Wednesday October 9, 2013

Dayyyyyyyyyy 7..

Let's get down to business - assignment handed in!!! (Not looking forward to the feedback)

So, following instruction from doms text, it was a 9 am start at the workshop "suited and booted" where we were to begin our ploughing introduction (for those never done it before, of course).

We started with a tractor component refresher where thankfully we all remembered something, then we set about our machines for the day - three big un's un two smaller ones! (I'll learn what the tractor models are honest) then in convoy we headed for whiles close our lovely stubble 'play', sorry teaching field..

Brogan started us off with a furrow set to approximately 8 inches, which for the clay soil type was ok'd by Andy, and with that she headed in a straight slash rather wobbly first line.

I have never undertaken such a task but after learning the ropes of a new tractor (the controls are always on the move) I hitched the revs up, and while on the move, lowered the plough down.. Then wheels guided by the previous run I followed the furrow all the way to the headland, three point turned, flipped the plough over and set off back again.

It can be quite scary, just how far the tractor tilts, as one side runs in a furrow and the other remains on the high ground, but with my rops in place (roll over protection structure aka cab!) I remained cool calm and collected back to the other side of the field. I may not have had the best ploughing technique but it was jolly good having a go!

And for even more field cultivation, how about discing - a much easier way to plough as it does not require as much time and effort, we all had a go at this too, but as this was lower down the field the four wheel drive tractor struggled sometimes, so when that happened it was all about engaging the diff lock for much better traction (but don't forget to take it off when you turn at the end!).

A good days work in the field me feels and with a few entertaining furrows - one the wrong way and one not ploughed at all - the moral of the days lesson was enhanced - anyone can drive a tractor but it takes a certain someone to operate it!!!