Pellet heads!! What's up today?

Same here....on all areas

 

roasting some free Energex hardwood to take the chill out overnight. next up if I need them is a couple bags of Canadian Energex blend.

 

No, its January ?

 

I can't believe I'm still running the stove! It was 34 here this morning. Come on Spring! I ran out of starter gel so I've been using the torch. Never used it before and I have to admit it's quick!

 

Years ago we used to buy the starter gel from FOREST PAINT in the 5 gallon can.
It was far cheaper than the squeeze bottles, so we just refilled the bottles.

Then one day we ran out and forgot to get more so I grabbed the self lighting propane torch and never looked back.

I can have a fire fully going within 2 minutes with the torch and far less hassle.

Each stove has a torch close by.

We watch for sales on the fat propane bottles and try to keep a couple dozen on the shelf.
One bottle lasts an entire winter easily.

 

I have an Englander in my shop... and the self light not only took a while to
get going.... it was hit or miss...

So I did the same thing.... did the torch trick...
Never have used the auto light again...
No comparison.
Have even "thought" about with the Harman..
But that is at least reliable.. just not super fast..

Dan

 

With the weather starting to get better it is time to think about cleaning up all the limbs and junk that fell during this winters snows and the early April wind storm we had.

Several very large branches came down and are just too big to drag to the burn pile, so cutting them up is the only solution.
I need this stuff gone so I can get the little tractor with the 3 point mower over the area.

We have a mid sized Husqvarna chain saw, but I don't particularly like packing it around for small stuff like limbs that can range from 1 inch to 5 inches.

I own a bunch of the RYOBI ONE+ rechargable tools and decided to give there little 10" 18 volt chainsaw a try.

Got one the other day at the Depot and yesterday I put it to work.

The unit comes with one SMALL BATTERY and a charger.

I had several of the hi cap lithium ions already and grabbed them.

With the residual weakness in my right hand from my stroke the light weight little saw is sweet.

No BS here now, the battery powered saw is no match for even a 10" gas saw, but it made short easy work of the pile of limbs laying in the yard and is so easy to handle.

I packed along 3 batteries and a kept the charger busy recharging as I worked.

I was surprised at how much cutting can be done withe one large battery (48wh)

I was working for a couple hours and drained 2 batteries, and about half of the third.

A great little tool for yard clean up, camping, or ????

Sort of fits right in with the TOY TRACTOR

The MAX 22 4X4 has been a great rig.

We use it mostly for mowing and on occasion the bucket is handy.
We have a groomer that goes on the 3 point to do the horse arena as well as a tiller
The hydrostatic drive is smooth and easy to use.

A sweet ride all around.

And a fun time was had by all

 

"Sprinter" SPRING/WINTER

 

I've got one of those chainsaws as a refurb and I took down, I think it was 21 sapling last year (2"+ diameter - some up to 20' tall) plus trimmed up a couple of big old lilacs, limbed up everything and cut it all into lengths I could take to the dump in the Explorer with the hatch closed. For what it is, that saw can do some work. Actually, the small battery that I got stores more energy than the big +one batteries and I don't think I had to recharge even once that day.

 

You and Snowy seem to have lucked out. We very hesitantly (meaning I was hesitant) bought a 20V Dewalt reciprocating saw that eats the batteries like a 5 year old going through candy. If it was up to me, that would have been returned real quick, but my other half uses it from time to time.

 

Hello, hello!

Finally had to pay attention to the flue.
Vacuumed out the horizontal run. Up high from the outside.
Though after 5 tons burned, all i really needed to do was clear the cap. Moisture and ash had constricted the flow at that point.
Oh well. Didin't notice that in time and vacuumed too soon.
The 4" pipe doesn't care if it gets cleaned out all winter.
I'll file this away for next year.

Hope you all are well.
Bring on the solar gain!

 

My stove is usually burning by the time the initial feed is over. I have used the torch on occasion, though.

 

My self lighting torch has a MAP gas can on it so it's a bit hotter. I'm amazed. I think 2 minutes is about right for me too. I think I bought my last bottle of gel!

 

Well I had zero fantasies about the battery saw.
It does a fine job for what it is.

The thing I like the best with any of the battery powered tools is the FAST up time.
No dragging out a cord or gasoline or ??? to gitterdone.

I have about 8 Ryobi one plus tools and several Ridgid battery powered tools.

If I have a battery powered one, I have a 120 volt unit that matches it.

About a year ago I needed a double miter saw and Harbor had their 12" on sale and I had a 25% coupon, so the cost was really low.

We have used the begeebers out of that thing and it is not at all a bad saw.

I will not get the Harbor brand rechargables though.

Today was MOW TIME
Went to connect the 3 point mower to Li'l Red this morning and discovered the first u joint on the mow deck drive shaft was shot

How could this be, ahhhhh, the thing is only 30 plus years old and probably sat out in the winter rains a few times, plus the shaft still had the original joints in it

Headed off to Napa and got a fresh joint and all is good again.

Spent about 2 hours of seat time on Li'l Red dragging the 3 point deck around

Area just below the house has some interesting contours and is a PITA to mow and get everything cut.

All wrapped up about 3:30 and headed for a nice hot shower.

Li'l Red is just the right size for getting around things.
Any bigger would be awkward, and any smaller would be too small.

The 22 HP was the same physical size as the 25 horse and the price was a bunch lower as the dealer wanted to make room for the new year models.

Got the tractor with the bucket for $12K
We had the mower and a tiller from our old tractor (Way ancient Kubota that we used up every ounce of)

A few pics of the front area with Li'l Red

I would love to have a back hoe for Li'l Red, but $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

Happy Bday Steve O, somewhat belated
Cleanfire, Congrats to the proud parents & daughter
Thumbs up to anything else that happen during my 4 day absence, went to visit Pointe Pelée

 

I love the +one's. I've gotten several of those tools (string trimmer, tire inflator, chainsaw and at least one other). I find their 18v Lithium batteries last a long time and hold their charge even if you don't use them for months.

I need to get one of the drills just to compare it to the Craftsman drill I got in 2013 - that battery lasts a long time too but I think it is only 12V and it certainly doesn''t have the power that I sometime desire.

 

Congrats to the graduates, you, and your families - safe travels this week

You too StEarl, and +1 to Solar gain - bring it on!

Thanks! Things are starting to warm up here, and get project-busy really quick, again.

Pointe Pelée - had to look it up on the Interwebs - beautiful area there, hope you had a great time!

Still running the stove here late evening / early am to keep the chill out & prevent 'Dino Burner' from firing, else warming up nicely during the day when the (sun) is out.. Stove may get a break for the next day or two.

Have a fun day all !

 

I also have a few Ridgid tools too, and they are great.
Strong drill motor and the batteries last well.

Every brand seems to have their claim to fame.
I bought the Ridgid 3/8" drill because of the size.
The Ryobi I have was too large for several projects I was doing and so I looked at the various units side by side and chose the Ridgid