Went to plow this morning...

Let me start by saying I'm usually squared away and prepared.
I've had two surgeries in the past 6 months and am just getting about.
Maintenance has been neglected.
Went out at 0Dark30 to use the plow truck.
Knew it was out of fuel, so I fueled the tank in the bed, unhooked the fuel line at the pump, stuck a vacuum pump on it and got fuel coming--knew I had to do that much...rehooked the fuel line, it started right up. Gages look good, running smooth, okay, plow lights on, no problem...raise the blade a bit, good, lower--nope. Figured it was ice. Went out to the plow, pulled the covers off at the cable--got the ice out, lubed it up good, works smooth--but the cable had popped out at the control. Take the control all apart, re-install cable. Start truck, let it charge, lighst on, running smooth, plow won't raise. Hmmm...cut the heater on for a moment, now smoke rolls out the defroster vents--smells like leaves burning, okay, now a fire...no problem. Fire dies on its own. Still dark out. shut the hood. Go the the plow jeep--same routine, know it has no fuel. Take care of that, cranks over, almost fires, then not enough battery...No, I'm not going to jump it, get out a long extension cord and the charger. Hook up the charger. Take a break, go to get a drink of my pop--froze solid. Okay, go get in the tractor, turn the key on, just about push the start button, then decide screw it--I just don't want to know.
Went to close the door on the machine shed.
Ice, snow, chip all that out of the way, shut the door.
Batteries charging on the jeep.
I'm back inside for awhile...
Maybe I'll just engage four-wheel drive and not worry about plowing my lane... :lol:
Thanks, I feel better now.

Bernie, I feel your pain! :shock: :lol: Just think, if you'd been ready it wouldn't have snowed in the first place!! :? :roll: BTDT! :lol: :lol:
Dave 8)

:lol: I'm guessing it will all be better after daybreak... :lol:

I usually have a plow day like that when I'm too tired to do the prep
the night before. Makes me a very vocal person for a spell.

Keeps life interesting...

I'm not plowing snow, but my horses are never out of the fence or need hay and water unless I'm checking them before I go to bed after a night shift or when I'm running a little late going to work. Never a dull moment.


Dave

the storm is supposed to taper off around 1 here in north central Ohio, so I'll go make sure the tractor, runs about noon and start plowing about 3 or 4 to make sure that all my hard work doesn't get filled back in after I shut the doors.

You guys who have a plow on your truck have it good. I got an open station with rear blade. Grandpa has a heat houser on his but, unless you doing field work for a long time I hate that them, they just get in the way i think.

Good luck

Just think, guys down south don't have any of those problems at all.
It's all because of stupid snow!

dbernie........I really enjoyed this. I think every farmer that owns a coat can relate to this!

Joe Pro........$500.00 says that when you get to be grandpa's age, you'll have that heat houser on that tractor too. Wanna bet?

A single hot wire will keep your ponies from getting out. It won't take but hitting it once or twice and they won't touch the fence again.

I did that 17 yrs ago and now don't even run the charger. They never touch the fence.

At the farm, I used a two strand fence to keep them in. Same as in Dallas, I frequently don't even turn the charger on any more.

Forgot to add - in Dallas if your stock gets out and the County picks them up, its $150 a head to get them back. Much cheaper to do the electric fence.

Well, the jeep took care of things once it had battery.
I'll play with the truck later.
Dare I go see if the tractor starts?...Hmmm :lol:

All we have is electric fence, but we have small pastures scattered around outside town and sometimes they'll spook when in a corner and knock the fence down. They don't go anywhere, just get out and munch a little til dad comes and puts them back where they belong. I'd love to set up a permanent fence but the property doesn't belong to us. There are also plenty of restrictions based on your status (farmer or not).

Dave

What type of wire are you using? Some of the polywire will give enough that if they run into it, it doesn't break before the realize they're in the fence and get stopped. The downside to polywire is it doesn't stand up to weather as well as actual wire. The thin stuff only lasts about 4 to 5 yrs. The good side is its not very expensive and easy to work with.

I agree - don't go to the expense of a permanent fence on property you don't own. At least with a hot wire, if you lose the property, you can pull it up and take it with you.

We use 20 mm tape in most areas and 40mm in one where there are a bunch of deer and hogs. Won't use wire or the poly rope because we bought a mare real cheap once that had been caught in the stuff. She had to be put down way before her time because of arthritis and complications from the wound and cut off circulation.

Dave