Well, with the open fields we had, and the size of them, in our typical city (industrial) mindset, I decided we must need a tractor: something to pull implements to plow, till, plant, trim, etc. the fields. We found a 94 horse power diesel tractor in the “Thrifty Nickel” (the local classified ads publication) for a pretty good price. We went to look at it and met the owner, who was a gentleman farmer in his 80s, still a foreman on the jobs he ran. We found out that he was liquidating his farm basically, and so he not only had his tractor for sale but also a 250-300 gallon diesel tank with a 12V pump. So we bargained, and we were able to purchase the tractor and the diesel tank, which incidentally was probably 2/3 full of diesel.
The tractor is a Farmall (International Harvester) 806, probably made some 50-60 years ago, and still running great.
My mother-in-law had previously bought me a couple of sweat shirts that fit somewhat into our new lifestyle, one a John Deere, the other, it just so happens, was a Farmall:
And here is our own “gas” station:
We’ve since been able to get a tandem disk plow and grain drill, and so we are grateful to the Lord to be able to work our fields.
One day we hope, Lord willing, to be able to pull field-working implements with animals we have raised and trained; or if there are other “old path” ways to work the soil, we hope to implement them.
Oh, and Sue wanted me to include this picture:
— David
Thank you David and Susan for all of these posts! I posted a comment on your original garden blog, but maybe it never came through? Yes, a tractor, diesal tank, disk, and planter? have all been a help in getting established, I’m sure. Should hold their value for resale also, when you get to that stage. We were raised with horses. Trained “Twinkle” our gentle female Pinto to pull an antique buggy in short order, so I’m sure training a good horse to pull a small plow or other tools would be relatively easy too. My neighbor boy Jimmy, still lives on his family farm and still has a few work horses. His Dad always used them for some fieldwork, maybe being from the old school, and just wanting to retain the old skills. I know he just enjoyed it too. So Jimmy could be a good resourse I could tap, if you need some “How to” info. in the future. Hmm…April 28th and my green lawn and plants are turning white from the big snowflakes falling on them right now!!! God Bless! Beth
Beth, didn’t see the comment come across in the garden post. Sounds interesting you and your neighbor folks, and thanks for the info and the comment.
— David
David, I love your tractor and implements. I’m waiting for the day when I too can have a tractor, they are so neat. You are making good progress.
Manette
With God’s help, graces & mercies.
Thanks Manette.
— David