Alternative Uses for Implements

RobS · Apr 19, 2005

We're finally going to have a garden this year but I don't want to spring for a tiller until I'm convinced we'll enjoy gardening. I called a rental outlet but no three point tillers available. Hmm, what to do. I know I can borrow a troy built rear tine, but it's pretty small and not immediately available. But wait, what's that under the tarp behind the barn? Yes, it's a backhoe just emerging from winter hibernation. That's the ticket!

So yes, I ended up "tilling" a 20X40 patch with my backhoe. It was fun and a great way to break up the weeds etc. Sprayed some roundup last night and will get the little troy built this weekend to finish it off.

What a great way to get backhoe seat time! And it sure beats the thing just sitting out behind the barn.

Anyone else have unusual uses for implements on hand?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

getut · Apr 19, 2005

I used a single bottom plow to cut a ring (drainage ditch) around my barn about 6' out. Then put my boxblade back on and dropped both left side tires into the ditch to boxblade a slope out from the barn. Just connected another ditch heading into the woods and it took some tweaking to get it all going slightly downhill but worked well.

I don't think using a single bottom plow as a ditch digger is extraordinarily clever though. I'm probably person #4339885 to use one for that purpose.

Tom_H · Apr 19, 2005

One guy used a PHP to dig a line of close together holes. Only had the last 20% to shovel out, ending with a nice trench. Another uses FEL bucket to carry sprayer tank around spraying. One was using FEL as mobile scaffold platform.

This one wasn't on TBN, but some guy is a nut about medieval weapons & such. Heard he wanted to use the tractor to wratchet up a catapult & see how far he could launch a dead cow. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (They used to shoot dead diseased cow bodies over castle walls to use as biological weapons; it lands & goes POP. Out come the maggots, etc.) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2005

Using and FEL bucket to make garden rows is another good alternate use. Just start on one side and work your way down building the mounds, back up and start the next returning until you've crossed the whole garden.
It's a good bit of work, but in the absense of a bedder disk, or not wanting to hoe it all, it's a good alternative. John

BGL990 · Apr 20, 2005

I use my landscape rake turned backwards to break up and spread horse manure in the pasture. The lumps just roll ahead of the backwards-facing tines until they break up enough to fit between the tines. Works better than any harrows I've tried. One pass and you can hardly tell there were animals in the field.

MaineTWLSB · Apr 20, 2005

( wratchet up a catapult & see how far he could launch a dead cow. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (They used to shoot dead diseased cow bodies over castle walls to use as biological weapons; it lands & goes POP. Out come the maggots, etc.) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

gross, but funny as ****....I would bet that guys a Monty Python fan... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tom_H · Apr 20, 2005

Wonder how much they'd've paid a fella' with a defective smeller to shoot flyin' skunks at the enemy! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ' bet that'd'a' flushed 'em out'a that castle in a hurry! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

98_TBS · Apr 20, 2005

John-
I am not quite following you. Could you expand a little. I have been trying to figure out how to make raised beds with an FEL.

Thanks in advance.

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2005

( John-
I am not quite following you. Could you expand a little. I have been trying to figure out how to make raised beds with an FEL. )
Till or plow the garden then put the loader perpendicular to where the row is going. Start at the end, put your bucket down with the cutting edge facing foward down on the soil and then curl the bucket so that it pulls the dirt up into a mound. Move over a little and do it again and again until you have the beds built up. It's not an ideal way to do it, but it works. Time consuming and takes some practice to get the beds the way you want them, but it can be done. John

Bob_Skurka · Apr 20, 2005

John, have you tried using a back blade to 'windrow' the dirt into rough beds? You really need to have the ground tilled and pretty soft, but using a back blade, offset, angled and slightly tilted you can make a few passes and build raised beds.

As for other uses for implements, I use a Howse landscape rake as a snake catcher at my warehouse. The warehouse is sandwiched between a creek and a railroad track and there is a ditch along the RR. The back property is a haven for snakes. Run a landscape rake behind the tractor around the field usually pulls up a half dozen good size snakes. It sure helps to keep them from getting into the warehouse and scaring the night crew!

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2005

( John, have you tried using a back blade to 'windrow' the dirt into rough beds? You really need to have the ground tilled and pretty soft, but using a back blade, offset, angled and slightly tilted you can make a few passes and build raised beds. )
I don't have nor want a rear blade, but I couldn't see using one as I would need a lot of room between beds to be able to do that. With my method, I'm making a row in front of the tractor and backing up to make the next one, therefore the tractor is always on the unbedded portion of the garden.
I suppose in a very large area, the windrowing would work, but I don't garden that large an area. John

Bob_Skurka · Apr 20, 2005

Your're right about wide aisles. I actually like that, but then that is a personal choice. I've got a lot of space to play with out back so that is also not an issue. My field is fairly low (60' elevation drop from the top of the property where the house sits) so I run wide aisle (about 5' wide) between planting areas for some drainage. It lets me run a tractor down there which makes things easy. But it also lets the beds drain into the aisles so they don't get/stay too soggy.

nomad · Apr 22, 2005

A simple small size cultivator which can easily be built at home. See attachment. Only 3'. Guess its price. Do I need a tiller which is much more expensive than this cultivator to cultivate my garden? No. I can also change its points easily for harder grounds.

HomeBrew2 · Apr 22, 2005

That's a really nice looking cultivator! Do you happen to have anymore pix in case some of us might want to copy it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

nomad · Apr 22, 2005

Unfortunately, I don't have another picture. But, I can take some more later. For copying it, this picture is enough. Just get some simple materials, cut, bend and weld/fasten. That's all. You can replace the points/tips by any other tip/blade/etc.

jmc · Apr 22, 2005

Rob,

I horrified my organic wife by backhoeing the garden one spring. It looked nice but she was worried about disrupting some sort of organic layers that she reads about in "Annals of **** Gardening". Best crop of tomatoes we ever had that year and I believe I mention that to her once of twice.

John

hobbyfarm · Apr 22, 2005

RobS,
I got a neighbor who uses his equipment to tie out the goats he has. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Does this count?

hobbyfarm · Apr 22, 2005

( ...she reads about in "Annals of **** Gardening". )

I'm not sure I'd do any "**** Gardening". I can't beleive there's a book on it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

edski · Apr 22, 2005

Before I had a BH I used a PHD to bury my dog.
Basically a 2x3 swiss cheese pattern and busted the rest out w/ a shovel.
It was winter and options were limited.
I miss that dog.

Westonium · Apr 22, 2005

( ( John-
I am not quite following you. Could you expand a little. I have been trying to figure out how to make raised beds with an FEL. )
Till or plow the garden then put the loader perpendicular to where the row is going. Start at the end, put your bucket down with the cutting edge facing foward down on the soil and then curl the bucket so that it pulls the dirt up into a mound. Move over a little and do it again and again until you have the beds built up. It's not an ideal way to do it, but it works. Time consuming and takes some practice to get the beds the way you want them, but it can be done. John )

You should have mentioned this in my "Planting Bulbs" thread. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif It's a good thing I didn't waste my time with other nonsense - That is exactly what I am going to do.

This row of bulbs I am planting is on a semi-steep hill. I'm just going to back down it making little back-curls over and over so that I am making little 5' rows perpendicular to slope.

I can't believe I didn't think of that. I even used that technique to make angled "speed bumps" to divert water from running down the gravel/dirt driveway.