[near horse]

Hi Erika,

I too must apologize as I think I’m the one that first “grabbed the steering wheel” and redirected this thread. Sorry.
I’m a little confused as to why there is a “difference” in the needs of midwest vs new england small farmers. Can you possibly expand on that a little?
Would it be of value to consider a seeding attachment (something btwn a Planet Jr and that 40″ walk behind drill that someone mentioned was on Craigslist)?

Once again – sorry about the hijack. I’ll work on doing better

[near horse]

Hey Mitch,

Any chance you (or Penny) could get a couple of pictures showing the gear setups on your cart ? – I had a hard time following the description (as often happens – I need a picture). Sorry.

[near horse]

I stopped by the local library and scanned a few older SFJ’s (maybe around 08) and was really impressed at the large number of HF and smaller farm equipment found in Europe – there was a gathering of some sort -. Promatta was there and there were some really creative pieces. Also, saw (in a different issue) – a ground drive brush hog that some Amish were making – I wrote down the contact information if anyone is interested. Is anyone familiar with those GD brush hogs? How well do they work?

[near horse]

I agree George. Nothing better than experience and guidance together. I’m looking to see what welding class might be available nearby – unfortunately our local HS guy is worthless. Still looking.

[near horse]

Ed,

PATIENCE?! PATIENCE?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!!!! I’M PATIENT!!! Or maybe not. Likely that’s an additional problem.

[near horse]

I have to mention the guy that taught metal shop when I was in 9th grade – a few decades ago. He was a no nonsense sort that didn’t believe in “all those letters for grades. Either you could do it or you couldn’t.” The first time we had to do something for a grade it was reading a micrometer – he’d set it on a number, hand it to you and ask “What’s it say?” You’d read it off and he’d let you know if you were right by hollering to the TA, who was recording grades in the gradebook, “Give ’em A”. or “Give ’em an F.”

He did actually give C’s on one project. We had to weld up a 4 inch cube using filler wire – no brazing. All the cubes were put in garbage cans full of water and held down with some plate steel on top of them over the weekend. On Monday – floats “Give ’em an A.” Sinks – “Give ’em an F.” Floats half way up but not to the top “Give ’em a C.”

We don’t allow that type of frank assessment in school these days. Might hurt someone’s self-esteem.

[near horse]

My Lincoln AC225 came from the local HS shop – they got new stuff and just set 6 – 10 of these out in the trash. Maybe my problem is the operator 😮

[near horse]

Thanks guys! I too end up “hacking” with my cutting torch and then trying to make things ‘nice’ with the grinder.

It’s pretty tough not to have some out of position welding when fabricating equipment – it’s pretty hard to reposition the big stuff.

I know a neighbor that does some custom metal furniture work and uses a plasma cutter for the cut work – I think it looks a lot cleaner although he’s using a lighter gauge metal.

Ed – no problem with your response. As John mentioned, you never know what one might learn from others’ responses! Thanks again.

What brand/size MIG are you using?

[near horse]

Hey Andy

One thing – poplar is still good wood to work with for trim work etc.

Regarding the kiln idea – What’s that guy’s name that does the Simple Living program on RH – Tim Carroll? Didn’t he have some type of kiln made out of an old step van box or something? Can’t remember the details – maybe it had a refregerator box on it – good insulation. Isn’t Tim a DAP member?

Here’s his website: http://www.cedarriverhorselogging.com/lumber.html
Maybe he’s got some good info – seems like a pretty creative thinker.

Good luck.

[near horse]

Carl – You da man!

Some guys out here got a wild hair and wanted to use some cull trees coming out of one of our local parks – about 100 yr old elm with dutch elm starting to take its toll. They got the contracted tree removal guy to set this thing on their 20 ft flatbed w/ his loader. Neither one thought about getting it off the trailer!!

They hooked onto the butt (over 30 inch dia and not even close to round) with a chain and Dodge 4×4 and tried to pull it off – nothing. Then, had the 4×4 that was attached to the trailer pull forward while the pickup yanked the chain going the other direction – no good. I suggested that they try and not pulll straight away on the log but get a bight and pull/roll it – a couple of those and she was on the ground – and the milled it right there rather than back at the shop. That was one heavy booger – at least for us soft wood guys out west!

[near horse]

Hey Robert,

Glad to see you’re still kicking! It sounds like you’ve come a long way from when we visited last year. Hooves on the ground and gettin’ after it!

As you know, I’m a rook too but here’s my 2 cents.
Bridling – it’s not an ear thing is it? The mule folks up here (and most places I think) say that mules REALLY don’t like stuff going over their ears – I never saw how they put on a bridle but that was like their RULE #1

I haven’t tried it yet but a few teamsters (I think “grey” may have mentioned this) have said that if your animal tends to want to back instead of stand – use a stick and put it against their rear end so when they step back they get a little prod – not a big poke etc, just a resistance reminder to stay put.

I would think your 9 yr old should be used to a bit if she was broke to ride. Can try the molasses coating trick and let her hold it in her mouth an “enjoy”. Or try snapping the bit onto your halter and let her get used to your bit in her mouth w/o worrying about the bridle yet.

Just my thoughts. Keep in touch – maybe I can run down and visit you again soon- I’ll buy the lunch!

[near horse]

I want to know how someone was able to take those pictures. Are they “still frames” pulled off a video? When I got dumped, and there were plenty of folks around, nobody even noticed. Thanks for the pics.

[near horse]

Hey!!! I did the same thing last spring (2X) except it wasn’t from fiddlin’ with the adjustments. I just got into a spot where the landside wheel got too high and it felt a little tippy but by golly I was gonna ride it out – over I went like a big kid on a tricycle. My team just stopped and looked like- “hurry and get back on dummy”.

Too much fun. BTW – later on I was moving that furrow wheel adjustment as I was plowing to see how much difference a notch or two would make. One notch makes a lot of difference in how the plow bites.

2nd BTW – I’m buying the JD 272 plow in the pic (the shiney paint only looks like that in the picture).

[near horse]

I know someone running equipment for a logging operation pulling in closer to $35/hr.

[near horse]

I know this might sound “risky” but it might be nice to have a listing of folks who would be willing to “put up” fellow teamsters who might be travelling through. It can be challenging to find places to overnight if you’re travelling with horses in tow and, I know my rates are the lowest around – free.

Just a thought and it has nothing to do with me thinking about heading to Waverly this year 😀

[Author]

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