Forum Replies Created
- AuthorPosts
Brad Johnson
ParticipantVery interesting thread here, and good comments all around. I did nor grow up farming, nor did my folks. They did not leave me any land nor any equipment, but they did teach me to work like hell. For that, they have my everlasting thanks. No matter what you choose to do, work hard and do it well, they said.
I did not even discover farming until I stumbled into an apprenticeship in my mid twenties. By that time, I had a college degree and had learned nothing practical to farming other than how to work hard and learn new skills. Turns out, that is pretty helpful when you start farming and logging with horses. I also had by then more than $37,000 in college debt. My folks also owed a good chunk. I went right to work teaching and then began farming 6 years later. By then I had paid off a good portion of the debt, with no help or forgiveness program. I am not against these types of programs at all, as we all need something given to us to help get started in this life and work revolving around agriculture.
I consider myself extraordinarily lucky with my farm business. First, I have a wife who works full time off the farm. She makes good money and also gets us our health insurance. Also, we had financial help from family to finance our land, in the form of a low interest loan. Finally, we are located in a part of the NE that has a great deal of demand for horse powered logging. Not that this has anything to do with loan forgiveness for educational debt, but my point is that farming and logging are damn hard ways to make a living. We need more young folks getting into this work, and I think these kinds of programs are a good idea, as are apprenticeships, workshops, relationships with older more experienced farmers, family land or equipment, plain old hard work, dumb good luck (whatever it takes to make it possible for more people to get in the game).
-BradParticipantHad interesting event today. Was working my team in loose rigging with DAPNet hook. Got onto a big stick of maple with three logs and firewood on the top. They began to move it, but one of the trace links on my mare’s harness shattered at the weld. I have never seen one of them break. Has anyone else ever had that happen? In any case, the hook did not fail, so far so good…
-BradParticipantYep, he did. And we talked about that in the shop. He got help from a tech welding instructor, so we will see how it holds up.
-BradParticipantHello all-
Interesting thoughts here. This line of thought has come up for me as well lately, working a team of horses in their mid-teens. They are excellent horses but I do not think I will get more than 5 or so more years from them in terms of commercial work. Not sure if I am going to look for another pair of 10 year olds or there abouts or whether it would be good to go younger. I don’t have time right now for a project, with too much work to really change the pace. However, I may be at a point in the near future where I will need to do just that. I am working now with two other teamsters with 5 year old teams. It is interesting to see the differences between the teams on the ground. My pair is a better tool for production but when those younger horses get some time and experience they are sure to put more wood on the landing. Not sure where I will be headed, but fun to think about the future!
-BradParticipantI do exactly the same hitch, both with a single and with team in loose rigging as well. I am now using the repaired DAPNet hook on a hardwood job. I had a student at the tech school in town weld the pin bolt with a new grade 7 bolt, shortening its length. It seems to be much stronger and works well when you have to hook two chains. I will send an update about durability, but so far so good.
-BradParticipantJay-
I have been off the forum for a good little while recovering from holiday madness and starting new job in the woods. I am deeply sorry to hear about Lee. I have been in that situation with a run away and the knowledge that I was the only one to blame. Fortunately, I did not end up with a horse put down but nothing saved me from that except dumb luck. I am sure that I cannot offer any further wisdom than that which others have offered here, but please know that you and your family have my sympathy and respect. You will keep working with Zeke and in time I suspect that another team will occupy your barn. In the mean time, if I can be of any assistance please let me know. I could make time to come over some weekend and give you some work if that would help you out. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
-BradParticipantI linked to Les in that the horse and farm mentor I started with, Mark Albee, stated working horses with Les at his place. Much of the information Les imparted during his “Sunday Sessions” made its was to me thru the teaching Mark gave to me. Mark would frequently start a lesson with, “Les always says that…” I never did get to know Les that well, but I know that his knowledge and expertise still informs that way I use my horses in the woods and here at home. His wisdom and teaching will be greatly missed, and I extend my best wishes to his family.
-BradParticipantNut sure who would be close enough for that job. You could try Mark Cowdrey.
-BradParticipantSounds like a deal to me. Check made out to you? Address to send it to you? And, can you give me the contact info for Essex Farm? Thanks!
-BradParticipantDonn-
I think that harness just might work. How much are you looking to get for it? I may need the collar as well, but have to measure her up to see what we need. Thanks.
-BradParticipantPete-
Forgot to mention that John recently build a multipurpose cart/arch for a team of Haflingers belonging to Lauren Erickson up in Unity, ME. I have seen it in the woods and works really well. They use use it on the farm as well.
-BradParticipantIt is awesome! I like the leaning board and new chain wells, as well as the welds on the wheel struts – a great upgrade.
-BradParticipantGetting a load going with a 1/2 ton works fine, but controlled breaking is tough given how light the truck is. I use a 3/4 ton with a 16′ bumper pull trailer for my two drafts and log arch all in together.
-BradParticipantPete-
I would contact John Plowden in Stow Maine. He makes the best logging tools available, without exception. I have used his team and single arches extensively, and I think there is nothing you can buy that works better.
-BradParticipantDonn and others-
Had the hook out with Bob’s team last week, and sorry to say that the bolt snapped after only several hitches. As I mentioned, the weak point is the grade 5 bolt that connects the handle to the hook bracket. It needs to be stronger!! On the good side, the hook functions nicely – easy to hitch and handle with the lines in your hand. Hope we can make some improvements as it could be a nice tool…
-Brad- AuthorPosts