Old-fashioned Haymaking, Part 2 (The Tools) - The FHC Show, ep 39

In this latest episode #39 of The Farm Hand's Companion Show, Pa Mac describes and demonstrates the old-fashioned tools used for making hay on the subsistence farm of yesteryear, and how these tools can still be used to great advantage on the permaculture homestead or small farm today. Some of the things shown in this video are old-style hand tools like the scythe, hay rake, pitchfork, bull rake, hay trolley, hay fork, and hay knife, along with hay wagons and slides. Also explained is the making of haystacks and how to load a hay wagon.
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[@yellow3222]

Me and my kids we gather around whenever you put out a new video.

[@earl0fBronze]

My children and I have greatly been enjoying your videos. Thank you so much for producing such quality materiel for those of us who are seeking to learn.

[@hamburger512]

Your talking videos are great but I love the style of these videos the best. Any day there’s new FHC is a good day though

[@aloberdorf4579]

When I was a kid, in our area in the mountain west, the Old time Homesteader Kinfolk used many of these tools and methods. I feel fortunate to participate a little, at 6 or 7 years old. I got to lead or drive the Belgian Draft team, as I was too small to pitch or stack......but not to small to scale the rafters, and jump into the hay in the loft.....LOL. They called the "slides" "stoneboats"...as they were constantly moving the rockies (pun intended) to make hay ground. Fond memories, and appreciation for hand skills.

[@Allen-is7ul]

It’s been a pleasure watching you work, but now I’m worn out and need a nap…

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Pa Mac. That was a great looking back video you made for us. Stay safe and keep up the great videos and the fun you have making them. Fred.

[@Faith-vl4lv]

Man I somehow forgot about your channel until recently. Glad you are still doing videos. I always enjoy your videos and the knowledge I gain from watching

[@senorjp21]

I have been scything my own hay for compost for a couple of years. I enjoy it. And, I have piles of great compost for the garden. 100% sustainable.

[@kenthorsen4558]

Simple tools... but hard work 💪 Thanks Pa!

[@royevans7793]

I can remember my grandfather talking about cutting hay in Colorado (he was born in 1897). Whenever they needed a new pole for the haystack, they'd have to get permission from the Forest Service to cut a lodgepole pine. He had a lot of stories, and now that he's gone, I wish I'd have talked more to him about how things were back in the day. His information is lost and gone forever!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Here in North Carolina, farm sleds were also called slides. We used them to haul tobacco from the field to the barn and to move sticks of tobacco from the barns to the pack house.

[@MrViktorlundin]

Thank you for making these videos and sharing your knowledge. All the best from Sweden!

[@ciphercode2298]

The rakes and even the fork is easy enough to make. Scythes can usually be found at estate sales,antique shops or even new. The tough one to find is a good grind wheel. Even the the wooden frame needs rebuilt I can never find one around here in southern West Virginia. I'll keep an eye out though. It's pretty essential for keeping a consistent bevel

[@Tam-Solo70]

Way cool video! I am in the process of clearing some of my 10 acres in the wild mountains. I am coming up on summer of year 2 of the process. I don’t have a ton of tools and no man power so this is so cool to see some of the things I could make to help myself. I was blessed with the opportunity to jump start the process with some heavy equipment my husband was able to borrow and run for me. It was heart breaking seeing all the useful trees pushed into a huge stump pile but it was the best method for getting this process started and the stump row was pushed into a huge natural hole in the ground that will eventually turn into a hill area in the center of the pasture. We mashed it down pretty good and are following that up with more mashing this summer. The natural fireweed and wild raspberries were already taking over the mound by fall so that is cool. Thank you so much for making these videos to help educate and pass along history to us.

[@douglasvantassel8098]

Great stuff, thank you for making these.

[@richardm4706]

One of my fields used to be planted with rice back in the 70’s before I bought it. Today, while cutting grass in that field I hit something metallic. A few hours of digging and I unearthed a rather large and very heavy steel roller with T- handle to pull/push it along. Doesn’t roll anymore as the rust has frozen the bearings. Going to be interesting trying to drag that thing out.

[@zsedcftglkjh]

I've been scything my meadow for the last year. This helps tremendously, especially with the gathering and storing of the hay. The traditions live on!

[@claudiamcbride9746]

I would sure like to see some videos on making some of these tools.

[@ciphercode2298]

I recently saw a video of a family who gathered hay like this and they used a wooden box on a sled that they pulled along with them. Theyd lay twine in the box leaving a good bit hanging out. Two on the long sides and one lengthways. Theyd stuff it full of hay,trappled it tight into the box with their feet. Then theyd cinch the twine and tie it off making their own little bales. I can only guess at the size,but they looked to be about 18" tall,24" wide,and probably 30" long. They had 3 kids helping and they cleared about a half an acre in one afternoon.

[@ladylocust1118]

I didn't realize there were two different rakes - makes total sense!

[@JohnnyRay920]

All of this is still pretty common in the countryside of Romania, where my wife is from.

[@ciphercode2298]

Excellent video and great information. I think that ladt thing ya said is especially true. Thank you pa mac.

[@jasonmessley1283]

Great video!

[@MadPirateShin]

5:55 neat subtitle affect!

[@whiplasher8]

Now this is just too coincidental . Just this afternoon I purchaced a "fork " ( the type shown at 9:00 in the video ) for $10 at a resale shop . I get home and see you had posted a video .....I am rolling laughing

[@stephenrice4554]

Fine depiction of farm labourers as they were , great video 👍🇬🇧

[@hallvardhalrgar]

In Susquehanna County, you'd only hear "haymow" for haystack. Rhymes with cow.

[@munchkin5674]

Wow! This was very interesting! I have a hay knife or saw and a double needle hay fork for lifting hay into a barn loft. I have had these for years from my dads estate. My dad was a long time primitive tool collector. Someone would love them as wall hangers. Some might treasure them and use them as working tools.

[@rawbacon]

I have the sudden urge to get a Hay Knife.

[@GypsyBrokenwings]

Great video! Sythes at least good ones aren't ready to find... Then a bit spendy.

[@sloburnjo]

watchin' n grinnin' n lovin' yer yt channel Pa Mac ! imma movin' to farm country in Green Valley ON this September.

[@BigDaddyOworkshop]

My wife bought a hay knife for wall art and i couldn't understand why you would need to cut a bale of hay. Didn't know the hay stacks got packed that hard.

[@mgreene939]

Do you have any information on how to make any of these ‘simple’ tools?

[@georgeschmitt8205]

A lesson I had to learn young, when I knew everything. Simple in use is not the same as simple in Manufacture. Here's a link to a blacksmith making a scythe blade. I can smith but I can't make that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4mZlZl_p82mjtU

[@Ham68229]

For maintaining the old Scyth, a channel called "Northmen" did a video documentary on one the channels founders grand father. This man, shows exactly how easy it is to maintain the edge on a Scyth, plus footage of some old ways. Great video as always. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKCcmYt4mbmZsLM

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

“If I have 6 hours to cut down a tree I’m gonna spend 5 sharpening my axe.” Abraham Lincoln?….

[@dannygoin6552]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸☕️☕️☕️👍👍👍🥃🥃🥃👀👀👀🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@fergusonto-2032]

I looked up psalms 27 & it only has 14 verses ? Never mind , I found it , it’s Proverbs 27:25 .