Look What the Stork Brought Us!
Well we knew it was going to have to happen sometime. Heron Pond farm has had to make a investment in a new tractor. As many of you know Heron Pond Farm is really a continuation of Valley Acres Farm. For the two farms this is the 50th season of turning over soil in South Hampton. In that time much of the primary tillage has been done by the first tractor ever bought new by the Syvinski's a 1974 Kubota M4000. In addition to moldboard plowing, this tractor was used to run the potato harvester, two of the hardest jobs on the farm. For a farm our size a tractor getting this kind of use might last 25 years. Thanks to Walters “laying on of hands” style of tractor maintenance, this machine lasted 10 years past it's prime. The 4000 might have gone longer if it weren't for the dreaded “we don't make that part anymore.”
After Andre performed open heart surgery on the 4000 it was found to have a worn gear shaft 
in it's main hydraulic pump housing. It's pumping engine oil into it's hydraulic oil. You can't buy the shaft, and we have folks looking for a pump for us. Meantime there is work to be done on the farm. Enter the Kubota M5040 and the wonders of Kubota financing.
With care and maintenance this could be the tractor we retire on. MB tractor gave us a good deal and the financing met the farms' needs. So a new era is born on Heron Pond Farm. The M5040 rolled off the truck, was hooked up to the plow, and started turning soil day one. It handles the plow really well and has already proved it's a valuable asset to the farm.
The 4000 isn't going anywhere. We will find a pump and keep the tractor in the fleet. In all likelihood it will be used to transplant the bulk of the crops from year to year. This is a very important job on the farm but one that won't take that much out of her. She's not quite going out to pasture but will be enjoying her golden years in a stress free environment.
So heres to a new beginning. The future of the farm may be in Belle and Gabe's hands, and with all likelihood they will be driving this tractor for much of it.