our MF1643L arrived today

[woodchuckcanuck]

Maybe a few more pics are in order. It'll give you a better idea of the topography. These are from during the building stages of the workshop and eventually the house. Just look at the photo stamped 8/14/2005. It took A LOT of truck loads of fill to flatten a spot.

The workshop is 20x30, 8ft walls. I've already thought about a lean-to off the side of the workshop. It simply won't do because in order to keep the same roof pitch and to extend out 16 ft, the roof height doesn't even make 6ft when factoring in the current ground slope. I could change the roof pitch to a 3/12 considering the roofing material is metal and it faces south-west, but if I have to tear up the metal roof to do that, well, I'd rather build another shed.

If I'm going to do anything, it will either be an add-on to the back to extend the roof line, or a separate equipment shed, but the roof line has to remain the same.

A swale (or ditch as I call it) is what is there now on the left side of the driveway (when looking down). It gathers all the water and swings it around back of the workshop. There's a lot of digging to do.

I was surprised at how wet and heavy the soil was. I put 5 backhoe bucket loads in the back of that 2500HD and it sunk the box to the point that the helper springs were bending downward. Mind you, it wasn't loaded properly either, mostly on the left side between the wheel well and the gate.

Oh, and I'm all about saving money. Just ask my wife

[BIG_R_Jr_3]

WCC your pictures now show me more of what your dealing with, wow you had a TON of dirt delivered there, my guess would be 90-100 truck loads ?? I'm I even close ??

Drainage issue, you say the swale next to the driveway pitches toward the back of the workshop, and it stays wet always back there. Can you turn that swale away from the back of the shop before it turns to it, and make it run away from the back and continue going downward away from your property ??

Even so, it looks like your going to need a lot more fill if your planning on building behind that workshop....Can't see directly behind it but from what I do see looks like everything else is below your shop. If I'm looking directly at your shop everything to the right is lower and everything left is higher, correct ?? And directly behind it is lower also, right ??

How far behind the shop are you thinking about extending outward ??

Are you thinking of driving completely around the the workshop area, like a U-Shape drive ?

I wish I could think of some thoughts now, but I just returned from the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show and my mind is fried from the record breaking HEAT today. I'm heading for the shower will pick up later on when my thoughts are better.

Regards,
Big R

[woodchuckcanuck]

Originally Posted by BIG_R_Jr_3

WCC your pictures now show me more of what your dealing with, wow you had a TON of dirt delivered there, my guess would be 90-100 truck loads ?? I'm I even close ??

Drainage issue, you say the swale next to the driveway pitches toward the back of the workshop, and it stays wet always back there. Can you turn that swale away from the back of the shop before it turns to it, and make it run away from the back and continue going downward away from your property ??

Even so, it looks like your going to need a lot more fill if your planning on building behind that workshop....Can't see directly behind it but from what I do see looks like everything else is below your shop. If I'm looking directly at your shop everything to the right is lower and everything left is higher, correct ?? And directly behind it is lower also, right ??

How far behind the shop are you thinking about extending outward ??

Are you thinking of driving completely around the the workshop area, like a U-Shape drive ?

I wish I could think of some thoughts now, but I just returned from the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show and my mind is fried from the record breaking HEAT today. I'm heading for the shower will pick up later on when my thoughts are better.

Regards,
Big R

It was 60 loads just to do the driveway and prep the pad and work area for the house. Then there's another 60 or so loads to "level out" around the house to prepare for topsoil.

The driveway started out towards the swale but now pitches away from it. That's now causing a problem with runoff on the driveway and accumulating in front of the house entrance. A real problem during the freeze/thaw cycle. So I want to get that pitching back to the ditch.

You are somewhat correct about the slope of the land behind the workshop. It does slope downward left to right, however the land starts out just a bit higher and goes upwards from there. So I actually will have more fill than I'll know what to do with. Well, I do actually. The old woods road on the property needs some wet areas brought up a bit higher.

I want to go back at least 60 ft if not more. Yes, to drive away in a U-turn so of way.

[WilliamBos]

Hey WCC,

Where is the washer fluid reservoir? I see in the literature that is has front and rear wiper/squirters but did not see the fill point in your pics.

Is the bottle very big?

[woodchuckcanuck]

Open the left door, lift the rubber mat, flip up the cover and fill Not sure how big it is, maybe 500ml.

[WilliamBos]

Originally Posted by woodchuckcanuck

Open the left door, lift the rubber mat, flip up the cover and fill Not sure how big it is, maybe 500ml.

Did you upgrade to the 60A alternator? Did you get all 3 sets of remotes?

[woodchuckcanuck]

I don't know the size of the alt. As for remotes, all I know is there's the joystick and one lever in behind my right shoulder. I believe that's for lifting the snowblower sub frame.There's space there for two more. Then there's the connection in the rear for the backhoe.

I'm still not savvy on the tractor lingo yet.

[WilliamBos]

Hey WCC,

When you were tractor shopping, did you look at a 12x12 Powershuttle? I am only asking because, someone said that they now put the clutch pedal on the right side of the tractor? True?

My MF dealer had 30 1643 Hydro models, all sold with Horst V-blades and rear salters. Never thought to ask them, they might try and convince me to upgrade.

[tractorski]

williambos,
my 1652 with powershuttle has the clutch on the left side

[WilliamBos]

Originally Posted by tractorski

williambos,
my 1652 with powershuttle has the clutch on the left side

Awesome!! So I assume the 1635 with Powershuttle will have it on the left too? And does the 1652 have the split brakes?