Everything Is Broken And Nothing Works: The Dilemma Of The Ranch

[@sibyllerae03]

Despite all your frustration yesterday, you and Jeff were both very wonderful to chat with! My oldest keeps asking if we are going back to visit the goats and the "guy from KZbin" 😂 The jerky we got at the Farm Store is absolutely amazing and should have bought more. The chocolate ice cream is the BEST I have ever had. We look forward to our next trip out your way! Thank you for being so awesome!

[@traderjoes8725]

This is why, despite their high price, John Deere machines are used all over the country, because John Deere has an excellent dealer network with people who know what matters in agriculture. Try this with a Kubota baler! You would need a second one for backup or even spare parts ;)

[@georges8348]

I have succesfully removed broken bolts with a very small cold chisel and a small ball peen. If the bolt is broken off at the surface and you can register the cold chisel perpendicular to the remains of the bolt tap it with the ball peen. It's hard to see if it starts to move so I mark the hole and the broken bolt with a little dab od paint so I can see movement easily. I won't say it works all the time but it does work some of the time. Tap at shallow angle around in a circle.

[@mikelockhart9114]

Since they broke that easily, I’d get some grade 8 bolts and replace all the hardware that came with that sprocket. I doubt Mike cross threaded 2 bolts.

[@pakviroti3616]

A tip for you. Do not use impact wrenches to put fasteners back into old machinery. You have no idea whether the fasteners have been over torqued previously.

[@robertkane6933]

Should of been new bolts with the taper lock , old timers use to snicker when I did not use hand wrenches or sockets when torqueing taper lock bolts , and of course I broke em off.

[@conniemartinez1282]

Oh Mike I am so sorry you were having a tough day. Thank you for still bringing us along. You were so calm, I am impressed. Hang in there.

[@lindagentile2380]

Sending PRAYERS Mike, Erin, Jeff & Kari... that the equipment is a quick fix after a good night's sleep... You are right sometimes you need to sit back & rethink the situation... Hugs & Blessings Always 🙏❤️💙💖💖💙...💙...💖🤗✝️

[@asheelterestini5454]

Sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug. There are just days when you have to put it down, walk away and reset to see how to get something done or fixed. Find something else to relax your mind so it can think straight. Hopefully, the resolution comes quick so you can get what you need done.

[@jerrylansbury9558]

Often you dont have the option to " step back " When its time to have things up and going...its time !!! Cant allow thousands of dollars to go by the wayside when things need to be repaired ! Its about asking for help.....learning....... A repairman at most shops can guide you through things. Myself.... many times had to ask for help ! Removing things that are metal often require a torch. I see no torch or welder around Mikes place. They are not expensive compared to having someone make a farm call !

[@dschephigh1]

Oh Mike I wish I was there to help you. We were the ones from Northern Minnesota that stopped and had a blast chatting with Jeff and yourself when we were coming back to go home from out west. We deal with these taperlocks all the time at the Mine at work and it pained me to see you having trouble with it. I would love to be your mechanic on the ranch and help when I could. Love your guys videos, and content. Be safe and most of all Enjoy your Wyoming Life. Douglas & Kathleen.

[@ChrisTessmer]

Ah those days where everything just seems to break. I have those days a lot. Always best to just head home and have a nice cold drink to relieve some stress.

[@johncollins500]

Of those bolts that broke didn't break off flush with housing you might get a pair of vusw grips on bolt. We were down from baling for about 3 weeks. Wasn't baler but the tractor. No we don't have another one. We were about that long finding a head for it. Anyway we rolled 50 bakes yesterday so know what you're going thru Mike. Have a better rest of the day

[@sunshinecindy570]

Hang in there Mike. Sending good vibes and prayers your way. 👍🏼♥️👍🏼♥️👍🏼♥️🙏🏼♥️🙏🏼♥️🙏🏼

[@marilynnew2189]

I LOVE that you guys stay real no matter what. Bet you had a good cussin' fit after you signed off!

[@richardhoover7569]

It's amazing the good ideas that come to you at 2 am the next morning after a day like that.

[@melissacurtin7192]

Mike you are smart to walk away when things aren’t going well. Hope you get both fixed soon.

[@genewileyopa]

There will be days like this. If you use it, it will break eventually. Sometimes you just have to walk away. When upset and working for me it usually goes downhill. Then I have bigger problems. Thanks Mike. Hope things are up and running before long.

[@evacarson5878]

Hang in there Mike!! Take a deep breath and smile… it can only get better! God Bless

[@hutchpack5243]

It's 5 O'clock Somewhere. Sit down, have a drink, and think it through. A straight relaxed mind will bring out an easy, yet permanent solution. Bless.

[@monicawilder9411]

Wow, I'm so sorry about your baler breaking down, then your feed mixer going down, too! I have faith that you'll 'get her done'! Good luck to you!👍

[@joannthompson765]

thanks for the honesty and being able to work away from a project.

[@patriciaking7924]

Hi Mike thats life for you it comes with the ups and downs another day will be better blessings

[@christyhinkley393]

We have a saying in our house "if it weren't for bad luck there would be no luck at all". Then we'd take a deep breath and a short breather snd begin again with a clear head and everything would just seem to fall into place hopefully. Love your videos. They are truly down to earth with the good along with the bad on what can happen. ❤❤❤❤

[@jonikurr9281]

Back in the day on my Farm in Florida, I had an old Harry( not Massey) Ferguson Tractor! A real work horse for sure! Love watching your trials and tribulations and brings back fond memories. 😊

[@johnwade1095]

Harry Ferguson was one of the smartest men ever to live. The Bugatti Veyron has his 4wd system.

[@jonikurr9281]

@@johnwade1095 I had almost forgotten! Of course I am soon to be 75! 😂

[@johnwade1095]

@@jonikurr9281 congratulations! I doubt I'll make it that far. 3 point hitch and 4wd. That's 2 more things than most people invent.

[@johnwade1095]

One of the happiest days of my life was weighing my old international baler in for scrap. I'm getting Chinese steel vibes.

[@jangrahame4891]

When all else fails, an afternoon at a swimming hole with the kids is the most productive thing you can do. 😊 Sorry your day didn't go well. All the best tomorrow.

[@K9COP282]

You’re right Mike! We ALL have those days when we just need to stop and think it through and go back to it tomorrow!! Your work ethic is unmatched! There’s no doubt you’ll figure it out!!

[@godsgreenacreshomestead708]

Mike, so sorry it was such a frustrating day! We all have those kinda days but I have faith you're gonna figure it out. You're a sharp guy and not a quitter, so get some rest and the solution will come! All the best, Texas Deb ❤️

[@lindapeterson7166]

Hi Mike Erin & Family,that has to be so frustrating,I am sorry you are having problems.Take care & hope everything is fixed soon!🌷💕🌷

[@patriciaward6102]

😢 Sorry for you troubles. Good idea take a long walk and get a cool drink.

[@garrett542]

You're probably done by now, but can you pry off that expansion collar and use vice grips to pull the remaining bolts? If not, extractors and precisely drilling the center of the bolt is the next option. Good luck!

[@megkiely0128]

I know it frustrating… hope on our next visit things are running smoothly… you deserve a break!! ❤

[@justanotherfarmer7091]

On that sprocket flange, get 3 new bolts and stick them in the threaded holes and it will press the sprocket right off the flange. Then you can get right to the broken bolts in the sprocket

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Well Mike, I agree with you, rolling out a bale is the worst thing to have to do while baling hay. We all have those days, those days happen and you made the right choice to step back and rethink how to best approach your problem with the grinder! Hang in there, you'll get her going. Good luck on the baler and the grinder, hope your Friday and weekend goes good!

[@dancrumpler8425]

Extractor is exactly what you need it's a pain but the best way. Your right too when frustrated walk away, I had to learn that the hard way with a lot of destroyed parts and pieces LOL

[@Rbbrrmqn146]

Ah Mike. Truly sorry you're having some rough patches right now. I wish we could literally give you a hand!! You're a smart man though for stepping back, take a breath and some time, and we hope and pray things will look a bit different. Perhaps Jeff or Erin may have some new ideas or maybe different projects. Take good care. We're all right here pulling for you!!

[@mnolan1490]

Can you update it with the 9 series shaft with the u-joint. There a lot more forgiving when thing don’t line up good.

[@austinpatterson1352]

Our wyoming life I hope you have a great weekend and I enjoyed the video

[@brianjonker510]

Look at how important weekends are for AustinP

[@BobBroeking]

Hope it fixed easily. you scared me when you put your hand near the chain with the PTO spinning. I have those days every so often . Hope your next day was great!

[@LittellFarms]

Do you think it might have the wrong shear bolt in the pto shear assembly? It should break that way before breaking that shaft. Just a thought Hope you have a better tomorrow my friend

[@roydesrosier3834]

On those taper lock sprockets don’t lube anything other than the bolts and on a 3/8” bolt the torque is if I remember right is only 14 ft. Lb. Good luck and hope your day goes better! Been down that road this haying season in Montana with a broken square bailer needles and a 2nd table hinge support broken on the bail wagon! Oh the joys of farming!😩

[@jajablonsky]

When things don't go right, sometimes it's best to just stop and clear your mind. Many times, I've come across issues and just made it worse because I didn't just leave it alone until I had a clear mind to try and come up with another solution. I too have sat and looked at something and wondered why it wasn't getting fixed the longer I looked at it. Very frustrating predicaments. Hope all goes better tomorrow for you. Blessings.

[@jimpantherdrivervickers5439]

Rolling that bail of hay does wonders for your back😮😮 Rachet and a socket...no power tools.

[@nalley6815]

Since your baler has a kicker, next time you have to unroll a bale you could back up to the bale and open the gate and get it over that hump. Just make sure not to open the gate on the bale! Had a Deere 458 and it seems on the Deeres, the dumbest things break. I had nothing but electrical problems with it

[@CowGirlKat8691]

Was outside almost all day... sorry your equipment is causing y'all frustration!! Seems when one thing goes kaput others follow. May your luck change tomorrow for the better!! ☘

[@austinpatterson1352]

Thanks for sharing our wyoming life I hope you have a great weekend

[@brianjonker510]

Look at how important weekends are for AustinP

[@rdyardie]

I did some preliminary research about your baler problem. John Deere uses a slip clutch assembly to protect the baler from any sudden stop. The slip clutch can even rust inside so that you can damage other "driveline" components. I know that you store your baler inside so it would not get water damage affecting the slip clutch. By the way, there are inner and outer plates in the slip clutch. One site said that one of the plates was missing. I am not a John Deere tech. The 568 Baler likely has some safety driveline parts that have failed. A sudden stop then breaks the shaft. Good luck. The John Deere tech should know what to look for, especially in your area where hay is often baled.

[@bigchew3149]

Hey it May Be a Great Idea To Check The Sher pin if its not just a shear pin then i would say its probably Busted Gear Box just from what little i have saw ! I also notice a lot of ppl start their PTO/ equipment at high RPM .. I was taught from the old timers & It was drilled into my head from a young age to always start the pto at a Idle..because it was a wack ton of torque & was very hard on U joints sheer pins,shafts & gear boxes as well as every thing else...but you know how them old timers are..lol. ! my family has ben Farming/ranching for well i am 4th generation ! Good Luck with your hay..Ours Was Pretty Crappy this year !

[@richardcobb2852]

Mike, the chain sprocket interlock, can be slid on if you put/tap a flathead screwdriver into the slot, to expand the hole size. Opening the wedge and a clean shaft makes life easier. The name of the collar style is called tapper lock.

[@splash2815]

interesting you can get out of your tractor with the pto engaged. My tractor kills the engine if i try that. Gotta love those old tractors!

[@audreye7078]

My old 7700 stays on too.. gotta be real careful

[@wyomingoldiron3437]

If you have to drill them out try left handed drill bits. They will sometimes walk them out while drilling.

[@megmills4798]

In our bad days God still shows us what we should do,,,you are awesome😊

[@Sewtired]

Hustler needs to come up with baler.

[@tinat7348]

My thoughts exactly! Also a feed mixer!

[@thomaskeil1437]

Or perhaps Aeroquip.

[@vickiewalker2449]

You are having an adult beverage kinda day

[@americanbeefranch]

All farm equipment breaks a lot if you haven’t noticed new, used, old, any color doesn’t matter.

[@thomaskeil1437]

@@americanbeefranch it is more cost efficient to keep equipment up and running as long as possible instead of scrapping it for some cosmetic reason. If equipment continues to serve it's purpose as designed, routine maintenance and necessary repairs, as needed, should be budgeted for. There are instances where a piece of equipment past it's usefulness for one operation might be worthwhile for another which lacks the finances to buy something better. Something like trading in an older model for something not necessarily new, but something better. Like any business, agricultural operations need to make due with what is available on the property. No farm. No food.

[@eayers1178]

So sorry. Everyone has days like that. Problems are different, but the frustration is the same. Wishing you a better tomorrow.

[@thomaskeil1437]

I have confidence that John Deere will free up a tech prior to the next video. With a high profile KZbin channel operator, such as Mike, experiencing a problem during haying season, it would be a priority for John Deere to quickly correct the issue asap. It's good business to get such a popular and influential user back online quickly.

[@joanneganon7157]

Howdy Mike and Jeff, well that's an important machine too break at the wrong time😳. I hope John Deer gets to you fast! I'm sorry your havimg so much trouble. Just sit and have a cold drink and go back at it. See yah soon on a better Day 😊. JO JO IN VT 💞

[@Leoforever79]

A 1,000 lbs would break me too... all joking aside. Break downs are flippin tough... hope the bailer gets up and running!!! 😊❤

[@margaretmatteson-hammer7911]

Hang in there Mike. Tomorrow always comes

[@christinestephenson1742]

Mike I'm sorry this happened to you! We used to have a John Deere riding mower and it seemed every year we had to replace a certain part. Dealer told us those parts were only made to last a year so that soured me on John Deere right there. We haven't bought a John Deere product since. Our tractor is a Kubota we bought used but like new when we bought it.

[@scottcahala7779]

I hope your able to fix both of them. Some times the best thing is to walk away. Come back with a fresh mind. I know you can fix it. Good luck.

[@garbo8962]

I worked in a large slaughter house and we put neverseeze compound on every shaft before installing sprockets, pulleys, bearings and even mounting screws & boots to prevent them from rusting Made disassemble a lot easier & a faster.

[@janvafa9959]

I misread neverseize as neversneeze… couldn’t figure out what sneezing had to do with rust! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤪

[@mags102755]

Awww Mike it must be so frustrating. One thing I do know is that our brains work during our sleep to solve problems. I'm sure your brain knows what to do. Breathe and thanks for sharing.

[@teresaburnette3778]

So sorry about your equipment I was really hoping to see how you bale hay and wrap it hope tomorrow will be a better day for you on both machines

[@marystanneart]

Looks like the gremlins got loose on the ranch yesterday. I hope things have gone better for you today. I hope I will be up late in September and I will come out and help to herd the gremlins for you.

[@imceltic52]

Hopefully everything gets back to normal tomorrow for you guys

[@evelynmueller6523]

Letting us in to see the good bad and ugly is part of daily life. Thank you for sharing the non polished raw version of ranch living. Frustrations come, progress comes as well...Sit, drink a whisky, the answer will come.....you got this.

[@jonathanhouser8194]

I've been helping my father in law hay this year and I think just about every piece of equipment has broke down at some point. Some of it was little stuff and some of it was not so little. I think thats just the way it goes on a farm/ranch. 🤷‍♂️

[@jimcaufman2328]

Mike, As a long time mechanic there are a lot of ways to screw up removing broken off bolts and screws. After beating my own head on the wall a bunch of times I found out about Left twist drills. Chuck it up and reverse the drill and start slowly with a good amount of pressure on the drill. A good percentage of the time the shank will just back out. Good luck. JIM PS use a penetrating oil ( PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench)

[@johnwade1095]

Great advice..

[@messengercreekexotics]

Thanks for sharing. Yes there are a lot of fun days when farming/ranching. But then there are days when nothing seems to go right. Guess it keeps you humble. Overall wouldn’t trade it for anything.

[@jeffreymccullen8734]

Drive the sprocket back to separate it from the hub and there should be enough bolt sticking out to use vise grips on . Replace the bolts and tighten gradually and evenly with a wrench. May GOD continue to BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY .

[@hattiecolley54]

Hopefully it will be Better tomorrow Mike. Believe me when u think it is the Worse, just Wait a Minute my Friend. I have been There, it is All in the Name if Farming. Keep it Moving!

[@HeafnerFarms]

I understand the struggle! We have been dealing with broken equipment all week it's very frustrating sometimes.

[@bobbyb322]

I wish I were there to help Mike, 20 yrs. exp. as a millwright is what you need sometimes.

[@marksmith8906]

Man have I been there!!! Lost 2 front teeth over a frustrating day of baling 3 years ago - getting too worked up. I’m sure we got the censored version of this day or else you have saintly patience! I feel for you Mike! Sincerely, Alberta farmer!

[@pattipowell7788]

Oh man Mike that may be bad for today but in the grand scheme of things…. YOU AND ERIN HAVE THIS!!!! Just get you a drink, cool off and HAVE FAITH!!! Shoot this isn’t nothing compared to some things you have been through. Just say Thank You Lord for another day and I know YOU have it all under control!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@valfrasier39]

I hope you got all the mechanical issues fixed and are happily haying.

[@kathyw1710]

That’s farming you got a expect ups and downs, but Mike, you are great at working things out and even if things ain’t perfect I still love and enjoy all your videos and yes you have the right to fuss but at the end of the day you always make it work God bless you.

[@Justmeutah]

Mike... I've worked with those split couplers for over 40 years...Take a hard rubber mallet and drive the sprocket off the hub, or use the thread part in the hub with a bolt and it will push right off.. To install..... First of all you can drive a screwdriver in the split to slide it on your shaft making it easier to get on and off, not a lot, just a little ways in, and it will open it up... Second thing is put anti-seize on the taper part of the hub before tightening up... 3rd thing is to throw that impact away and tighten it by hand, a little on each bolt at a time, uneven tightening will break them every time and they don't need to be that tight.. Most of the time the broken bolts will come right out once the sprocket is off the shaft, lot of times they will break where you can grab them with vise grips.. any grade 8 bolt with work in it... anti-seize the bolts before installing them. If I was closer I would come and fix it for you.

[@tamaragonzalez2227]

Awe Mike as they say when it rains it pours...Hope all is fixed by next video

[@cathy_p637]

I know you'll get it all fixed by "next time" and be back at it, but boy do I understand your frustration!!! When nothing seems to go right and you have to wait on others to fix stuff (especially when you have to have it fixed yearly) the anxiety and frustration just mounts. I'm so sorry.

[@denisedenomme361]

Good luck fixing those two. Tomorrow will be a better day.👍❤️🇨🇦

[@tahoeblue2491]

Thanks for showing the real life struggles in your day. Good to see how things break down and must be fixed. Keep going!

[@bethgiesey9405]

Hope things go better soon.

[@janskoropinski10]

You might need to drill the bolts a use an easy out. A lot of times the battery powered ratchets apply to much torque to those smaller bolts and screws and break them off. Often it is probably better to just use a 3/8 hand ratchet to tighten the new bolts. If you have a torque wrench, you can set it for the amount of torque and get a feel for the amount of pressure needed to tighten but not break off those bolts. On the brighter side your videos are very well thought out.

[@kendaum102]

Sorry for your problems. I’ve had some also the PTO slip clutch on our JD brush mower went out and had to be replaced. Luckily our new one was only $600. And I was out mowing 6 hours today.

[@pattiepowell2572]

Never seen barley growing and very sorry about the mistake they made. Looking forward to seeing more.❤

[@FrancesBraam-et1wx]

I said the same thing before you said it, I'd be complaining to John Deere. They should put it on their emergency list and get a fella out there ASAP. When it rains it pours, unfortunately, but we know you're on top of it. Good plan to walk away and sleep on it (I'd be cussing up a storm - lol). Hugs and Prayers to you!

[@johnwade1095]

My kid had a deere football. Every time it went flat the dealer charged me $500 to blow it up.

[@LauraDittman]

Mike you're way to calm about your Hay Baler Really sorry that you're experiencing breakage, you'll prevail.

[@vivianwinford3681]

Your right Mike...when things aren't happening like they should it's time to walk away till your mind can figure it out and then things will work out. Happens to me all the time when sewing or crafting. Have a great evening. Hay is looking great. 😊 heat❤ 🇺🇸

[@thetraveler5798]

Depending on what material type. you could try welding a T, a strong T rod, the bottom part of the T, welded to the bolt then proced to unscrew the blot, if it is to stuck use additional leverage with another tool or metal type tube . Then refinish the bolt again. That could be one way to take it out . Never get frustrated think MacIver type thinking 🤔!! Best of luck Mike 😎 👍

[@mikestone9129]

Did you over torc those bolts? My Dad used to tell me not to use an impact wrench on smaller bolts or mild steel bolts. Always a real pain to extract a broken bolt. Good luck.

[@fuzzylop9164]

Hope all gets better.

[@audreye7078]

That pto has a lot of wobble unless your cover is crooked. You might want to check that the shaft isn't bent putting stress into the system. It wouldn't take much given the rpms you run..

[@jonathanhouser8194]

It looks like the plastic cover is broken to me, nothing wrong with the pto shaft it's self.

[@audreye7078]

@@jonathanhouser8194 i saw that later.. .. but you know that cover is split because turns are a bit too tight and the baler frame cuts it.. been there, done that... lol...

[@franciscosandiego3026]

Always great video brother from the imperial county California 👍👍🇺🇲

[@ejharrop1416]

Tough luck on the baler. Maybe have the hustler sitting nearby would make it easier and save your back. Backs are priceless. Good luck with the rest of the haying

[@shirleybewley6646]

Yes, when stuff goes sideways, good to stop that project. Do something needs done that is more fun. let your mind rest, solution will come. blessings on you!

[@philnbarbjohnson8097]

I love your videos. the bolts on the mixer should possible not be tightened with an impact. a possible solution is to use an socket and tighten it manually. Keep up the good work. Life is one big learning experience.🤠

[@frankdodgee]

My oh my. I feel for you. I have those days all the time. “Nothing is easy, and “Always something” are my two favorite sayings. The rest are expletives😂. But taking a break away is the best and sleeping on it is better. Good luck Mike. Sorry

[@davidredfearn7085]

Looks like some kind of clutch issue to me. when you open the dump it seems to tighten up a bit.

[@bmck-ss3zb]

If the bolt snapped off flush you can weld a nut onto it and back it out

[@larrymahurin5891]

Sometimes chickens and some days just feathers. Sounds like my hay season so far.

[@rancancookcanoy9768]

Mike life at times provides a challenge to keep us humble. You will figure it out and move on to the next challenge. Have a great rest of your week and weekend. Take care.