I
was raised on a family farm where our equipment was not always brand new. Thus, periodically equipment would break down and
be in need of repair. I don’t remember how old I was when I drove my first tractor, but I remember being a young kid.
I was expected to help out in the fields and spent many days running a tractor or combine up and down farm fields.
As
I got older and assisted my father and grandfather in the maintenance of the farm equipment, I learned how to do welding and
fabrication. When a piece of equipment would break down, I took it to the shop and fixed it. I learned how to do the job right
so the equipment could be put back out into production without further break down. I also learned how to do the mechanical
maintenance on the farm vehicles and farm machinery.
As I grew older, I provided welding and fabrication services for other local farmers, individuals and
businesses in the area.
I have also built my own horse
trailers using whatever scrap metal I could put my hands on. Below is a stock-type horse trailer that I built a few years
back. I have hauled horses all over the USA with this trailer. This trailer even survived an accident where it was laid over
on its side. It held together well and with a few repairs was put back into service.
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| Stock type horse trailer made from scrap metal. |
Here is a picture of a camper / horse trailer that I put together in my spare time. It started out as a 28 foot
bumper pull camper travel trailer. I added a goose neck to the front and welded a box on the backend to haul horses; moved
the wheel axels back and reinforced the steel frame.
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| Horse Camper Trailer |
We take this trailer on our camping
trips. It provides us with all the conveniences of home with hot showers, refrigerator, cooking oven and stove, and sleeps
six comfortably with room to spare. It also makes for a good conversational piece, as it seems to be one-of-a-kind.
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