Farmers as Inventors

Cindy & I occasionally visit other winery tasting rooms. We’re both big Zin fans, but I have been unsuccessful is convincing my brothers that we should produce a Zin.  So we tend to seek out wineries that make Zinfandels.  Recently, we visited a winery in Lodi.  We enjoyed their wines and talking to one of the owners. We bought several wines, and were headed to our next winery when I spotted this piece of equipment.

As Spock would say: Fascinating!  This is a farmer built sulfur dusting machine converted from an old car.  I circulated this picture among the Pina Vineyard Management employees. Nick, one of the younger employees, knew a lot more about its origin than I did: “That is a 1931 Model A Ford. The front wheels are 1928-1929 Model A. Very cool!!!!”. I asked Nick how he knew that and he said that his hobby is restoring old cars.  It’s nice to see a member of the next generation have an interest in the vehicles of past generations.

Many of you will think: “Who cares? It’s an old piece of junk that should be recycled”.  You folks should move on to another website, now.  I'll just be wasting your time.

For the rest of you, I’ll point out a few of the things that drew my attention.

The brush guard causes the vine canes (branches) to be lifted up and over the machine when traveling down the vine rows.  Without it, the machine would break off many branches.  This guard is exceptionally tall due to those giant vines you see in that area.

The sulfur hopper is the “box” where the bags of sulfur are dumped prior to application.

The rear facing headlight illuminates the sulfur dust as it is being dispensed.  At night, that’s necessary for the operator to see how much sulfur is being applied.  If too much sulfur is applied prior to a very hot day, the leaves can be burned.  The builder was very frugal using one of the 2 front headlights for this purpose.

I note the existing sulfur dispensing tube only to mention the opposite tube facing the other side of the row that is missing.

Seeing this machine reminded me of a spray rig that my brother John made over 40 years ago. 

This is a very old picture of John sitting in his original creation.  He added many upgrades in the following years.  It has since been cut up & recycled, but it served us well for many years.

Growing up on a ranch, we didn't have young neighbors to play with.  We spent a lot of time looking for activities to keep us busy and entertained.  Our dad was probably a bit too lenient in letting us use his tools, even at very young ages.  My specialty was disassembly, including electrical stuff.  I got shocked more times than I can remember.  I was always taking stuff apart to see what made it tick.  Reassembly was another matter.

Brother Davie at 7 years of age in his 1960 “Hot Rod”
(Some of you may recognize this picture from an earlier post)

Most farming operations will have a farm shop to do necessary repairs and maintenance on equipment.  The shop also allows farmers to fabricate tools & equipment making jobs easier. So, it’s only natural that lots of farmers are also inventors. 

Pina Vineyard Management subscribes to a periodical called Farm Show…  “For everyone in agriculture interested in latest new products and ideas. Carries no advertising!”

It’s a farmers forum, of sorts, sharing a wide variety of topics related to farming.  Here is a sample:

I love to read and contemplate ideas presented by other farmers.  Some are really great & creative, and some are really off the wall. 

If you decide to use that method to “Unstuck” your tractor, be sure to read & heed the warning.

And who doesn’t need a bowling ball cannon?  This is awesome stuff, I tell you!

Farm Show is published bi-monthly and is available only by paid subscription. For those of you that may want to find out more: www.farmshow.com

Starting back in the 1970’s, I subscribed to another great magazine:  “Mother Earth News”.  In the early years, it seemed a bit more “down home” in nature, and the presentation was a lot less polished than it is today. But, like Farm Show, they also present some unique ideas, and they present them on their website:

Natural Burial: Build an Eco-friendly Coffin and Plan a Green Funeral

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Natural-Burial-Build-Coffin.aspx#ixzz1BJZWcSla

Country Lore: Readers’ Tips to Live By
Make Sourdough Bread Like a Pro
Stone Cold — er, Warm!
Get a Handle on Hot Cookies
Newspaper Rolls in the Garden
Footies and Gloves to Go
Super Shakers
Peppermint Discourages Mice in Walls
Pruning Helps Old Fruit Trees Produce More Fruit
A Serving of Veggies in Every Slice
Hiccup Remedy
Think Inside the Box
Cut Down on Construction Waste
Solar Heating Savings
A Cheaper, Easier Face Mask

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/december-2010-january-2011.aspx#ixzz1BJZmKjGA

Happy Reading!

Ranndy