Tough late hay time

Northvale PA · Aug 31, 2020

We have had a tough late summer hay making past couple of weeks. First the weather has been calling for T storms almost daily here. If the forecast is 30%, the risk is fairly low in any one place so you go. Trouble is we had 2 good days of sun forecast but it had just rained hard 1 hour earlier. Ground saturated. But, need to mow so mowed down 8 acres.

Next day perfect weather so we mow down 8 more acres

Got a morning shower, but we tedded, raked and baled the first 8 acres. Then the breakdowns started.

Lug nuts got loose on the hay delivery trailer, wallowed out the rim holes bad. I put the spare on but drove back home. Not going to risk not having a spare

The JD 336 slip clutch pads disintegrated the final bit, needed replacing. Thrower reset springs broke. A hydraulic line to the kicker blew, bought 2 new hoses.

Then, the hydraulic select handle snapped off!!! And to top it off, 1 tractor front tire flat and 2 wagon flats. Fuel pump on our pick up crapped out. Needed a battery too.

We managed to get all the hay in and all repairs, except the flat tire on this wagon that happened as I was pulling off the field. One last breakdown. Yes, that is a huge T storm about 20 miles south. But hey, only 30% chance, somewhere.

Absent Minded Farmer · Aug 31, 2020

Sounds like an adventure to me. Looks like you got some good hay done. I like that shot at the end with the bale in the air.

Mike

SVcummins · Aug 31, 2020

What model tractor is that? And is that some custom switches i spy

Robert (ID) · Aug 31, 2020

Im saying its a 4020 PS

David G · Aug 31, 2020

Looks like Ringo has some competition for tractor rides.

Getting hay to dry will be a lot tougher in a month.

SVcummins · Aug 31, 2020

Hoods to narrow i think

JMOR · Sep 1, 2020

I can remember those times.... not fun then,...but too old to deal with now!

Bruce from Can. · Sep 1, 2020

Nice pictures, and the story is the reality of making hay with older equipment. Most days everything goes just fine. The next time things try your patience, break downs , and flat tires are all part of the game, and that’s why many guys have alternate pieces of equipment and tractors ready to use, for when the main unit is having a sick day.

Tx Jim · Sep 1, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:51:16 08/31/20) What model tractor is that? And is that some custom switches i spy

I vote '65-'68 4020. I'll also guess switches control headlamps.

showcrop · Sep 1, 2020

well Northvale, you deserve some lousy weather after the summer that you have had, LOL!! But wow, what a lot of breakdowns! I never ran more than one of everything except for my three wagons. Running two of everything gives you less dependency on one piece but can double your chances of breakdowns.

ford1956tractor · Sep 1, 2020

Same here in East Tn. Not a 4 day stretch in sight!

Northvale PA · Sep 1, 2020

We have a 4010 synchro and a 67’ 4020 PS. The two pull out switches were added by a former owner for the head lights. The JD switch does nothing now. And, of course we have 2 balers and rakes. Multiple machines eliminate breakdowns stopping getting the hay in. But, yes, there is more to get out, keep running and put away. This season we have had very few breakdowns, so I guess we were due. But one right after the other gets mighty nerve racking when rain is in the area or tracking straight at you. The loose lug nuts and ruined rim was the big problem. I had a hay delivery to make that morning. I went back home. Rained the next day and took another week to get the delivery made. Then I am running around trying to find some used rims and a matching pair of good tires. Those were getting fairly bald and would be my next problem.

steve in ok · Sep 1, 2020

Are we having fun yet? That's what my dad used to say when we had stuff going on like that. Makes you appreciate when things go good.

JK-NY · Sep 1, 2020

That is a lot of bad luck all at once ! I may have a nightmare about having almost everything break down at the same time. I am done with my hay for the year so I won’t try to break your record. Early on during first cutting time this year I had trouble with my baling tractor. I switched it out and hooked up the tractor I use on the haybine. While doing this I had the thought “wouldn’t it be awful if this one broke down too?” ( both are my newest tractors even though they are not real new). Shortly after I had that thought , a bolt that the pto lever pivots on broke out of the blue. Not a regular bolt but a metric bolt with a large diameter shoulder for the pivot. I was able to rig up a way to get the pto in gear and keep going till the JD dealer got the bolt for me.

tomstractorsandtoys · Sep 1, 2020

Your post makes me feel good in that I am not the only person that has bad days with older equipment. Last week I had to use a 214t baler without a thrower because my 24t with a thrower was down for repairs.I am to old to stack behind a baler in 95 degree heat and high humidity.The plus side is my neighbor sent his pretty 16 year old daughter over to help the last load.LOL My dad always said you have two choices parts or payments.Just remember all the good days. Tom

Traditional Farmer · Sep 1, 2020

Great hay weather in Central VA last week finished up a place about 3 miles from my farm,rain yesterday and this AM then clear maybe rest of the week, need to cut about 40 acres on the farm next to mine then might call it a year as I have made a lot of hay so far.Knock on wood my old equipment and tractors
have been about flawless all last year and this year so far.I go over them pretty good in the Winter.Also have replaced the smaller tires that were of questionable quality in the last couple years,that and replacing well worn hydraulic hoses before they spring a leak really cuts down time.

grandpa Love · Sep 1, 2020

Central Alabama. Rain every afternoon for 3 + weeks. This week ain't looking any better. Hard to cut hay.

SVcummins · Sep 1, 2020

Parts and payments is more like it nothing like making a payment and still buying parts

Northvale PA · Sep 1, 2020

I love the drive down thru the Shenandoah valley, if you are in that area. Tons of history. Plenty of black angus.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 1, 2020

I'm just across the Blue Ridge Mountains to the East about 40 miles East of Harrisonburg.

george md · Sep 1, 2020

Scenery looks like you are really near the golf course . I did a grade job

about 4 miles from there. Across highrock rd on enfield rd. the fellow that

lived there worked for me part time between truck trips and I worked on

his truck.

george

Bill VA · Sep 2, 2020

Looks great!

Texasmark1 · Sep 2, 2020

The red hood looks like a 1960's MF 35.

Man that is some kind of bale slinger. Neat picture.

Tough late hay time

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads