Back Hoed....

When we first got the tractor, couldn't figure out why most farmers had so many tractors. But then we started to get more implements, and finally figured it out.  It's a huge pain to change them out, so it's way better to have lots of tractors. Well we haven't gotten there yet, so every year we have to change things out. So in the fall, it's time to put on the rear blade. Then in the spring, the rototiller. Then the splitter, then the mower. Now finally put the back hoe on.

The back hoe cost almost as much as the tractor, so it was a major investment. But figured it was a real useful tool and besides, thought it'd be fun to learn to run something different. Well it was in more ways than one. Now whenever it get's put on the tractor, it's another adventure. First you have to remove the three-point hitch, then carefully back over the sub frame of the hoe, which you can't see once you're over it. Then when it's finally positioned correctly, hook up the hydraulics. You lift up the sub frame of the hoe using the side stabilizers and bucket until it connects to the locking clamps on the tractor frame. It usually take two or three tries and lots of cursing. Anyway, today it was time to dig out some stumps. After the trees are dropped, it's about about five years until we can get a big stump out. There's no way that there's enough power in the back hoe on the JD to rip out a monster stump. But after a few years of letting it rot, hydraulics rule. So the next thing you know, there's just a hole in the ground!

Riding weather...

After three straight days of rain, we finally got some decent weather. Now don't get me wrong, the rains keep the forest fires down and benefit the garden, but still, it's nice to just hop on the bike and go for a ride. Had been riding the 650 (First Ride...4/30/16), but decided to take out the 850 this time. Since I'm too cheap to buy 2 batteries, had to switch it over, but otherwise just needed to check the oil and tire pressure. Rode into town for some errands, then out past the University to the Goldstream valley where my friend Bill lives (Out to the Whites... 3/26/16). Had a nice visit, coffee with fresh brownies, then took the scenic route, via Fox and the Old Steese,  back home. What started out as a typical run to town wound being a fifty something mile tour of the valley. Pretty much fun.

Of course I forgot the camera, so took a photo when I got back. The dumpster sign had been buried in the back of the garage for years. Moved it outside when the garage was recently cleaned. When we first moved out here, there was a public dumpster just down the road. The sign was right at our mail boxes. One year an errant motorist took out the sign as well as most of the mail boxes. While we put the boxes back up, the sign lay off to the side of the road for years. When the Borough finally closed the dumpster site, I threw the sign in the back of the pickup and brought it home. Never have figured out a use for it, but I used to think I might put it up so it pointed toward my neighbors house. Or not; they probably wouldn't appreciate the humor of it all.