Welcome to the farm!

Hi,

All these images off the John Deere website, where you can have loads of fun configuring your own.

JD 9R 490

That is a small version of a large machine by current standards.

They get larger

9R 640

And even larger: 9RX 830. The X meaning tracks rather than wheels. Need more grip for all that HP.

The three digits at the end are the horsepower.

Mine would be called a 6D 100 using the current numbering scheme. Cost would be in the $90k range. That tracked one is around $800,000.

Stan

Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer

Hi,

So Spring is here. Time to get back to work. I will post some shots as we go. Growing gourds is the name of the game here. Most of this is done by hand, but there are some jobs for machines.

First off would be breaking ground for the rows. Gourds have long vines, and the larger the variety, the longer the vine. So the rows are as much as 30 feet apart. To break ground, use a Moldboard Plow:

In between rows, cut up whatever is on the surface with a Disc Harrow:

Then pulverise what the mold board plow ripped up with a powered Rototiller:

Finally, rip down deep within a row with a SubSoiler. This goes in 2 feet down and cuts thru the hard pan to allow water to drain down deep:

The mold board plow and rototiller were used in the fall as was as the disc. More discing here in the Spring.

More to come.

Stan

Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer

Hi

And what the end result looks like:

This was disced twice then raked to bust up dirt clumps.

The next shot is down a row.

You can see the slit from the subsoiler.

Stan

Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer

Hi,

The first of the gourds have sprouted. These are indoor and on a heat mat under grow lights from 7 am to 7 pm.

Next they move to the greenhouse for a while before the field.

This got new roof panels last week. They are of a corrugated plastic. They last about 6 years and then you have to make new ones. Or buy another greenhouse kit to swipe the panels from. No one sells replacement panels for these. Kits come with cut panels. Replacement material comes in 4x8 foot sheets and you get to cut them yourself. Helps to have a machine shop and a shear.

Further updates as events warrant.

Stan

Hi

Oh, and today the new-to-me big tractor and my existing 8 foot smooth-cut flail mower got used together for the very first time. I cut the scruffy grass mixed with onions out front. About 4 acres worth. I now have a 110 HP lawn mower with an 8 speed powershfft transmission which can run from 1.5 to 19 MPH. I was mowing from 4 to 6 MPH.

Stan