I have the proverbial 'little old lady' living back of me on 80 acres. Shes 84 years old and since her husband passed 25 years ago I've been cutting deadfall for her to burn. She has an adult son living there also, but he has 'limitations' as to what he can do. Usually the branches and other small stuff will be transported next to her house then cut with an old buzz saw I've adapted to three point tractor mount and pto duty. This minimizes the effort down in the woods, plus more can be easily hauled out per load climbing out of the more rougher terrain. Of course blocking and hauling it up is only the first part as you all know.... I still split it and stack it under tin or secure a tarp across the top. I do have to keep a watch on her chimney though as the wood never gets to properly season so the moisture content is in the unesireable range quite often. The old tractor is one of my Massey Harris 30's. Reliable old dog she is, born in about 1951 just like me, but with a 162 Continental engine and 5 speed tranny....of course a fellow only needs one or two of the 5 way back down in the woods.... The neighbor lady is a good old gal and sometimes she surprises me with a nice warm apple or peach pie !!!
That's awesome. That kind of kindness is a dying breed in today's world. I help my neighbor out a ton too. He's doesn't get along real well on count of a bad foot, but he'll get out and work. Plus he has a dozer with a winch and a crawler loader lol.
Don't get me wrong, I love my little JD tractor... but there's always something so cool about hauling wood with an old tractor that's stood the tests of time...
Once again, folks on this site help to restore my faith and hope for humanity. I am working to try and get to a level where I can help people out, as it is very rewarding for the person lending a hand, as well. Bless you.
Thank you all for the kind comments. But occasionally she DOES run outta wood (due to my laziness) and there has been a season here and there that other commitments did not allow the opportunity to be of sufficient help in the wood heat department. But I have been able to keep her old electric furnace limping along good enough to tide her over twixt and tween... but THAT's another story. You guys are cool, thank all you for letting me join in....I'll try to maintain the worthiness of wearing the FHC symbol....of course I guess I'm gonna hafta buy one first.
It's a lot of work to cut your own wood, never mind someone else's. Don't feel guilty, you are doing a wonderful thing helping her. Sometimes you need a little rest and downtime too. You'll be no good to her or yourself if you burn yourself out, or tear a muscle or something. You are helping someone that really needs it. I tip my hat to you sir.
Great story that could be topped off only by cutting the wood ahead of time so she has good dry stuff. But it appears this has been working. It is sort of tough to not help out someone like that.
Nice of you to help her out and nice old iron. I think we have the same seat cushion for a cold steel tractor seat !
The Old Man had an Allis-Chalmers WD-40 with the tricycle front wheels. Very, very similar to that tractor. (Is that a Massey?) Straight rack and pinion steering. That thing would hit a rut and would just about break your arms. Those pics bring back some memories.
I do not burn wood but I do keep the woods cleaned up. We cut and stack the fallen trees and give them away, amazing how many people never show up to pick up their free cut wood. we do have 2 girls that live in their Grandmas old farm house that come regularly though. I think we have supplied all their wood the last 2 years. Running low now need to get cutting so they will have some for next winter. Deadfall that has already been down for a year.
