loading the hay

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Loading the Hay 7

 

We last left the hay making adventure with a full wagon, heading for home. The farmer and his crew went back for another load, returning to the barn only after they had filled all of the wagons.

 

Loading the Hay 5

Loading the Hay 2

 

One of the wagons was pulled into the barn and the youngest member of the crew climbed onto the pile of hay to set the claw.

 

Loading the Hay 8

 

When he was ready, Charlie set the horses in motion. They were harnessed to a rope that pulled the claw into the air, raising the hay high into the loft.

 

Loading the Hay 9

Loading the Hay 1

Loading the Hay 4

Loading the Hay 3

 

Once in the loft, Joe and Jimmy used their pitch forks to move the hay into place.

 

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786

 

What is fascinating is how fast the hay moves once the horses take up the slack. I thought you might like to see a video of the motion. Sorry about rotating the camera 90 degrees, it just fit the scene better. Enjoy.

 

bringing in the hay

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Making Hay 8

 

Jimmy, Charley, and Joe started the day by hitching Belle and Jane up to one of the empty hay wagons. The hay needed to be brought in before we got another rain.

 

Making Hay 7

 

Then it was off to the fields where the hay had already been cut and was lying in wind rows.

 

Making Hay 6

Making Hay 5

 

A hay conveyor was hitched to the back of the hay wagon. The conveyor's job is to lift the hay from the ground and deliver it to the back of the hay waggon.

 

Making Hay 4

 

Joe and Jimmy then moved the hay towards the front of the wagon using their pitch forks.

 

Making Hay 2

 

Belle and Jane pulled the entire train up one row and down another until it was full.

 

Making Hay 3

Making Hay 1

 

At that point, the entire team made the turn for home, delivering the hay back to the barn. There is still another wagon to load before they can break for lunch.

 

ellie clausen update

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

It's been a while since I revisited the stories surrounding the death of little Ellie Clausen. That's the bad news. The good news is that I am working on the next installment. My outline is finished, I have the images in hand and I am working on the writing.

I found that two of the links on the Death of Ellie Clausen page did not work and I've fixed them. I also added a story link that was missing: Jeanne's New Hat.

Have a great weekend.