Mule Powered Farming

Dan Macon gave up his tractor for a more fuel-efficient means of plowing his fields. Now he says "no tractors were harmed in the growing of this produce."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• mule
• flying
• farm
• dan
• macon
• tamara
• keith
• alexis
• kenyon

[userunavailable3095]

You need to tighten up that belly band and hold backs before you get into trouble. If your mule kicks at a fly on his belly, you are going to have a bucking runaway with one leg hung in all those straps. That belly band should be snug on his belly and there should be about a hands width between his belly and the hold backs. If he isn't hooked to something with a pole, just take them off.

[whitebredcharlie]

@userunavailable3095 actually his belly band is properly adjusted.

it's his quarter straps that are loose. (i've made the same mistake).

oh yeah, and your harrow is clogged...

[userunavailable3095]

@FrankLutz2 Those aren't the only risks. I know two different people, both expert and experienced horsemen, who have lost eyes to being kicked in the face. I've had about every kind of runaway you can imagine, and I've seen others do about everything I've missed. You need oldtimers to guide you through the maze of horsemanship and machinery skills you are going to need. There are several good ones on here, look up barryhook2 and hitchmasters.

[FrankLutz2]

@userunavailable3095 Thanks again friend. There is no little fear in me when I see some of those 19th century rakes flailing around some old timer's head. I may be crazy for trying to 'get back to nature's pace', but I'm no fool. I'll be taking everything real slow. And I will for sure be looking in the neighboring fields for folks' advice. Kind thanks.

[userunavailable3095]

@FrankLutz2 This is a showcase for new horse drawn implements. It will also give you a chance to meet Amish and Mennonite farmers that can help you. You need an experienced person to help you get started so you don't kill yourself or your mules learning. There is no little risk involved. I can't seem to post a link, google Horse Progress Days.

[FrankLutz2]

@userunavailable3095 Thanks for your kind info. I'm looking forward to getting into it, but have a feeling the locals are going to have a few seasons of good laughs as they watch this city boy playing tick tack toe in my fields. Oh well, the only way to learn is to start, right? I'll be taking your advise and get a pair of good mules. Any advice on who/where I can get the drawn machines (plough, cultivator, spreader, rakes, etc)? I'm in Athens, OH.

[userunavailable3095]

@FrankLutz2 Well, they used to make a one horse plow with a six inch share. If you can find one of those, you could plow with one. But those were rare even back when people were actually farming with mules. For a twelve inch share, you need at least two, and that is if they are good size mules. If you are underpowered, not only do you wear out your mule, they tend to wander trying to get momentum and traction and you end up with lines across a field, not a plowed field.

[FrankLutz2]

@userunavailable3095 I'm getting ready to start out on a 'hobby farm' in hopes I can one day make it a 'real' small farm. Can one mule be used for all the plowing and cultivating or do you need a team of two? Of course the load is easier for two, but the load on my bank account would be harder.