Stuck and unstuck

Yesterday, using the excavator with the multch head we were making a crossing through bottom land between the bulldozer annex and the cogongrass field.    All of a sudden, the excavator ran into a spot with, as they say, no bottom.   The excavator did not sink out of sight, but it was certainly well on its way.

It was late in the afternoon when this happened and we worked until almost dark to try and free th excavator.   No success.  We almost had it by attaching chains to the tracks, with the other end attached to a tree, and driving out on the chain.  But that could not quite do it.  The excavator ran out of power to turn one of its tracks and it was sliding down more into the muck.

The next morning the contractors brought the ground machine that has a heavy duty winch on its rear.  Between the winch and driving on the chain the excavator came right out.

Ground Machine

I am following the ground machine as we blaze a trail through the woods.  We are following a stream keeping the tall trees associated with that stream on the right.  Ahead is a crossing point we are heading for.  Once we find it coming from this side we will backtrack and make a 30 foot wide swath suitable for a fence.

Making Hay

While I monitor the multching operation, Jeffrey is making hay in the west bahia field.  He cut the grass 2 days ago and got a little rain early in the drying period.  Yesterday and today are dry and hot, good for hay, not so good for people.   This afternoon Jeffrey started raking and will bale using the round baler later in the afternoon.

Multching Crossing 2

This crossing is along the fence line just west of Jeffrey's 40 acres.

Multching Crossing

Excavator with multch head is able to rapidly cut through trees and brush.  Here he is working on setting up a branch crossing on the north side of the Pinelands where we will establish a fence along the south side of a stream.

Multching Arrival

Multching contractor, Shear View Mulching,  arrived this morning.   He will be clearing a number of fence lines, passages between fields through stream bottoms, and brush encroachments in pastures.  The past several days Jeffrey and I have been stomping through the brush flagging old fence line wire getting ready to have a path adjacent cleared.

Natchez Crepe Myrtle

The Natchez variety of crepe myrtle makes a wonderful umbrella of shade during the hot summer months.  This time of year it is in bloom and is loudly buzzing with all manner of bees.  We have three around the house and I planted several around the chick barn sheep working areas to provide fast growing shade.