Waste Management 101

Tonight we gathered up all the tractors and started our adventure on Waste Management 101. Mike prepared much of the tractors the night before but the true test came today.



I pulled Bob out so he could graze on the lawn. I then had to put the other horses, Dude, King, Chaos, and Rain into the barn so they couldn't escape. Normally I would just put them out to pasture but they aren't pasture ready yet.

We actually had to take down one of the gates. We'd been meaning to take it down for awhile now but never got around to it until today. We both thought it would be harder than it actually was. But that's usually the case for us.

Mike hooked the neighbor's tractor up to our manure spreader and used the Mighty Massey to scoop into the manure pile. Mike loaded the spreader up the first time fairly light to make sure that nothing broke. We'd only used the manure spreader one other time and that was more to test it out. We'd never really used it hard after rebuilding it so Mike wanted to take it easy for at least the first go round.

Luckily the farm entrance isn't too far away from our driveway. To be on the safe side I hopped into the Explorer and followed Mike down the road. We figured in case the tractor broke down or something else happened, it would be a wise idea to have me tag along. I'm always game for tagging along. I'm rather paranoid about farm machinery. I'd rather be too cautious than not cautious enough.

About the time Mike started loading up the manure spreader the skies clouded up even more and started to mist. Luckily it never opened up and rained but it made for a bit tricky work for Mike. I stayed in the Explorer and felt the wind rock the vehicle back and forth. I was rather spoiled staying inside protected from the wind while poor Mike had to deal with the wind and flying poo.

The below picture is Mike's first experience of using the manure spreader on the field. The first go round went ok. The second go round the one of the chains broke so Mike had to do some quick thinking to get it fixed. I think he's going in and getting a new chain just in case. Otherwise we might not get everything done in time before the farmer wants in his field next week.

Mike had to be careful which direction he turned. If he went the wrong way or kept the spreader paddles going when he turned he'd get nailed with flying poo. I think it only happened once. While I was sitting in the Explorer, Mike took the tractor up and over the hill. I lost track of him and couldn't tell exactly where he was. But then he appeared. I wish I could have gotten a picture of him. After the first go round, Mike came over the hill and raised his hands in victory. Of course I busted out laughing but I sure wish I could have gotten a picture of it.

The wind was blowing pretty strong but the rain held off to just a mist during our excursion. Surprisingly, everything went really well and nothing too majore happened. I always feel better when Mike rolls the tractor up the driveway. Mike got three loads out of the horse pen. There's still so much there but three loads is better than nothing. The manure spreader seems to be working just fine. It does depend on which pile Mike is working off of though. Some of the older pile is a bit more work for the poor manure spreader. It should be intersting to see how everything progresses.

I guess Mike is going to take a half day tomorrow since there's not much going on at work. He talked Dad into coming down and helping out too. I don't want Mike working on this project without someone there. It should work out just fine. Dad and Mike can work on Waste Management while I'm at work and then by the time I get home, Dad will have to get going for one of his many meetings. Hopefully the horses will behave for Mike and Dad. I'm so used to them that I don't think twice about asking the horses to do something out of the ordinary. I sort of take them for granted some days.

So that's our first experience of Waste Management 101. I'm sure I'll have more stories to tell. But for now, I think I need to go blow the stink off of me. I made Mike go take a shower right after he walked through the door. I don't want any of that "stuff" tracking through the house. As it is, the house is a pit because I've been working with the horses. Oh well, something has to give. Better it be housework than horsework.