A longtime rural resident, I use my 60 plus years of life learning to opinionate here and elsewhere on the “interweb” on everything from politics to environmental issues. A believer in reasonable discourse rather than unhelpful attacks I try to give positive input to the blogesphere, so feel free to comment upon rural issues or anything else posted here. But don’t be surprised if you comments get zapped if you are not polite in your replys.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Old Fergie & Big Blue.

A few weeks ago I waved goodby to my faithful old British built Ferguson tractor, I remain so totally impressed with this, the first of the factory built farm tractors with the ability to hook up to, lift, and provide power to implements that I was sad to see it leave. It did not however go to the tractor graveyard but on to another owner who will, I am firmly convinced, get many years of use out of it yet. That I can say that for a 60 year old piece of equipment says much for the quality and longevity of these tractors conceived by Harry Ferguson just after the end of WW2. They simply do not make stuff like this any more, even the steel seems to be of better quality, removing a bolt from a 5 year old piece of junk is often an almost impossible task, rusted, seized or broken off is the norm whereas working on this tractor near as old as the owner I never has such problems during the 15 years I had it.




The only reason I replaced it is the need for something with 4WD both for safer use in the hilly terain in my bush and for ease of use in blowing snow during the winter. After looking for used Kudoba and similar “compact” tractors in the 30hp range I stumbled upon a New Holland TC30 at a price I could not turn down. Lined up for auction I asked for the price 'pre auction' and got it at the reserve price.




In the last few days, having hooked up the home built hydraulic winch not sold with old Fergie and hauled out the first big hardwood logs with it (not the first logs but the first with this tractor). I must say that everything went well, the biggest advantage was not so much the 4WD but the power steering, it was tough to get Fergie into a tight spot with the armstrong steering but with this one its a piece of cake. So it works good, now to figure out the maintenance on it, with hydrostatic drive, a diesel engine instead of gas and more pipes, hoses and filters than I care to count it is much more complex that the old 50s tractor and probably will need much more TLC, only time will tell!

Old Fergie has now gone on to continue with its long career with a new owner, but what to do with his compatriot full of spare parts sitting behind the barn, is it now parts for someone else , scrap metal by weight or a boat anchor? 

Monday, July 20, 2015

The Hair

Found in my in box.......

The Hair
Countdown to Election..Eh..!!

I spilled some oil, you wiped it up
I lost some leaders, that had enough
I changed commanders, hope this one listens
Liberals/NDP didn't screw up "all said systems."

So I beg of you, for another chance...
I only sing, can't really dance
Yes natives worried..watered oil
Other places also, waters they to boil....!!

I'll give you money, not really mine
Screw voting system, lawyers not to find
Show you books...no cash left there
All I ask, is please don't mess my hair.

W.S.B.




Wednesday, July 1, 2015

New "Pot Garden" finished.

Besides getting the tower up as shown in my last post I have been busy with constructing a new "Pot Garden" to try and eliminate garden weeding but still permit the moving around of plants as they come into bloom or as they are done flowering. The previous beds done this way last year seem to be working well for us and plants left in place over winter all survived except one that got destroyed by the voles!

Step one, two and three, dig the hole, install the center feature (an old well pump from our previous property) and start pouring a concrete retainer......


Then add decoractive bricks around the edge and layout previously cast concrete pot holders.





Finally level around outside and add washed stone and potted flowers.




Looking good .......... but oh my aching back!