We did some more horse trading (bartering) this week. We have managed to obtain a Philip Pierce Root Cutter. It's antique and we are using it to chop up any wanted vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beetroot.
HFW would surely approve of this machine. If we could get hold of all those mountains of waste/miss shaped vegetables and use them for cattle feed. The machines been restored and is very sharp and you make a bucket of peelings/shards in a minute.
I have been looking for Fodder Beet for sale on Done Deal and in the Southern Star newspaper. The growers only deliver it in 20 ton loads. Anybody know how many ton we will need to feed 10 weanlings this winter? A grower up near Cork city says he will sell it in ton loads if we collect it. Me thinks we will go for some this weekend. I will use my:
"Do you want a ride out to Aldi and do some shopping"
excuse. It usually works.
We have grown a field of Fodder Beet in the past. Might grow another field of it next year. You just chop it in half with the spade and then throw it in the root chopper, turn the handle and your cattle have a bucket full. Some farmers feed it with straw.
I love it when old farm equipment gets a new lease of life.
HFW would surely approve of this machine. If we could get hold of all those mountains of waste/miss shaped vegetables and use them for cattle feed. The machines been restored and is very sharp and you make a bucket of peelings/shards in a minute.
"Do you want a ride out to Aldi and do some shopping"
excuse. It usually works.
We have grown a field of Fodder Beet in the past. Might grow another field of it next year. You just chop it in half with the spade and then throw it in the root chopper, turn the handle and your cattle have a bucket full. Some farmers feed it with straw.
I love it when old farm equipment gets a new lease of life.
Its one big hunk of metal
ReplyDeleteIts one big hunk of metal
ReplyDeleteHi John. It also keeps me fit turning the handle. Thanks for your comment!
Deletewow what a find, big pat on the back for you :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn. I am always on the look out for old farming tools and equipment.
Deleteooh lovely! Good acquisition for your holding
ReplyDeleteGill
Hi Gill.
DeleteIt is a good acquisition and makes me sentimental about the old farming days gone for ever. Thanks!
We used to have one of these. We chopped up mangolds for the cattle and they came out like chips. I remember it well, with a skep underneath at the appropriate point to catch the chips as they came out. Lovely memories, thanks Dave, and a great buy for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. I remember when my uncle and grandparents set a field of veg every year aand they grew gian cow cabbages for the cattle and mangolds for the carthorse and potatooes.. for themselves. Chips is a better way of describing the chopped veg. Thanks for the farming memories, Rachel.
DeleteSi much nicer to see it being used rather than than a garden ornament.
ReplyDeleteHi Kev.
DeleteIt's a shame they don't still make them. I think it would be useful for feeding your sheep.
What a beauty, I am seriously envious.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne. It's been fully restored and is well oiled and sharp. My worry is where will we get new blades from when we need them.
Deletea lot of the old ways were better. Am a 'If it aint broke dont fix it.' type of gal. We have an old fashioned bean slicer like that. turn the handle out they pop all sliced up. Its from the 1930's. and dont get me started on my Grans carpet sweeper. I love that thing. The original cordless vacuum!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Sol. Old things were made much stronger and better than today. Please post a picture of your bean slicer on your blog. Was your grans carpet sweeper a Ewbank?
DeleteWhat a useful bit of machinery. We have grown beets here this year, but the cows are not fussed with eating it yet so most is going to our pigs. Good luck with your 'Aldi trip'!
ReplyDeleteHi Vera.
DeleteYes it is really useful and antique. I have chopped up beet with a spade and an axe when we have grown it. The root chopper does this so neatly. Thanks!