Hello Backcountry Pilots,

Just picked up this sweet 1948 Ford 9N Tractor with a 4 foot John Deere Brush Hog for my airstrip. I think I could use a back-blade instead of a mower this time of year. Anyway I'm contemplating a small Maule fly-in with maybe 5 or 6 airplanes early next October too. Should have the place looking good with the new/old mower.

James
Clear Creek, Idaho


New home for the tractor:

Last year:

Hey James,
How deep does the snow get down there?

Sam

SkylaneSam wrote:Hey James,
How deep does the snow get down there?

Sam

Hey Sam,
As far as snow goes this has been a very odd year. My place is only at 1800 feet MSL, but is located in the bottom of a canyon (Clear Creek) so it doesn't get much winter sunshine or winds. We have not had any fresh snow since well before Christmas.

The Camas Prairie around Grangeville, and the Palouse are bare right now in the middle of winter, very rare. I really don't want to plow my runway and tear up the turf.

With no snow on the Prairies, the coyote hunting really sucks this year. Anyway looking forward to spring with more seeding, fertilizing and yes mowing. I guy needs to stay hydrated with ice cold Miller Highlife for such activities.

James

That is a sweet 9N, a lot cleaner than my 8N.

Nice James,
I'm heading back up to Hungry Ridge this Thursday. Not taking the 182 this time. Bringing the truck w/supplies and lumber. Going to build some benches in the new garage. We had an inch or 2 of snow in Nov. About 3" in Dec. The airstrip only had an inch or so, 4600' elevation.

Airstrip in November.


Out for a walk. Gotten 2 coyotes so far


Back in Nov there was a lot of F-15 activity. Every day they were low and fast heading north. Later in the day they were coming back heading south. One morning I was on the ladder sweeping the snow off the solar panels when one screamed right over the airstrip at tree top level. Way cool. I tried to get my camera and video it but it was way too fast. By the time I got my camera out of my pocket and turned on they were probably passing over your place. It seemed there was 3 pairs, mostly down in the valleys. They are so low its hard to see them. Military routes 307/301 do run real close to me. I love watching them shoot by but also grateful I haven't had any close calls with them.

Have you tried you tractor in deeper snow? Curious how the 2 WD works out.

Sam
Hungry Ridge Ranch, Idaho

James

Had a 9N for many years, before that a 8N......Ma wanted a bucket and I wasn't about to let her use the "Big" tractor and by the time I fond all the stuff to get one on the 9N ......I traded it in for a Kubota. ....... you know the saying, when Ma's happy ....everyone's Happy

you are making Great progress on your own strip......lot's of work to get this far, you should be very proud

Have you tried you tractor in deeper snow? Curious how the 2 WD works out

Hello,

A farmer friend near Moscow has a set of chains for my 9N. I'm looking for a back-blade but people on craigslist want more for a used one than I can get new from the local Big R store in Lewiston. My Honda Forman 400 ATV has a plow but it is too small for a job as big as a runway. They plow the Kamiah, Idaho runway and its grass, but I don't want to tear my new grass up.

I didn't consider a 9N or 8N with a bucket because the front end is so light. There are some real lousy after market loader attachments out there. I still got a Cat 955 Tracked Loader with a 4 in 1 bucket. On another note, I see the Hungry Ridge Ranch is very close by air to my airstrip, just on the other side of the South Fork. I found it on Shortfield.com, and have flown over your place lots of times. Should be some elk up in there

James
Clear Creek, Idaho

I think the little tractor is a Ferguson T20, I learnt to drive on one.

When you get a back blade, split a 2 inch or so diameter pipe length wise, slide it over the entire length of the cutting edge. Weld a couple of straps on and attach them, on the back side, to the bolts holding the cutting edge on. Now you can plow over grass with no worry about tearing it up. I have a front blade on the tractor loader as well as a back blade and can plow snow on grass and a gravel drive way with no damage, works great. Some folks use "feet" however I have found they tend to tear up the grass if the ground is not well frozen.

James
There was once a "half track" attachment for the 8N-9N that fit around the main wheels and dropped to a bogy wheel that floated about mid tractor. A tractor so fitted was nearly unstoppable in the snow and didn't tear up the turf.
Louie had a set for sale a few years ago and if he sold them he might know of another set..
He is out of Cedarville ,Ca and his web site is www.iron4sale.com..
A lot of old stuff ends up at his place!
chance

Maule fly-in? Sign me up, I have one of those!

Rezrider wrote:Maule fly-in? Sign me up, I have one of those!

Me to James, but it's green and has a bug on it?? It's a M ?

M6RV6 wrote:

Rezrider wrote:Maule fly-in? Sign me up, I have one of those!

Me to James, but it's green and has a bug on it?? It's a M ?

Hey George,

Of course you are always welcome at my place. You still hold the weight record for the zip line too. Yes I am thinking of a small fly-in at my place maybe the first weekend in October. I think you, Rob and Christian can agree that my airstrip is pretty difficult and requires an airplane with some power. I'd say that landing at my place (Clear Creek) is about the same difficulty level as Dewey Moore however my runway is in much better shape.

I just don't want to get anybody hurt. My policy is that I don't give anyone permission to land at my airstrip, however I won't have anyone arrested for trespassing if they land there either

James
Check out these links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJquKkyr6O8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ16suBMe_U
Zip Line: https://vimeo.com/65960144


Air Nav description: http://www.airnav.com/airport/79ID

Super-Maule wrote:

M6RV6 wrote:

Rezrider wrote:Maule fly-in? Sign me up, I have one of those!

Me to James, but it's green and has a bug on it?? It's a M ?

Hey George,

Of course you are always welcome at my place. You still hold the weight record for the zip line too. Yes I am thinking of a small fly-in at my place maybe the first weekend in October. I think you, Rob and Christian can agree that my airstrip is pretty difficult and requires an airplane with some power. I'd say that landing at my place (Clear Creek) is about the same difficulty level as Dewey Moore however my runway is in much better shape.

I just don't want to get anybody hurt. My policy is that I don't give anyone permission to land at my airstrip, however I won't have anyone arrested for trespassing if they land there either

James


Check out these links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJquKkyr6O8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ16suBMe_U
Zip Line: https://vimeo.com/65960144


Air Nav description: http://www.airnav.com/airport/79ID

Thanks James, Yep I tested landing the wrong way?
The Zip line passed it's 1.3VSO test with flying colors, even the restraint cord that keep your nose off the tree at the end tested RAM TOUGH!!

And yes I agree, you need a couple of extra pony's or a dam good wing to get out of there! Beautiful Strip tho!!
It should not be your first Rodeo!!

Hi James: I love your strip and look forward to coming back in 2014. The first landing and take off are the most nerve racking. The video makes it look so easy. We know it's not and if you flub up there will be a repair bill.

It looks like the additional 22 acres we are buying here at my home place [Gresham/Troutdale] for my runway will close next week. The devil is in the details. The farmer who has a lease on it wants me to land the hard way! Once we close it, Mr Farmer might be in for a rude awakening, or maybe not. The lawyers will figure that out.

Cheers...Rob

OregonMaule wrote:Hi James: I love your strip and look forward to coming back in 2014. The first landing and take off are the most nerve racking. The video makes it look so easy. We know it's not and if you flub up there will be a repair bill.

It looks like the additional 22 acres we are buying here at my home place [Gresham/Troutdale] for my runway will close next week. The devil is in the details. The farmer who has a lease on it wants me to land the hard way! Once we close it, Mr Farmer might be in for a rude awakening, or maybe not. The lawyers will figure that out.

Cheers...Rob

Hey Rob,

Good luck with your new airstrip. There is something really special about landing on your own place. I'd sure like to drop in after you get it done. My latest improvement is removable runway markers for mowing. Future plans also include a gazebo and picnic table for the swimming hole. Rode the zip-line at night pitch black with no moon this winter, very weird.

James

Me is jealous... Looks like heaven.

Nice 8N James. I've got the Ferguson TO-20 clone for brush hogging and backblading.

Referring back to your back blade comment in the first post - something to consider. If you decide to buy one make sure you don't end up with one that is too long. I had one that was a 5 foot blade and when it gave up the ghost I was given an old six foot long model. The problem I hadn't anticipated is it is so long that it hits the tire when I try to turn the blade backwards. I have to disconnect one lift arm, yank the blade around and then reconnect. (I hate to cut off the extra length so it would rotate and am just living with it.)

Turning the blade is nice for two things. One, it keeps the blade from digging in when you are plowing snow (going forward) on soft ground or grass and two, for backing into snow piles and pushing them back.

Al
NC1199B

James, glad you're making progress in the right direction on your aerodrome. And OK, since SOME of us don't seem to correctly identify the subtle differences between a Ford and a Ferguson (from whom Mr Ford STOLE the patents... ), here's an entirely too-long monologue in which Fergie, the Duchess of York features prominently:

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthrea ... e-Snowplow

Thanks, eh? cubscout

cubscout wrote:James, glad you're making progress in the right direction on your aerodrome. And OK, since SOME of us don't seem to correctly identify the subtle differences between a Ford and a Ferguson (from whom Mr Ford STOLE the patents... ), here's an entirely too-long monologue in which Fergie, the Duchess of York features prominently:

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthrea ... e-Snowplow

Thanks, eh? cubscout

Hello Cubscout,

Now that I have an old 9N I notice about every old barn in Idaho & Washington has one parked out back. Some are still working and some are in need of repair. I found that the Draper Tractor Company located near Garfield, Washington has about every 8N or 9N part a guy would ever need. I'm currently in negotiations on a three point disc for my 9N. I have about 3 acres cleared above the house that I want to plant with a combination of alpha, mint and clover (its a secret)

James