[J-L]

I’ve used a similar John Deere for years behind a team and cart. They work just fine. The Pioneer forecart is balanced good enough that the tongue weight is not an issue like Dennis says. You can turn sharp enough with these to do a good, clean job of raking irregular patches with a team. Your little Cub is a nice tractor for this, but I liked just a little more horsepower on big jobs so I can use a higher gear. I only do this when running behind, and rake much of it with a team anyway.

[J-L]

I hear you.

I actually ordered two ‘work’ collars from various places that assured me they were farm style collars. As I said before they were buggy collars. Not much in the way of a rim to seat hames in and also lacking in the draft area. The other problem was the thinner area atop the neck of the collar.
One fellow told me he didn’t believe an animal that size would be used hard enough to make a difference. He is a well known person in the mule community and I won’t name names. I use a few of these mules around 1000# for mowing, raking, dragging, etc. and do need a true farm work collar. It wasn’t until after I got ahold of Pioneer (there are others I’m sure) that I found a true farm collar. Made by Coblentz collar shop. They were around $30 more than a buggy collar, but worth it.

[J-L]

I have two sets made in Driggs, ID. Not much help for you because of shipping I’m sure.

These are all steel and are outstanding. The old boy that made the first one is well into his 80’s and has made quite a few for the ID and WY game and fish for the elk feedgrounds. He taught Lostfarmer (who is on here sometimes) how to make them with his pattern and Lostfarmer (aka Kari Moulton) made my last sleigh, which is also outstanding.

[J-L]

Just looked close up on the collars. Same as mine, I will bet. Even down to the russet buck stitching. Expensive, but a good farm work collar. All others I had tried were buggy collars.

[J-L]

Same boat here grey. I finally got an 18″ and use a pad for one smaller mule. The 18″ work collar came from Coblents shop, ordered through Pioneer. Very good collar.

[J-L]

I would at least check out the FSA guaranteed loan. I have seen some loan officers think outside the box. Put together a farm plan and give it a whirl. You won’t be out anything.

[J-L]

I have a neighbor like that. I offered him good money on his dump rakes and mowers, he just wants to let them rot into the ground apparently. He actually didn’t know there were mowers behind his house in the brush until I showed him where they were, then he couldn’t bear to part with them!
Same with another fellow and his grain drill and yet another with his buckrake and overshot stacker. Can’t figure that thinking out.

[J-L]

I have the motor driven 7′ model. The double action cutting stroke is pretty awesome. They cut the rankest of lodged grass hay without plugging and you barely hear the little Honda motor bog at all.
I think a decent horse could run 5.5′ alright.

[J-L]

Very nice article and pictures. Your horse is impressive Simon, you should be proud.

[J-L]

Very good discussion. It seems like most everyone has valid points.
I think Carl puts it well with regards to putting into practice those things that will make your operation more sustainable in your location (or thereabouts). I think that is a good thing to strive for.
It’s easy to get bogged down thinking of how an individual operation can make even a tiny bit of difference.

[J-L]

I like your approach Robert. That may be where it all begins.

Too bad you weren’t closer Kevin, your turkeys sound good. Your thoughts kind of mirror mine.

Geoff, it never ceases to amaze me the kind of people that inhabit this earth.

[J-L]

Is anything we do (modern society) sustainable?

If we cut back to a sustainable society, we better cut back on population. Who wants to volunteer?

I do like the thought of being more of an agrarian society, but deep down I really think it’s a pipe dream. Just go watch a modern farmer cover the amount of ground he does with a single person, all his equipment, and fossil fuel. It is efficient. He produces a LOT of food by himself and feeds many, many people. How will we replace that and feed 7 billion people? I believe it’s a similar situation with the animal side of things.

To me the real question should be, “Is our population level sustainable?”.

[J-L]

Great letter Donn (and the board). Tim and others are right, it’s a must to be logical in your thining and avoid the ‘knee-jerk’ response most all have the urge to use. Not my strong suit.
I still say it is a shame the way things unravelled with this.

[J-L]

I was ‘imprinted’ too. Being born and raised on this cattle ranch in Wyoming (5th generation), had no choice but to be horseback from a young age. We all grew up here with a horse and a rope in our hands. Great way to grow up.

My obsession with draft horses started early as well. My earliest memories are being bedded down in a bob sleigh full of loose hay, ‘driving’ feed team for my dad. I realize now that it was a good, old solid pair of horses that were going to walk the feed grounds anyway while the ol’ man pitched the hay off, in spite of the 4 or 5 year old kid farting around with the lines.
Another start for me was driving a pair of horses in the hay field. I got the job of driving the scatter rake team for a while. I felt pretty important and grown up. That old team would get tired of the flies and just walk over to the nearest willow bush and stick their heads in to brush the flies off. One of the older siblings or my dad would come over and help me get them lined out. I don’t believe those old horses would have broke into a trot if you lit a stick of dynamite behind them.
We grew up using the work horses for a lot of jobs around the ranch. Horse power was, and still is, a good asset around the ranch. Beyond that usefulness is what we are all aware of, they just make you feel good. I never wake up in the morning thinking “Man I can’t wait to start my tractor!”. But I wake up most every morning looking forward to running my team in and harnessing up.

[J-L]

Hope that team don’t spook and drag your Allis off!

Neat picture.

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