermont. He has had the town contract for trash pick up for some years. Thornapple farm is http://www.vthorsedrawnservices.com. He has some good info for starters anyway. Jay

[Jay]

As far as I know, the #9 is the only mower with a date cast into it. Jay

[Jay]

I have made my own straps like Donn described out of a steel barrel end – just cut it into the shape I needed and drilled the holes. It bends easily enough yet seems pretty strong. I haven’t had any trouble with them being weak or even showing wear. I even made some with scalloped sides like the ones you can buy. Jay

[Jay]

several of my older harness’ have copper rivits. I don’t know any reason not to use them. Jay

[Jay]

Donn, yes, the shafts were angled in though the wood was also shaped to curve slightly. Jay

[Jay]

I agree with Bill, having the shafts fixed together will make hitching alone much easier.
I made a 1 horse mower out of a #7 last year without a dolly wheel, using 2X3 oak for the shaft inserts in to the square tubes. I believe the back end of the shafts were 34″ apart and the fronts were 28″ apart. I tried the mower several times before it left and found it worked well with a 1500 lb, 15.2 hand horse. I had a 5ft bar on it. Jay

[Jay]

Yes, welcome! Don’t be afraid to ask even what might seem the most obvious question. It often helps many of us to think about an idea again or to hear someone else’s solution. Great to have you with us. Jay

[Jay]

Again, I would check with Norm Macknair for parts of that sort. Jay

[Author]

Posts