The joys of farming

Dad worked it 2x w/ the springtooth on the 285, but it was still pretty chunky from plowing. I worked it one more time with the field cultivator and drag combo behind the 1855. Almost done and I notice both tires on the cultivator were flat. Called dad to bring out the air compresser but then I noticed that one of the tires ad the valve stem almost ripped off. Aired up the other one, but that one is shot too.

Not too disapointed because they were both old cruddy car tires. Bad part is they are bigger 14" tires, so we may have to either cough up some money for implement tires (not really worth it) or go to some 15" rims with a lower profile tire on it to clear the frame if we can't find a pair of tires that we like.

On top of that, dad ran over a nail with the 165 so the front tire on that went flat when he brought out the air compresser to me. Pumped it up and got it home and changed the tire.

While drilling the rye with the 285 and Vanbrunt drill, I noticed 2 of the openers were hanging funny. Looked and sure enough the pin that holds them was gone. Called dad again to bring me out a bolt to put in it's place. Also noticed before dad brought the rest of the seed out that the 285 was almsot out of fuel, so another call to dad to have him bring me 5 gallons just to get done...

Good news is we got it in before the rains came.

Donovan from Wisconsin

We ended up buying a pair of ST205-75 D14 trailer tires to put on it. Still plenty heavy of a sidewall, and about $30 cheaper each, so the savings is worth it. May have to go this route again if we get a flat on any of our other cultivators (we've got 4 of em, all w/ 14" tires)

Donovan from Wisconsin

My brother did some reasearch online and got some information that says by planting rye the year before and then killing it off, and then planting the pumpkins it helps control the fungus a little better. I guess the rye is enough to keep it off the ground and away from the fungus that's in the ground, and it helps as a mulch to control the weeds.

We also used a pre-emergence spray this year called Curb-it that is safe with vine plants like pumpkins and squash. Worked pretty good.

Donovan from Wisconsin

I just get to play with about 5 acres of hay twice a year and maybe get the baler out to do a few acres of straw...

Just enough justification to the wife that I needed that Oliver 1800, 2 balers, a haybine, 2 wagons, a Farmall H, a Farmall C, and that ford 871 diesel to mow the pasture, drag the hay rake, dig a few post holes with , and grade the drive.

It's therapy.