Last Cutting on the Corner

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Finished <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JImZ5W_MoS8">raking</a> and <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUz02GabPYA">baling</a> a field we call "The Corner" last Saturday.

This was the second year we <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_kBbzTX0OQ">made bales</a> on this field.

Made 22 bales of Bahia hay.

Nancy is planning on moving her other two horses to the farm very soon.

"The Corner" will now get fenced off with ElectroBraid and become a grazing field for her four horses.

Russ from MN · Oct 5, 2009

The videos were very interesting, where is that in Texas, it looks like MN! One video led to another and I watched the one where you are loading the B on the trailer, what happened on the first attempt, was the clutch slipping? Remind me of loading my fathers 410 backhoe on the trailer, one time my son ran to get the camera and said if you stand it on end again I want a picture! It took proper technique, extend the hoe to get started up the ramps and then before you get to the top suck it back in or the front end would just keep going up!

rrlund · Oct 5, 2009

I think the haying is done up here. I had some third cutting that I wanted to bale but the days are too short and wet. Pastures are getting bad and I didn't want to start feeding dry hay yet,so I put the hay head back on the chopper today and cut some of the third cutting with the haybine. I'll just chop it and run it out on the ground for the cows instead of trying to get it dry enough to bale or feeding dry hay.

BCnT · Oct 5, 2009

good lookin patch of hay.
James,was it you talking about that Cheyenne Bermuda grass??? if so do you have any more info or pics on it? i'm looking for something to grow from seed, because my rain schedule dont jive with local folks that plant spriggs...i got mostly bahia and bluestem,other misc grass/weeds...got a new field cleared and want to try something else.

Billy NY · Oct 5, 2009

That was funny, while you're taking the video of the baler, the camera seems to bounce in tune with the 2 cylinder engine!

That trip rope looks too close to the pto shaft, but the camera view probably makes it into something it's not. Just me, anything loose near a pto shaft gives me the creeps, kinda like standing near the edge of a cliff, won't hurt ya unless ya jump ! LOL

There's a rope on the tedder I used this year helping my farmer friend put up hay, to release the outer wheels, that fold down, was always trying to find a home for that away from all the moving parts, and some of this equipment certainly has those kinds of things to watch for.

He's got a 620 JD, though I've only run it in the yard moving wagons, equipment, he's had it over 40 some years, can remember it as a kid when it had the loader on it, was always cool to hear it echo through the valley, just like some of those videos you have posted, those tractors sound like well oiled machinery, nicely tuned, almost soothing to hear when the sickle mower is going. We used to have a late 40's "B", like in the early-mid 70's, on a spreader.

gitrib · Oct 5, 2009

Looks good James. Son got field of 5th cutting in with no rain. Got another field of 6th cutting ready to go when forcast is better. Going to throw the fertlizer in the irrigation water to get it ready for winter. He wishes he had a small round with plastic wrapper to make balage. Does that little Krone do that?
gitrib

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Our farm is in NE Texas approximately 135 miles NE of Dallas, TX and 70 SW or Texarkana, TX.

Lots of tall Pine trees mixed with Sweet Gum, Oak, and Hickory hardwoods; also a lot of Cedar trees.

I think the clutch was slipping on the 39B; got another "running" start and all was OK.

Speaking of the videos, did you see the one where I <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbQ54j8HuY">hit a Pine tree</a> with the 350 sickle mower?

Glad you liked the videos.

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Both the KRONE 125 and KRONE 260 are capable of net wrapping bales.

As you can tell be the video, the KRONE 125 is a manual tie mechanism.

Pull the green rope and the tying process starts; the KRONE 260 has an electric tying mechanism.

A sixth cutting on your award winning Alfalfa would be great!

Send me an email and explain the fertilizer/water mixing you mentioned.

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Yes the tractor does "bounce" a bit when tying off a bale; no bounce while moving forward.

It may seem hard to believe, but the 70 Model tractor was running just a little over idle speed.

When the 70 begins to "labor" some, it is time to stop and tie of the bale.

The first couple of bales were a little "dense" and did not fall out after raising the tail gate.

Keep a set of hay hooks in the twine box just in case; most times I can push them out from the side.

The angle of the camera being straight down does make the rope look closer to the drive shaft than it actually is.

Closest point is about 12 inches when not in use.

Really enjoy using those old tractors in the haying operation; each one has its own unique sound.

flying belgian · Oct 5, 2009

What is the reason for not running PTO shield on baler? Like living life on the edge?

Old Roy · Oct 5, 2009

As always thanks for the videos, really enjoy watching them.

I was getting nervous a little at the end of that raking vid though.

Is that to be continued next week ??? ~~~LOL

Anonymous-0 · Oct 5, 2009

James you do pretty good with that cutter bar. Great videos. i really like the way you use that equipment a blend between the old and new.

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

We bought both the KRONE 125 and the KRONE 260 as used equipment from a dealership in Lincoln, AR back in '07.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Krone%20Balers/?action=view&current=260-125.jpg" target="_blank">

260-125.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

The KRONE 125 did not have a PTO shield when we bought it.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Krone%20Balers/?action=view&current=125-2.jpg" target="_blank">

125-2.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

Whenever I need to work on the tying mechanism in the field, I always disengage the live PTO, shift the tractor to neutral, engage the hand clutch, lock the brakes on the tractor, and make sure Nancy is nowhere near (sometimes I cuss a little) the equipment.

I never get in a hurry and pay closer attention to my work when I'm tired.

flying belgian · Oct 5, 2009

OK. Good luck with that logic.

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Thanks for the compliment on the mowing.

Nancy gets on to me for the <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYxv_HsWGHg">90<sup>o</sup> right hand turns</a> while mowing; sometimes the back tire makes a divot in the hay field.

Although it was a lot of work on both the JD 640 rake and the JD 350 sickle mower; both are new, rebuilt 1960's hay equipment.

Both KRONE bales are late 90's equipment.

"Vernon" our 56 70 is the mowing tractor because of the power steering.

"Sam" our 51MT is the raking tractor because it is small, agile, and will turn on a dime and give 9 cents back in change.

"15" is the baling tractor because it seems to be the strongest of all of our 70 models.

It really is fun using all three in the hay operation.

HENRY E NC · Oct 5, 2009

Unfortunately, I know several (more than 2) very very careful people that are eithe dead or severly crippled for the rest of their live. One that had long hair was just making an adjustment near an unprotected shaft he thought he had turned of (been doin this for 20 years) and wound up a paraplegic after the hair caught in the shaft. pulled him to the shaft and broke his neck. Layed in the field for 16 hours until found by the next door neighbor. For me, everything protected and then turned off. Restarting is easy. Henry

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Thanks for the compliment on this field of Bahia grass.

When we started clearing this field, you could not see from one end to the other.

Using the Ford 2810 and 7ft Corsicana BushHog, I backed my way in as far as possible from all directions.

After 3 years of cutting, burning, and mowing, we were finally able to disk the field completely.

Mowed it several times for a couple of years with 6ft finishing mowers.

After 5 long years of blood, sweat, and tears we made our 1st bale in 2008.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202008/The%20Corner/?action=view&current=IMG_24.jpg" target="_blank">

IMG_24.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

The <a HREF="http://www.penningtonseed.com/cheyenne-2-bermudagrass-perennial_135">Cheyenne II Bermuda</a> grass is made by Pennington Seed.

We are using it primarily to reseed some of the sparse areas in our hay meadow.

Take a look at our hay meadow in 2007 that we over-seeded with Cheyenne.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202007/?action=view&current=IMG_1217.jpg" target="_blank">

IMG_1217.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

Same hay meadow in 2008.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202008/Second%20Cutting/?action=view&current=IMG_0148.jpg" target="_blank">

IMG_0148.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

Same hay meadow before first cutting 2009.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202009/First%20Cutting/?action=view&current=IMG_1444.jpg" target="_blank">

IMG_1444.jpg" width="500" height="400" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

Glad you enjoyed the videos; first time to get action footage of the baler.

Just like on TV, you'll have to tune in next season to find out what happened in the last hay raking episode.

One thing I've learned is to turn the video camera off and go around the tree safely with whatever hay equipment.

James Howell · Oct 5, 2009

We've got one more field that might get cut given the right conditions.

Looks like rain all this week, but temperature is still high in the 80's down here in Texas.

Maybe I can squeeze in one more late cutting this coming weekend.

E.B. Haymakin' · Oct 6, 2009

You can see the five years of toil & labor there at your feet in those pictures.The experiences I"ve had around here property owners want me to "hay" a piece of property only to find out a brush hog couldn"t mow it. I"m amazed at people that let their property grow up into jungles, and expect hay operations to just begin in one year. Most property owners around here have no clue. Keep up the good work, I"ve found haying is almost a necessity if property isn"t going to be grazed. If not they had better get ready to pay big bucks for the brush hogs, and a steady decent into a unkept piece of property.

Larry in GA. · Oct 6, 2009

James Doesn’t that put you all most at Shreveport?
Next time I’m out to my son’s I will give you a call maybe I can buy you and Nancy a coffee
Larry

James Howell · Oct 6, 2009

If I were driving to Shreveport from the farm, I'd drive SouthEast to Marshall, TX and get on I20 East to Shreveport, LA.

Probably 100 miles one-way from our farm.

Still would be glad to have y'all come visit.

James Howell · Oct 6, 2009

Thank you for the compliment on our work.

This field, "The Corner", will be converted over to grazing for Nancy's horses very soon.

This will allow more time and attention to another field over near "The Ragan House" that we're trying to improve.

Can't speak for all landowners, but I do my best to maintain what property I have access to.

We have one field that we call "The Bottom" which speaks for itself.

First time I mowed it with the Ford 2810 and 7ft. Corsicana BushHog, tractor was in 1st gear and the mower was as high in the air as it would go.

I had to stand up to see where I was going and foliage was up to my shoulders.

It was inhabited by wild hogs and I carried a SW .45 caliber pistol with me; now that's what I consider living life on the edge.

This did not include the resident cottonmouth water moccasins that took exception to my presence.

After one year of hard work it was baled for the first time.

It has been baled a couple of years since, but is not what I consider "good" grass for hay.

Unfortunately "The Bottom" stays wet, but not underwater, 10 out of 12 months.

It has looked better and it has looked worse, but that's no excuse because it has to be maintained.

Our next plan is to spray out the bottom to kill the weeds and start from there, that is if it ever dries out.

No excuses on my part, but I do remind folks at times there are only so many hours of daylight between Friday night and Sunday night.

James Howell · Oct 6, 2009

Thank you for your concern for my safety.

After surviving 10 years of manufacturing in a steel mill and roofing mill, I am extremely aware of the safety hazards of very large machinery.

Before I work on any piece of equipment; first thing is to determine how will working on this equipment kill me.

If it can't kill me, how will it try to remove my arms, hands, fingers and/or legs, feet, toes.

More important is how will it try to remove my eyes, ears, nose, lips, or teeth; it's difficult enough going through this life with the face I have now.

Safety is number 1 on my list; but if things should go wrong at least I'm leaving my Nancy's next husband in good shape.

Kanuck · Oct 6, 2009

Ive said it before but, your equipment sure looks to be running fine. nice videos especially liked the raking one. have a good one.

Larry in GA. · Oct 6, 2009

James if I get to Shreveport It is all most a must to take the wife to Marshall pottery and once there to have Mexican food at there in town. We may try hooking up next time
Larry

BCnT · Oct 6, 2009

thanx for the seed info James...spent so much on hay and feed last couple years think i'm gonna make do for awhile...got about another 25 acres pushed out...gonna do some root plowin and burning this winter and maybe plant in spring if it keeps raining regular.

Nancy Howell · Oct 6, 2009

Thanks for your compliment on our equipment.

Always make sure the JD 350 sickle mower is greased liberally before every use.

Belt dressing is always applied before every use and a generous amount of WD40 on the sickle knife.

Had to adjust one knife hold-down clip because grass was clogging between one guard ledger and sickle section.

Always grease the JD 640 hay rake before every use.

Wipe of all the old grease and check the oil in the gearbox by simply removing one bolt.

When done with the rake, clean off all the loose hay and clean off any dirt.

Always check all the fluid levels on the tractors to be used.

Pay special attention to the PTO oil condition on the 70 models.

Due to impending rain, was not able to service the baler before it was used.

If any of the equipment fails while in use, it won't be due to neglected lubrication.

Glad you enjoy the videos; the raking operation is the easiest to record.

The mowing videos are my favorites.

No matter how many times I use a sickle mower, I like watching the cut grass lay down so neatly after it is cut.

Also like to record some of the very sharp right turns and how the mower makes the turn.

Always like to share my tractor rides with folks on the YT forum.

James Howell · Oct 6, 2009

Sorry about that; using Nancy"s computer.

James Howell · Oct 6, 2009

Sounds good to me; just give us plenty of lead time.

Once lived in Marshall over 20 years ago after 1st marriage was over.

There is a community property law here in Texas.

The husband leaves the community and the wife gets all the property.

Don't laugh - it's true!

Last Cutting on the Corner

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