[nihiljohn]

Welcome, Kerry! I haven’t been here very long, but I have found it to be a place for the entire range of people that fancy draft power. From the life long horse or ox logger to the person that is saving up to buy their first horse and harness, all have a place. Again, thanks for coming to our party.

[nihiljohn]

Outstanding, young man! You have the pump primed, now just keep pumping. That is a nice handy looking mare, with a good eye. Now just keep at it. You have entered a world you can travel in for the rest of your life. enjoy.

[nihiljohn]

Jay. No big problem here. You can get apron chain from most farm equipment dealers, TSC, Family Farm and Home, or what ever you have in your area. The knock apart style has been around or a long time and is still availible. I’ve replaced the chain on several old spreaders. The bar links come as left and rights and the regular links are all the same. Just take one along with you and go shopping. If you are going to replace the entire chain (very good idea) dont forget to count before you go. There are several sizes. Grind off the rivits on the bars and reuse the bars or build new ones with angle iron. The apron chain on an old spreader is the weak link on the whole deal. If the rest works OK, a new apron makes for a lot less trouble.

[nihiljohn]

Sickle Hocks. Murry McMurry. http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com. We keep around 35 hens. They run free range and are locked up at night in the house that was built by my great grandfather. I stood and talked to a young amish man at the Topeka Draft Horse Sale this spring. We were waiting on the sale truck to get down to a batch of chicken equipment. He runs 400 + hens and is looking to expand to 1000. He sells all his eggs locally to stores and restaurant and pitches them as “hens fed on non-GMO grain” He gets $3.50 + a dzn. It seems to becoming the way to go.

[nihiljohn]

I know spit.0 about oxen but I’ve started a lot of colts. If I need to load/unload the colts get tied or the lines stay in my hands. Why? Because long ago I’ve done the same thing. Get a long rope. You can still reach them and get your work done. Their only 8 months old? Hook them twice a day a trust them when they are 4years old. They are still babies. Relax and keep at it. You and they will be fine.

[nihiljohn]

I have an IH 101. It is 2 a wheel spreader that I can put on a hitch cart or tractor. 3 head works well when loading with a tractor as they dont get much time to rest after a load. I’ve got 40 loads out so far this spring, mostly with 3 some with just a pair. It must be one of the last ground drive units they made as all of the chains are modern roller chain other than the apron. If you get an older spreader, just bit the bullit and put in a new apron. Or make the loads smaller and just keep at it. Been there. Done that. It was worth it. I also have a full sister to the IH that you show. Old and tired but still works. I kinda like the looks of the Cockshut and it has a seat.

[nihiljohn]

Peyton.The Motor Boat Principle! You can only change directions in a motor boat while it is in gear and going forward. You are going forward. You have gone to school and will have a trade. Now get a job. Find a place. It doesnt need to be “THE” place. Just a place to start. Start with a shop. You’re a welder. You can build and fix stuff. Plant a garden. Sell some stuff to the guys at work. A few free range eggs in the break room fridge every week. “These eggs are from hens that get GMO free grain.” Loyde doesnt know what GMO is? Explain it to him. Read, look, learn, try stuff. There is no right answer. There are 1,000’s of right answers. You’re young. You have time to make lots of mistakes. I know. I’m old and I havent made all of mine yet because I still try new things every year. Go forth and prosper. Oh, and that lady you are looking for, dont go down to the mall and stand outside THE GAP. She isnt there. Try down at the local livestock sale, farmers market, and such places. Good luck.

[nihiljohn]

I’ll speak for me, for I know it to be the truth. I haven’t been here in a while. The weather has been so nice in Michigan, I havent been on the computer a lot. I have no post of late but do have some of next years firwood cut and 40 loads of manure hauled. Now I gotta go find DAP on facebook,

[nihiljohn]

Sounds like a learn/learn set up. (man and horse). Relax. Enjoy. Be safe. Haste makes pain. Is the horse broke to drive? If it is start by just line driving around the yard. Then add a single tree with a length of chain to keep the tugs tight. Then add a fence post. Then go to the woods and get a small pole for fire wood. Repeat the go to the woods part until fire wood is done. It will take a lot more days than if you use a skidder that cost 100K but it will take a lot less than if you have your wife drag them out. (not recomended) Start with logs that you can pick up. Have them all cut before you go to get them. Make it easy on yourself and the horse. The horse will let you know how he feels. Watch him. Go forth young man! Fear not the unknown. If you simply walk in the middle of it, the unknown becomes knowledge and points the way to new adventures.

[nihiljohn]

Any update on this story?

[nihiljohn]

Tim, I used that very system for years while milking cows. It worked well. As to the Brush hog, I&J has a ground drive fore cart that I saw at Horse Progress Days this year. 4 mules walked a JD baler down the field with no trouble at all. It looked to be a fine machine. Now I look at my hay tedder, pull tupe combine, and corn picker and say “Hmmmmmm”.

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