Farm Gate Hardware

Maintaining Cleared Fields If the trees you're cutting are several feet tall, it can be helpful to work from the mature trees outward, since the young trees will be leaning away from the large trees and won't have as many branches on that side, making...

It excels at capturing nitrogen and provides added benefit when used in conjunction with rye. Most of these nutrient-rich plants can be grown at home on a small scale to provide a little extra kick to your garden, your compost or wherever you may need...

However, mowers like these are unable to do the job as cleanly as a smaller mower, and with that much power, you want to avoid any rocks or stumps that could damage the mower. Cut Back To The Boundary Lines First I establish where the true boundaries...

But perhaps you find the process daunting, you just aren't ready to throw down the money (currently around $250 for the year per venture), or you aren't sure whether it's necessary for your farm.

It could save your life and the lives of others. A transfer switch should be installed by a licensed electrician and tested routinely so that it works when you need it. For fuels, such as gas and diesel, always use stabilizer if you are storing them longer...

There are good reasons to kick off the shoes and walk barefoot in the soil, sense the texture and moisture of the soil and learn its nuances. Think about choosing the clothing for a farm job by considering what the job requires, along with the environment.

Then introduce beneficial plants that build soil fertility and health. I am considering introducing low-growing berry bushes to both slopes. At its heart— whether applying it to your life or your garden, yard or farm—it is using your time, energy,...

Scythes come in different sizes for different tasks. Using human-powered tools in the garden isn't for the faint of heart. Plus, the mattock can be used as a digging tool for tasks such as planting trees and making trenches, giving it versatility at an...

It Operates Without A Power Source One of this tool's biggest advantages? Here are five reasons you need a staple gun among your farm tools. Part of the fun of being a farmer (at least if you're like me) is having a logical excuse—er, reason—to own...

Last week, I told you how I devised a plan to use the area between the rafters in my compact workshop for storage. I have yet to install the tools. Those are all adventures for another day as I move a little bit closer to a ship-shape shop.

I'll bring my steel ball bearing with me and do the drop and bounce test that my blacksmith friend suggested. Are you interested in learning blacksmithing, or do you simply want a farm tool for straightening twisted shafts or flattening steel?

Manual spray systems use lower-cost piston pumps, while diaphragm pumps common to motorized spray systems are more durable and expensive. If possible, try the sprayer before you buy it.

String-Trimmer Mowers My personal “I'm thankful for” list wouldn't be complete without mentioning string-trimmer mower s! Some people might not like the hand-pushed design, but I relish the opportunity to slowly guide a string trimmer mower through...

This protection actually serves two purposes if you're working in the shade or on the edge of a forest during the summer months: This is where mosquitoes and other annoying bugs tend to lurk, and a long-sleeved shirt can help keep you from getting bitten.

A reader recently responded to a blog entry from this past July that talked about buying tools locally where you could get service. That said, I have a building permit for a small cabin this spring.

Last week, I planned to move some hay bales from a storage barn that has a steeply slanted roof. Just the same, I didn't trust it not to slip off and fall on top of me while I was working.

With today's modern technology, measuring the distance from one point to another is easier than ever; in fact, with high-quality satellite imagery, you can do it without even stepping outside.

Wire cutters can make a serviceable pair of scissors and be used to cut through string, rope, or similar items. Bolt cutters and wire cutters are essential for any hobby farmer and can help you in many situations.

I'll probably keep my tenon saw with its cherry handle. Mark Harrell, owner of Bad Axe Tools and saw maker extraordinaire, handed it to me and set up a wood scrap so I could try cutting a tenon.

The ash had grown around the stout cedar branches. I always do my best to prepare the way for safe felling. Gravity still rules, but when using a chainsaw in dense woods, always expect the unexpected.

Generally speaking, people prefer plug aerators to spike aerators, though it depends to some extent on the lawn soil type. Hand-pushed aerators offer the advantage of simplicity (all they need is muscle power to operate) and are less expensive as well,...

Agco Corporation, the company that manufactures Massey Ferguson and Hesston machinery, says straight-line design reduces strain on its baler frames, too. It's better features include 104 closely spaced pickup teeth and narrow-channel, flanged strippers...

A simple pair of locking pliers is a crucial, versatile tool for any hobby farmer. If you need to hold two items together while working on a project (perhaps two thin pieces of wood), clamping them together with the locking pliers can work quite well.

For a klutz like me, it means the motor stops when I release my grip. It also has “Service Minder” brushes that will shut down the motor before damage can be done, letting me know they need to be replaced.

Because digging bars are very heavy, their shortcomings (such as their narrow pointed ends) are overcome to some extent by their simple ability to smash through ice with brute force.

Be sure to keep the bottom of your sled free of snow and ice so that it remains easy to use. It seems like traveling as slowly as possible would help matters, but I've actually found an alternative to be true—maintaining a steady pace, not too slow...

I have a couple of digging bars and have found them to be well-suited to a variety of jobs. Rock Removal Digging bars are also a great tool for removing rocks from the ground. As you can see, digging bars can be used for a lot more than just digging.