Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

Turtro · May 29, 2008

Tony, I'm jealous, we just planted our garden here last week, and won't be
harvesting for at least a couple months.
All those veggies look scrumptous

Clint

hunterridgefarm · May 30, 2008

3RRL said:
Tony, awesome.
I was just reflecting on the beginning of your thread when you had nothing.
Look at you now!

Yep...I can see it now. Next year it will be a road side stand...then local TV advertizing for "Tony's veggies and eggs comming to a Super Market near you"

You have done a great job Tony!!

tony123 · May 31, 2008

Thanks guys.

I just looked back at the first few pages myself, and I will have to pat myself on the back too.

We've had so many other things going on that I'm surprised to see what we've done out in the farm. There's been some sweat involved, but mostly enjoyment.

In the last week or so the chickens have changed their behavior. I usually leave the garage door open, and last week I had to start keeping it shut because I couldn't keep them out. I had chicken @#$%#$ everywhere. Now that they can't get in the garage, they have started on the front porch. Again, chicken #$%$# everywhere. I think they just want to be near us. Anyway, this may move the fencing up the priority list.

We ate the spinach. That big pile you saw in the last photos turned into about two servings once steamed.

It sure was some good stuff. Hope to cook some beets tonight.

tony123 · May 31, 2008

I'm going to post this here, but also in a more appropriate spot.

My hydraulic control has started acting up. The regular control lever won't raise the 3pt, but if I reach down and pull up on the lever marked out in the photo, it will raise. I can lower it with the regular one though. I need to address this, as I don't like putting my hands down there when the 3pt is moving.

Any thoughts?

JDeerekid · May 31, 2008

tony123 said:
I went to HD and got a bolt, cut the bolt to size, and used that for the pin in my ORC. Has worked for about 2 hours of cutting so far.

I was just getting caught up reading your thread because I am behind a couple weeks and saw this about your ORC. You said you put a bolt in it and I got worried. If you just put a bold in it it defeats the purpose of the ORC. It makes the whole thing spin even when you put the clutch down. This is bad because when you depress the clutch the tractor will still move forward and possibly cause dramage to whatever is in front of you. Believe me I know from experience on the old 8n ford, went through a wooden fence and close to going through the barn door.
What should be in there is a standard roll pin that you can pick up at the hardware store. Remove grease fittings and insert roll pin ( this should be snug and you should have to use a hammer and a punch to get it where it needs to be) Make sure the outer part of the ORC spins without toucing the roll pin or it could cause internal wear then reinsert grease fittings. You should be good to go and not have any problems. You should know its working because when you have your pto engaged and depress the clutch the tractor will not move forwards when the blades are spinning. Sorry if this is what you have done. Just want everyone to be safe and not get hurt.

Also great job on the thread. I have also started something similar. I have tilled up a few acres and put in a large garden for the family and some to sell on a roadside stand. What ever I can't sell it will be given away to neighbors or donated to the local food pantry. My neighbor has also got the chickens so we are set for eggs and meat when the time is ready. Hopefully next year will have some goats and cows. Ain't hobby farmin great.

Well have fun and hope keep up the updates on the farm.

tony123 · Jun 1, 2008

jdeerekid, thanks so much for the helpful information. However, if you read a little later in the thread, you'll see that I did just what you are recommending.

But I appreciate you catching it and taking the time to help out.

With the bolt in place, it did behave exactly as you describe.

Does the roll pin in effect become the weak link that would break should I hit anything? or I suppose the clutch itself would be the protection?

JDeerekid · Jun 1, 2008

I must of missed where you corrected this, sorry.

The roll pin just hold the clutch on the pto shaft. The clutch itself will slip to protect your tractor. If something binds in the ORC it will fall apart as I had one do this. Make sure you grease it good.

tony123 · Jun 5, 2008

Saw our first snake this morning. We let it slither off, but it appeared it had an interest in the chicken coop.

I know diddly about identifying snakes. I assumed this to be a rat snake? Can I get some help?

Tororider · Jun 5, 2008

That is one thing I am glad I don't have to worry about those here. At least nothing that can mess with my chickens. Do you think that could take out your chickens, or more a worry about eggs in the future? Fun times, I am sure your boys got a kick out of it. It is good to learn a healthy respect for snakes early on, especially if you don't know what kind it is.