[Jay]

I have long maintained that increased “efficiency”(read less human labor) is for the birds. If one follows the reasoning out (one person working more and more land) what I am supposed to do is put all my neighbors out of business so I can buy their land and work it. I DON’T WANT TO PUT ANY OF MY NEIGHBORS OUT OF BUSINESS! I want you all of you there to help me when I need it and so I can help when needed and visit with friends who understand what I’m talking about without having to describe it all.
We need more farmers farming modest sized farms feeding their neighbors, putting more people to work, not so called “efficiency” making more people unemployed and putting more power in the hands of a very few. Jay

[Jay]

I just used the disk to break up the cold hardened packed snow on my trails. I worked great! I used it on 1 or 2 setting for most of the trails and 3(out of 4) for places where it was frozen pretty tight. I’ll use it again the next time the temp gets above freezing to really break up the hard stuff. Jay

[Jay]

I was given a #7 many years ago – long before we had horses. I kept it for about 10 years and finally started using it. At that time I didn’t know much at all about what I should do or what needed attention. I’m amazed now that it cut at all. Over the years since, I gradually through trial and error figured out what makes them tick or “hum” just right and I still use that mower – it’s my favorite one, completely rebuilt and painted, though we use 3 different ones. As long as they haven’t been pulled behind a tractor too much and haven’t been cracked bent or broken in an accident, they can generally be put into good shape without too much difficulty if you are willing to take a little time to work on them.
The IHC/McDeering #7 & 9 and the #6 if the bushings aren’t too worn are good mowers, as are the JD big 4 and the #3. Most parts are available for the bars and most of the bushings/bearings etc.
Look out for things like tread bars on the wheels worn way down, place where the drivers’ feet rest worn, slop in the pitman shaft – take hold of the pitman flywheel and if it moves up and down at all the bushing inside needs replacing and perhaps the shaft replaced. Can be done and is not too big a job, but not something I would start out with unless I really enjoy figuring out how to rebuild something. Look for one that doesn’t have that wear in it. Lynn Millers Mower book is a great reference when working on mowers. Good luck. Jay

[Jay]

My single disc is adjustable with levers. The double disc is also adjustable- if I’m trying to break up ice or very hard packed snow (when it is softer) I set it more severely -3 or 4 on 1-4 scale. If I’m just trying to level and smooth the trails, I use the setting 2 on a scale of 1-4, sometimes eve just the 1st setting. Years ago someone who did sleigh rides told me he used a disc to make “snow” out of ice when the temp warmed up a little. He said “What is ice? – Frozen water with no air in it. Snow is frozen water with lots of air in it. When there isn’t enough air in it, I put more in with the disc.” Seems to work. Jay

[Jay]

Thanks for sharing Mark. Nice pictures that show clearly what you did.
I sometimes us a disc (sometimes a single and sometimes a double) to groom trails- I try to do it when I’m done with rides on a day when the snow is a bit softer and it’s going to tighten up (get colder) at night. I also sometime use the grader blade on my forecart. It works nicely to move snow into a spot where the snow is getting thin- often on the down hill side. Jay

[Jay]

I would be less inclined to oil a collar heavily as to apply oil several times lightly over the course of a few months. The leather may need the oil but the straw inside needs it much less imho. Jay

[Jay]

I would be less inclined to oil heavily as to apply oil several times lightly over the course of a few months. The leather may need the oil but the straw inside needs it much less imho. Jay

[Jay]

Good for you, George. Looks as though it will serve you well. Thanks for the pictures. Jay

[Jay]

We have 5 horses in standing stalls aprox 12 hours a day unless working. The manure is cleaned daily into a covered cement lined shed – 12X30X 5 feet. Holds all the horses make in a year. We bed with shavings/sawdust. We don’t turn it all, but I add everything I can including chickens, once in a while a sheep and lots of weeds and organic matter. It comes out black and nice.
I never spread it fresh. One year I spread a fresh load in the middle of emptying the shed. The field was fairly poor and in a few days one could see the green strips where each composted load went and no green at all where the fresh load went. Since then I always let it sit at least a couple of weeks in the pile so it can heat up some and process.
We used to load spreaders by hand, but 3 weeks is too long to be tied up spreading in the spring, so we arrange to use a tractor with bucket for loading, using the horses to spread. Early on the roof had a slight leak and the contents of the shed were perfect – black and great when we spread it. Then I fixed the leak and now I have to add water…. Jay

[Jay]

Thank you all so much. Jay

[Jay]

We have done the project for 2 years now. This coming summer we are specifically testing for pharmaceuticals, in the urine, in the forage and in a special test spot in the groundwater runoff. The labs that will be doing the testing are labs that have been testing for these chemicals in foods, etc. for years and are well versed in what and how to look for evidence of the drugs.
One of the fascinating things about this project is just how excited people are to collect and bring in their own urine. It seems to empower them – they have part ownership in the project and they are proud to be DOING SOMETHING positive that has some direct relevance to their lives.
The urine seems to do best put on straight(not diluted) later in the day – when things are starting to cool down to avoid too much evaporation of the ammonia and applied through hoses trailing on the ground.
It works well when applied to a strong stand that just needs a little extra to give more for a good 2nd cut.
I am very pleased with what its doing for us.
Apparently there have been studies done in Europe Africa and Asia, but not on this side of the Atlantic till now. Jay

[Jay]

The link I’ve been using for several months a few days ago now says “data error” so I’ve bookmarked the What’s New page and that seems to be working fine. Jay

[Jay]

I worked with Jay of LongView Farm on his #3 and found that most all of the critical parts are the same as the JD Big 4 (with the exception of the pitman crank diameter) and that can be taken care of with a shim. I suggest pulling the top off the gear box – 5 5/16 bolts that are easy to replace if they twist off. If the gears are not seized up it is probably doable. Jay

[Jay]

I like Erika’s description of the action. I second it. Jay

[Jay]

If it’s fungal, I use athelete’s foot cream (old time vet remedy). Jay

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