47 years is a long time

[Mobuck]

Now that haying season has begun, I can say that I've been baling hay on this farm for 47 years. In 1967 I started haying alone even though Mom came and sat in the field in case I had serious problems-I was too young to have a driver's license. Dad worked most of the day and helped me some in the evenings and decided what and where to do next.
Any of you who know about A-C round balers know just how dangerous those were-that's what I used. I grew up fast and learned by doing that year. I'd been working in the field since age 5 but it's totally different when you're the ONE.
I'm not sure if it's something to brag about or not but I'm still using two of the tractors I used in 1967. We bought a new Ford that year and the 1951 model 8-N was my raking tractor. Today I used that same 8-N to rake a couple of windrows of hay that I'd mowed 2 days ago with the Ford we bought new in 67.
I'll admit there are some newer, bigger options in place now but the old stand by machines still get some work. I've passed this interest in maintaining the machines of the past to my older Son. He has another of the Fords Dad bought pre-1970 and a carbon copy of his other Grandpa's 69 IH 756D(that's my current mowing tractor).
That's the end of my ramblings for today. Thanks for reading.

 

[RugerHound]

I think it's great! Tractors are ageless! Hay balers, not so much!

Back when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, I was haying for Clifford Smith outside of Bangor, Maine. Right smack dab in the middle of the afternoon, Clfford disengaged the baler, shut off the tractor and motioned to the 3 of us bucking bales to follow him. We walked to the immaculate farmhouse kitchen where they had a large table set up with fresh strawberries and cream. (Clifford was a dairy farmer, so this was the real deal!)

On the counter was a small B&W television that was tuned into some news program. Clifford said "They're about to land on the moon, and this is something that we will take time out for. Nothing like this will ever happen again" he said.

So there we sat eating fresh garden strawberries with fresh cold cream, watching the little 9" B&W TV while Armstrong landed the LEM.

Quite a day back in July 1969! (When your Ford tractor was just 2 years old! )

 

[Jim Puke]

You are correct...47yrs is a long time to have to use an 8N Ford tractor.

I am sure that 67 is a diesel...much better.

 

[Colonialgirl]

In 1967, I was in Korea with the Army.

 

[Chuckbuster]

A good friend of mine has a small farm, few beef cows and highland sheep. He lets me deer hunt there but that is really just a bonus not the reason I try to make my self available when he need some help. Rather spend a day raking and baling than many other "easier" things. Hot dusty hard work, but when you get done you really feel like you got something done.
Anyway not sure the date on the Farmall, I know the rake is a '59,


Feeding cows last January, it was near zero, -0 windchill that day



Kevin

 

[Cooperhawk]

In my pole shed right now is a 1947 Ford 8N, and a 1952 Ford Jubilee. Use the 8N to grade the drive and move snow, and the Jubilee to move trailers, ect. around the place. They both still run great.

My cousin has the 1947 Farmall M.

 

[Merle1948]

Now that haying season has begun, I can say that I've been baling hay on this farm for 47 years. In 1967 I started haying alone even though Mom came and sat in the field in case I had serious problems-I was too young to have a driver's license. Dad worked most of the day and helped me some in the evenings and decided what and where to do next.
Any of you who know about A-C round balers know just how dangerous those were-that's what I used. I grew up fast and learned by doing that year. I'd been working in the field since age 5 but it's totally different when you're the ONE.
I'm not sure if it's something to brag about or not but I'm still using two of the tractors I used in 1967. We bought a new Ford that year and the 1951 model 8-N was my raking tractor. Today I used that same 8-N to rake a couple of windrows of hay that I'd mowed 2 days ago with the Ford we bought new in 67.
I'll admit there are some newer, bigger options in place now but the old stand by machines still get some work. I've passed this interest in maintaining the machines of the past to my older Son. He has another of the Fords Dad bought pre-1970 and a carbon copy of his other Grandpa's 69 IH 756D(that's my current mowing tractor).
That's the end of my ramblings for today. Thanks for reading.

I have fond memories of the old style round bales. When I was about 12 Grandpa got one & it was such an improvement over the loose hay we put up before that!!! :mrgreen:

 

[smoke-eater]

When I was in my teens and younger, my Dad and I used to help a local farmer bale hay in exchange for hay for our three ponies. I suffered from hay fever, and would come home wheezing and sneezing, with my eyes swollen shut. Never tried to get out of doing it, though. Dad did instill a solid work ethic in me.

Jeff

 

[twobit]

I have a very good running Farmall H that is a 1940 year model. I use it around the ranch. I got it about 10 years ago. I am the second owner. I put a Saginaw 3 point hitch on it. The hitch can be removed to return it to original condition. I hate it when old tractors are permanently modified or butchered up. The old girl will outlive me. I'm just its caretaker for a few decades. It will be passed on to another some day.

 

[stevemb]

Thanks for the rambling, Mobuck ! Not a farm boy, but Sat., am going to the largest tractor parade in the state of Ohio. Where our Frustratedmiddlechild hangs out, or nearby anyway. Wifes family has one of the biggest JD collections, a whole barn full down to Wooster Ohio.