[AT] Winter storm and cold

[Ernie]

I liked your story Herb.
You have me dated by a few years.  Your comment on tire chains of only
reducing your chance of getting stuck reminded me of some stories. We had
chains on a 57 Ford pickup and we had to drive a few miles to get to the
cattle.  Dad would try almost any drift and then almost get stuck so back
and forth we would go, oh yes then we would throw a chain, get out, go find
the chain and put it back on in the snow drift.
We had hogs too so it was constant battle keeping those heaters going and
water flowing.  Even if you didn't get your hands wet with water you would
get your gloves wet with fuel oil, while filling those little heaters that
went under the water tank.  And I've been asked why I left the farm!!!

Ernie
You only have the rights you are willing to fight for!
In God We Trust
-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Herb Metz
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 9:45 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: [AT] Winter storm and cold

Yes, I can remember feeding the cattle (daily) when we had a lot of cold, 
windy, Midwest weather and snow. Start 49 Chev pickup, keep it running, 
worry about breaking floor shift lever when shifting into low (some farmers 
changed to lighter weight trans oil during winter, Dad didn't do that), 
watch where you are driving because having chains on only reduced your 
chances of getting stuck in deeper snow, drive along silo, climb up silo 
steps (inside the chute), wind was blowing straight up that chute, stick 
silage fork into frozen silage, break it loose, no problem after first 
couple forks full, because silage was not frozen that thoroughly, throw 
silage down the chute and turn around immediately because wind would blow 
some of the silage back up the chute and through the open door and into your

face. Keep repeating. Then drive out to feed bunks and unload and enjoy 
watching the cattle eat.
Then go over to the cattle (water) tank and use axe to brake/cut ice in tank

and pitchfork to remove larger ice chunks. Water tank heaters were 
relatively new and expensive and not always trouble-free.
Only then could you appreciate what you were doing. We tend to forget that 
confined domesticated animals are certainly at our mercy.
Herb(GA)


>Forecast of -50 wind chill for tomorrow. Depends what you are doing how
>bad a person feels it. I was working (pretty hard) with cattle this late
>afternoon and was sweating. Came in this evening to see thermometer
>showed -22F.
>
>
>Ralph in Sask.


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