Old Tools Can Surprise

[Riddler]

I didn't have experience with implements until I bought my place a few years back. The property purchase was unique in the sense that I took over a place "as is" that had been in the same family for 100 years. Alot of old gadgets and parts are still laying around here and there because I have been so busy bringing the place into the 21st century, that the long overdue "clean up" has been lagging behind.

Since I bought the place, I had been wondering about one gadget that was leaned up against the old barn wall. After finally taking some time to study it and surf the web recently, I realized that I actually had two separate spike harrow units. One unit consisted of two 5' sections, and the other consisted of three 5' sections. They were so covered with dust and superficial rust that I couldn't tell at first glance if either unit still worked at all. Also, I wasn't sure if everything was there to hook the sections together and pull them properly with my tractor.

As luck would have it though, my next project required that I prepare a seed bed for a cover crop that I needed to plant. After doing some leveling with my box blade, I figured it was high time I dragged the harrow parts out from the barn and see what I had. Well, sure enough, everything was there and (even) I had no trouble figuring out what went with what. After applying a little spray lubricant to the spike position control mechanism, I hooked the unit with two 5' sections to my draw bar and starting making passes over the area to be seeded. In no time at all, I was putting the old thing back in the barn. Best of all, the area to be seeded looked great, and I saved a whole bunch of time (not to mention money) running around town trying to rent or buy something to get the job done.

Needless to say, I have a renewed interest in sorting through the "junk" that was left behind when I became the new steward of the old place. I am learning that not everything needs to have a fancy coat of paint to do good work!!

 

[SFish]

Hi Riddler:

Your find sounds nifty, so post some pictures. My home area is Sonoma County, but I am now in Mendocino County in the Anderson Valley. What region are you in.

Steve

 

[Riddler]

Yes, I need to post some pictures. By the time I get back up to my country place though, the area I prepared may be covered with a straw mulch. I am trying to seed a fescue mix in the headlands area (i.e., the perimeter) of a vineyard.

Fish, my place is in west Sonoma County, on a ridge top 8 miles (as the crow flies) in from the ocean. Lots of majestic trees (Redwood, Doug Fir, Oaks) and interesting critters (deer, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, birds of prey, etc.). I never get tired of being there.

 

[Soundguy]

In many cases, some o fthe old implements are better constructed than new ones. Take a look at an old moldboard plow.. like a ford 101 or dearborn model.. then look at one you can get at TSC.

Soundguy