Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

EdC · Jan 3, 2008

Tony

I use a base log 16 inches tall but that is just because that's how long I cut all my wood to. When the base gets too beat up I just flip it over end for end, split it, then it goes in the wood stove. That length works pretty good for me (6' 1").

When you do buy your FEL consider getting a toothbar. For those of us with smaller machines it makes a world of difference when digging.

Easygo, you have got to be giving your tractor a workout with that much snow. Seat Time

3RRL · Jan 3, 2008

Tony,
You have done a great job sharing your adventures with us and I'm sure none of us are bored. As a matter of fact, I always check your thread and every time I do it puts a smile on my face.... especially sharing those photos of your "helpers".

tony123 · Jan 3, 2008

Ed, I was just thinking that the most power in a swing happened closer to the ground. I'll experiment with several different heights. Lord knows I'll have the opportunity.

Oldhippy, thanks for trying the photo again. That is one sharp machine! Which ROPS did you get. That one looks tall enough to be well above my head. Some that I've seen don't look like they're tall enough IMO. You know, one of the things keeping me from sinking money into a FEL is the age of the tractor and the fact that I've only got 50 hours of "confidence" in it. Did that cross your mind? if so, what made you comfortable with the investment?

Rob, glad to hear you're not bored and that you check in.

I'm aware this is not a "hard-core" tractor thread. It's more of a "novice plays around in his yard" kind of a thread.

But I promise to keep the excitement level right where its at. hahahaha

I bought the larger of the two tillers today. Will pick it up on Saturday morning and post photos.

scgargoyle · Jan 3, 2008

I would think the most power in the swing would be a little below horizontal; I think the power drops off as you get lower. Either way, it helps to have something solid under the split, and it's better for your tools to not hit dirt and rocks, even if it is only a maul. It seems like we always had a stump nearby- they won't split, and they won't jump around. But a good sized cookie works well, esp. if it's something gnarly so it won't split too readily. Looking forward to seeing pics of the tiller- in action, of course!

MacLawn · Jan 3, 2008

Tony, your project is inspiring! I have some similar things to do around my red clay Georgia 9 acres.

oldhippy · Jan 3, 2008

Overtime made me go for fel. I have not used the loader very much but have a problem with the 4wd on tractor that came after getting fel. I feel that I had a problem before and using fel made it visiable. Am thinking that it is the transfer under transmission is popping out of gear. It could be soft spring or gears worn on edges. I am going to tear it down in the next couple of weeks and take a look see. Looking at your place with the hills I would really look in to buying a ROPS. My place is about as flat as they come, one day I was pushing some trash back with blade and the blade poped up and I ran one reat tire up on trash. Wife was out there when I did this and we ordered one. The one I got came from Wayne at LMTC. Am looking forward to your hobby farm saga.. big dan

Tororider · Jan 4, 2008

Tony,
I don't know about the rest, but I am just an amature too. So this thread is about exactly the kind of stuff I want to or have done. It is one of the first I check when I log in. Keep up the good work, and I am sure your boys are learning a great work ethic from watching their Daddy!

ToadHill · Jan 4, 2008

I remember the days of swinging a maul to split 5 cords of wood each year. Alas age and a bad back put an end to that several years ago. I bet its fun trying to keep track of the youngins when swinging the maul.

tony123 · Jan 4, 2008

Well....I wasn't fishing for all the kind words, but its nice to hear none the less.

SC, that makes sense. Without a base stump, I find myself squating at the end of a swing. Logic does say that the power curve hits a peak just after horizontal. How long would I have done it my way if you guys weren't here with your wisdom?

Big Dan, are you having trouble finding uses for the FEL? thats contrary to every other post I've ever read. Your comments on the 4WD bring to light something I've noticed on my tractor. When the front wheels loose traction and spin, they do so in an intermitent fashion. Like its not a steady constant power. Could this be a sign I'm having trouble too? When I put it in 4WD, it never fails to get me out of a tight spot though, so maybe its supposed to behave that way when loosing traction?

tororider and toadhill, I hope the boys are learning something. It does slow things down when they are with me, but I don't complain about taking breathers....hahaha

Parttimer · Jan 4, 2008

Tony123, This thread is great. It is making me work more on my plans for our land. I grew up on a three acre farm as you are creating. Many fond memories. I just subdivided the lot and will be building on a 90,000 sf lot and still expect to utilize every sf.

I raised goats pigs ducks rabbits sheep and chickens on that three acre farm plenty of room if planned out.

Have you figured out how to utilize the steeper portion shown on the plan posted earlier in the thread?

Have you considered using that area for the chickens and goats, might be hard to acess but if the sheds were on the uphill portion below your house and their "space" was below, they don't mind the woods and the hill. would give you more room on the workable upgradient side of the lot for farming.

Great planning, not many people have a plan on paper. I have shot in all of my land and am constant revising where things will go.

You are moving along quickly and the kids will remember your smiles for the rest of their lives.

Dave