Not your Grandpa's Rock Picker!

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Sonne Farms
P.O. Box 27
Mount Vernon, SD
57363
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[@kkennedy9623]

You're right. Grand pa's rock picker was us grand kids.

[@masescranton9630]

Right on Keith. That was the 1rst thing that came to my mind. I live in Connecticut where rocks per square foot constitute more material than soil

[@Gardendreamsforme]

Yes. And now my grandkids are mine😂

[@teenagefarmer]

Lol.

[@JudyJudyJudy44]

Ditto.

[@conniepitts8392]

Yep

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

My grandpa had a very good rock picker: me. And 30 other 11 year old kids. We would walk a line about 10 feet apart and start at one end. Each of us had a bucket that when full we dumped it into the front end loader tractor that followed behind. We each got $1.25/hour. May not seem like much, but when you're 11 in 1975, that was big money. My mom made me open a savings account and put half of it away. At the time it sucked, but now I am grateful my parents were sticklers on saving. I stress it to my boys all the time.

[@fullers1966]

You got paid I had to do it for nothing cuz I was told to do it

[@freedomrings1420]

Your rocks must have been pretty small if you used a bucket that you carried.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

@@freedomrings1420 The rule was no smaller than your fist. The bigger ones we just put directly into the tractor bucket. The tractor had to dig a lot of them out because they were too heavy for us. The farmer's name was Ol' Man Puckett. That's what everyone called him. If he found rock that you should have seen, he made us walk the whole field again. He knew that peer pressure would force us all to pay attention. No one wanted to be "that kid" who made us go over it again. lol smart man. He hired all the kids from town and some of them were as young as 10 up to 15. The older kids drove tractors and other stuff we could not.

[@freedomrings1420]

@@valuedhumanoid6574 I grew up on a dairy farm in Amsterdam NY and in Richfield Springs NY. And rock picking was no fun . I got paid on the first farm ,then my stepfather bought a Green Acres dairy farm and I didn't get paid . Life wasn't too fun. LOL 😂

[@diggerdave.6587]

@@valuedhumanoid6574 we had rock pickers just like that, they could be changed into wild oat pickers with a few small adjustments

[@erniezsigo3926]

Walking behind a wagon all 4 of my brothers from 8 yrs old to 18 .oh what memories .

[@DocktorHoop]

Back in my day, Cole, we had a rock picker, too. His name was Junior. The mule, Bertha, pulled the cart to help Junior. 😂

[@andrewl7467]

Poor Cole has to drive to work now. Good to see some moisture this fall winter. Hope that load of claves are doing well.

[@mmurphy2317]

Cole could get a horse...to ride in from home! He'd be a REAL kettlepoke then🤣🙂🤣🤣🙂🙃😁

[@Skyrider12]

I like the way you talk to the cows like they understand what you say!

[@accomack100]

Just a suggestion ,Put your round hay bales around your pump house , it will keep the wind & cold from blasting it!!

[@timothybailey7118]

Uncle Jeff could use all that “refusal” feed pushed out of the bunk for his hogs. They’re the ultimate food processor.

[@dennispalmer6007]

It’s not enough that you have a machine that picks up the rocks then unloads them without leaving the tractor seat. Now your complaining that you have to steer the tractor yourself. The struggles you young’ ins have to endure. Signed A Great Grandfather.

[@mmurphy2317]

Mmmm ...bacon wrapped, medium rare, filet mignon🥓🥩♨️👀

[@davem3810]

Haha works just like a older model potatoe digger 👍

[@evil-linn1371]

Yeah, that’s what I thought because The Veggie Boys Channel has a potato picker that reminds me of a larger version of this rock picker. It did both, sorted potatoes and rocks.

[@TanksInSpace_]

lol, 😀 Daylight Savings Time is in the summer. This is the normal/natural time. 😀 But the winter is coming and days get shorter fast.

[@coreyvandyke528]

Back in my day we had the steer uphill both ways in the snow yeah Young whippersnappers LOL

[@DHESS007]

Just a FYI. We are now in Standard Time, where the evening gets dark well before 5pm. I think it was the US House that passed a bill to keep the time on ONE time and not switch back and forth. They wanted to keep it on DayLight Time where you have a longer evening in the winter. I am not sure why it was not passed through both chambers, the Senate probably is still sitting on it. I really would like to see them just leave the time as is and I do like the DayLight time better. Anyway, just some information or not..... Great to see you guys keeping up with things. It is never ending. Be safe and y'all have a great Thanksgiving, especially with the new member of the family!!!!

[@susans9617]

Kinda reminds me of my grandfather's potato harvester, lol. Back in the day, WE were the rock pickers. Lots of bending over, tossing (or lugging big rocks) into back of pickup. Every spring we had a new crop of rocks! This machine sure makes the job easier! Good video. Thanks for posting

[@freedomrings1420]

LOL, I grew up on a dairy farm in Upstate NY and I believe that the rocks grew better than the crops. LOL 😂 Picked so many rocks that I would pick rocks in my dreams ... talk about being tortured.

[@peteparker7396]

When I first saw that thing I thought that looks like a peanut digger. Looks like it worked good. We run hay buster rock pickers. Love em. Rocks in a cotton stripper equals great balls of fire.

[@phillipmetcalf9404]

Your almost right. My grandpa did not have a rock picker in southern Idaho. It looks like his neighbor potato lifter which we would us to pick rock.

[@phillipmetcalf9404]

That was over fifty years ago. It was ground drive and had heavier chain.

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Those mischievous calves are just wanting that one piece of handful of feed or grass, whatever it is on the other side. Looks like the rock picker does a real nice job! Nice job Cole, thanks for sharing, I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

[@dougpeterson5257]

My cousins and I were grandpa's rock pickers,50 cents per hour. It was a long time ago.

[@sissy8563]

Sandi & Mark over at Sheepishly Me needs that ol picker lol Poor Sandi & Jess is always out there picking rocks.. Pretty cool machine

[@bethrowlette8933]

HEY COLE!! When u showed the lil pump house and the hole in the wall,..it made me think of all that spray insulation you showed in your hunting stand and also in the shop! What about your dad spraying all in there?? Thanks for all your videos and sharing of your life!!😊

[@shawnmason5290]

With the electrical malfunctions if you just had spray in insulation, will make a very visible smoky fire.

[@robbiebowie6505]

The rock picker seems very functional. It certainly leaves the ground without ridges. Beats the heck out of picking by hand or fixing equipment. Blessings. Stay warm.

[@jerryandrews9276]

Great camera angles and placement for interesting demonstration. It would seem that it would be something you would want to “rent” rather than have in stock as owned equipment to maintain.

[@lukeknowles5700]

Clever device. Human ingenuity is marvelous.

[@judyengland2615]

My dad's rock pickers were us 12 kids!

[@roberthoffman5145]

Thank you Sonne farms!!

[@harleymark2856]

Same here. I had to be the rock picker. Tractor was in lowest gear driving across the field with no one on it while we picked up rocks. Yes once in a while we would have to adjust the steering wheel. I mostly was paid by going to the record store and picking out a few 45s of our favorite music. First one was Foreigner, Hotel California. Good times I will never forget! I was 10 yrs old.

[@bobjoncas2814]

...lookin' good that machine sure gets 'er done, keep safe. and warm...

[@haileybo8257]

My Saturday cartoon! Every Saturday can't wait

[@lancesmith1925]

I do really enjoy these equipment demos - getting to see the why's and how's is just darn fascinating. Thanks for this one!

[@ventureoutdoorswithkirk]

Can't tell you the amount of times we picked up rocks in the fields growing up, DANG this would've been nice back then. My Great Uncle would put the tractor in gear hauling a wood trailer behind and say just keep up!! Crack me up... they use to say, "If you don't pick them up this year they will be bigger next year"🤣🤣

[@flyndutchmn]

They'd was get bigger! ;P

[@dcricket1]

Ellie is such a little sweetheart! I’m sure she is confused about your not being at your parents house now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she popped up on your and Tiff’s porch one day. I know your Mom and Dad love and spoil her too. I saw her in dated pictures on one of the sites all the time and I didn’t realize she is older than I thought. How old is she by the way? Here in Texas we have finally started into winter. In West Texas we have summer, summer, summer and then WINTER !! We completely skip fall. We have light jackets but no real winter gear. It’s weird for newcomers!!

[@harrybutler1828]

Also for winter Cole, don't forget to turn the batteries around. A lot of people forget to do that. That works in conjunction with the winter air in the tires. Hope this helps you out a bit. Love your video's.

[@MOMKAT1WV]

Love the winter air in tires.

[@MOMKAT1WV]

I'm old rough to remember single viscosity oil. We hid do those changes . Put tire chains and shovels and windshield ice scrapers in truck and car. Some things were real.

[@GremlinsVillage]

Don't forget about putting some antifreeze in with the blinker fluid.

[@05Petedriver]

I had to come see who else caught that

[@MOMKAT1WV]

Ha ha ha

[@Leoforever79]

Its always great to get a built in mechanic... no extra charge. Lmfao

[@markhicks9545]

Old tec come good it reminds me of an old time potato digger that rock picker

[@josephpuou96]

Awesome machine 👍great video😊Aloha from Hawaii 🤙🏽😎🌴

[@garywoody5594]

Daylight saving time starts in the spring (march). Standard time is in the fall (November) which we are in now. We are not in daylight savings time now as you stated. 👍

[@johnreimers2762]

Much better than the rock picker we had back in the 60’s,two men walking on each side of a truck, it worked but was hard work.

[@JudyJudyJudy44]

I love the way you talk to the animals Cole. Shows your compassion. Also, great explanation of the equipment!

[@williamoloughlin8298]

He's raising them for slaughter Judy, as far as the cows are concerned, Cole's a serial killer. Seriously man, grt vid on a nice bit of gear. Would be interested to know what the price is abouts as I can't find a listed price on the 5ft anywhere. Spose its neg? greetings from New Zealand.

[@JudyJudyJudy44]

@@williamoloughlin8298 yes, I'm aware. I was raised on a farm. I just think he and his dad are really morally good men. I remember my dad and brothers talking to the livestock ... but not always in a kind way, depending on how things were going...🤣

[@chasl2216]

Ellie sure appreciates the cooler weather

[@jeffreyc.andrew7380]

You were rocking today

[@paullohrentz1170]

I lived in Freeman SD grades 8-12 and worked for several farmers. Rock picking was one of jobs I did. Farmers would pull a hay wagon and several of us would pick up the rocks. Sometimes they were so big more than 1 person had to lift thr rock.

[@paulwalker9921]

Gents, that GFI outlet in the pump house is just a fire looking for a time to start. Don’t insert or removed the plug with the heater switched ON. The plug and outlet will get the arc then.

[@wallyyuriy8912]

Just a heat lamp in My little pump shack for watering cattle. Thermometer in there too. We check it twice a day.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Or two heat lamps, both switched through their own thermostatic switch, one thermostat set point slightly higher than the other... so if one goes out the other takes over? Nothing like redundancy......

[@ericteipen]

Looks to me like that thing would work great on bean ground. I'm in South Central Indiana and thank God we don't have rocks here..

[@henryshaner6483]

I have same issue with pump house I insulated it and just plug in a shop light I put In it works good even at zero stays thawed

[@colorado1088]

Cole is right about that winter air. My low tire pressure indicator goes off every year at this time and I have to refill my tires with winter air.

[@bobbergmann1656]

MY father and Grandpa, invented a stonepicker in the late 40's. They sold them to farmers in the Thumb area of Michigan. During the 50's and 60's he did Custom Stone Picking for farmers thruout Michigan. In the 70's we traveled the East Coast and picked stones on Golf courses. One of his first machines in the 50's looked like this but the chain ran faster with a direct PTO. It led to a conveyor that directed the stones into a truck running next to the picker . Worked great! My dad's nickname was Stoney Bergman

[@edrouse9578]

Thanks to the guys from Lenco for the demo. Good.machine and the rocks keep coming up.

[@alanatolstad4824]

I can only imagine the unit the farmer was using the summer my cousin was helping & caught his leg so badly that, try as they might, it had to come off. I wonder if he'd have nightmares if he were to watch this new rig (he now lives in Bismarck, might even be retired by now...) The deep freeze is barreling down from Canada, likely passed over you by the time you made this posting.

[@kodythexton4034]

Winter air for your tires! Hahahaha. Good ole Government

[@michaelarbach]

I was my grandpa's rock picker lol

[@jdschini]

Great demo of the rock digger-picker. I was amazed at how good of job it is doing sorting out even the little stones. It is definitely a back saver! Ellie probably ordered a heated dog bowl & a heating pad for her bed this winter. She is so smart!

[@SbrGrendel65]

That sure is great Little Rock picker, but for a operation like what you guys have. I think one a little bit wider would be better. Thanks for sharing Cole! Brian no song of the day 😢

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Cole and Brian

[@asquithmainlines699]

Today’s song of the day should have been Stompin’ Tom Conners - Bud The Spud. I thought potato picker as soon as I saw that thing.

[@nancysonleitner3598]

I don’t have a field, only a city lot, and I don’t have rocks- but, I want a rock picker! What a great invention! In hot dry weather would it be a fire hazard?

[@Adamsadventures83]

Dump the heater and get heat tape for those pipes along with a 75 watt incandescent bulb.

[@pdrphil8159]

Pickin rocks beats kickin rocks.

[@Bryer68]

Great video Cole from Bryer

[@barbtaylor1619]

Sure wish we would have had a rock picker when I was a kid. Spent way to many hours doing it by hand!! God Bless the people who invented it!!

[@swamprat69er]

That rock picker sure beats bending over and picking up the rocks by hand. As for 'winter' fuel, I buy #1 diesel and run it year round. A little bit of power service (white bottle) works as anti-gel AND cetane boost, goes into every tank full in winter.

[@blakegibson2654]

You can get a old used Lockwood Potato Wind-rower make a few slight modifications and build a wide rock picker like that. The Chains is the most expensive part.

[@mikecox9214]

You needed a "Song Of The Day" from the Rolling Stones.

[@timharmon458]

Thanks for the video.

[@charleskittler4330]

Ya man I have seen potato pickers which are yes the same principle 👍😎

[@jeremytrumble2341]

FINALLY a youtube farmer who demo's a ROCK PICKER! Thank you, so much. Jeremy

[@SonneFarms]

glad you appreciated it

[@tinachambers4887]

Smooth operation friends Happy Thanksgiving yall love from TEXAS

[@warrenharder1593]

Don't be a stoner when your working with the rock an roll Cole. Say hello to Ellie. Enjoying watching Father & Son working together.

[@williammerry4746]

WOW a great machine. When I was a lad we picked a lot of big stones off of fields that seemed to be more rocks than soil. Good report. Remember to report on your new home. Ready to move in yet?

[@dalewadsworth5703]

Nice piece of equipment. Would you get a bigger one or stay with the 5 foot scraper box Cole? We went from fall down here in TX to winter. Ya need to shut the gate up there 😂😂😂 . Keep up the good work you and your dad do together.

[@jamesforman6587]

us to here in Illinois

[@quest2outdoors]

All right Mat I finally got to watch rock picker in action awesome machine 👍

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Gotta love ya some Amazon! Works like a potato digger? I'd say it would probably make an excellent potato digger.

[@marks9897]

Storla Station 😊 and winter fuel 😮

[@byamrcn]

Always love watching rock picking, and this sure is an interesting machine, thanks for showing it to us.

[@steveneal2706]

great video Cole. thank you. miss seeing your dad. Miss. Ellie needs a bath.. She had a busy and fun day

[@sheridenboord7853]

And if you got a use for them rocks. Small ones on the tracks, large ones in the bog holes. That small amount of damp seemed perfect for dust suppresion.

[@darrylolson6292]

That rock picker is the cat's meow! I used to 12+ kids walking a field picking up rocks and throwing them at each other.

[@darrellcollins4268]

Cool machine. Thanks for another great video.

[@jzlharvey]

Looks like it captures a lot more than rock

[@paulprigge1209]

I could be wrong but I think he stated that he has some stuff that did not get broken down. Or chopped up when he was Disking.

[@ibkhansen8036]

it is also a potato recorder from what I can see, it has problems with the large stones and the crops that are on the ground

[@warrenklingensmith1241]

The last time I picked rocks was with a team of mules pulling a stone boat in the early 60s..

[@rosaolbera8768]

Awesome video cole

[@SonneFarms]

You are the best

[@dale436]

Me and 5 siblings got so good at picking rocks, they volunteered us up to pick the neighbors fields too. Besides all of the character building, being good Catholic's, and all that, I'm sure my parents also appreciated the quiet time from all us brats.

[@charlestallardy5685]

It's time to change that duplex receptacle in your pump house you are not making good contact with the cords that are plugged in. It may be mechanically tight but electrically loose.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Each time the scorching occurs in those receptacles the erosion of the electrical contacts from plug to plug point creates more heat... and more erosion.... Ultimately somethings gets so hot it will burn....

[@jimpolk]

Cool machine. Would definitely want a wider implement though. And I'd probably burn down the rock pile after I was done just to keep the trash out of it.

[@masescranton9630]

Looks Ike your fenceing rails need to be closer together. Yep more welding and materials.

[@kimhinman7460]

Congratulations for your marriage

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great job running the rock picker Cole

[@BillAndersonNS]

It's not the Daylight savings time that you are not used to, because Daylight Savings stopped a few weeks ago. It's the Standard Time you're not used to (Daylight Savings time in 2022 went from Sunday, March 13, 2:00 am -to- Sunday, November 6, 2:00 am)

[@joeromanak8797]

Got a million rocks to pick. Then got access to a machine to pick em. Then complained that the rig didn’t have auto steer. My dad woulda said, “Some people would complain if they was hung with new rope”, lol. I’m sure you really do appreciate getting em picked without all the bending and lifting. You do know that stones are just another crop. Go ahead and harvest em, the land will always grow another batch. Best wishes. 🥸👍👀✅

[@cobra-mn745]

see what happens when you leave seed rocks behind, just like a potato, they multiply

[@gavinessary1267]

them stroopwafles i had were awesome

[@paulreis1648]

What no Brian ? What gives. Auto steer that's the Cadillac of tractors you can turn it Cole lol great machine

[@lh8802]

Great video 👍😏👍

[@donnaparrish7638]

That’s a pretty good lookin’ rock picker, all right! Grandpa would be in awe. Everybody stay warm and drink your Vitamin C! Storla Station

[@earlhollar1906]

That winter air for your tires , does that have a higher concentration of nitrogen?🤔🙄🤣

[@kopenhagenkid]

Nice looking rock picker Cole

[@danawalker55]

Ellie the on line shopping dog!😆

[@coltsjason]

Boy it sure picks up them rocks pretty well

[@ryanwaege7251]

Someone's hinting to his local JD dealer with those would be nices. 😆

[@Marshall_Weber]

You Guys Rock 😜 Awesome Video and Much Love as Always 🌞 Farms!!!!

[@tommychew6544]

Wasn't quite what I thought it might be but, they did mention other options. I'd have to leave the opinion up to the person using it. Thanks for the video and I look forward to seeing how the comments go on this one.

[@Schmidt973]

We don’t have many rocks where we farm but I would like to see how that would do with root picking after pulling out trees. Picking up roots by hand takes forever!

[@ralphmingus1040]

Get root grapple for skid steer

[@freedomrings1420]

It's a rock picker... not a root rake.

[@Schmidt973]

@@freedomrings1420 I can read and realize it’s a rock picker. It’s also built just like a potato digger so it should work with picking roots also.

[@freedomrings1420]

@@Schmidt973 NOT TOO BRIGHT, ARE YOU. I grew up on a dairy farm and I also ran heavy equipment for over 40 years. I also knocked down trees and pulled roots. It's not a tree root puller its a rock picker. LOL 😂

[@Schmidt973]

@@freedomrings1420 well good for you! You want a prize or something? You’re obviously the one that’s not too bright. You have no idea what type of root picking situation Im talking about and I bet it would work great for what Im talking about. You can keep your negative comments to yourself