Spreading lime with a manure spreader.

mercredi 30 novembre 2016

I have some 10-20 foot wide strips around the outside edge of an alfalfa field where the alfalfa looked weak after germinating and then slowly died over the summer. I did a soil test on these strips and the ph came back at 5.5 and very low in calcium. I limed this field heavily for a few years to get the ph high enough before planting the alfalfa but the spreader trucks must not have been throwing the lime all the way to the edge and that's why I still have a low ph strip around almost the whole field.

The trucks spread about 50 foot wide so I If have them spread the outside edge of the field again to get over what they missed It will also we way over liming a 30 foot wide strip around the field since it's only a 20 foot or less strip that needs the lime. I have been trying to figure out how to get this limed without over liming part of the field. I got to wondering if an old NH manure spreader would spread the lime since I don't think they have a very wide spread pattern? I think I can borrow an old manure spreader if it would work. If not any other ideas of what I might could use?

Spreading lime with a manure spreader.

How does the New Holland 450 baler compare to BR7060

I,m thinking of trading my br7060 round baler for the new 450. My br7060 has been a very good baler has baled 4300 bales. Dealer is offering good deal to trade. Just wondering if new baler is even better?



How does the New Holland 450 baler compare to BR7060

900x soft doors

Anybody have soft doors on their Kubota.What kind and how do you like them.JOE


900x soft doors

$1000 Turbo Kit for 2007-2012 RTV 1100 in the CT Area

Hey Guys, TurboKits.com needs an RTV 1100 to test out some piping. Anyone that helps will get a kit for $1000. They said the initial testing would take maybe an hour or 2 to test some piping. Then you would get a new production kit once it's ready. If you are close to us, we will travel to you for the testing. Hit us up ASAP!

860-676-2929
tech@turbokits.com

Kit Details: http://ift.tt/2gVngQz


$1000 Turbo Kit for 2007-2012 RTV 1100 in the CT Area

Case RBX542 baler are they any good?

I am looking at one of these machines and curious just how well they work? Never used a round baler so it should be interesting.
Also looking at a NH 575 baler as well. Are they power hogs or will a 38 pto hp tractor run it on flat fields?(back up tractor)
The 542 suposedly does both twine and net? Is this possible? And what should i be looking for on these units for issues? Thanks

Case RBX542 baler are they any good?

To Brushhog or not

mardi 29 novembre 2016

So one of my alfalfa fields this year was out of sync with everything else and I got 4th cut off it Sept 14, which is usually as late as I wanna go here in MI (from what the old timers taught me anyway), for a general frost date of October 15.

 

Well, we didn't get a frost, and had ridiculously warm weather all through october/november and the field is now 2' tall and has finally died back for the year.

 

Owing to the long growth, should I run the brush hog over it to 5 - 6" to clean it up and help spring growth, or leave it as-is and clean it up with first cutting? Not really sure, it'll probably just shatter when the mower hits it - thoughts? opinions?



To Brushhog or not

AcreValue

Successful Farmer.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fABmqx



AcreValue

Thinking about planting Teff again next year

I had a pretty good year growing teff on 75 acres.   I probably should have fertilized the last 2 cuttings.   People seemed to really take to it this year.   I sold a bunch to a guy in Wyoming.   Fairly big market for it in Wyoming.    So in my thinking of what to plant next year on the 75 acres my thoughts turn to Teff again and then just fertilize 3rd and 4th cutting to get more off of it.   Even the stuff that got rained on didn't hurt at all.   I found out that it's hard for Teff to mold in big squares here.    I baled some accidently at 30%.   It never molded.  Should I plant again?  



Thinking about planting Teff again next year

Hay! newby here looking for advice

found a pequea 760 rake inverter never saw one was wounder ing how they work man who has it claims he rakes with it behind his haybine 

any one ever use or see one work 

would like good and bad about these before i buy  thanks !



Hay! newby here looking for advice

Certain Hay Rings Dangerous for Calves

lundi 28 novembre 2016

Today we could have lost on of our best keeper yearling heifers. As I approached the hay ring to put a new round bale in it, I noticed that the hay ring was up on edge and a calf was lying on the ground, half in and half out of the ring. Initially, I thought the calf was dead, but when I slightly elevated the ring with the tractor front end loader, the calf moved.

 

The heavy duty hay ring is the kind with a circular bar at the top, below which is the hay access area, and below this are three circular bars at the bottom with openings between them. The heifer apparently crawled into the hay ring to feed on the remaining hay, and when it tried to exit the ring, somehow its leg slipped through the upper opening of the bottom three bars, around the outside of the middle bar, and back through the lower opening with its hoof wedged tightly against the inside of the bottom bar. It took my neighbor and myself pushing and pulling together to force the hoof out of its wedged position. The heifer was plenty sore, and highly distressed, but it will survive.

 

These types of hay rings may be okay for baby calves and adult cattle, but not for yearling calves that still can squeeze through the hay access area into the center of the ring to feed. Tomorrow, I plan on purchasing a new hay ring that has a foot tall shield around the bottom to prevent a calves' leg from getting caught between the bottom bars. From now on, I will use this bottom-shielded hay ring to feed round bale grass hay to yearling calves. I hope none of you have had this problem.



Certain Hay Rings Dangerous for Calves

Do's and don't of bale bandit owners

I will be baling with a model 100 bandit next spring for the first time. For those of you that own a model 100. What are the do's and don'ts when operating a bandit?

Do's and don't of bale bandit owners

Drag type accumulators

Starting to think about ways to reduce the effort getting my small squares(lucerne/alfalfa) out of the field. I'm only a small operation so the simple drag type accumulator/grapple systems look attractive budget wise.

 

But my un-educated thinking is that dragging bales around the field can't be good for the plants (crown/new shoot damage) and must mess up the bottom of the bales? Anyone run this type of accumulator and tell me if this is an issue?

 

Something like this:

 

https://youtu.be/Y9PNHIxSMqs



Drag type accumulators

Weaning Ways

From DTN....Progressive Farmer.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fYN6PJ



Weaning Ways

Cornhusker Ranch Up For Auction

Western Nebraska.....AgWeb.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fEARH6



Cornhusker Ranch Up For Auction

Discbine Damage

Out and about looking at a few discbines and while I'm used to seeing rubber chunks missing from both JD and NH machines, I can't say I've ever seen a broken flail/impeller - until this weekend. Looked at a couple of New Holland flail discbines and both had a few broken flails. Also saw a few new New Holland discbines with steel rollers.

I read steel rollers are durable, more so than rubber, but what happens to the steel rollers when whatever rock or piece of wood goes through them - like apparently happened on those flail discbines with broken flails? Bent rollers or worse?

BTW the NH and Deere flails appear to me to be cast. I should think cast = brittle. Krone's flail machine uses steel impellers which maybe wouldn't be so brittle? Anybody replacing the flails/impellers on a NH or JD mower conditioner on a regular basis? Expensive?

Just curious.

Thanks,
Bill

Discbine Damage

Compton grass

I was told Compton grass was a good forage grass and high in protein but I can't find any information about it. Not sure if the name is correct. If it is, would it be a viable option for us here in West Central Georgia? Good you tell me more about it or lead me where to find more information. By the way, just found this site and it seems to be just what we need.

Compton grass

Krone 900 rotary rake- what's it worth?

Coming up on auction, along with a couple Vermeer R23A. This only rakes 2 windrows together correct? If the price is right, I may add this to the lineup, but am absolutely sold on the double basket Vermeer. Thoughts?

http://ift.tt/2fttEhF

Krone 900 rotary rake- what's it worth?

fluid film on sale



fluid film on sale

Alfalfa/Grass And The Goldilocks Syndrome

Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2gyW0Dl



Alfalfa/Grass And The Goldilocks Syndrome

Ethanol Production Simplified.

University of Illinois.....From Growing TN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2gnaVkR



Ethanol Production Simplified.

Feeding with manure spreader

dimanche 27 novembre 2016

Now that we have two tractors we decided to try using the manure spreader to feed the cows.  It seems to work fairly good,  but it would be nice have one of those hay busters.  

 

http://ift.tt/2gwNhVR

 



Feeding with manure spreader

Hay grapple build

Ok so I have been plaing on and designing me a hay grapple to build the last few years that would work for me and my equiemt and finally made time to get it starter. I would also like to think big_country as I used some of his ideas also. I made it a little smaller than a comerical bought grapple becuse the only loader tractor I have as if now is 38hp but it works out good with 10 36" bales. I built it to be able to be used with 32"-42" bales and to pick up 10 bales layed flat string up. Which I think if I do cut side up I can add 8 more hooks and pick up 12 bales at a time.

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Hay grapple build

1100 acting up

my 1100 is out at my deer lease. was running it this weekend - cruising down a flat road running around 16-18 mph. Unit will suddenly lose a little power for a second or two and then go back to running normal. Did it off and on all weekend. If I went down into a small dip when I was pulling out of it the unit would also bog down for a few seconds

any ideas on what could be causing a temporary loss of power?


1100 acting up

new seed alfalfa question

So I decieded to have a 30 ac field plowed up last year that was growing brome grass for the last 10 years.
I know it would have been better to rotate to been or corn for a couple years but, I didn't want to pay to have it plowed again.
So I planted bearless barley with alfalfa, it came in better than I thiught and next year I think I will have a ok stand.
So my question, there is some grass that survived not much, how should I kill it?
This is not RR, it was Nimbus variety
And should I add some seed in the spring to thicken the stand to keep weeds and grass out?

I don't want it to choke off the alfalfa eventually.
I'm thinking there is probably some alfalfa seeds that still will germinate in the spring.
Thanks

new seed alfalfa question

Manure spreader.

Ive finally decided I need to acquire a manure spreader. Stock piling manure all winter and waiting for the neighbor is just getting old. I currently only have 16 cows but plan in doubling that over the next several years. Anyhow I'm looking at a used Meyer 7200 vertical beater spreader and a smaller kuhnknight side slinger. I will be spreading solid manure not slurry. My question is with the Meyer spreader. I don't see many around our area and I'm curious if they are good spreaders and if there are any things other than auger pan/flighting and bearing condition I should concern myself with. Do any of you hay talkers have any experience with either of these machines? I mean this is kind of hay related I guess it all turns to manure in the end anyhow. Thanks for your help.

Manure spreader.

A Really Good Video On U-Joint Function

samedi 26 novembre 2016

The effect of u-joint angles on driveshafts.

 



A Really Good Video On U-Joint Function

Hay grappel build

Ok so I have been plaing on and designing me a hay grapple to build the last few years that would work for me and my equiemt and finally made time to get it starter. I would also like to think bigcountry as I used some of his ideas also. I made it a little smaller than a comerical bought grapple becuse the only loader tractor I have as if now is 38hp but it works out good with 10 36" bales. I built it to be able to be used with 32"-42" bales and to pick up 10 bales layed flat string up. Which I think if I do cut side up I can add 8 more hooks and pick up 12 bales at a time.

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Hay grappel build

Just couldn't do it

Well guys I have decided to stay in the hay business. I spoke to my new job manager and he said he would work with me so I could still get my hay up and said he knew I loved it and thinks I shouldn't stop. Also said he would help me out when we are off if I got behind. So with that said I can't wait till spring to put some hay on the ground. Also sold my m110x kubota and bought a m110gx. Sure do like the cabs on the gx over the x!

Just couldn't do it

1 wire alt. conv.

Got a 62 JD 1010 put in 12volt bat. coil & changed to neg. ground.
Having trouble wiring up 1wire alt.

replaced wiring & key switch


1 wire alt. conv.

2 demos still available

Went to the local Deere dealer to pick up parts. I am going to call and get a price on the 3x3. The salesman i use taking a couple days off was not in today

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2 demos still available

High moisture kit vs. silage special round balers

Hey folks,

  Does anyone know whether a high moisture "kit" for a round baler, like on a John Deere 449, makes it as capable with silage/haylage/baleage as an actual Silage Special machine like the 459ss, etc.? I think the kit adds the scraper and the spiral roller, but I can't tell whether a silage special baler is just built burlier to handle green hay.

  I'm wondering because apparently a NH "high moisture" baler like the BR7050 can only handle hay at around 35% moisture, while the NH silage special balers can supposedly handle up to 60%.

  Thanks.

  



High moisture kit vs. silage special round balers

vermeer twin basket rakes

Looking for something to replace the ole NH 216.  I need something with bigger gauge wheels, and the Vermeer looks like the one.  I was all excited about the R2800 till I heard the price.  I gotta have a hydraulic unfold - does the r23a have hydraulic unfold, or do I have to go to the r24a for that?  Looks like the r2300 will unfold hydraulically?

 

Rodney



vermeer twin basket rakes

Wallenstein Log Trailer

vendredi 25 novembre 2016

Okay, Okay, Okay...before I lose everyone on the Log Trailer part, let me start by saying that this thing is amazing at picking up hay bales...square or round.

 

I had a problem this summer, as I cleared my land in anticipation of converting forest into fields, my bulldozer would snap chockers every time the trees I was trying to twitch hit a rock, stump or root since I was dry-dragging them on the ground. I needed a way to get them off the ground yet was limited by my bulldozers lack of hydraulics, pto or 3 point hitch. When I saw this log trailer at a dealership, I saw potential far beyond a log trailer.

 

What a handy rig! It is ideal for the small farm. I have run it a lot, got some numbers figured out, and got the powerpack unit for it, which intensifies its usefulness 10 fold. For those that do not know, the Wallenstein is a Log Trailer with a boom and grapple attached to it. the log stakes can be removed and a dump body put in its place. The grapple can be swapped out for a small back hoe bucket, and it can also be used as a post hole driller too.

Log Trailer:
I was a little disappointed at this, I was hoping for some higher numbers as the machine can handle 5000 pounds (1 cord) but only has stakes for 1/2 a cord. I am going to extend the stakes a bit higher so that I can at least get 3/4 of a cord on it, that way I save a few trips out to the wood yard. With it however I can get 4 cords out per day cut at 8 feet. I get $80 a cord for my 8 foot pulpwood making for a decent work day pay off. As for fuel, I consume about 2 gallons of fuel doing so as everything is run at an idle. In that respect it is a very efficient mover of wood and I have pulled out 20 cords with it so far. Normally I pull tree length out at 1/4 cord per turn, in 5th gear in 4 wheel drive. With the trailer I can do so at 1/2 cord, in 7th gear (out of 8) and in 2 wheel drive.

I have also pulled out 12' spruce logs, many large in diameter at about 500 bf per twitch. It has done really well at this and the log loader, though small handles the big logs easily. Clean logs, making 3 trips to the yard per day instead of 10...$1200 in 3 days time using less than 5 gallons of fuel...what is not to love?

Backhoe:
This it surprisingly excels at. I have put in two culverts with it, and dug a waterline out to a new sheep barn. This machine can dig. Its a bit awkward because you can't dig straight on because your dump body is behind you, but it has such reach and depth that it is very forgiving, (unlike a tractor backhoes that can only dig in a 170 degree arc, this has 270 degrees. And it easily digs in tough digging, filling the bucket every time. Having the ability to dump the backhoe into the its dumb body is also nice.

Dump Body:
Filling the 1 yard dump body is slow, but filling it with the tractors bucket is fast. 4 passes and its filled. I used this to make a road into my woodlot where it was very wet. It really worked fast and well. I also moved gravel around from my pit 1/4 mile away to do some driveway work. Really fast.

Moving Big Round Bales:
This thing is super fast at it. Just pick the bale up with its grapple, toss it on the log trailer, grab the second one and you are off. Having the ability to pick the bale up and set it exactly where you want it by twisting, turning and rotating it makes it NICE. And stacking square bales...no more lifting!

Building Rock Walls:
What a dream. I used mine to pick up some big rocks and with its grapple, set them right in place with little effort.

Auger:
Honestly, it sucks at this and I probably will not put an auger on it again. Our soil here is gravelly loam and it is hard to auger with any machine. The backhoe would work much faster and is easy to put on.

The Powerpack:
This is what makes it nice. Everything I just described I can do on ANYTHING with a hitch. Since the little gas engines drives its hydraulics, it is not dependent upon a tractor. I can put it on my bulldozer, SUV, my car, even an ATV or tractor. Need to run a few logs to a buddies house? Just load them on the trailer and haul them over with your SUV, same thing with a load of manure, gravel or even big round bales. The powerpack was a $1600 dollar option, but boy was it worth it!

Future Attachments:
I plan to custom make the following attachments for it to make it even more useful. First a wood splitter. They make an upside down wood splitter for mini-excavators and for a reason. With a woodsplitter on the boom of my Wallenstein I can grab blocks of firewood without having to bend over and pick them up, and then swing it over my dump body and split the wood. After my dump body is full, I can drive over to where I store my wood and dump it in place. All this can be done without getting off the machine!

The second will be a boom mounted bush Hog or sickle bar mower. In this way I can use the boom to reach out around and over fences, ditches of roads, etc and cut brush that I can't drive my tractor into like a typical bush hog being dragged behind.

My only complaint is that this loader is the smaller version. I would go with the bigger model, but because the dealership had a guy order this one, then change his mind, then sat on it for two years, I got it at their cost. It is what it is, but with my dozer I could haul out even more with the bigger log trailer.

 

It is not big, just quick and versatile.

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Wallenstein Log Trailer

JD Equipment in Ohio

As I continue to ponder rebuilding or replacing my square baler I got to looking at used balers on Tractorhouse. Nothing very close to me in good condition with low use but have seen a couple at JD Equipment out in Ohio at a couple of their locations that look interesting. Have not called about them yet.

Anybody dealt with them before and have any good/bad experience? I'd rather not go look or deal on something that far away without some firsthand knowledge of the dealer. Thanks.

JD Equipment in Ohio

Meadow Fescue II

Hay and Forage Grower....earlier this month we read a article on Meadow Fescue by PFG....this one from H&FG has some interesting history on Meadow Fescue and might answer a few question that some of our members asked about how far South it can be grown.

 

http://ift.tt/1Q7SgEi

 

Regards, Mike



Meadow Fescue II

Small Squares

Hay and Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fxTvDC



Small Squares

Thinking About Raising Goats

jeudi 24 novembre 2016

Alright guys, as the topic implies, I have been thinking about diversifying our small cow/calf operation by adding getting in to the goat market on a small scale.  We raise our own hay, and typically have plenty left over that I could feed instead of stockpiling it for the next year.  I know that I would have to rework the fencing in the area, it's good enough for the cows, but no way it would hold a goat. 

 

Those of you that raise commercial goats, what breeds are you raising, what are you feeding them, would regular grass hay be good enough or would I have to do more specialized hay? 

 

Just trying to gather information while I'm thinking about this move, anything that you can think of to pass a long please do so, I don't want to jump into a losing proposition.

 

Thanks



Thinking About Raising Goats

IH 46 baler

I picked up a IH McCormick 46 baler today. It looks to be in good working order.

 

Is there anything i need to look for that might make it not work right.

 

It has a lot of new parts in the knotters. It does tie good knots if you roll it threw by hand.

 

Now i am wanting to get started making hay and got to wait all winter. :angry:



IH 46 baler

Rotary Rakes in cornstalks

Seen a guy pulling a rotary in stalks the other day, looked to me like he was leaving a lot on the ground but he said it did a better job leaving the hard, baler breaking stalk on the ground and just wicked up the leaves. Anybody ever tried this?

Rotary Rakes in cornstalks

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving
To all our members
To all our service men and women
To all our law enforcement personal
To all those doctors, nurses and those who work assisting the elderly
To all our service industry folks and those who serve us working retail
To all who help make our lives go smoothly
To all the clergy and bartenders that listen to our woes
To all the laborers that fix our roads and bridges so we can travel about
To all those that work in the power industry so that we all have power and heat
To all those that make the things we buy
To all those that help us behind the scenes, many we are not even aware of
To all the USA Happy Thanksgiving
I am thankful for you all.


Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

EPA Increase Bio Fuels.

From Successful Farmer.....do you think that maybe the EPA is already feeling the Trump heat?   I think you might call this "tail covering".

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2gkfD5v



EPA Increase Bio Fuels.

Round baler PTO requirements

mercredi 23 novembre 2016

Hey folks. I could really use some advice. I'm thinking seriously of trading in my Krone Bellima (fixed chamber) for a New Holland Roll-Belt 450 Silage Special (basically what used to be the BR7060 but curvier). There are lots of reasons why, but basically I want to feed out less often and use less wrap by making solid hard-core bales instead of saggy marshmallows (the first cut is fine with the Krone -- it's the second cut and anything after that makes puny bales).

  My question is this. The 450 Silage Special calls for a minimum PTO hp of 65. I drive a John Deere 5083E with PTO hp of 69, and I have some very hilly terrain. The dealer, who also sells Krones, says I'll be fine so long as I keep the bale dimensions no bigger than 48"x52".

  What do you guys think? Ever operate a bigger round baler with a tractor sized like mine? Any thoughts on whether I'll be over-taxing the tractor, or just failing to bale the way this baler wants to?

  Many thanks in advance.



Round baler PTO requirements

Spray Smarter Sale

Some good deals.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2ghyOJE



Spray Smarter Sale

Kubota X1100C with PTO K-Connect

mardi 22 novembre 2016

It's finally here! I've waited a long time for this one. 66" Snowblower, 66" Rotary Broom, and newly designed V Plow. All PTO shaft driven and switch out in 2 min between implements Very Very Slick.

Roctane Tires push through snow great too!

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Kubota X1100C with PTO K-Connect

new holland 492 haybine

Hello

 

Wondering if you all could let me have some thoughts on purchasing one of these 1996 low acreage one owner model. We have 60 acres of alfalfa and 60 acres of brome . Guy who has been cutting and baling alfalfa on the shares doesn't get it.Wants to bale alfalfa in the hot afternoon and pound our leaves off. I have a 55 hp tractor and do the small baling. next yr i want to do it ourselves . will this do a good job conditioning both the alfalfa and brome. Winter is a good time to buy.

thanks in advance for your help. Also any ideas on a rake?



new holland 492 haybine

Short term cows

Can one out ahead by buying short term cows and then selling them next summer as a cow calf pair?  and then buying back bred cows again the following fall.  That would eliminate the need for a bull.  What say you.  



Short term cows

Kubota RTV X 1100c For Sale

For Sale: 2014 Kubota TTV X 1100C
This machine has had a easy life was never worked, used to take Sunday drives around the farm and camp. Machine has many upgrades including alpine stereo system and upgraded speakers, wheels and tires, light bars front and rear, and is turbo charged. Thought I'd be happy with this but want to upgrade to a Polaris razor. Just completed a full service before getting it ready for winter.

$18,000 I'm open to comments on the price I struggled with it a bit, want to make sure it's priced fairly.

I will post some pictures. Machine is located in Upstate NY


Kubota RTV X 1100c For Sale

More than a Hay Bale

You guys might like this, and yet you guys might not. I am not really sure what it is; its is not an essay, nor an article, nor a short story, just musings I suppose. But perhaps you will like its meaning. You can be the judge.

 

More than a Hay Bale...

 

As I grip my wife’s hand, fingers interlaced, and walk to the top of the hill with a picnic basket clutched in the other; deep in my heart I know as a farmer, and father, I have so much to do, yet as a husband, this is the most important activity of the day.

Before us lies a sprawling field with commanding two hundred and seventy degree views of some of Waldo County’s most prominent western ridges. In the mid-ground, hardy rock walls with their sun bleached stones intersect in harsh contrast against a dark carpet of green, ankle high grass with a distant ridge lit in vibrant hues of yellow’s, oranges and reds that glow in the emerging morning sunlight. As a layer of fog rises up from the valley below us, the moisture of the morning dew is apparent from a light breeze carrying the crisp scent of damp corn slowly maturing in a field just beyond the rock wall. With only a slight breeze, the morning’s breath gently rattles the tassels of the corn as we just talk; of children, of our home, of our future; the type of conversation that is nothing, yet is everything in a marriage.

There are hundreds of hay bales to choose from, yet the choice is easy as we spread our quilt over the wet grass at the apex of the hill which affords us the best view, placing our backs against the baled up pasture that acts as both a back rest and a wind break. As deer gracefully graze at the edge of the meadow far in the distance, we begin to dine on carefully wrapped breakfast sandwich’s laden with thick pieces of bacon; fresh eggs and a layer of cheese all stemming from our farm as they are pulled from the picnic basket. Close behind are pieces of toast, smothered with butter and sweetly flavored with cinnamon. A mason jar of fresh cider is splashed into two tumblers as we greet the morning, and in turn the morning greets us.

The draw is too much, and I watch in silence as my wife delays the indulgence of her breakfast, and pries her shoes from her feet, mumbling something about wet shoes on the soft blanket, though I know there is a yearning inside her that begs to walk barefoot across the field as one last hold out of autumn before the green blanket of soft grass with nary a bramble in it, is replaced by harsh, cold snow.

It is a hard reality; the hay bale we so nonchalantly lean against is our sustenance. As farmers, everything we have is equated to the miracle of sheep being able to convert the green round rolls of grass, into delicious red meat. The picnic basket, the food within, and even the blanket we sit upon, have all been purchased from this conversion. In addition, thousands of dollars have been invested in the tractors and equipment to produce these simple geometric bundles of grass, as well as hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel that provided the energy to do so. Even more equipment, more fuel and more labor is needed to transport these hay bales from this field to the sheep’s mangers so the miracle of conversion of green grass to red meat can continue to take place.

And yet, all this escapes us as we simply enjoy the morning; basking in a simple pleasure of farming life, merely enjoying our wind break, taking pictures of the beautiful bales gracing the morning meadow in all its splendor on top of a western Waldo County hill, and posing on various hay bales for pictures and posterity.

The simple round hay bale; for us, sustenance and survival literally rolled into one.

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More than a Hay Bale

New Holland 590 big baler

Looking at adding a big baler to the operation for next year. And since I'm cheap and handy with a wrench, I keep coming back to the 590-595 NH. What are the main wear points in these machines? I've worked on Hesstons and I assume the NH are gonna be a lot the same to look for.

New Holland 590 big baler

RTV X100C speed and torque

Good morning guys,
I have been reading over this site for a while now and seems like a wealth of knowledge to be had. I manage a residential plantation and we just purchased several new RTV's for the grounds and landscape department after killing off a fleet of John Deere Gators. I have had a lot of experience with the earlier model RTV's ('8-'10) and was really impressed with the durability and power of the machines which is why I went with the new purchases.
We have 2 900's, 2 1100C's, and 2 1120's. I have to say I am not really impressed by any of them at the moment, other than the 1120 as far as speed and power goes...the 1100c especiallyweak. It is pulling a small 8x10 trailer with a mower on it and the best speed I am getting is 20 mph. you hit a small incline or soft sand and it will barely do 17mph. The 900 will do about 23 with a stiff tail wind(no trailer) and the 1120's are a little over 26 mph ( no traier). The disappointing thing is that we live and work on dirt roads and any little change in topography and these things slow down big time...there just seems to be no top end torque that I would expect from a 3 cylinder diesel.
They were all purchased brand new and all set up by the same dealer. Is this normal or do you think I should be getting better performance? should I call the dealer out to make any adjustments? At this point, they will be running with the pedal to the floor board 100% of the time and that is going to drastically reduce their longevity I would think.
I have also read about shifting issues, are yall referring to manually moving the lever or the transmission shifting due to load and RPM? the 1100c do not seem to shift at all and maintain really high RPM. occasionally, with no pattern, they will drop RPM for a second or two and then go right back up to the max....Any insight from yall would be greatly appreciated.

Josh


RTV X100C speed and torque

New Holland Discbine Cutterbar Question

dimanche 20 novembre 2016

If somehow one were to damage a module in the middle of a New Holland cutterbar, can you remove that module or do the modules have to be unstacked/unbolted from the outside - in order to remove the damaged module? I'm struggling to see how it's possible to unbolt and drop out a module due to the individual shafts that drive the cutter heads - or can they be repositioned such that an individual module can be removed without dissembling the bulk of the cutterbar.

Thanks!
Bill

New Holland Discbine Cutterbar Question

Jiffy 920 bale processor hammers

Looking for a source for replacement flails for my processor.  I'm going to give them a edge today, but I would like to replace the whole lot of them.  It's been a good unit, I chop a silage bale a day and a dry bale every other.  

Thanks,

 



Jiffy 920 bale processor hammers

Cattle Weighing Scales

samedi 19 novembre 2016

We are beginning to look into purchasing a scale to weigh our calves as they are in the squeeze chute. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

We normally prep our calves for a special feeder sale by fence line weaning, vaccinating and worming as required, holding them for 45 days after separating them from their mothers, and teaching them to eat out of troughs before shipping them to the sale. During that time we'd like to know how much weight these calves initially lose and gain back over the 1.5 month weaning period. 



Cattle Weighing Scales

Is Cool On The Front Burner Under Trump?

AgWeb.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fQegsc



Is Cool On The Front Burner Under Trump?

Auto Steer

We have  e a Trimble auto steer now, a CFX750. Might be in the market for another, common sense says to stay wit the exact same thing for ease of use. 

I know a lot of folks love their Ag Leader stuff while others swear by Trimble. 

However has anybody started with one brand, tried another, then stuck with that? 

Dads planted 55 corn crops, I’d like see at least 56, however he’s getting to that age where I might become the area expert on repairing marker arms that have hit trees, corner posts, etc. Is a 16 row planter so the end of those markers are getting out a ways. He’s already familiar with the Trimble, he uses it for burndown mainly, after burndown is done it goes back in my tractor for planting beans.



Auto Steer

UTV tires

So I’ve had my Polaris for about three years now, the machine itself has been excellent, all I’ve done is change oil and fuel filter once a year. I did have one other issue, but Polaris took care of that and extended the warranty for another year even.

However, the tires suck. First winter I had it run a frozen piece of corn stalk thru a tire, have also run sticks thru em as well when out cutting wood or trimming grapevines in the woods. Three have tubes in em now and the fourth has a whole bottle of slime. 

Original tires are Carlisle’s, made in the USA even. Anybody found a brand of tire that is tougher but doesn’t make it ride like a log wagon? I think they call the originals 2 ply, but they are so thin they won’t even hold a plug, more like the thickness of a good old extra heavy duty inner tube.

 



UTV tires

Starting another construction project. Pretty interesting.

vendredi 18 novembre 2016

This time it's a 56'x 26' 3 car garage with a 1st floor entrance hall and a in law living quarters above. It will have an elevator to 2nd floor.
First picture is previous little 20x20 garage ready for razing.
2nd is sawcut in driveway for front footing trench.
3rd-6th is today getting the footings poured. Done poured 19 yards today. My back is hurtin.

Next week is 3 courses of 16" block and 2 courses of 8" block. All hung over the #4 stickers you see. All block cells filled solid with grout.

Attached Thumbnails

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Starting another construction project. Pretty interesting.

Protect Water Quality

Successful Farmer.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2goXzrq



Protect Water Quality

Front wheel drive u-joint slop.

Just gave the 04 900 an oil change. Noticed some slop in the u-joint fit on the transfer case/ tranny output shaft to the front whell drive. Normal? If so, how much is acceptable as it moves noticeably in my hand.

As a further data point, I can see at least 3/4" of the splines not engaged in the u-joint. Again, Normal?

THX, Bob


Front wheel drive u-joint slop.

Case Ih 8590 4x4 baler?

Hello all,

Just bought a 8590 case in pretty decent shape, The monitor was lost or sold or something but it was not included.

So after researching the price of a new one and also all of the problems that they cause I was thinking of updating it to the AGCO GTA from the Maize co. retrofit

 Or if I can find enough info on what it does change it out to a common of the shelf industrial PLC controller programed by myself and install new sensors.

Do you guys think the second option is feasible?

What things do the monitor/controller control?

it looks to me like it is mostly info on alarms, speed, bale formation, bale count and pressures. All easy to do.

The things I see that it can control are: when to tie, lube cycles, accumulator control, bale density.

 

 

Thanks



Case Ih 8590 4x4 baler?

Receive automatic notification of new hay market reports

Hope this is okay to post. Just thought it might be helpful to some of you. If you want to receive automatic notifications for hay market reports, sign up here:

 

http://ift.tt/2g4FCLL

 

Lynn



Receive automatic notification of new hay market reports

How to read a soil test

Good read from No-Till Farmer.

http://ift.tt/2dVQPf1

How to read a soil test

So I've thought of another winter project

And she's a doozy... I've got an old Minnesota #5 rolabar rake that grandpa bought new. It's a good old rake, and I like it better than my New Hollands as the basket spins faster, but there's a problem... It's belt driven. With a round belt. That's no longer available. So the plan is to remove belt drive and make it hydraulic drive. Good friend is a hydraulic engineer said I should be able to get it done for about $500, that's motor, hoses, and speed control valve. Money isn't an issue with this as I would never sell it, so any thoughts of what else I should add to it? I have a set of shock absorber caster wheels I'd like to use as gauge wheels, and make it raise and lower hydraulically. Way more dollars into a 65 year old rake but like I say, it's not about the money, it's about making something better than it was from the factory. Dad thinks I should add a PTO pump and reservoir so any tractor could run it. I told him let's not get silly here... :P

And by the way, does anyone know the proper colors this thing should be? Dad said he remembers it being a rust-orange kind of color. Wheels and bars are yellow, basket stars are an awful green. (think Deutz spring green)

So I've thought of another winter project

harvest etc applicator foot switch & pump motor questions

I think I'd like to get the foot switch done over the winter.
Is this a plug/play install? Not sure where foot switch wiring plugs in?
My biggest head scratcher is that my floor is "soft". Floor mat is also a thick sound barrier. Not sure where to mount it.
I thought maybe mounting on a thick piece of plastic about 10" square?

Also, while cleaning my harvest etc out for winterization, I discovered motor #1 was toast. I didn't have to use my harvest etc much because we had an amazing hay making summer, so I'm pretty relieved.
Do most of you get pumps through dealer? With 10% off parts specials this winter, it looks like a $160 part.
Or is there an on line supplier that is more affordable?

harvest etc applicator foot switch & pump motor questions

Prepping Hi-Tech Stuff For Winter

Dan Anderson....AgWeb.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1HIrJON



Prepping Hi-Tech Stuff For Winter

Hay rings

jeudi 17 novembre 2016

Anyone else use these?


http://ift.tt/2eLVPYO

Hay rings

Grazing Cover Crops

Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fmp2WL



Grazing Cover Crops

Meadow Fescue

New pasture blend....Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2eLQRvn



Meadow Fescue

Hello from Los Angeles

Hey there, I have been visiting this forum as a guest for the past few weeks, and I have only made up my mind to join this community today. Nice to meet you all :harley:


Hello from Los Angeles

Accumulator Questions

You buy your accumulator. One model sets the bale cut side up (conventional - not inline baler), another puts the cut side down, another puts the string side down.

Load out your bales from the field on a wagon, get them stacked in the barn exactly like they were off-loaded from the accumulator, i.e. with respect to the cut/string side.

2 customers are coming. One has a 53 ft box, the other has a flat bed trailer.

I can see stacking 6 wide in a box trailer, cut side up/down from the end. Not sure this works with a flat bed trailer as (maybe?) you are loading it from the side vs end? With no sides on a flat bed (and no band around the bale stack), looks like stacking cut side up/down will be wobbly at best - side stacking on the strings IMHO much better?

Then the preverbal argument - hay dries better stacked cut side up (or fill in the blank). If your accumulator is dropping bales cut side down, you're screwed. If it lays them out on the string side, nice stable pile, but....

Soooooooo.......

What is the balance between buying an accumulator based on how it presents the cut side, stacking in the barn and on box vs flat bed trailers?

We tried stacking bales cut side up this year and maybe our hay was dry enough it didn't matter, but there were some bales I was 100% sure would dust up that were stacked cut side up and they have shown zero sign of dust. Absent more experience, I'm a believer in stacking cut side up.

Not so sure when it comes to taking all that hay cut side up and loading it out on flat bed trailers is going to be such a good idea?

Accumulator, cut side when stacking barn/trailer - what combo do you prefer and why?

Thanks!
Bill

Accumulator Questions

To buy or not to buy heifers for the first time

I have been thinking about buying some heifers since the prices went in the outhouse hole. Was wandering if I should just buy some 500-600lbs calves or just buy bred heifers. I know they should be around 800lbs when you turn the bull out. I'm just thinking it would be a lower start up cost if I just bought the calves. I would need to buy hay this year but after that I have access to 50 acres of good alfalfa grass hay ground and MAYBE an extra 80 acres of grass if I can get it. Thinking 50-75 head depends on if I buy them bred or as calves.  



To buy or not to buy heifers for the first time

Ford 8N issue

mercredi 16 novembre 2016

I have a restored 8N - starts and runs fine for around 15-20 minutes and then just dies. Then will not restart. If I wait 30-60 minutes then it will restart and run a little while - any ideas?


Ford 8N issue

rtv900

i have a 06 rtv 900 it came off of a trailer and rolled down the road afterwards it would not move in any gear.I took the hst apart and found the motor on the inboard side of the output shaft to be damaged. I replaced the motor and bearings with new ones. HST still does not work and there is no pressure at p1 or p2. Can anyone help me with this problem?


rtv900

Applying hay preservatives - tell me why this won't work

mardi 15 novembre 2016

Ok, if you needed to bale and have not had time to mount a preservative applicator on the baler, why couldn't you just put the tank in the loader buck on the front of the tractor , mount a short boom with 1-2 nozzels and apply across the windrow as you are baling ?? This looks quick and easy to me, but there must be a reason everybody takes a day to build brackets, route hoses, wires mount nozzels etc.... but with the loader bucket idea you are not spraying corrosive chem on the baler. Ok I'm ready to be pounded here

Applying hay preservatives - tell me why this won't work

Lilliston 9690 No Till Drill

Anybody know anything about these drills? Bushhog also sold them under their name. Made in the 80's from what I can tell... May be able to pick it up cheap, and very tired of fighting with neighbors Esh no till...



Lilliston 9690 No Till Drill

Welger AP51 & AP71 parts compatibility

I have a couple of Welger AP71 balers and have the chance to buy a cheap AP51 baler.

 

The AP51 is 500km away, so I have to make a buying decision without seeing it (except for photos).

 

I'm wondering what portion of the parts are interchangeable between the two models, specifically how much of the AP51 can be bolted into my AP71.

 

Any advice would be welcome.

 

Thank you



Welger AP51 & AP71 parts compatibility

Is it okay to use ring roller or (cultipacker) behind drill?

lundi 14 novembre 2016

Hello all. I jus purchase a Massey Ferguson grain drill to plant my winter oats. I've never done it before but I would like to know if it's okay to use a ring roller or as some know it as a cultipacker right behind the drill to make sure soil compaction and seed cover can occur evenly.?

Is it okay to use ring roller or (cultipacker) behind drill?

The plan is?

OK, so long story short two years ago lost irrigation water on one of my feilds . I was just starting to rehab it from the previous owner who's idea of care was to pit a cow on it when his freezer got empty. It is now only growing weeds. My plan is to plant in the spring a pasture mix and spray out the broad leaf and add some clover after I spray. Here is the question, I was thinking about adding some grain to the mix when I plant what would you guys do? I am open to ideas just want a strong stand when I am done. The guy I work for on the side Gave me some brewers barley that got dumped when the auger broke so cost is not a problem with that.

Ok hit me where am I going crazy?

The plan is?

Exceptional Drought

Hard here and several other states in the Southeast.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fOZFxy



Exceptional Drought

Foxtail and Pre-emergent

Is foxtail an annual - not a perennial?  I've read it is an annual, but for some reason thought otherwise?

 

Being an annual - I gather, if there are seeds, it grows - goes to seed again and you've got another batch for next year.

 

Spray herbicides and forget about planting seeds, i.e. overseed an existing field?  I think we've discussed that in addition to broad leaf killing, many herbicides are also pre-emergents.

 

It would seem to me that if foxtail is an annual and depends on a new batch of seed to continue on, then timely application of herbicide could be an effective measure to control it?

 

Am I really WAY of the mark with the above?

 

Thanks!

Bill



Foxtail and Pre-emergent

1100 wont shift

have a 2015 1100 - cannot shift it into low. I can get it into high and reverse but it takes some effort - any ideas on cause?


1100 wont shift

bale densities

dimanche 13 novembre 2016

I currently have a 570 NH and am looking at picking up a sb44 small baler.
I know I am going from 14x18 to 16x18 but was wondering if going from conventional to inline can affect the bale density.
I am used to running heavy grass here and can do 70-75 lbs in a normal first cut so what can I expect as a bale weight?

Also, how do in lines do in straw?

bale densities

krone comfort control repairs

Hi I unknowingly hooked my monitor up backwards and know it's not working does anyone know of someone who can repair it.

krone comfort control repairs

To rye or to triticale, that is the question

What can I expect from rye or triticale if I sow it in the spring? Soil is on the acidic side and I'm about to stick a plow to it because it is compacted and subpar.

To rye or to triticale, that is the question

New Holland T4050V

samedi 12 novembre 2016

Hi everyone, I have a question that is apparently very hard to answer. I have a 2009 T4050V tractor. I need to know the gear ratio of my tractor to change tire sizes since its a 4 wheel drive. I have contacted 4 dealers and New Holland directly (they referred me to my local dealer) and none of them know the answer nor where to get it.
I did find a plate on the front differential that says "total ratio 16.809/1" but nothing on the rear differential and that number doesn't mean anything to me.

Can anyone help with this question?


New Holland T4050V

Vermeer 504R Signature Baler

Vermeer released the 504R baler in August.  I have not been able to find any reviews on this baler.  Is this a premium baler or an economy baler or somewhere in between.  Also has anyone seen the price on this.  They call this the "working man's baler".  I have a 505M Classic and am considering this as a replacement.



Vermeer 504R Signature Baler

Axle relocation bracket for MF 124 baler

Hi. I have a Massey 124 baler that I recently mounted a new Holland 70 bale thrower on. Due to the excess weight it's a bit too light in the front, and I gather that New Holland's answer to this is installing an axle relocation bracket to move the left hand tire back about 8". I talked to my Massey dealer and no such piece exists for Massey balers, but I assume it would be easy enough to make since the hub just bolts onto the axle with four bolts. Thinking a very thick piece of flat stock to run the bolt-on point of the hub about 8" backwards.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any recommendation what thickness of flat stock would be sufficient to support the weight?

Thanks!

Axle relocation bracket for MF 124 baler

Case 1085/Drott 40 Wheeled Excavator

Anyone know where I might find one for a reasonable price? I'm looking at having to deliver 10,000 yards of topsoil this spring and need a better machine than I have but don't really want to buy a tracked excavator.



Case 1085/Drott 40 Wheeled Excavator

New Holland BR series bearing problems

vendredi 11 novembre 2016

I have been seeing a recurring issue involving the bearings/shafts of the tail gate rollers.  It seems the inner races are wearing on the roller shafts, result is lock collars failing and outer races orbiting in the housing.  Can anybody shed a little light on this problem?  Two different balers, one has a higher bale count, one lower.  Seems both have the same problem, lower bale machine appears  to have a worse problem.  Is there a way to refurbish the roller shafts?



New Holland BR series bearing problems

Balance problems after mounting a bale thrower

Hi all. I just mounted a NH model 70 bale thrower on my MF 124 baler. Everything fits and runs great, but I'm noticing that the increased ballast in the rear is making the front of the baler light, causing it to rock considerably more when run stationary. The main drive chain running back from the plunger cam is also developing slack when the plunger is at its farthest throw, which makes me think there is a slight warping of the bale chamber / plunger box from the weight and shaking occurring - probably not good for the longevity of the baler.

MF 124's are made to handle throwers, but the NH 70 may just be a bit heavier than what's usually put on a 124. Does anyone have any ideas how I could remedy the issue? My thoughts are removing excess shielding from the thrower in an attempt to lighten it, and/or adding weight to the baler'a tongue - neither of which are ideal.

Thanks!

Balance problems after mounting a bale thrower

488 haybine

  The guards on my haybine are getting worn at the back where the sickle back rubs against it can I put the wear plates in there to push the blade forward? The guards are good just the wear on the back.



488 haybine

New Holland 354

I just bought a NH 354 grinder/mixer and I am trying to locate an owners manual.  So far I have been unable to locate, so thought I would give good old HT folks a try. 

 

I maybe unusual, being I do read (and find useful) the owners manuals for equipment. I have found parts manuals for a NH 354, but not an owners manual.  And yes I know it is an 'older' machine (built from 1971-76 I believe), but for grinding a couple little 4H critters feed, it will serve my purposes (actual grinding feed for 2 grandkid's steers that Grandpa supplies, but that is a different story).

 

I know that if I had a specific problem, Mike10 is there usually there to help (thanks Mike), but I still desire to have the owners manual.

 

Any and all thoughts/ideas/copies will be greatly appreciated.  I am not looking for a 'free' ride (nor demonstrating against our next commander in chief).  Deplorable maybe yes, but willing to pay for manual and intelligent enough to know how to read it.

 

Larry



New Holland 354

Still On A Mission.

Army Ranger Turned Farmer....from Growing TN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fHyjtD



Still On A Mission.

1839 inline upgrade to 1840

jeudi 10 novembre 2016

So looking to possiabily upgrade to an 1840, however I'm having a hard time spending a ton of money to purchase this 1840. I'm trying to wrap my head around the small differences and why the changes can't be adapted to my current 1839? To start I see augers are reversed flighted, which I see no reason 1840 augers won't work. Next the stuffer, and the part I'm most interested in, we all know the stuffer is the most challenging on these balers, but why couldn't the 1840 stuffer work? Big 1840 twine boxes are easy enough to add. Help me out please, also if someone could tell me about advancing a tooth on stuffer that would Grreat

1839 inline upgrade to 1840

Buying Opportunities.

Drovers....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/news/markets/cattle-markets-cattle-price-slide-presents-buying-opportunities



Buying Opportunities.

Bale fire

Not sure what happened here,but I presume it's cornstalk bales.Its about 30 miles from me.

14976781_1484919628202607_51779664760099



Bale fire

The RTV Tilt

Hello Fellow RTV 500 Owners: I have a question - What could cause my RTV 500 to have a tilt to the left (looking from Front) of approx. 1.25 " Thank You


The RTV Tilt

200 hour service

Ready to do the 200 hour check-up on my 1120 and wondering what motor oil and hydraulic oil people are using. Of does everyone just use the Kubota. Thinking of using Rotella T5 or T6 motor oil.


200 hour service

Good Bye Little Guy

It finally happened. Our closest JD dealer Derrick Equipment will be acquired by Blanchard. Derrick operated 3 dealerships. I knew from the discussion on this board over the years that the little guy was on the way out. It really surprised me Derrick how long they stuck it out but they were an old dealer.

Good Bye Little Guy

New Dicamba Formulation Approved

By the EPA. AgWeb.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://www.agweb.com/article/new-dicamba-formulation-approved-for-over-the-top-use-naa-sonja-begemann/



New Dicamba Formulation Approved

Election is over

mercredi 9 novembre 2016

I feel like the good lord said "I am going to give y'all one last chance to get it right." If we can just get enough of the citidiots in DC to work together???? Or get rid of them....
Bryce


Election is over

Small square bale baleage

Was conversation awhile ago about wrapping small squares. Look like alot of work....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dt_xWh3gUU

Appears it is from across the pond

Small square bale baleage

john deere 100 big square baler

hi, i know this is going to get bashed right away, sinse my other research i have read on these balers are bad. but im looking for honest opinions from people who have used or own these balers. im just looking at possibly adding a big square baler for hay sales. how bad are these balers for dry alfalfa/grass mix. ive seen some for sale with 40,000 bales that tells me they must work to some extent. we have round and small square so not looking to replace them. just looking at baling around 200-500 big squares depending on sales. thanks

john deere 100 big square baler

Who has good feed hay that is close to Mass?

Im going to be needing about 500 bales to feed my critters coming up shortly.. any of you folks have any small squares at a reasonable price?

Who has good feed hay that is close to Mass?

Mid-Size Farms

From GrowingTN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://growingtennessee.com/features/2016/11/midsize-family-farms-us-taking-hit/?utm_source=Growing+Tennessee&utm_campaign=dace082a25-growingtennessee-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d75710df8e-dace082a25-296641129



Mid-Size Farms

Corn stalk baling video today

mardi 8 novembre 2016

https://youtu.be/ObVFSBqJrU0

Baling today. I hope the YouTube link works.

Corn stalk baling video today

Rebuild or replace JD square baler

Been thinking about this a lot lately. Currently run a JD 347 baler that is getting a little tired and just not as reliable as it used to be. I have replaced parts as needed and tried to keep it up to date but is to the point it needs a major overhaul and tune up. Trying to decide if it makes more sense to rebuild it and run it a few more years or trade it off and get a brand new baler with the intent that it would last me many years no more square bales than we make in a year. We typically do 3-4k bales (mainly do round bales) so nothing like what some of you are putting through your square balers.

 

I have no idea how many bales have been through this baler. I have only put 30-40k through it but we bought it used 13 or so years ago, it saw a lot more use prior to us getting it. I know overhauling will be much cheaper than buying new, but not just looking at it from an economic or cost per bale standpoint. This is by far our oldest piece of hay equipment and while it may not get as many bales or hours of use as other pieces, it would still be next on the upgrade list based on age. There are tax advantages for me to trade and buy new. I also work full-time off the farm so having good equipment that is ready to go is also important. I know anything can break down, new or used, but as I said this baler is just getting a little too unreliable for my liking. Had to put too much pretty 2nd and 3rd cut hay into round bales this year due to square baler breakdowns. I know an overhaul should help that, but I would still be looking at a 30+ year old baler. If we bought new I would be looking at this baler to last me a very long time, may even be the last baler I would need to buy. Wouldn't be buying it with the intent to trade it off in a few years.

 

My one big fear of buying new though is quality. From first hand experience with some upgrades in the last year or so I feel like the quality on a lot of equipment has gone downhill, even if the model or design has not changed. Sheet metal, components, parts, etc. just seem and feel cheaper to me. And quality control also seems to be lacking. For those of you with new square baler experience, what are your thoughts on this? Do you think the quality in a 30 year old baler will be extremely different than a new one? Or have the square balers not been cheapened up as much as other equipment? Unfortunately most dealers around here never have any new square balers sitting on the lot for comparison.

 

I would more than likely stick with a JD baler, probably a 348 or a 338 (I realize the 338 is a lower capacity machine, but would probably be fine for no more hay than we bale). We have always run JD balers and gotten along well. I did price a NH 5070 while I was at the dealership the other day for something else, just out or curiosity. I would consider the possibility of going to NH depending on price difference (haven't priced JD yet) and/or if the NH was higher quality?? Be interested in opinions on that. I have been around no modern NH balers, but have spent some time with older 273, 276, etc. years ago. From reading posts on here a 5070 is a fine baler. As far as dealer support goes between JD and NH locally they are equal...both are terrible :).

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

 



Rebuild or replace JD square baler

NH baler goes out of timing.

Just bought a 275 baler, similar set up to a 271, it came with new needles installed so Iam guessing I just bought someone else's nightmare.

 

Just fixed a heap of rust, lubed parts, put in some new hay dogs and spring and gave it a paint job etc. 

 

I had the knotter frame out as a whole unit, to do some repairs under there, but made sure I marked everything and it has gone back as it came out.

 

So I adjusted all the chains etc, timed the thing, put the arm in between the notches, lined up the notches on the knotter frame etc. and spun it over a few times by hand, tripped the knotters a few times with some tension on the the twine, hooked up the tractor and ran it for 5 minutes, but didn't trip the knotters.

 

Took it out in the paddock, the first knot was a mess and the next I broke a needle, checked the timing and it was out by 1 tooth (the drive had advanced forward) no shear pins were broken, now I reset the timing but I am hesitant to put a new needle in until I find out why the timing went out.

 

Only thing I can think of is the clutch on the knotters (it does look like it has had some crusty old grease in there most pushed out by clean stuff) but I haven't pulled it apart yet.

 

TIA



NH baler goes out of timing.

New holland 69, Feeder tine Gearbox

G'day Folks,

 

First of all a G'day and thaks for the accept,

 

I have just bought a New holland 69 hyaline and busted out a few bales. Then when the going got thick i slowed down. The throat filled up and i couldn't understand why i wouldn't shift the grass. Anyway seems the Feeder tines aren't driving. Couldn't find a shearbolt or the like, there is drive from the chain to the gearbox, but no drive to the gear on the tines itself, 

 

Gearbox we think?

 

thanks for your advice and hopefully us folks down under use the same terms so i haven't just confused you all!

 

Tomo



New holland 69, Feeder tine Gearbox

MF 8780 won’t unload

lundi 7 novembre 2016

Tried to pick corn today, only got about thirty acres done the the unload control started acting up.

First you may have to had pushed the button twice to get it to kick in, then it would shut off about part way thru, then several times thru, then maybe would only run for twenty seconds, now won’t start at all. 

Have narrowed it down to the unload engage module on the lower right corner of the fuse/relay board. So far parts guys are claiming it’s not available and you have to update the board to a newer one and a new module, I can’t even imagine what an obscene price that will be.

Pretty sure its the module though, the sealant is cracked on it and starting to fall off, this is the module thats held on with one little screw then unplugs.

We have a few junk yards in the area but none real big on MF, wondering if anybody had a salvage yard near them with a few MF 8780’s sitting in it?

If nothing else if a replacement unit fixes the problem even if temporarily, then we know dropping the money on a new board isn’t a complete waste of $$$. Hate to spent too much though as looking to trade it in on a MF9790 or 9795 at some point.



MF 8780 won’t unload

John Deere 2280/300 twin knife swather set-up?

Hello,

I found what I thought was good deal on a 2280, The motor shelled out about 15 Ac later.

I replaced the motor and it runs good now, But It doesn't cut like I think it should.

The head was slipping and the augers were not pulling the hay in, like they should.

Im not sure what was slipping, Im thinking it might have been the large pulley under the cab that powers the head.

 

I had to put the head on it myself, and I need to know where to set the "jack bolt" stops that control the head?

And also the turn buckles that set the angle of the head?

Also any  general suggestion on how to set it up right?

 

 

Thanks



John Deere 2280/300 twin knife swather set-up?

New holland 268 accumulator

I was wondering if putting an accumulator on my 268 New Holland is possible? I'm using bale thrower at the moment but I have absolutely no help to unload the racks. I know it's an Old baler but I seem to remember somebody on here having the same general setup

New holland 268 accumulator

Hay Auction/Broker

My family has a farm in Eastern North Carolina. We cut/bale around 200 acres of coastal bermuda each year, mostly 4x5 net wrapped rounds, we do some squares but not many. We bale 4x6 bales to keep to feed our cows for the winter. We got around 80 cows we feed. This year we had a pretty good hay season and will have many bales that we will be able to sale. We used to sale more but the neighbors that were buying 40-50 each a year have gone out and bought equipment for their 15-20 acre farms. We were looking another market as far as selling some. Ive heard about the auctions up north and some brokers as well. Don't really want to get into the broker stuff and hauling $35 hay close to 4-500 miles away to an auction wont be profitable. With the price of cows now we have thought about increasing in that area. If anyone has any ideas or knows anyone looking any hay,  were open to suggestions. Thanks guys.



Hay Auction/Broker

Thoughts on the value of this Hesston 4590

Found this the other night while poking around.  My first though was that it was a little too old, and that the price was plenty high.  I haven't gone and looked at it yet.

 

http://ift.tt/2efzMJP

 



Thoughts on the value of this Hesston 4590

3pt leaf blower build

Hi all, I have a old pull type Billion crimper  that has a good gear box and I'm thinking about building a leaf blower.. 

 

I would like to know what type of fan I could use ??  

 

Not sure yet what ratio the gear box is yet.....

 

Direct drive or belt & pulley.....

 

Cage type fan like blowers in a furnace or would another type work better ??

 

Lets see what others have out there and your thoughts what would or might work....

 

Thanks Chris



3pt leaf blower build

Round baler question

dimanche 6 novembre 2016

Ok here is my delema, a ton of my fields are quite hilly and my issue with round bales are getting runaways? Do round balers have something to lay them over so they dont roll away? I have seen them glo for a rip and end up destroyed in the woods..

Round baler question

Freeman 200 Serial ID

vendredi 4 novembre 2016

Picked up a nice Freeman 200, like to decode serial #65790. Any help appreciated.



Freeman 200 Serial ID

Farm Equipment Dealers Evolving

We can only hope....AgWeb.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2ewR5V6



Farm Equipment Dealers Evolving

Faded camo doors

Starting to fix the RTV up some. Really excited after getting new tires, so I decided to get the doors out of storeage and stretch the fabric back out on the camo doors before putting them on for the colder months coming up. The velcro had come unglued all the way around, so I fixed that.

over the last several years I had noticed the camo fabric was becoming faded from the original camo color. Now the doors look like a pinkish/purplish faded camo color. Really looks like crap next to the camo color still on the RTV fenders, hood and bed. I have a Curtis cab enclosure if anyone is familiar with that. I'll try to take some pics later to show what I'm talking about.

Anyhow, does anyone have any idea how to restore the camo color to be even somewhat close to what it was before? I've heard of a product called Camo Restore, but I haven't read any good reviews of the product, nor do I think I can wash this fabric in the washing machine. it needs to remain on the metal frame.

I actually thought of spraying a fine mist of paint over the fabric, hoping to wash out the pinkish tone to it, but I'm afraid I'll mess it up.

Any ideas or things some of you might have done with some success?


Faded camo doors

40 little Baldies

Made a deal on 40-50 mixed weight steer calves. My lovely banker (wife) said go-for-it! We have a great pile of baleage and look forward to a rising economy.



40 little Baldies

Now you only have a flip

jeudi 3 novembre 2016

Now you only have a flip

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Now you only have a flip

Automatic waterers?

Im finally getting water n electric up to our barn. I decided while I had the trencher rented I dug a line another 50ft to barnyard/pasture area... looking for best options for an Automatic Waterer possibly heated. Im looking for easy install but want reliable to. I'm concerned about it just being one more thing to go wrong... considered just putting just another hydrant in like im installing inside the barn. Look for done opinions. Thanks guys I haven't been around for awhile.

Automatic waterers?

M&W 1500 baler help. Operation questions any M&W owner

If there is any that can help me I would greatly appreciate it. I have a M&W 1500 and I am wondering what the two orange lights are for on the front of the baler. I think they are the full bale light but I'm not sure. If that is right. Mine are not working and I need help to figure out why. Thanks,. Drewbilly

M&W 1500 baler help. Operation questions any M&W owner

High Capacity V Rakes

I am in the market for a used hay rake.  I am thinking about a New Holland 154 or 152.  In my area I need either a 10 or 12 wheel rake. I have never owned one of these types of rakes and am looking to find a good used one.  I have noticed prices can vary quite a bit on rakes that seem pretty similar.  Here is my question. What are the key components to check when trying to find one that will be field ready and not present to many costly repairs.   



High Capacity V Rakes

RTV Stupid Human Trick

Time for an Oil change. Drove onto the shop hoist, up in the air, pull the plug, while it's draining change the filter and look everything over underneath, replace filter and plug, let the hoist down........

Now fill er up with engine oil...... Oooooppppssss,,,, forgot to raise the bed.....

Slightly alarmed at first, then laughed at myself for the next few minutes while I finished the project. Surely I'm not the only one that's done that. :)


RTV Stupid Human Trick

499 New Holland power requirements

I know that it is recommended for 60hp, but is that just for weight reasons?  I would like to mount one on the front of a 80-90 pto hp tractor and pull my old 495.  We do pull a 495 with a 5055E deere (45 pto hp) Still working on the concept of the mount.  Ideas/thoughts welcome on that. I would like to power the 499 hydraulically with a crankshaft mounted front pump.  Has anyone done this?  I can't be the first with this idea.  Thanks,

 



499 New Holland power requirements

Feeding Cull Cows

Growing TN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2fkHVIZ



Feeding Cull Cows

?'s for experienced bush hog guys

mercredi 2 novembre 2016

Got a phone call from another local HOA wanting open space cut.

Looks like about 25 acres cut up into small, non contiguous patches, but all very close together in the same subdivision. 

 

I'm pretty experienced, been cutting fields with a bush hog for most my adult life. I walked the open space this morning. Noticed the current guy does a shitty job. Leaves lots of dead veg. standing around trees. Wont use loader to move fallen limbs, just steers around them. But the most unusual thing i noticed is he is using a sickle bar or disc (non conditioner) mower to cut the grass/weeds.

This is unusual in my area for sure. Everyone runs pull type bush hog. 

So, I began to wonder why he did this. One other thing I saw is that some of the area to be cut is soft. Some ruts filled with water. Its been rainy lately. Was just cut last few weeks, all cut veg. just laying there full length, as if it was hay.

 

Is there a chance the guy uses a sickle/disc because its soft in those spots and sickle is light and can "hang" over soft spots? HOA pres doesnt like laid over veg. He wants it shredded up like a BH would. Residents complain about "matts" of veg. 

Am I walking into a future stuck tractor scenario?

Is the current guy, although low on quality, smart for using sickle? 

80% is high & dry, rest is "iffy". 



?'s for experienced bush hog guys

Hay Wagon Swim.

I have a United Farm Wagon(680) I purchased at auction and put a 20' bed on it. When it is empty it pulls dead on at 55+mph.

When it is loaded with 150 bales of hay, it wants to swim just a little back and forth....I am guessing about 2-3 inches. How do you know if it needs to tow in or out and about how much would you start at in the movement? 1/4"?

 

Regards, Mike



Hay Wagon Swim.

international harvester 454

hi can anyone help i have a International harvester 454 i am tiring to find out what hidrotic oil goes in it year 1970 to1973 if anyone can help it wood be grate thanks i have been on the net cant find a lot about it


international harvester 454

international harvester 454

hi can anyone help i have a International harvester 454 i am tiring to find out what hidrotic oil goes in it year 1970 to1973 if anyone can help it wood be grate thanks i have been on the net cant find a lot about it


international harvester 454

Planting barley or oats after alfalfa

mardi 1 novembre 2016

I had planned on planting corn next spring in a field of alfalfa that has thinned badly due to an investation of grubs feeding on the roots but am now rethinking that decision for a couple different reasons. I'm now thinking about planting either winter oats or barley this fall if we get some rain before it gets too late to plant. Here there is an very good market for feed grains and I could also plant a double crop of milo or beans after harvesting the grain and straw so it would likely pencil out better than the corn.

How well barley or oats will do after alfalfa? I have not killed the alfalfa yet but its 10 days until the next forecasted rain so it will be a while before I could plant anyway. If I can't plant by Thanksgiving I won't try it. Would it be an issue if the alfalfa has been sprayed but isn't fully dead when I'm no tilling the barley or oats into it? How long will it take before there is nitrogen available from the alfalfa? Will I need to apply any N a planting and would there be enough available N from the alfalfa by next spring that I wouldn't need to top dress the small grain?

Hayden

Planting barley or oats after alfalfa

Mower blades too thin?

I bought a new(used) mower and looked up the part number online for some replacement mower blades based on measurements I took from the old ones. Well I got it wrong and the replacements that I picked up were 1mm thinner than the originals(3mm vs 4mm)

 

As such there is a lot more axial play when they are bolted to the discs. I'm debating if I should return them and try get the correct thickness or if these will be ok to run as is?



Mower blades too thin?

Pipeline

We have an old easement with an oil line 4 inches in diameter that hasn't been used for 30 years and YGI decided they want to place an 8 inch high pressure gas line right beside the oil line 12 foot beside. We have a pond that's a third of an acre there going under 14 acres of Woodland there chiseling the whole side off and down through a mile of farmland. They came around in February and said it would be a minimum of disturbance two small lines side-by-side what's the big deal they have to remove 60-foot Wide Pass, remove all the topsoil 1ft subsoil. Compact the subsoil below can create basically a Highway across the whole Farm 60 foot wide then they dig a ditch 18 inches wide 5 foot deep and place the pipeline in. Contractor went through the Woodland show a little mercy on me only took 45 foot because he said the trees were pretty nice. UGI came back in and said cut them down they won't give an inch. The trees are mine and they know it the ground most of them up they brought a huge grinder and because they need the wood chips to control erosion. He said they do not have to pay for the trees I told him that is another crop we Harvest you have to pay for any crop damage you do. We got a new lawyer. The people that bid the job or from Texas and Kentucky. The event the equipment from a local dealer.

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Pipeline

NH 5635 PTO will not turn on

Hey guys i just bought a 1998 5635 with 3600hrs and have no owners, service manual.
Does anyone know how to turn the pto on these tractors? I haven't the slightest clue all the buttons are missing there pictures it spent alot of time sitting outside.
Tried all the levers and buttons that i can find not sure if im missing something.

Attached Images
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NH 5635 PTO will not turn on

Endrow how is the baler experiment coming?

  Hadn't heard you mention anything about your baler project the high capacity baler,hope it is working out for you can you give us a update?



Endrow how is the baler experiment coming?

James Valley Threshing & Tractor Show



James Valley Threshing & Tractor Show

New holland 505

Anybody have any leads on Rankins upgrades? Are they even still available or any hidden in somebody parts room?



New holland 505

Indonesian Buffalo

Cattle markets around the world are changing.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/2f9N6vb



Indonesian Buffalo