Go BottomAt what point or age should you stop Tractoring
 | Cheymax
Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 31 Ohio 
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2021-03-30 200178
I just turned 75. Last week i was riding my bike and got a flat, within in 60 seconds a couple pulled over and asked if I wanted a lift. I got the impression they stopped because of my age even with a helmet on. I biked the next day and hyper extended my knee, which was great with my right hip issues.
I was able to get the vaccine early because I am quote ELDERLY!
The pet store wants to carry my dog food to my car.
I guess to others I look old.
You can definitely make misstakes with this equipment, it is a serious chore just mounting and unmountine mowers and attachments.
I asked my wife to give me a hand and basically I am on my own, no empathy from her whatsoever.
When is the right time to stop doing this and sit on the porch instead?
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 | Hogslayer
Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 45 Northern michigan
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2021-03-30 200179
Your lack of mental & physical capabilities and attitude have more to do with throwing in the towel than your age. It is important to be totally mechanized as we age. I'll be 73 in a few months, so I'm not far behind you in age, but no way near ready to call it quits. You just need to be ALERT at all times!!
I have arthritis in my left elbow an right shoulder and a bad left knee. I use a Rambo fat tire E-bike to get around my bicycling needs. It will go nearly anywhere.
I have down sized allot and only have 4 riding mowers now and 3 properties to mow with 8,000 and 15,000 square feet and a 2 acre parcel. I like Cub Cadet riding mowers and prefer power steering on all. A large garden is still a must have.
I own a 40 acre parcel of farm land that is rented to a large farmer. There is no upkeep on that.
I stay away from motorcycles but have a couple of 49cc scooters. I have a separate tractor permanently setup with a backhoe to eliminate switchover labor. Making life easy is important.
I don't know you situation! Mine is somewhat unique. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2021-03-31 200182
Personally, I think it's more about being prepared and organized than anything else.
Have the a place for the implements to be stored that is flat level and easy to access. Make sure implements like a rear blade have a stand that holds them in a good stable and level position when not in use.
Once you have your stuff all organized swapping out implements should not be anything more than an easy one-handed operation.
Best of luck. ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2021-04-01 200194
There is a farm about 1 1/2 miles from me that was the first produce farm I knew of. I like there set up on equipment, they had a tractor for each implement and they almost never switch an implement so was told.
I agree with all said. I am working to get my implements setup as Murf mentioned. Also working to get my fel attachments on stands or shelves to make them easier to see for attaching. I have never been good at blind hitching any implement as some are. No doubt our reflex is not as quick as it use to be but at same time our brain normally keeps us from the dare devil attitude of the 20 year old who can do anything.
Over the years had a friend who got killed by his tractor (not sure how it happened but some how he ended up between front tire and a tree or such and could not breath.) but have friends who are at young ages had tractor turn overs or run overs that left them injuried for life. Oh yes remember another older man who got killed in tractor rollover...how ever had he not been drinking probably would not have happen...Seems his brain never matured.
I do find myself looking at a job or planning it more than years ago. A good thing I might add. I also am happy to mow at a speed I remain in the seat without seatbelt help.
Don't forget Moses was about 80 when he crossed the Red Sea!
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2021-04-01 200195
One of the tricks I use often is one I garnered from my aviation background. Stripes painted on the ground. Keep your wheels right on the lines and your always in the same place every time. That's how pilots keep the wing tips on the ends of the wings and not torn off. LOL
I have a series of single lines painted on the concrete pad where I store my implements. To hitch up or unhitch all I have to do is line myself up with (in my case) my right-hand wheels exactly on the paint line. Then the only variable is the fore / aft position. Doing it this way you are automatically both in the right position relative to the hitch and perfectly perpendicular to the implement so both lift arms line up the first time, everytime.
Best of luck. ....
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 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY 
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2021-04-03 200197
As others said. Position your stuff so you can work smarter. I always use the term size 3 hat 54 jacket. All brawn no brain!
I just bought a set of forks quick attach to front loader. Move things to make easier. Bought some steel to make a new wood rack to go to wood pile has steel casters on it so can move it on concrete floor to the wood furnace. Used to lug all the wood in a wagon.
I still have some attachments I have to muscle some, but not like I used to.
The key is stay active. Keep doing stuff. I tell my cardiologist I know I'm not 30 any more Do you want me to git a rocker sit in a corner and wait or do what I can with in some limits.
Still trying to connect navel (Bellybutton) to brain. ....
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| Cheymax
Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 31 Ohio
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2021-04-11 200238
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Hey Hogslayer as we age we have good days and less so days. I think I had a run of less so, so I was a bit testy..
Had to laugh that at 73 you are not that far behind. My Dad bless his soul used to say when I was one he was 26 times my age, when I was 26 he was only twice my age. So Hogslayer I am 1.02739760 times your age. I thiink the race is over.
To my son we are both old.
My Dad was a member of the senior club in his town they categorized the seniors:
under 80 YOUNG OLD
80 - 90 OLD
90+ OLD OLD
They also had a belief that every year as a Young Old was worth at least 2 or more of an above 80 year.
So just have to make the best of what and how things are.
Really apprieciate all the comments here. Thanks for listening. Not sure if I will ever be able to do One Handed implement swaps like Murf says but I will do my best not to whine :-(
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| Hogslayer
Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 45 Northern michigan
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2021-04-13 200252
If you have any hair left on the top of your head, suggest getting your hair colored by a professional on a regular basis. This may take 10 years off your perceived age. I call it a fountain of youth treatment. ....
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 | chuckles
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 88 Eastern PA
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2021-04-14 200256
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My brother is on Finasteride so he has more hair than I do, I am on Tamulosin. Gotta love that prostate.
So he does dye his hair and it does work for appearances. I just buzz mine myself number 4, no wrap for me.
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| Cheymax
Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 31 Ohio
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2021-04-14 200257
Hey guys great feedback.
With all this talk of prostate and hair coloring and baldness, I am feeling younger by the minute as I do not yet have those issues, so far :-)
I think I might start lifting some light dumbells and some basic excercises to make me feel a little stronger, then maybe things will not seem so hard.
Thanks for listening ....
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| MHarryE
Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 18 Northern Minnesota
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2021-04-16 200260
Its more due to your physical and mental abilities. I know people who at 60 are no longer able to function safely with equipment. One of my neighbors passed away 2 years ago at 93 - he last put up his hay crop at 93 although he did need help for the more physically demanding repairs. I retired from my engineering job early at 63 with no intention of farming but found other things too boring, began helping relatives and now have my own operation - at 75 - and keep growing every year. Half of my engineering career was design and management at Gleaner and CaseIH combines - I can't seem to get away. Yet my brother-in-law, 2 years younger, needs help with everything - can no longer service including fueling his tractors, and depends on his cell phone to call his son or hired man for help in case of any problem - which may involve sitting in the field until the cows are milked. ....
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 | PaulChristenson
Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 83 Vermont
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2021-04-19 200261
When you can't get in and out of the tractor anymore...:) ....
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 | JLMiller
Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 32 Deerfield or Sanford, wherever the weather's nicer
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2021-04-23 200268
My only observations on aging:
* After 50, never pass a bathroom.
* After 60, never gamble with a fart.
* After 70, never waste an erection. ....
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| PaulChristenson
Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 83 Vermont
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2021-04-23 200272
Brilliant...:) ....
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 | TNfarmboy
Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 4 Athens, TN
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2021-04-24 200275
I am 77 and still drive tractors for myself and my neighbor. We bale about 500 rolls each year. I have no immediate plans to stop. In fact, I am anxious to get started this year. I think that most of us have a clock in our head to measure what we are capable of doing. I try to be safe and cautious in what I do. If hooking up is going to be difficult, I wait for assistance from someone or plan in advance. The one thing I will not do by myself any longer is my post hole attachment. I almost lost a finger about five years ago so it has my attention and respect.
I just purchased eBikes for myself and my wife. She is only 61 and she still runs. I had an accident and cannot run any longer but I can still ride a bike. What I have discovered with the eBike (battery assisted while you pedal) is that I can bike hills and enjoy the ride a lot more while gradually getting back in shape. We ride the Pedego bikes and they have a trottle to help you get away from dogs and danger.
One of my neighbors referred to me as an "elderly gentleman" last year and it broke my heart. I still don't think of myself as being "old".
I still farm, run my own business, do my own taxes and those for others in my family and keep active. One of these days, I might even retire, but not for a few years yet. I even wrote a book last year. It took 12 months for me to find the time to write 375 pages.
Keep up the faith and the pace old timers! God still loves us! ....
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| Johnvandenberg
Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 8 77660
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2021-05-29 200350
Send me a copy of your book
I ll send you a copy of mine ....
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