3R Home and Barn Project

[3RRL]

Yes, killing the grass around the rocks is an excellent idea.
My problem is my own fault. I let it get grown up too tall. Much of it was not just grass but weeds and wildflower stalks. Even if they were dead, code tells me they have to be cut down to at least 6" minimum. This year Loretta sprayed with Surflan pre-emergent on all those places around the rocks. That should prevent anything from growing there next year. She had to use the back pack sprayer because some of those areas are inaccessible with the tractor. She does have a 25 gallon sprayer on the 4 x 4 ATV which can get down there and fairly close, but she was reluctant to use it since much of that slope is 40 degrees or about 80 percent slope there.

[3RRL]

Like I said, much of it was my own fault.
We were planning to add water down in that area so as to keep it green all year round. That was so we didn't need to weed-eat it down to the 6" minimum. What we didn't plan on is some of those weeds just kept growing taller and taller ... Yikes. The wild flowers died out but the weeds kept going. Our plan is to spray that entire area with pre-emergent and then plant flowery shrubs all over that hill side. We sort of ran out of budget for that though. The test shrubs we planted last year didn't take off like we thought and come Spring, the wild flower and weeds just took over.

I have finished running the irrigation sprinklers down the entire hill side.
They are all controlled via those valves on the upper decks. When we turn them on, we can see where the spray pattern is and control each sprinkler. It's all done from the deck level. I just need to make some turn keys to make it easier to turn the valves on and off. There are 6 large rainbird type spray heads down the hill side for when we get shrubs planted there. There are 3 down the south side yard. It will take a lot of work maintaining those areas to be either flowering shrubs and grass near the home.
Here are some photos of what the control lines look like coming off the decks.
The pvc pipes will be painted brown. I have connected 3/4" poly pipe at the very bottom and run that out to each sprinkle head.
Rob-

[3RRL]

You remember when we installed the large 5,500 gallon water tank?



It was there primarily for the fire department so they could suck water from it in case of a fire. At least 4,000 gallons are required by the fire code out here for that purpose. That tank is filled automatically by the well pump when water is used out of it. It has a toilet like fill valve in it. Anyway, after inspection, I added a 2" valve so I could use the remaining 1,500 gallons for irrigation. The valve is connected to a 2" gravity feed line which runs out to the house and different parts. I had that installed in the same trench when the pressurized well line was installed.

Also, I really wanted that tank to be constantly refreshed with water in case our main system failed.
We would then have enough drinking water at least until we got the well pump fixed or whatever. So I decided to add a 2hp booster pump (220v) to non pressurize the 2" line. I also added another manifold with several valves in case I wanted to irrigate behind the barn or for other purposes. Now, that entire line is also pressurized up to 45psi. At the home, with added head pressure, we get about 60psi altogether. That system is what I use for the irrigation or emergency use and feeds those watering stations on the decks at the house. It will also drain part of the large water tank, thereby adding fresh water from the well every day.



The 2 bladder pressure tank systems are separate ... one for the house (well pump) and one for the irrigation (large water storage tank). In fact, the two system are completely separate from each other except the large water storage tank relies on the well pump to fill it, of course. But there are valves on each system that can be connected via a garden hose so that if the well pump fails, I can hook up a hose connecting the water storage tank to the well pump bladder tank and feed the house (still under pressure) from the large water storage tank now. With the water being refreshed every day, it should be drinkable in case of an emergency.
Rob-

[denmansoft]

Rob:
Quick question about that big tank:
How would you have stood it upright if you hadn't had the gradall there?
My tractor is about the size of honeybee so it can't lift very high!
I am looking at a couple of tanks in the 2000-3000 gallon size.

Guess what has come to the top of my project list?

[3RRL]

I guess I would drag it or roll it over to where it's gonna be set first.
I imagine there are lots of ways to right it. Your size is a lot less weight than mine was and might be shorter? Assuming it's lying on it's side, I'd use your fel or backhoe with a chain or rope to start lifting one end up. Prop it in whatever position you can get it with 2 x 4's and also on the sides so it doesn't roll. If you attach a rope to the top before, you might be able to pull it over the rest of the way. You might be able to reposition the backhoe or fel bucket under it more once it's propped up and "pop" up the rest of the way.

If it comes standing upright, get it on a sheet of plywood and pull it to your spot. You could use 2 x 4's to screw to the plywood and bolt a chain or rope to the plywood. then push it off the wood. Are you going to pick it up or have it delivered? There might be options of how it's delivered or put onto your trailer? You have to get "Egyptian" and use some clever leverage system.
Rob-

[dfkrug]

Originally Posted by denmansoft

I am looking at a couple of tanks in the 2000-3000 gallon size.

Rob was fortunate to have the Grade-All there, for sure. His 5000
gal tank is much harder to move and lift vs the size you want. If you
get 2500 gal PEX tanks, you can roll them on their sides and tilt them
up manually. Two burly guys can do it, or three lesser workers. Or
you can start tilting it up with your loader, being careful not to cut
the plastic with the lip of the bkt.

[denmansoft]

Thanks guys;
It sounds like we should be able to handle them with my tractor and a couple of burly young guys helping.
I just hate getting started on something like this and then find out I REALLY NEED some other piece of gear(or new tool) to finish it.
That is never fun when your site is remote!!
I don't mind getting the new tool to make the job easy before we start

[PAGUY]

Whoa, Rob, no posts since the 12th of May. What gives? Everthing alright?

You know we have to know what is going on at the ranch. What's new?

[MtnViewRanch]

Originally Posted by PAGUY

Whoa, Rob, no posts since the 12th of May. What gives? Everthing alright?

You know we have to know what is going on at the ranch. What's new?

Rob has posted in other threads, my guess is that he is busy and just plain worn out at the end of the day. I hope that he hasn't forgotten about us poor souls that enjoy reading about all the stuff happening at his place.

[EddieWalker]

I'll bet he's in the middle of a big project and waiting to surpise us with it when he's just about done!!! Maybe he's started that pond?

Eddie