Coyote Ridge FarmsWelcome To Our Rural Blog

Well, not yet.  But we’re close.

We’ve had our 4th or 5th straight day of extremely nice weather (by Minnesota standards).  It’s been in the 50′s, if not pushing the 60°F mark.  I’m happy to say, all but the smallest traces of snow has left the area.  With the nice weather, comes the urge to head to the fields.   Yesterday, after feeding the cattle some hay, I drove the Oliver tractor over to the International, which was setting in one of the fields.  I had tried starting the International a few days back, but the battery was dead.  But with the Oliver and a set of jumper cables, I was sure to get it started.  After a half hour of charging, the old beast puffed some black diesel smoke as if to tell the world she had awaken from its slumber. :party:

After putting the Oliver away, I drove the IH up into the yard, near the garage.  I put the battery charger on the old girl to see if the battery would hold a charge.  If not, there goes more $$$.  The IH is our field tractor, so I need it be able to start if left out in the field over night.  Today, I topped-off the radiator with coolant, added a little engine oil and checked the hy-trans level.  I can say it is now ready for a little field work.

This afternoon, I brought the farm’s plow over to a neighbor and friend of ours for a little welding.  Last year, sometime, I broke a weld on our plow.  I was able to help Mike finish the plowing on his rented field, just east of us… as well as plow the 20 acres here, just south of the homestead.  Today, the plow was fixed and reinforced.  It’s ready to hit the soil.

After getting the plow welded and back home, I decided to see if I could get the farm’s old Farmall 300 going.  It cranked and cranked, but did not fire.  I figured out that it wasn’t getting fuel to the carburetor.  After blowing the line with the air-compressor, the fuel was able to flow.  I hit the starter, sprayed some ether in the intake and off it went.  It ran pretty good for setting for nearly a year.  I gave it a test-drive around the yard… it handled well.  I then used it to clear some brush in the grove.  I was pleased.

Oh yeah.  I must not forget.  Yesterday, Farmer Mike and I headed to the Raymond, MN area to look at a used combine.  A gentleman I know, was selling some of his retired, farm equipment and the item I was interested in was a Gleaner F2 diesel.  The unit is nearly 30 years old, but the engine purred like a kitten.  The owner mentioned that several others had looked at the combine but didn’t want it, due to the fact that 2 of the main augers didn’t turn.  After a few minutes, Farmer Mike had worked at one of the augers – the bottom auger and got it free  We put the chain on the sprockets and after I started the engine, I moved the engagement lever forward and… it worked.  The auger Mike worked on now turned freely.  After a bit of investigating, Mike and I looked at the hopper auger.  We noticed a chunk of wood wedged in the auger.  Although we could not get the wood from the auger, we were pretty confident it would turn, once the wood was removed.  After consulting with Mike about the combine, I decided to purchase it.  The combine comes with a bean head… which is good, since this year I am planning to grow organic soybean.  Although I really don’t like soy products, I believe it will be a good crop to add to our crop rotation.  I will bring the combine home another day.

I’m anxious for things to dry out.  Last year at this time (April 6th actually) our spring plowing was done.  In our area, nobody has been in the fields and probably won’t be for another week or so… and only then, if we have dry weather for the next week.  What a difference a year makes.

Related posts:

1. Fall Plowing Is Done
2. Hauling, Raking, and Haying… Oh My!
3. Grain Harvest Is Done!
4. Organic Calves For Sale
5. Spring Plowing… Done!