Farkle or work

[Waffles]

How does everyone balance spending time modifying and upgrading their tractor and implements vs using their tractor to complete projects?

Do you push back the projects knowing they will be easier after making upgrades.

Or do you crank out projects with what you have to prove to your spouse that you are working and not playing in the shop.

 

[Thomas]

For me it comes down to project and mood I am in,good chance I'll do the project with what I have.

 

[JimRB]

My tractor is a tool. My truck is a tool. My lawn mowers, weed wackers, chainsaws are tools. I use my tools to complete tasks. I do not farkle around with my tools. I repair tools when they need to be repaired or do preventative maintenance to not be annoyed when the tool does not work. If the chores are done then I can putz around on my toys whether that is bicycles or a lathe or mill. I make do with what I have, sort of. There is nothing to upgrade on the tractor and implements. They work or they do not, broken or not. If broken the tool gets fixed. I am not challenged about playing if I have the big chores done like pastures mowed, roof not leaking, plumbing not leaking, exterior of the house and barns are clean, fences are in good repair. No children to neglect and I make dinner once in a while and do laundry. I pushed a dust mop today to pick up dog hair. If I did no chores then the wife would have reason to complain.

 

[dodge man]

The only thing I’ve upgraded on my tractor is some lights. I would rather be using it than messing with it.

 

[WranglerX]

Usually find out if the tools or attachment that don't work the way I want, I stop work operation and rebuild or repair offending "thing".... And yes there some projects I put together in anticipation of future use....

Dale

 

[Tinhack]

I've been farkling most of the summer. Made a few cuts in the spring and early summer. The rain drops have been few and far between this year. The garden was burned out by May. I used the chance to work on my 3910. I've had new sheet metal, some parts and sensors for years. Adding remotes and dressing the ole girl up a little. I'll be 70 next month and days have been brutally hot for me. I work until lunch and that's it! It's just now starting to "cool off". It hasn't been over 100 in nearly a week.

I guess I'll be farkling the rest of the year on a few other machine projects. My little dozer needs some work and I want to get the Sullair 160 running again. Both have been sitting idle since before my heart surgery two years ago. The Sullair maybe a year before that.

 

[ovrszd]

Sounds like you don't "need" a tractor.

 

[3Ts]

Is that "little dozer" a pipe layer? If not, what's the boom beside it for?

 

[oosik]

By "farkle" do you mean chrome or mag rims on your tractor. I've seen both. How about a big fuzzy steering wheel cover. Or that "hip" dangling CRAP hanging down from all the windows on your cabbed tractor. OR the ultimate - the cutting edge on your rear blade has been chrome plated.

And they snub me because I'm wearing old, grease stained bibs. Cold day in H*LL when I wear Chenos and three button polo shirts to use my tractor. Crap, I don't even own those kind of clothes.

 

[mikester]

How does everyone balance spending time modifying and upgrading their tractor and implements vs using their tractor to complete projects?

Do you push back the projects knowing they will be easier after making upgrades.

Or do you crank out projects with what you have to prove to your spouse that you are working and not playing in the shop.

I spend about the same amount of time farkling my tractor as I spend polishing my hammers and screw drivers. If I had time for that I'd probably be in the retirement home and couldn't lift a wrench.

 

[Tinhack]

Is that "little dozer" a pipe layer? If not, what's the boom beside it for?

Yes, it used to be a pipe layer. It has heavy weights that pivot out by a hydraulic cylinder on the opposing boom side. The boom can be removed but is handy for lifting. I moved my Bridgeport mill into the shop using the boom. Most of the time, the boom is off so I can get under the trees. Here's an old pic of the layer in action--Circa late 1950s.

 

[Tinhack]

Sounds like you don't "need" a tractor.

Sure I do. That's why I have four. :thumbsup:

 

[Jim Nelson]

Yes, it used to be a pipe layer. It has heavy weights that pivot out by a hydraulic cylinder on the opposing boom side. The boom can be removed but is handy for lifting. I moved my Bridgeport mill into the shop using the boom. Most of the time, the boom is off so I can get under the trees. Here's an old pic of the layer in action--Circa late 1950s.

View attachment 670101

I've run a couple of those, Thet were both D-6's. One was laying pipe and holding it while the welder did his thing. It was a pretty good job but I quit when the trench crew started going out at lunch time and getting doped up. I nearly got one one day when working a deep trench where I couldn't see the bottom. There was one guy giving me hand signals and he had me swing a pipe over the welder who was welding and bent over out of my sight. The welder rightfully threw a fit and I quit when the company refused to do anything about the dopers.
The other time I ran one was compacting slopes with a sheep foot on a long cable. One day after moving to a new site the maintenance crew that put the roller on didn't tighten the cable enough and the roller came loose and went flying down the slope. I was working in a housing development we were building and if it hadn't been for a ditch and heavy row of brush that roller would have gone into a brand new house.

 

[Tinhack]

Nothing that exciting for me. I sure tested the lift capabilities of the boom though. Tried to lift an old Toledo OBI punch off the deck of a trailer. After a couple of tries, I ended up dragging the punch to the side of the trailer and positioned the dozer as close as I could. The boom was at about a 5 degree angle. I was just able to get the punch lifted off the deck and pulled the trailer out from under it. The punch only weighs about 3500 pounds but moving it got the juices flowing.

 

[Smokeydog]

Most of my modifications are for work multipliers or time savers. Long list of chores that need to get done and list of things I want to do. Getting the first list done quicker, safer leaves more time for the second. Some people are limited by what they can buy. Some are unlimited what they can make. Life is better fully engaged than riding the clutch all the time.