It’s hard to believe that 15 years ago I was a serviceman in the mines out in Mount Isa. I wish I had cared enough to learn more about machinery instead of coasting through what was, at the time, an easy job. Fuel the trucks. Grease them. Check oil levels. I was truly a half-assed serviceman at best. They paid next to nothing, so my motivation was equally low.
This is why experience and learning are sometimes worth more than the paycheck. I could have used that knowledge today to get the machinery left behind on the farm to get going.
My first attempt at clearing land, right before I found a tree stump
Knowledgeable Neighbours Willing to Lend a Hand
Being this remote and not knowing much about what I’m doing yet, it’s incredible to have a neighbour willing to come over and work on the machinery with me. I don’t know where I would be without his help and knowledge. Some people are happy to help and assist others. I’m lucky to have one of them next door.
It’s definitely going to cost quite a few cartons of piss, but totally worth it. To date he has explained to me what weeds to watch, how to kill them, how to drive a lawn mower, how to use and service a tractor and how to set up a filtration system for water on the property. He’s an absolute walking encyclopedia with machinery and farming.
I, on the other hand, mirror a famous idiom…
All The Gear and No Idea
When I bought this farm, I inherited a tractor that is nearly three years old but looks 30. Along with it came the ride-on lawn mower “the little engine that should”, three water pumps, a solar bore pump and four sheds full of rubbish, gear and what I can only assume is moonshine.
Nearly all of it is broken. The tractor, so far, has been the most reliable piece as it just needed a battery charge and away she went. But it comes with its own issues of course. The hydraulic tank is gone. The mirrors are broken. Half the bolts are missing. There is hardly any grease, and all the attachments have been left sitting in the elements for at least six months. Oh it also had two flat tyres as well.
One of my best friends' dad came up from the Gold Coast to give me a hand and he showed me how to operate the tractor. How to change attachments and how to use it for day to day things. He also showed me the basic setup for a filtration system from the water tanks to the house. But of course I keep buying the wrong sized parts…. That’s why my neighbour just fixed it up for me.
Move Over Skynet, These Machines Are Trying to Terminate Me
I am often told how dangerous these machines can be. They are vital for working the land, but everything comes with a cost. The “little engine that should” is a great example of this. After cleaning the fuel tank and changing the lines, filters, blades and belts, the chair decided to come off and nearly throw me from the machine.
Even worse, the blade somehow came into contact with the protector under my foot and it shattered. I was driving the lawn mower, heard it break, looked down and my foot was just above the spinning blade. It’s a constant reminder that these machines can maim and kill. I think the lawn mower is probably more suited to killing people than mowing lawns at this stage…
The tractor came with a broken roof. After driving it a little, we came to the conclusion that it’s far too dangerous to keep on. All we needed to do was drive under a low branch and I feel it would give its best try to decapitate me. So we took the roof off and now I just have to worry about the sun shining down on my bowling ball head and melanoma.
As I write this the tractor is again out of commission with another flat tyre. It’s a mission to fix and it keeps happening because of all the metal and shrapnel that seems to be left in the ground from the previous owner.
They must have had a fetish for the metal wire clips that litter everywhere on this 40 acre plot. I have filled tubs up with scrap metal, most of these long fence clips that have been placed into the ground with the consistency of land mines in the DMZ between North and South Korea.
The Unreciprocal Tractor
I love driving the tractor. It doesn’t love me much. But I can fix her.
It wasn’t in the best shape when I got it, mistreated, rusty, missing parts. But it is still new enough that it can be repaired. It’s missing the hydraulic tank, which I’m sure won’t cause any issues down the track…
It needed grease. Some of the nipples are broken and will need replacing, but otherwise it took it like a champ with grease coming from the joints. I of course broke my new cheap grease pump in the process and was covered in grease while trying to fix it. Another piece for the scrap pile it seems.
The tyre is a major concern to me as it might need to be taken off and driven into town an hour away. No doubt this will be another cheap fix, as the farm continues to surgically remove money from my wallet.
Once again the neighbour is coming to the rescue. I don’t have the required machinery here to inflate it or work on it. An air compressor and the tools that come with it will be required, and I suspect that purchase won’t be far away. Especially when it keeps breaking down on me.
The hydraulic tank must be fixed as well before I use it too much. I know if it runs out of hydraulic fluid I am in for a world of pain.
Guessing the Angles
No one told me how hard guessing the angles on the bucket would be. I watch people on tractors a lot, whether on TV, neighbouring farms or friends trying to show mine. They nail it every time. Yet I can’t seem to master the basic art of a flat bucket scoop.
Practice makes perfect and I am getting there. I managed to scoop some soil for our new garden beds after about 10 attempts. I disrupted a cane toad's nap in the process and he looked pissed off.
I managed to pour most of it into the containers I was aiming at, only about 40 percent was spilt everywhere, requiring a shovel to clean it up…
I also have to mention that when I was clearing some land, I found a stump with my slasher. It bounced around so much, one of the 3pl connections came loose. Lucky for me I was already taught how all that works so I could easily fix it in the field. I have also found a few pipes under all the grass that I am sure I will find out what they were for once the pumps are fixed.
It may sound like I am whinging a bit, but I find these stories humorous and hopefully a good read. Reality is I thoroughly enjoy driving this tractor and learning all the parts and processes that come with it. It is by far one of my favourite things about running this Moringa Farm. I like to share these experiences, even if it is just for myself to look back at and laugh at in the future.
From Clueless to Cautiously Competent
I don’t think I will be back in the mines controlling machinery anytime soon. I have a lot to learn with this stuff. The attachments alone have a steep learning curve.
For example I need to fix up our driveway, so it doesn’t feel like I am the ball in a pinball machine when I drive down it. This will mean I need to use the grader attachment.
I need to learn the backhoe attachment as well. But this is currently under repair. I’m sure there are plenty of underground pipes and cables waiting to introduce themselves once that’s operational.
This of course leads me to the pipe layer and ripper attachment. The ripper is under maintenance as I only had one blade. I have so far found another four in an overgrown field that were left to the elements. In a way I am lucky to have found them, because my slasher certainly would have.
I’ll be an expert in no time, either an expert in driving a tractor or an expert in repairing one. Maybe a bit of both. But one thing is for sure, I am loving the power and control it gives me.
Comment (1)
I’m loving the self-deprecating humour Joel – at the same time as I’m increasingly appreciative of my soft city life. The occasional huntsman spider and unwelcome rodent in the garden are a piece of cake compared to your cane toads, goannas and pythons. Les would have conniptions just look in at the unsealed road! I’m sure you can probably get a giant magnet attachment for the tractor to help detect the metal shards before the tyres do! Good luck and keep the chronicles coming