Kelly Hand

For the past six years, Kelly's been righthand man. I miss hanging with him, so I thought I'd write him a song. Here's to you pal.

Make sure the gear is set to the highest quality pix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73F8Q5bEZo4

Greasers

Between farm and ranch, a cowboy's bound to wind up with some greasy clothes. Don't go throwing them away quite yet. With a little TLC, your gear can be back up and running in a flash. 

With the right care a guy can squeeze years out of a jacket and several rounds out of his gloves. 

Coveralls too. I know you're just going to get them greasy again. But clean clothes make for more productive work. 

First step is to treat the grease with Shout. 

I like to give them a good dose and then let it soak in for a while. 

The soap doesn't have to be special, just have to use plenty of it. 

I like to set the washer on Extra Large, Super Wash, with Hot/Cold wash. 

Once the machine fills up and turns a bit, I turn it off and let the clothes soak for a while. This allows the hot soapy water to penetrate the grease without being hard on the fabrics. 

After a bit, I kick the cycle back on and let it run its course. 

Should work. 

Then I'll throw the clothes in the dryer, just to tumble around for a few minutes without heat, to get all the wrinkles out. 

Then hang the clothes and drape the gloves to dry over night. 

Ranch Ready. 

Not only do you want to make your gear last, but, clean, used ranch wear has character. Just like how your pickup runs better when it's clean, so does a guy work smarter with clean clothes. Greasers are a part of every farmer/rancher's life. But they don't have to stay that way. Follow these simple steps and you'll be slicked back up and ready for town in no time!

Spring Storm

They'd been calling for a spring storm to hit early Thursday morning and snow all day. Well, they were right. 

About 5am it started snowing in Buffalo. By 8am there was a noticeable skiff. 

By noon there was probably 3.5", which some had melted as it landed. 

By 5pm, there was a solid 6.5" that had accumulated in town. 

Made for a pretty day to be in doors. 

But I figured I better go check on the horses. Besides, driving in deep snow is always fun. 

The neighbor Phil had thrown the kids a round bale a while back. Buck was hammering on it. 

It is a cold, wet snow, so I gave the horses some oats to warm their bellies. 

They are tough. Snow on their back is actually a good sign that the heat is staying in their bodies and not exiting out their hide. 

White Horse to the rescue!

Good stuff. It's nice to lay eyes on the horses in a storm like this. They can actually weather a lot, but they definitely need feed to do so. Ranch on. 

Suffering Love

Love is selfless not selfish.

           https://youtu.be/1eHP3bMqwfg         

Compunction

May I deflate, that He may inflate. 

           https://youtu.be/3YyQksXTBEs         

Gamble

The stakes are hight but the rewards are great. 

           https://youtu.be/uV8qz8OMjc8         

Poverty

Is a total dependance on God. 

           https://youtu.be/UX49gXXth7w         

Hammer Time

Our speech is revealing of our heart.

           https://youtu.be/ZTyZZe-WjPE         

Dad's 4010

If Dad's 4010 could talk, it would speak of revolution and Americana, of hard work and perseverance, of many hands and no quit. But most of all, it would speak of character. You can't buy battle scars, only earn them. The John Deere 4010 is an American icon, and Dad's is no exception. 

Dad's family bought this tractor new in 1964. It was the big tractor around the farm until about 1968 and the main farmhand until about 2000 when she was put to pasture. Around then, Grandpa gave the tractor to Dad and he has kept her going ever since. This past summer, though, the hydraulic pump gave out and this week we set out to change it. 

Dad and Uncle Lloyd already had the front end removed by the time I got home. They were sharing old memories of who put what ding where and how much this tractor revolutionized farming for their family. 

Putting a farmhand on a tractor is the worst thing you can do to it. Super handy, but terribly hard on the front end. Hard to say how many times this guy has been welded up. Manure, hay, feed, dirt, gravel... you name it, she's hauled it. Though it's stout now, the last 25 years around our place has been no walk in the park, either.

Though it didn't totally die, the hydraulic pump no longer delivered the volume of fluid to make the loader very functional. 

Once we got it out, we were able to change the brackets and fittings to the new one. 

Up she went. A few modifications, but not many. 

There were a lot of different lines to hook back up. 

Vibration is a killer to hydraulic lines. Where there is steal, it's best to brace them and cushion them with rubber. 

Once plumbed back in, we started her up to look for leaks before we put the front end back together. 

Back in the day, it was not uncommon for the guys to swap the duel front end to a single wheel for planting and such. 

Giddy up. 

With her running well, we put the tin back on. 

And reattached the loader. 

Back in business. 

If there was ever an image of my dad on wheels, it would be of a John Deere 4010. And not just any 4010, but this Lungren owned and operated, time tested and true, all work and no quit, still going strong after 60 years, 4010. Every time I grab the wheel this warhorse, I think of all the men who have worn it down to the metal. If Dad's 4010 could talk, I know what she'd say, Let's ranch!

Spring Gates

With the weather now getting warm, Uncle Lloyd and I decided to hang a couple gates. 

This is the northwest corner of the pasture. The 20' continuous fence panels ended about 6' before the corner post. So we decided to hang a saddle horse gate in its place. 

Springtime is prime time to burn grass. Better be ready to tend to fires if you're welding on the prairie. 

Good 270 degree turning radius. 

Should work. 

Next, was Grandpa's old white gate. This guy was originally hanging inside the barn. I think outside will do it well. 

To fit the gap we added a length of 2 7/8" to one side and welded it to the old hinge brackets. This also allowed us to have a way to mount the wood gate to the metal fence. 

Not being as tall as the other fence, we just split the difference from top to bottom. 

Simple mounting. Before we welded on the continuous fence panels, we dropped these pipe sleeves over the posts to serve as hinges. Then just welded a flat strap from one to the other. 

Giddy up.

Two down, six to go. Walk through gates are just as important as full-size grates. You want them functional, but also stylish. Think we checked both boxes. On to the next one. 

Wisdom

 Knowledge combined with experience.

           https://youtu.be/D6Z1npbRerU         

Prepare for Trials

When setting out to follow the Lord.

           https://youtu.be/FKOBAjOs_t8