[Marshall]

461Jonny, I didn’t know there were tractors any color but red.

[Marshall]

Good for you. Keep us posted on their progress.

[Marshall]

Something I have thought about is, how many generations are most people removed from a farm life? A lot of people talk about there granparent living on the farm but they and their parents do not.

[Marshall]

I like your idea as I also have a NH 56 rake. The NH rake is in better shape than my old IH horse drawn. The only reason I really want to keep the IH is it will run backwards so I can ted the hay with it. I really want to use the NH to rake with but the forecart idea seems like it would pack the hay down more making it harder to rake. I’ll be watching for ideas.

[Marshall]

I had mine out last weekend. The calves where rubbing there backs on the ceiling. I had a couple Amish boys over the do the shoveling. They hauled six loads. They had to go a quarter mile to spread and back for each load. After that we hooked them to the sled and put fire wood in the house. I thought they might get tired out but they handled it real well.

[Marshall]

I had not thought of what Countymouse said about finding something that is not pure bred. My best one is partly quarter horse. I am not sure how much. He has more heart than the rest and will out pull them even though he is not as big. I wouldn’t give him up for anything.

[Marshall]

Hey John, lets complicate this a little more. You could always use a trip rope setup off from an old plow. No hydraulics, but it would also have to be moving to raise. Just a thought.

[Marshall]

I can’t say anything about logging but for general farm work mine work out very well. I am just getting started growing produce, but I plan on using them as much as possible. I have used them to pull wagons, spread manure, pull a disc, and pull the drill for planting oats and hay. This spring they are going to learn to plow, they just don’t know it yet. Good luck.

[Marshall]

John, It seems to me you might need a little more pressure than that. The old farmall belly pumps ran around 800 psi. I know you won’t be lifting anything super heavy, but a little much pressure is better than not enough. Also you piston diameter on the cylinder is going to come into play. The larger the diameter the more grunt you get, but you will lose in speed.

[Marshall]

John, I am not exactly sure how the accummulator works. I think that is a part that was purchased. I have not done much research on anything hydraulic. I am trying to keep all my machinery like me, simple.

[Marshall]

John, I can’t remember where I saw it but there was someone that made a hydraulic forecart with a piston pump. The wheel had a cam setup with three or four arms like the ones on a mccormick manure spreader to drive the apron chain. When each arm came around it stroked the pump causing the oil to build pressure in an accumulator. After the accumulator was full the oil would bypass until need again. With an accumulator full of oil all you had to do was move the lever and there was enough pressure to raise the load. This way as long as the accumulator was full you could raise a load at a stand still. Just and idea, hope it helps.

[Marshall]

I would try MacNairs in PA. If he doesn’t have one he could probably help you find one. (717)543-5136

[Marshall]

Right on John. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

[Marshall]

It is an old planter, probably from the 30’s. I plant mums, onions, and peppers in the plastic so far. I am going to be adding more, but I am not sure what yet. The locally grown produce idea is really taking off around here and that is what I am getting in to. I want to use the horses as much as possible, but with an artifical(sp) knee I can only walk so long on soft or uneven ground. Thats where the cart comes in.

John, I am sending you a PM.

[Marshall]

Thanks John. There are several good ideas on there. The photos won’t be for awhile. I am still working on a plastic mulch layer and I need to get the potato planter in working order.

[Author]

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