markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Last weekend the Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site had their loose haying demonstration, which is basically this: cut the hay, rake it up, and stack it. The hay had been cut prior to me getting there and was probably done a day or so before. The Grant Kohrs is a working ranch and these activities are performed on a yearly basis.

A team pulling a buck rake starts picking up the cut hay. They used two of these plus a dump rake.

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Two buck rakes in action. Sorry about the little pics. I had my wide angle lens and couldn't get any closer.

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The buck rake team brings the hay to the forks of an overshot stacker.

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The buck rake backing away from the overshot stacker.

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A team, hooked to a pulley mechanism, tugs on a cable and lifts the forks of the overshot stacker.

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Going up.

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Dumping complete

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nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Great series on old technology. The most modern item is the wheels on the rig behind the stacker horses. Any idea how long Grant Kohrs has been in operation?

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Thanks Mark. This is a well photographed series which served well as an agrarian lesson. Love the horses!

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi nicksr1125, thanks for the input. the ranch has been in operation since the 1860s, first by John Grant and then by Conrad Kohrs. That's how the name came about. The Kohrs family operated it until the 1970s, when it was then taken over by the National Park Service.
The extensive history can be viewed at
http://www.nps.gov/grko/index.htm

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi Bob, thanks for the input. I always enjoy going there because I learn something new all of the time.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

We put up loose hay here on our farm until I was 10 or so, but a little differently. We mowed and raked, then tossed the hay rows into bundles by folding over, then throwing the bundles onto a wagon which was pulled to the barn where hay forks took over and hoisted the hay into the barn's haymow (loft). Another man in the barn stacked the hay to utilize the space. The forks were raised by a horse who was trained to do this job by itself upon voice commands. It's a lot of work.

Nice photos, by the way. I enjoyed seeing them.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Thanks for the info, Mark. I'd like to plan a trip there in the not too far distant future.

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi jaymatt, thanks for sharing your experiences and input.

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi nicksr1125, glad I could help and I hope you enjoy your trip.

texasdan78070 Loc: Texas Hill Country

Great photos. For me, a lesson in history, since I wasn't born or raised on a farm. Thanks for sharing.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Very good shots, Mark, and very interesting! I keep learning new things on UHH!

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi texasdan78070, glad I could be of service and thanks for the input.

markeisenbeil Loc: Deer Lodge, Montana

Hi Sue, thanks for the comments. Life is but a big learning experience.