In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Glasir…. A place to retire…

Discussion in 'The DIY Room' started by FarmerJ, May 6, 2023.

  1. Skier76

    Skier76

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    Nice progress! And that’ll be a good amount of firewood.
     
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  2. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    At $160/cord cut and split, I can’t make it that cheap. Should be properly seasoned when I need it for the 26/27 heating season.
     
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  3. DNH

    DNH

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    FarmerJ if you haven’t done anything on your water line take a look at vibratory plows. Basically it’s a dozer with a giant knife they pull that places 1-3” pipe in the ground. I had 3500 feet installed in under 2 hours. Your frost line may be too deep but it’s worth looking into. Even if you payed double or triple to going rate it might be cheaper than trenching, gravel and backfilling. I think I paid 2.25-2.75 a foot
     
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  4. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Love the idea.


    I need to put 200’ of 2” line in and then two 250’ lines of 1”pvc at least. With the expansion of a third.

    I’ve got access to a mini ex that will cost me fuel and grease only. So I would really be saving some major funds doing it myself.
     
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  5. bogieb

    bogieb

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    Those types of deals are real nice. Back at my first house, the BIL worked for road construction company. One weekend he was able to bring an excavator and build retaining walls for us. We paid BIL for his time but at least didn't have to rent the machine or pay for transport of over 30 miles.
     
  6. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Went on a road trip today to pickup the new 24v battery for the solar system. At least this one is holding voltage and a reasonable specific gravity IMG_1920.jpeg IMG_1921.jpeg

    turns out it was a vineyard that was selling the old battery out of a pallet Jack he’d bought for the spare parts to fix another one.

    IMG_1922.jpeg
     
  7. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Been an interesting spring summer.

    got out of the hopper I was renting and went back to the side dump. “Yop we got work to keep you busy …”. Aaaah. That didn’t work out. It has been raining so much, we work maybe 2-3 days a week. I finally pulled the plug and am selling the side dump and went and found a hopper bottom for hauling soybeans I will be picking up tomorrow.

    March I had a hub and wheel come off the trailer I bought a year ago.
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    I thought I’d destroyed the axle and I found out at Memorial Day weekend, all that happened were the threads were damaged. Not one hub had a nut retainer on it from whomever serviced it last time. I was able to clean the threads up with a 1”X14 TPI die and put new bearings and cups it, good to go. None of the brakes were mechanically adjusted correctly and that’s now been done.

    I’ll be replacing the brake assemblies as funds allow with brand new automatic adjusting units.
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    We got some serious rain just before Memorial Day weekend . It really messed up SW Minnesota. It even flooded the quonset.
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    I got a brush hog for the weekend to cut the weeds back in an attempt to control them mechanically without chemicals.

    this was the high ground. I backed up and went to go back forward and it was already over.
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    I was able to find some food grade totes so now I can keep water on the site for regular hot showers after working.
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    The 12 v pump provides 50 psi of water pressure and sufficient flow for a nice hot shower.
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    I flip my daughter a $10 bill every time I fill up. About every two months. The pickup I bought is really showing I did the spec’d it correctly. The tote is 2000lbs filled. The pickup is rated for 2550 lbs payload.
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    Otherwise just been laying low and trying to make the best of things.

    next up is acquiring a grapple bucket and a brushhog.
     
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  8. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Thanks for the update.
     
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  9. Skier76

    Skier76

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    Good to see you again! Sorry there have been some struggles along the way. Hang in there and don’t be a stranger.
     
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  10. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Today’s adventure….

    I took the side dump trailer to the dealership and let them have it for consignment.

    it sold as soon as I dropped it off and the salesman emailed pictures out. I know I likely listed it too low, but I sold it for $6000 less than I paid for it a year ago.
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    After I dropped it off, I headed west 150 miles and picked up the new hopper bottom which will let me get back into the work I did all last winter. With $4500 per month less expenses now.
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    All in an attempt to make me more profitable and get debt paid off to work at Glasir here.

    even the 80 mile drive home with the tarp open, I was 7.8 mpg which is up from the 5.8 mpg on the side dump. 1MPG is worth about $1000/ month is reduced fuel costs
     
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  11. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Why that much difference in fuel mileage between trailers?
     
  12. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    The difference between pulling like a ladder through water vs a board
     
  13. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    So it's mainly aerodynamics?! Wow, and sheesh!
     
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  14. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Exactly

    both are fluid dynamics
     
  15. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    I just would not have expected that much of an increase in milage on an empty class 8 truck, from just trailer aerodynamics...I would expect it to be a lil more like an old school big block in a pickup...same (almost) fuel mileage no matter what :picard::rofl: :lol:
     
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  16. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    The side dump I weigh 42.000 lbs empty

    the hopper is 32,000. Likely part of it too
     
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  17. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    Yesterday I had my daughter and her husband do the majority of the mowing for me around here.
    IMG_3121.jpeg

    I also went and got a grapple bucket for doing general cleanup of all the trees to take down. Yea it’s inexpensive, there’s nothing fancy to it and it’s truly a homeowner level attachment. There are NO grease fittings on this thing anywhere. It came with 1/4” hydraulic lines and could seriously use the upgrade to 3/8” lines. The clamps are SLOW.

    it’s the ERG66 dual clamp grapple. American made in Athens -GA


    IMG_3097.jpeg
    IronCraft | Tractor & Skid Steer Attachments & Implements
    at 66” and 477 lbs, you can tell the difference vs a 78” rock grapple that’s also 950 lbs. the lifting capacity on my 773 is 1850 lbs.

    first thing I did out of the gate is adjusted the clevises in. This increased the clamp opening from 26” to 28”

    IMG_3131.jpeg

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    At 26”, I couldn’t get the clamps around this beast. At 28”, I can.
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    the 773 didn’t have any issues moving it. But it knew it was maxed out.
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    now that I’ve got the weeds knocked back again,

    a simple task I want to do is resplit the oak wood I got last February. I’ll hope to do a face cord a day just for the physical therapy for my month off. Should be just a snow bucket full of the experience last winter was accurate. So that’s 20-23 days of therapy.

    Plan is to just pile it on the concrete next to the red elm.

    IMG_3139.jpeg



    and pebbles got to run around outside for about 5 hours today while I worked outside.
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    Last edited: Jul 21, 2024
  18. JimBear

    JimBear

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    That a 43’ low side ? Timpte or Wilson?
    Aluminum pin/plate/sub-frame ?
    Steel rims with 24.5 rubber ?
     
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  19. FarmerJ

    FarmerJ

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    2000 Merritt millennium actually.

    steel subs. 43’X96”X66”. Commodity hoppers.

    I should be able to get close to 1000 bushels in it this season for hauling soybeans with the new truck I’m looking at pulling it with
     
  20. JimBear

    JimBear

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    That setup is pretty heavy, I weighed 27,500 with a high side Timpte with 22.5’s on the 386 with 110 gallon of fuel with super singles.

    I believe I am around 27,500 now with duals & a Wilson 43’ mid side with 24.5’s.

    That’s pretty good mileage though.
     
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