Hobby Farms Forums / Tools and Equipment / HobbyFarms.com Forum Topics

Solar Lighting

SGF — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:19:42 GMT

I have a tack/hay room that I want to put a solar light in. The area that needs to be lit is only about 8' x 12'. I bought a little set up for about $20.00 from Harbor freight and Salvage. It was a small fluorescent light with a battery in it going to a small solar panel. It worked dimly for a couple of weeks then stopped. I'd like to find something that will actually light the room, last a few years, and be a reasonable price. Can any of you recommend something that is working for you? We would rarely use it other than late fall and winter so maybe incandescent is better because of colder temps.

Hand Scythe Try

Drawbar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:10:40 GMT

I was at the Common Ground Fair and was talking with the Scythe Supply Company which advertises in Hobby Farms and is based here in Maine. Anyway my fence lines are problematic. About once a week in growing season, I have to weedwack them and I HATE weedwackers. They never start when they should. The lines are always running out, and even when things are great, they hit the wire and entangle themselves.

So I thought a hand scythe would work great. As I talked to the owner, I was told a man was giving demonstrations and that I could try it. Its been years since I picked one up and these are state of the art. Better steel, lighter weight and sharp.

I gave it a try and in my first 20 feet, I did okay, but made mistakes. A few corrections and on the next 20 foot try, I was going far faster then I could have with a weedwacker...and not burning gas, listening to the noise of the motor, or really straining...the scythe was light and quick. I was super, super impressed.

The only thing I question...but suspect the scythe might excel at, is cutting stemmy stuff like milkweed, goldenrod and other weeds that eat up weedwacker line. I suspect the sharp blade of a hand scythe, coupled with its curve, would cut them easier then a weedwacker would.

First Tractor Ride

Drawbar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:30:43 GMT

I really don't remember my first tractor ride, I was probably 9 months! I do however remember being about 5 years old when I started driving the garden tractor after Dad got down mowing.

When I was 10 I picked up my first moving violation...driving a bulldozer across a paved road. I saw the sheriff sitting there but I didn't figure he would cite a 10 year old farm boy...I was wrong! (LOL)

I know I was that age because a teacher told my Mom I was a good kid but "lived in a fantasy world". When my Mom said I was the most honest kid she knew...almost to a fault, the teacher said "but he talks about driving tractors and a bulldozer". Mom informed her that I actually did. We were cutting wood at the time with a John Deere 1010 bulldozer and I would drive the dozer hauling out the twitches of wood!

But perhaps my fondest memory was giving my daughter her first tractor ride. I waited until she was 2 and went for the big boy...the Silage Chopper since it has two seats. It was a pretty special moment that we got pictures of.

Today at age 3, she likes to ride on my small Kubota and laughs at all get out when I start it and the smoke comes out of the stack. She just loves that.

So what about others on here, got any fond memories of first tractor rides...either yourself or your children. As for me, I hope I live long enough to see my Grandchildren get a first tractor ride, though they will probably be nuclear powered by then!

VERY SMALL HAY EQUIPMENT

smsd6446 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:16:50 GMT

Several years ago I saw advertised some very small hay equipment that could be used with a garden tractor or one with 25-30 HP. It made round bales about the size of smaller square bales and I think square bales even smaller. This would be a size that is not heavy. Does anyone know anything about this equipment or have you seen it advertised anywhere? This would make bales much smaller than 4'x5' round bales I have seen. All info is appreciated. Thanks

Pumping water from a spring

prettypalfrey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:48:39 GMT

I was wondering if there is a way I can get water from my spring to my horses pails withought using a bucket to lug or anything electric or gas powered. Is there an old school invention that would help? My horse won't drink out of a straw: So building that is out of the question.

Thanks everyone

De-rusting

prettypalfrey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:46:22 GMT

I was wondering if there is a specific way to gert rid of rust like maybe a soak or will I have to sand it off? My lovely children took several of my tools and left them outside for a year and finally decided to let me know (I think they got sick of me asking where they were.

Thanks P.P.

Firewood Equipment

Drawbar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:26:04 GMT

So what do you use to pull out wood? And if you got pictures show them too please. While we are at it, how do you get your wood out? Do you pull it out tree length to a pile and then work it up? Cut it up stove length in the woods and haul it out, only to split it later, or do everything right in the woods?

I think I have used everything over the years, from a giant skidder to an atv and even a brand new pick-up, the latter of which was not good for said truck (LOL). But typically I rely on some pretty small stuff. For the last dozen years I have scaled back and only use a 046 Stihl chainsaw, a 25 hp Kubota tractor and a small farm tractor winch that runs off the PTO.

Believe it or not, the tractor and winch is the most economical I would say. I can't pull a cord of wood behind it, only 3-4 trees, but its faster then a bulldozer, burns a lot less fuel then a skidder, and is a lot more ruggedly built then a 88 GMC Pickup! The landing just has to be close to the trees I am cutting or the long trips back and forth make it unproductive.

I'll certainly share a picture with you but don't laugh at my small tractor, it actually seems to be ideal...just small enough to scoot right around the trees, but big enough to pull some bigger stuff...although one at a time.

So firewood, how do you get yours out?

The Curse of the Black Cheery Tree

Drawbar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:49:13 GMT

I have never seen this before...I was cutting firewood for my cousin in a spot pretty isolated from the rest of the farm. 25 years ago my father and I had cut some wood out of there but we have not been back since. Well I looked at this big cherry tree and could not believe what I saw. My Dad had apparently tried to fell it 25 years ago. He made the notch, made the back cut, but the tree must have pinched his saw. He must have got the saw out, but the weird part is...the tree never fell over. Typically in high winds they will eventually fall towards where you wanted them to go. But not this tree and it was not dead either. I can't believe it was cut all but an inch through (the hinge wood) and yet never died. Well I set about changing that, but never in my wildest imagination did I think it would be cursed.

So I cut a small off-shoot off from it ( an 8 inch diameter little tree) and the tree falls behind the stump and makes twitching it out impossible. So I back my tractor up in this awful wet hole, boulder strewn forest to try and push it with the bucket. Its a very tight fit but I move it from behind the stump, then drive ahead to try and winch it out with my tractor's winch, only to have it slip back behind the stump when I go to tug on it. 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED and it was not an easy place to get my tractor into!

Then my shoes laces came untied as I tried to work the bigger section of the tree...the tree my dad tried to cut 25 years ago. I slipped in my unlaced boots since I was on a big moss covered rock bruising my knee. Now keep in mind, not one lace...both boots. Odd but hey stranger things have happened to me like hitting a sheep while felling a tree...but we have all heard that story and I digress.

Now I am getting really upset. Now typically I don't talk to trees but today I let that rule go and I flip the tree off, then tell the tree what a daughter of a swamp its mother was and how she was nothing but firewood and that is all this tree will ever be. Feeling pretty cocky, and with a snarl to my face, I fire up the ole 046 Stihl and rip right into its heart. "Take that you cantankerous useless pile of photosynthesis." It falls to the forest floor with a thud and I think I got the last word with her. Hardly! (It had to female because only they tend to make loggers the most annoyed and never give you the last word.)

Oh no, not so. The tree was too big to be hauled out by my little tractor so I had to cut the tree in two. Wouldn't you know it, the tree pinched my saw. It was so bad I had to take the tractor, back into that wet hole, boulder strewn area again and push the tree over so I could dislodge my saw. And guess what, it took three tries to do that before it was finally hauled out.

All in all it took two tries at felling spaced 25 years apart, 6 strong attempts to get the tree pulled out of the woods, two untied laces and a bruised knee, one stuck saw, and one hour of my time...all for one tree. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that Halloween is 3 days away...that tree was cursed!

WD-40

cweick — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:41:16 GMT

Whether you are a farmer or city dweller. Hopefully everyone has heard of, has a can and used it before. We are collecting a list of things you use WD-40 on. The main use of WD-40 here on the Homestead is that we spray down all our tools with before winter or the rainy season.

So what do you use WD-40 for? Any secrets that you want to share?

plow for garden tractor

ihenigman2 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:50:13 GMT

hello ive been toying around with the idea of building a single tine plow that is on wheels that goes up and down by use of hydraulics im not sure however if my tractor would be able to pull it it is a 16 horse case 446 that has truck wheels on the back of it any body have any idea

Harper Squeegee Brooms

Drawbar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:41:07 GMT

Typically when you buy one of those tools that is a combination, they are mediocre at performing either job, but I am happy to say that I recently bought a Harper Barn broom that had a squeegee attached to the top of the broom. I figured I would give it a try.

On the dairy farm we use only squeegees but the manure is very liquid. My sheep however give me manure in convenient, dry pellets. Man was I surprised at how well the squeegee works. I am forever dealing with a sheep quarantined due to foot rot, and I'll be darned if that squeegee doesn't push the manure right out of the way. Then with a twist, I sweep up what remains and I have a super clean floor in a matter of minutes...no spraying with water to get everything cleaned up.

This last part is important because water only allows nasty bacteria to spread. Reducing water reduces contamination.

So while it seems silly, I highly recommend Harper brooms with the squeegee on them. Its just one of those little purchases that make farm life so much faster and easier!

Knife sharpening stones

cweick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:42:26 GMT

Well my Ak hard sharpening stone gray in color has a hairline fracture in it. It came in a wooden box and don't know the age. I've just found a tin can of honing oil at Lowe's. Does any one know of a good store to purchase these sharpening stones?

What is the difference in the hard, medium and soft stones? Which one do you use first and so on?

Thanks

A Boy's First Knife

cweick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:46:07 GMT

We (hubby and I) have been talking about getting P2 his first knife for Christmas. He's eight. What are your thoughts? What should I look for? My first knife was a skinning knife from my mother's side of the family. I'm thinking something smaller...lol...

Welding Flash: 3 days of pain!

Drawbar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:08:47 GMT

I have got welding flash before, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS. I got arc struck on Friday welding up a critical tug part. Normally my eyes just water, burn and hurt for a night or so and then get better. Not this time. I fried my left eye good! I even went to the ER and was never so thankful in my life. I would say the pain in my eye was an 8 in a 1-10 situation. Thankfully the pain killing drops worked wonders.

The stupid part is, I know the secret to stopping this silly injury...safety glasses. Even clear safety glasses have enough UV inhibitors in them to stop the damaging light from getting under your hood. So do regular glasses...anything but bare eyes under a welding helmet.

So if you weld, use glasses or safety glasses under your hood. I only welded for a mere 45 minutes and its caused me 3 days worth of pain.

sickle bar cutters

valhallaboergoats — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:36:57 GMT

Can sickle bar cutters be shortened? How can it be done? If it is shortened; can it require less horsepower to run after shortened?

portable cow milker machines

citygirl — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:23:57 GMT

Hi all,

I was hoping to get some guidance as to where I could get a portable cow milker. I am actually posting as a favor to my uncle who just received 4 cows. He is looking to purchase a portable cow milker and he asked me if I could do some research. I, however, am not very knowledgeable in this area and so I thought I could ask some people who are. This is where you all come in.

I am looking for a machine that is of good quality but also affordable and will be able to be shipped to Puerto Rico. Who sells the best product? What should I be looking for in a good quality milking system? Are the different parts easy to replace? I would greatly appreciate if anybody could just point me in the right direction. Thanks so much in advance.

Chicken Plucker

medowbrook — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:15:28 GMT

Has anyone ever built a Whizzbang Chicken Plucker?

I saw one on YOuTube, and then saw some built with cordless drills. Do they work?

haying the small farm way?

Theona — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:44:48 GMT

We have a small farm, but do have a couple of acres that can be put to hay. They have a nice crop of weeds comming in right now, so better hay, then weeds. We don't have any equipment to harvest it, though. Do any of you have a similar problem and how do you harvest your hay?

Moderate Injury Today

Drawbar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:11:55 GMT

As you know, I have been clearing a lot of land lately, and today was no different. I was working around my grandfather who is 74 years old and does not always pay attention to things. I was using a chain on the excavator bucket to move freshly felled logs to a landing. As I went to grab the chain and toss it under a log, I turned my back knowing the bucket was at least four feet away.

Well my grandfather was watching me and not aware that he was curling the bucket in. When I stood up and turned around, the tooth on the excavator bucket caught me right in my right eye. I was immediately knocked to the ground and thought I had lost my eye.

Now though it does not seem so dire. I did lose a little blood and my eye is extremely sore, but I can see out of it mostly and other then a possible crack in the eye socket bone, but I will probably be alright. I am going to wait until tomorrow to see how bad it is and then maybe go see my eye doctor, but some valuable lessons can be learned here...

1. Just because a guy has been on equipment since 1956 does not mean he is a great operator at 74 years old!

2. Stay a far ways back from moving equipment.

3. Never turn your back when you are equipment...it takes a few seconds to move from well out of the way, to literally in your face! (Trust me...I know).

traps

medowbrook — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:11:38 GMT

Has anyone built a crickeet trap? I understand that some folks catch them to feed the birds.

Care and feeding of small engines

Wichman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:56:50 GMT

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for prolonging the life of small engines?
From Garden tractor to tiller or string trimmer size.
Four weeks ago the clutch on my troybuilt (MTD) string trimmer broke taking the clutch drum with it.
One week ago my four year old craftsman tiller engine had critical engine failure. The connecting rod between the piston and the crankshaft snapped into three pieces the center section being ejected though the top cover of the engine.
Both of these engines are well used, but come on.
Any tips would be appreciated.

Sissy on the tractor?

Drawbar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:46:48 GMT

Yeah that sissy would be me.

Lately I have been using my Grandfather's heavy equipment to remove rockwalls and build a road across my farm, and many of you might be surprised that this 35 year old guy always wears his seat belt.

Why?

Because it fights fatigue. I found this out years ago. When you are driving equipment or even tractors, there is this sub-conscience part of you that is always squirming to sit back in the seat. Lurches and uneven ground rattles you out of the seat constantly, and I found that by using the seatbelt to suck me into the seat, it reduces fatigue at the end of the day by letting the suspension seats take the brunt.

If you are going to be on your tractor all day, try it. You will be surprised how much more comfortable you are at the end of a 10 hour shift or whatever.

At the same time, noise does the same thing. When I mow my lawn, drive tractor, or use a bulldozer...I wear hearing protection too. It reduces fatigue as well...and far more then you know.

Tractor brands

ilovebutternut — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 13:58:59 GMT

I am looking to purchase my first tractor in the spring. I won't be doing very much heavy work with it--just bush hogging, moving a manure spreader, basic farm chores. Does anyone have a brand they recommed?

Women and Chainsaws

Theona — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:30:21 GMT

Last year we had many of our trees cut down. My question is, has any of you who are women ever used a chain saw? I was looking my husbands over, and it looks pretty intimidating.

I am chinese tractor maker,do you have any questions?

sdjlwang — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:53:19 GMT

I am the largest private tractor manufacturer in China,we could supply tractor from 25hp up to 100hp,and we are able to supply 120hp to 160hp after end of 2009.

I am very interested that if I can know what you need from a tractor,we have exported our tractor worldwide,but it still need a lot of improvement or modification,I will much apprecite if anyone can give me some suggestions.

sale of used tools?

pulverp — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:59:59 GMT

Dear colleagues,

I have a dear friend who is a widow. She has a shed full of used tools from her husband. They are a hodge podge of items (nails. electric saws, etc.)...For some one they would be a real find.

She is in the process of sorting them (what to keep, what to sell, what to discard) and has found it difficult to envision how she will sell them...Needless to say she lives out in the country and potential buyers would have to find her.

She does not feel that she can donate them as she would like to get some money out of selling them.

Have any of you had success in selling such things? Do you wish to share how you did it?

Thank you.

Box store stuff

medowbrook — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:16:30 GMT

I was in the office of a client today. He owns a hardware store. He is very honest. Trust worthy and his word is good as gold. Old school hand shake, the works. That said, He is not the sort of man who would lie about anything.

We were talking about the Lows that may be coming to our area.
As he explained to me, the tools and equipment sold in the store is made for lows at a lower grade than the tools in other stores. Lows orders big and suppliers can build these parts as I understand.

I was aware that local adds from chain stores were selling "a roll of XXXX insulation" for much money. Infering that a roll was a product size. consumers were unaware that PVT/small stores sold 2x the sq Footage for less money in the box store "roll".

Is anyone aware of the diffrant standards between products sold by Lows Vs. smaller stores?

Utility Tractors (40-100 HP)

tractorresearcher — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:24:40 GMT

I've been hired by a US based tractor manufacturer to put together an advisory panel of hobby farmers who own and operate utility tractors with a horsepower rating between 40 and 100. My client is in the process of re-designing their entire line of utility tractors from the ground up. I have been charged with finding hobby farmers who might be interested in being a member of this "advisory council."

My question is, how do I easily identify hobby farmers who may be interested in sharing their thoughts and ideas on the next generation of tractors?

Interested individuals need to have between 5 and 50 acres to be considered. For more details or if you can provide any assistance, please call 1-866-392-3629 and ask for Rick or Rudy. Or email me directly at christianh@mdcresearch.com

Thanks for any and all help!

combines for small farms

UZBAR — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:09:42 GMT

As the economy seems to dangle and prices continuing to soar, I have thought more and more about raising everything needed for my small farm. What I wanted to know is if anyone has knowledge of a small combine type equipment for harvesting oats, barley, wheat, etc. The only info I can find is for equipment out of Japan or China.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Outdoor Storage

BGNewB — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:30:05 GMT

Hello Everyone,

First time poster longtime subscriber and forum reader!!

I am new to the farming operation........I have a 30x30 pole built barn that has 3 stalls and a tack room but not enough storage space for my tractor, implements, lawn mower, (4 cords) firewood, hay and horses in a year or so. I have been looking at shelter logic or similar items but i am not to sure how sturdy they are with wind and weather. I don't want to drop 5-800$ on something that may blow away or crumple under sun and weather abuse in a few years. My question is does anyone have any ideas/recommendations about outdoor storage solutions?

Compact Utility Tractor implement selection

NTRotty — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:07:47 GMT

What size implements are you using with your CUT's ? We have 13 acres and about to purchase 7 more, can't decide what size tractor and what size implements need to efficiently work this amout of acerage. Mostly brush hog and finish mower, bucket for moving gravel and compost, and possibly chipper and post hole digger.

Am trying to stay at the 32 to 40 HP rated engines. What are your experiences with this size regarding maintaining this amount of acerage? Dealers want to sell us 50+ HP tractors in 2 wheel drive configuration.

Your thoughts and experiences.

NTRotty

Denton, TX

Drilling a water well

NTRotty — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:06:42 GMT

Has anyone had success with the "Hydra-Drill" or similar type systems for drilling personal wells? Still investigating the average depth for our area, if you used one of these systems how deep did you go and any difficulties experienced.

Thanks

Bottle baby feeders

Turin53 — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:39:48 GMT

My husband is planning on buying several (10) bottle baby calves at the dairy. We are trying to find the milk feeders that hang on the fence. They are a bucket with the nipple and a hook to hook over the fence rail. Has anyone seen these lately? My uncle used them with his bottle babies but that has been forty or more years ago. Please let me know if you have seen them and where. Or do you know how to make them, could you send me the plans? Thanks for your help.

Sydell Spin Dr. or other turntables

ShearPerfectionRanch — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:21:55 GMT

Does anyone have or has anyone used a Sydell Spin Dr. or other turntable for flipping sheep to trim hooves, treat wounds etc. DH and I have decided that we're too old to be out there flipping 200+lb rams.

Small Manure Spreader

KKid — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:48:44 GMT

I'm have a small farm with 4 horses and soon to add about 2 miniature cows and a miniature bull. I'm in the market for a small manure spreader I can pull behind a large garden tractor. Hopefully from somewhere close by, I live in northwest PA.

Rubbermade waterer

Rocking Lowlines — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:08:23 GMT

I've got a 100 gal. rubbermade waterer for my cows and it keeps cracking down by the drain and the curve above it. I've tried every glue at Home Depot that was good for patable water but they can't take the preasure of 100 gal. Anyone ever fixed one of these?

Wind generator

rebecca — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:05:40 GMT

I'm considering installing a wind generator, but I'm having trouble getting information about what it will cost and how much power it's likely to generator. I have seen the wind maps and we are in a good area for wind power. We're on the grid now, but I'd like to add batteries so that we can go manage if the power is disrupted. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions to share?

Anyone useing a ATV to do mowing and small garden work?

AZRancher — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:49:07 GMT

I have 5 acres that I will have to mow soon, and I would like to put in a Garden. I read the article where some people were purchasing attachments for their ATV to do light farm work. I would like to get the most bang for my bucks. I 'm not sure what to purchase an ATV, a Garden tractor.

I know what I would like to have, and that is a Compact tractor, but cost wise I don't think that would work right now. What I would really like to know is there anyone out there actually using a ATV to do farm work and what are you doing with it. If you have A Garden tractor what do you do with it.

Essential Equipment for Market Gardening

kitchensqueen — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:47:02 GMT

I'm looking to start a small farm in the next few years. About 1-1.5 acres in veggies and flowers. What is the most essential equipment I should invest in? I'd like to purchase items that are multi-purpose so I get the most bang for my buck and economize on storage space.

New Hobby Farm

boyandhisdog — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:52:01 GMT

My wife and I have just bought our very first hobby farm at the ripe old age of 40. We have sold our home and business in Florida and now own a 10 acre home/hobby farm in Southeastern Ohio. It is something we have been saving for going on 10 years. We don't plan on living on the land or anything like that frankly and don't plan on having any animals other than the family dog for the first year.

We just plan on spending the first year making the place just the way we want it but it is already in very good condition. House, barn, 3 car garage, etc.

Anyway, we have been blessed and are in a good financial position so we are mostly interested in making correct decisions. That said, we would appreciate any help on assembling a list of equipment we should plan on buying. While I realize for example a lawn tractor is obvious, I would still appreciate as comprehensive of a list as could be compiled so that I can make sure I'm not forgetting anything. Moreover, it allows me the opportunity to investigate all my options while I still have time.

Any and all input would be much appreciated.