When an Idea Runs Amok...

[Ewe Mama]

It is a Southland SRTT196E rear tine tiller.

Could you tell us the make of your tiller? Maybe even a pic or two...could be someone here has one similar and can help you.





Maybe what you are seeing is yeast instead of mold? Could you tell us how you are doing it, maybe someone here has a few suggestions for a tweak or two.

Thanks for asking, BeeKissed. It's getting a bit late, so I will try to get back to the fodder questions tomorrow.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm not familiar with the brand but took a gander at it on YT and really, really like how easy it is to put in reverse and back forward again. I noticed a lynch pin on the tires, though, and know from other tillers that this setup could indicate the tires can be moved inward when just wanting to move the tiller without the tines rotating and then outward again when wanting to till and move forward at the same time. That lynch pin facilitates the easy move of the tires from one position on the axle to the other.

If the tines are spinning and you have moved the gear lever on the handle to the correct position and it still doesn't move forward, I'm not sure what that means...is this a new one?

 

[Ewe Mama]

I'm not familiar with the brand but took a gander at it on YT and really, really like how easy it is to put in reverse and back forward again. I noticed a lynch pin on the tires, though, and know from other tillers that this setup could indicate the tires can be moved inward when just wanting to move the tiller without the tines rotating and then outward again when wanting to till and move forward at the same time. That lynch pin facilitates the easy move of the tires from one position on the axle to the other.

If the tines are spinning and you have moved the gear lever on the handle to the correct position and it still doesn't move forward, I'm not sure what that means...is this a new one?

It is a new machine, and other than attaching the wheels with the lynch pins and bolting the handles in the correct positions, it was ready to go. The directions made it look a lot more complicated, but we decided that there must be a second model that requires more assembly.

Here's a question that I can't believe I have to ask, but here goes...

When I press the forward gear handle, the tines rotate away from the user. When I press the reverse handle, the thing runs away from me, still going forward, but at a very fast pace. Shouldn't the tiller be moving backward, if it goes anywhere at all?

Regarding the locking pins on the tires, there are two sets of holes on the axel. The outer set lock the wheels from rotating and the inner set allows the full range of motion. I discovered this after removing the wheels to put bearing grease on the axel and I couldn't figure out why the wheels wouldn't rotate! I now know a heck of a lot more about axels, locking pins, wheels, and bearing grease than I ever thought I would!

 

[Beekissed]

It should. I'd be asking the dealer you bought it from and seeing why you are having so much trouble with a new tiller. Shouldn't go forward if you put it in reverse.

 

[Ewe Mama]

It should. I'd be asking the dealer you bought it from and seeing why you are having so much trouble with a new tiller. Shouldn't go forward if you put it in reverse.

I bought it on Amazon, so no dealer to talk with. If it can't fit in the back seat of my car, I order things on Amazon so delivery is not a problem.

Someday, I will have a pickup truck.

 

[Ewe Mama]

I had to throw out eight tray of moldy, rancid fodder today.

It seems that just about every fodder growing blogger grows fodder in his/her laundry room, so I set my trays in there, too.

I have the dehumidifier running constantly, which blows out more heat into an already hot room.

I originally had the system set up in a little windowless room in the basement. The temperature was much cooler, but it grew mold and got smelly down there, too.

Nothing is growing in my pastures, due to lack of rain and typical end of summer slowdown. We bought some really poor quality hay, which is all that is available and it was not cheap. That, combined with the sheep feed is all they have to eat since the fodder is moldy.

I sold one of my rams last weekend and am trying to sell the other, as well as the two ewe lambs.

How the heck do people do this for a living?! I can't keep a few smallish breed sheep healthy in spite of doing pasture rotation, chemical wormers, keeping feed raised off the ground, etc.

I feel like such a failure.

 

[Denim Deb]

Just remember, there's a learning curve w/anything you do. So, instead of looking at it as a failure, try looking it at a learning experience.

 

[Beekissed]

I agree! Takes time to learn new things and especially when it comes to farming and livestock. I know it looks easy when you view it from the outside, but when you are actually in it and getting down to the nitty gritty, it takes time and much, much study~both practical and theoretical.

If this is in your heart to do and you feel like you won't be complete unless you are farming, then don't give up. You can do this!

My favorite inspirational quote comes from Thomas Edison.

(On being asked how he felt about repeatedly failing to design a working light bulb)

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work"

--Thomas Edison

I don't particularly care for Joel Salatin's character or personality at all, but he has some great books on pasture and how to keep animals healthy with a more natural approach. He goes into much detail about rotating pasture, about how to breed animals that are naturally resistant to parasites, etc. The info in his books is good stuff if applied correctly.

 

[Mini Horses]

Well my first thought is that with five children to homeschool and tend in all ways, you have yourself a real full day!! To add a lot more is a wowzer.

I would think that a garden, some chickens for eggs and not much else would be a good start at SS....which seems to be your goal along with a healthy environment for the children.
If DH isn't on board, it will be more difficult. If he is agreeable why not plan a "weekend project" for the family maybe once a month......like, plant 2 apple trees. Maybe work on a small chicken coop, one wkend, etc. Slow go but, accomplishment.
These small projects tend to empower you to control your work and see things moving forward.

IMO, you have stated the reason for the sheep not doing well -- pastures burned up & only poor quality hay. I would suggest that you purchase, grass pellets or cubes -- alfalfa, grass, or mixed. Plus, if you are not using a supplement for vit/min & proteins, you need to consider that. All systems in their body will be compromised without good nutrition. While this is your intent to provide, it seems that your choices have been compromised by what is available. Your feed suppliers will have these things in stock normally and it will make a difference. It is not just a once a week deal, so while they can eat the poor quality hay to keep them busy, the other choices will be needed for herd improvement. Your choice to sell the rams is good, as you won't then be stressing the ewes further with a pregnancy to support& 2 less to feed. Yes, they will provide for the fetus and drain their own body resources to do so. Sheep are sensitive to copper, so be sure the supplements are for SHEEP.

For yourself, buy a good "general" home-project, home-DIY repair book. I've got one from years ago and it has often been a great tutor for ideas and how-tos!

Wishing you the best.....AND RAIN!