How to - Build a Horse Shelter and Yard

When planning, select a site where the shed opening can face away from the prevailing weather. Also consult your local council to see if planning permits are required. For this project, the structure was built up against an existing shed. This provided one readymade wall.

Two rows of pine posts (3 in each row) were installed with the help of a PTO driven post hole digger. A beam was then attached to both rows of posts using coach screws. An old rainwater tank was then cut in half and the two halves were attached to the beams using roofing screws. Finally walls were constructed using sheet metal.

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How to - Getting the most out of a Backhoe

Fitting a backhoe to a small acreage tractor can really increase the type of tasks you can take on around the farm. The beauty of a backhoe is it can still be removed and other implements fitted, extending the versatility of your tractor. Advances in affordability, quality and performance have also made the backhoe far more accessible to the average small acreage farmer.

This article provides an overview of what you can do with a backhoe, some tips on operation, types available and things to consider when purchasing one.

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How to - Fitting Tractor Implements

The humble tractor is only as useful as the implements you attach to it. The ability to quickly and easily change implements makes the small acreage tractor far more versatile for the average hobby farmer. The following will show you how to make light work of changing implements. Implements can be broken into three types:

- 3 point linkage (3 PL) connections.
- Power take off (PTO) connections.
- Hydraulic connections.

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How to Get the most out of a 4-in-1 Bucket

If a tractor is the most useful tool around the small acreage farm, then the 4-in-1 bucket would arguably be the most versatile attachment. Standard front end loaders have been available on small acreage tractors for many years. In recent years, 4-in-1 buckets have become more accessible on small tractors as the affordability and quality has improved.

This article provides a brief description of the functions of the 4-in-1 bucket, some dos and don'ts in operation and what to look out for when purchasing one.

As the name suggests, a 4-in-1 bucket enables you to perform 4 functions.

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How to - Basic Tractor Maintenance

A little regular maintenance will keep your tractor running reliably and performing at its best. If you have a basic mechanical aptitude, the following guide is a useful starting point for general maintenance procedures. It is important that you consult your tractor manual for specific information relating to your tractor. If you feel out of your depth after reading this information, have your tractor serviced by a professional.

A little regular maintenance will keep your tractor running reliably and performing at its best. If you have a basic mechanical aptitude, the following guide is a useful starting point for general maintenance procedures.

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How to Maintain a Driveway

All gravel driveways need maintenance from time to time. Armed with a tractor, grader blade and this guide you can whip those potholes and corrugations into shape in no time. A variety of grading techniques can be used depending on the conditions associated with your driveway.

Ripping is a method of breaking up the driveway surface by dragging prongs into it. It is useful where the driveway has become "slick" due to most of the gravel being compacted below the surface by vehicular traffic. Ripping drags this compacted gravel back to the surface.

When ripping, it is important not to dig too deep to avoid disturbing the larger gravel at the base of the driveway.

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How to - Tractor Safety

A tractor can be the most useful piece of equipment to the small acreage farmer. Done safely, tractor work can save countless hours of manual labour and be a rewarding experience. However, careless use can cause machinery damage or worse still end in tragedy.

The following is a guide to good safety practices. It is invaluable advice for those new to agricultural machinery and a good refresher for more experienced operators who may have become a little complacent

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How To Build a Front Entrance & Fence

This project involved improving the property frontage in two ways. A basic vehicular access was created and a dilapidated wire fence was replaced with a simple rail fence. A compact dozer was used for the job as the blade was perfect for cutting in the driveway and the machine had a PTO enabling a post hole digger to be used.

The entrance had originally been used for tractor access from the road into a side paddock. The area had since been converted into a lawn / garden and a dry weather car entrance was required.

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How To Make a Home Vegie Patch

A tractor and a few implements can make light work of preparing a home vegetable patch. All you need is an area with good exposure to the sun, access to water and a bit of soil preparation.

Plants need sun to grow. You need to choose a location with a minimum of 4-5 hours direct sunlight per day – the more the better. Where possible choose a location facing north to north east to capture morning sun. Avoid shadows from trees, buildings etc.

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How to Collect and Cut Firewood

The chainsaw will always be the first tool the farmer will reach for when collecting firewood. However, smart use of a tractor can make the task safer and easier. Dead trees that are still standing can be a potential hazard. If you choose to take them down yourself, using a tractor can be a good alternative to felling with a chainsaw.

Only small trees can be pulled over this way but the advantage is you can keep your distance when doing it. The other advantage is you won’t be left with a stump as that will come out too if you are lucky.

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How to Build a Dirt Bike Track

If you've got the space, what could be more fun for the kids than having a dirt bike track? This guide gives you tips on how to build a basic track suitable for mini bikes or BMXs using a tractor and front end loader.

You need a location that won't be a hassle for the neighbours or upset council. Think about the noise and dust that will be generated and talk to your neighbours if you think there will be a problem.

Track design is all about putting the jumps and corners in the right place to make it fun yet keep it safe - well relatively safe!

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How to Build a Bush Shed

If you have an old rainwater tank lying around, rather than throw it away, you can to turn it into a simple bush shed. A bush shed can be very handy for storing firewood, farm implements or parking a dozer out of the rain.

Obviously, you will need a tank. It is surprising how rusty a tank can be on the top and bottom but still have a good wall. This is fine because the tank wall will become the shed roof once the tank is cut in half.

When planning, select a site where the shed opening can face away from the prevailing weather.

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How to Dig Trenches

Draining water away from a boggy area can make your land more usable. This article shows you how some sub-surface drainage was installed using a backhoe and a few simple materials.

If you have an area where water tends to lie, you need to get gravity on your side to make it flow away. This is achieved by creating a channel or drain which falls to a lower point. Some drains are left exposed - these are known as open drains. Alternatively the drain can be buried. These are known as sub surface drains.

In this project two types of underground drains were used - Ag Drain and Closed Pipe Drain.

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