Stormin

Those gin traps as we call them, are illegal over here. As for your dispatching tool, the hassle in owning one of those is unbelievable.

That looks great matched to the mower, Richard. All credit to you.

You'll be ploughing it then soon?

You now know where there is a plough now Doug. And good to hear from you.

Some short videos. Excuse the wobbling. P1030098.MP4 P1030099.MP4 P1030100.MP4

Most likely get it up and running, then it'll be getting sold. Interested?

Had a play with this 1980's MF 525 combine this afternoon. Not been run for around 10yrs at least and sitting with a flat tyre. Of course the flat had to be up against the wall and the combine leaning against it. I'm under there trying to blow the tyre up, with the compressor we brought down from the main farm. Luck was with us and the tyre inflated and stayed up. Next job was to see if it would start. New battery fitted and after some whirling, priming, fiddling and more whirling, the Perkins 3ltr something burst into life. So far so good. Now to move it. First we had to move the 1970's, I think it is, IH digger. That started with no problem. Always does with a squirt of Easy Start. It's always need Easy Start as long as I can remember. Back to the combine and it refused to move. Left hand wheel made an effort, but the right hand one refused to budge. Brakes seized was the first thought. But it had been left with the brakes of. Now I know nothing about these things, but weighing up the axle and hubs etc I came to the conclusion, due to no centre differential, the hubs are hydraulic driven. Back at the main farm, I had a look at an operators manual. This proved my suspicion. The wheels are hydraulically driven. But there was no info on stripping them. So my friend is going to get in touch with an agricultural fitter he sometimes uses.

The Moorhens on the ponds by us, have not had much success raising young this year. The first nest, open to view, containing 8 eggs got robbed by crows. The second nest was built to low down and got flooded. The third nest built higher up and more concealed, looks like being more successful. It's directionally opposite the decking over looking the pond. I've been keeping a watch on it and the last few days there's been more activity by the parent birds. Had me thinking some chicks had hatched. This morning got some photo's. I can only make out three chicks, so more could be further back. 12 bore is at the ready for any visiting crows.

Happy BD, Andrew. Have a good day.

Looks good, Chris. How far round the garden did you get? BTW. I think the seat needs a cushion.

I was just thinking that. Did you take photo's of them, Chris. And measurements?

Dylan then. He's a little shorter than you.

Dogs or cats can't get in the box. It's lockable.

When you get the seat on, get Pam to take a photo' or two of you doing the test drive.

A 12 bore can be a bit messy. Traps like that are touch and go. Usually with the bait. Best thing is poison.

I had intended to have a test today. But to my surprise, contractors arrived yesterday to combine the field opposite. Now we've had the wettest August on record. The ground is saturated. In places on the green and verges, even the C-125 leaves tracks when mowing. They only managed to get half the field done. Just about managing not to get bogged down. After a couple of hours they gave up and left. A few photo's of the state of the lane and the entrance to the field. They haven't even had the decency to come back and clean up the lane. My neighbours and I are not happy bunnies.

Nice job Chris. Looks the real Mccoy.

Put a couple of pegs in the plate by the cam wheels. They'll help hold things in place when you bend round the cam wheels. Some either side of the large radius in three places will help as well..

Plan B put into operation this morning. Decided to see if I could mount it on the mid mount grader. So a measure up and a bit of angle iron found. BINGO! And no alterations to the grader. I'll see if I can lay my hands on some plate at the farm. I'll maybe modify things and raise the disc up, to just below the grader blade. I'll see how it performs first. Used at an angle as shown, may push the sod outwards.

Nothing like the old type blue print.

I have thought of that, but that's extra work and not necessary really. Cuts fine as it is. Also safer.

The verges on our lane are encroaching on to the tarmac. Not that there's much of that. Mainly a patchwork with holes. Not fancying cutting it back with a spade, I had an idea of doing it with one of my GT's. I had this scrap saw blade lying around. Fixed a bolt into the end of some box section and welded another piece to it and drilled a hole. I know the welding is not much cop but it will do for test purposes. With blade in place, things look like this. Add a bit of weight. After a little test then blade had it's teeth removed and an edge ground on. It does cut, but more to do. Needs a scraper of some kind to cut under the sod. I have something in mind. Would be better mounted on the front of the tractor or even mid mounted. Be seen and controlled better when in use. Might be yet.

No idea, Chris. Most likely a walk behind. The depth/land wheel looks on the wrong side for behind a tractor?

Again!

Had another day with chainsaw, saw bench and log splitter. Still got about 1-1/2 ton of 2-3ft dia 5yr old Leylandie to cut and split. But that will have to wait for a while. All log storage space is now full. But I do now have room for the felled trees in the field opposite. As soon as they've harvested, I'll be in there. Must admit the log splitter was a good buy. Saves a lot of back ache and time. Should have bought one years ago.