Don't have a mule!

MattCatlin · May 19, 2017

I acquired an old mule powered cane mill. I've just about got it restored and I've planted a half acre or so of sweet sorghum cane. I've got this idea of using a farmall cub to turn the pole with no driver. I figure if I run the cultivators around a few times and throw up rows, lock the steering wheel with something it ought to follow the circle. This is probably a real bad idea but how much trouble can I get in with a cub.

NEKS · May 19, 2017

Now that is interesting. When you get it set up I want to see a video of operation.

T.R.K. · May 19, 2017

I saw something like that at the NC State Fair many years ago. best I remember, they just tied the steering wheel, put the cub in (probably) low gear and after it went around a few hundred times, it had made its own ruts.

The front tires probably wore funny, though.

amo · May 19, 2017

i have seen it done with a tractor, lawn mower or a 4 wheeler and all worked well. Amo

C. Amick · May 19, 2017

Use an automobile differential turned on it's end with one of the axles attached to the shaft on the mill. Attach an old 4 speed transmission to the differential and a PTO shaft to the clutch side of the transmission. I think mine has the clutch plate attached to the PTO shaft and you just slide it onto the transmission input shaft. I think you need the transmission to get it to run slow enough off a tractor PTO. Of course you have to build a frame to support the transmission. I have the whole unit mounted on skids. Clear as Mud?

MattCatlin · May 19, 2017

Now that sounds neat

Steve@Advance · May 19, 2017

It may track ok if you can get the steering set just right.

But if it refuses, try a rigid link from the front of the tractor back to the beam.

Send pictures!

JerryS · May 19, 2017

I think I'd chain or wire the front wheels with a turnbuckle in-line in order to fine-tune the tracking adjustment.

OldFarmall450 · May 19, 2017

I have actually farmed with mules for 20 years. Many old horse drawn implements, (plows, rakes, sickle mowers) were ruined being operated by tractors; they would bind up and a mule would've stopped. The tractor just kept going.
I'm not saying to not use the tractor; I'm saying to start out slow, low idle, and don't force anything. We had a friend who had a horse powered syrup mill, but he had it in the barn and we never saw it used.

Goose · May 19, 2017

I was a kid when the N series Ford tractors came out.

I remember at the Nebraska State Fair, a Ford dealer used some means to lock the front wheels in a left turn. He then started it up, got off, and let the tractor go in circles by itself for however long he wanted to.

jeffcat · May 20, 2017

Here in SJ there is the Batsto small engine show in October. A power source you could use is a large garden tractor like my Husqvarna. A CUB is a bit powerful. You need something that can JUST do the job and will slip if the crap hits the fan. What I did was to use a bungee cord tied into the steering wheel and my bunny buddy at the wheel. You can see the ruts in the last photo from going in a circle for several hours. About a nice 17 foot circle with the steering locked to the right. You will need to see if you can lock your steering POSITIVELY at a specific radious. You might need to make little metal wedge blocks that can be screwed in or something. You cannot have any slop or play. You can have it go in a circle in your yard for a half hour or so to see how things go.

JMOR · May 20, 2017

What, no wife & harness? :wink:

jeffcat · May 20, 2017

Let me see if this will load.

4520BW · May 20, 2017

You can borrow mine!

ohiojim · May 20, 2017

HOW MUCH TROUBLE CAN I GET IN ?? sounds a whole lot like WATCH THIS,.HERE HOLD MY BEER ...LOL

Dick2 · May 20, 2017

An old friend of the family, named Jim, had this story. A guy came to their farm in Ohio with a traveling cane mill. Jim was assigned the job of leading the mule around the mill and to "make sure the mule doesn't get his tail caught in the tumbling shaft as he steps over the shaft". Well, it happened and the mill operator said: "I'm going to cut you, boy!" The guy whipped out a knife and cut a big gash in Jim's arm. Jim's Dad stood there and laughed at him.

Jim left home that night, just 12 and a-half years old. He found his way to ND and his first job was herding cattle on the prairie for a local butcher. He survived and lived to be 101 years old. He never went back to his family in Ohio. He was a friend of my grandpa and hid daughter married one of my uncles.

Hoofer B · May 20, 2017

We have a mammoth donkey. He can be leased for one jug of syrup, plus room and board. He is a good worker and doesn't eat much ( smart too ).

Richard G. · May 20, 2017

A lot can go wrong doing it like that. Man near here lost his hand when crushed in mill with a mule pulling it.
I use a flat belt to pull my mill which was an old mule drawn mill I converted.
If it is fed too heavily, you can break castings. I have repaired several mills for people because of that.
Photos of my setup.
My 42 JD H pulls it just right with a flat belt and if it is overloaded, the belt will slip off. I also rigged a rope and pulley to pop the clutch out of gear in case of an accident.
Richard in NW SC

Elmo · May 20, 2017

I have fed a mule powered one when I was a kid. When I was in high school we had one run with a flat belt off a M tractor. I will never forget the swarm of yellow jackets that the cane juice attracted!
Elmo

MattCatlin · May 20, 2017

Love it

MattCatlin · May 20, 2017

Now that is a great set up

MattCatlin · May 20, 2017

I wish I could rent a mule, that would add to the festival!

MattCatlin · May 20, 2017

Good idea

C. Amick · May 20, 2017

You might be able to use a post hole auger gear box and PTO, but I don't know if they would be slow enough and turn the correct direction?

4520BW · May 20, 2017

I have always wanted a mammoth donkey! Where are you located?

danofarming · May 22, 2017

put an A frame hitch on the front to make it follow the circle.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · May 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:50:21 05/19/17)......how much trouble can I get in with a cub.

hile a cub is small and low powered compared to modern vehicles you are still talking about 1200+ pounds of steel (weight of cub with no wheel weights, implements or hydraulics)running around with no driver. Something as simple as a cotter key coming out of the governor arm could be quite interesting.

Don't have a mule!

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