“Now I’ve done it!”  This week I managed to break the loader tractor… again!  I guess it’s a given that the most used tractor on the farm will break from time to time.  Since it is the most used tractor, it is also the most missed while it’s broken.

That Don't Look Right!

As you can see from the photo, the front wheels are both pointing in.  Apparently, the tie rod backed out of the steering shaft until the threads stripped.   It is impossible to move the tractor until repairs are made.

Since the tractor is a half a mile from the road, and a diesel, I have two more problems.  1. No electricity to run the block heater, means it won’t start until the temperature gets above freezing.  2. The repair truck cannot get to the tractor if the ground isn’t frozen.  I move on to plan B!

The big tractor hasn’t been started since Fall, but I have an extra bale spear.  If I can get it running, the cows can get fed.  Here, there are 3 problems .  1. One front tire is flat.  2. I need a couple hundred yards of extension cords to plug in this tractor as well.  3. The end of the air compressor hose blew off!

I make a run back to my “under construction” house, grab every extension cord and my handy dandy nail gun air compressor.  After pumping up the tire, I plug the block heater in and try to figure out what to do for a couple hours while it warms up.

Plan C would be to work on the house, but all my extension cords are busy right now. Worn out from the days events, I park myself in front of the computer and move on to plan D.  As darkness falls,  I slowly peck at the keyboard…

“Now I’ve done it!”  This week I managed to break the loader tractor…”