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It sounds great that you were able to work out a pump better matched to your generator and still meet your needs. A couple of burners and the oven on a 5kW generator is pretty darn impressive. Personally, I find myself conscious of every watt when using a generator. Probably not the best...

I think we all recognize the need and the need to rebuild as fast as possible to keep the local communities healthy. I will be interested to see how much of the infrastructure, especially the roads and railroads, goes back in at the same height and location. All the best, Peter

5kW is really on small side to routinely start a deep well pump due to the large startup current. Others here have posted about how many pumps and generators get replaced because the generator is too small for the starting surge current. Do you have digital controls on your pump? E.g. a...

If you need to support, or are interested in supporting, three phase, the surplus military generators in the 5 & 10kW are readily switchable from 120VAC to split phase (120/240) to three phase (not while running!). MEP-802A & MEP-803A, respectively. I know a few folks in NE who support them. I...

"Close" to 60 should be fine for most motors. Microwaves tend to be a finicky appliance, and some UPS units have trouble outside of 58-62Hz. @CalG I've run a WINCO PTO generator for a week more or less straight for 18 hours a day. My only tweak was to put the tractor in 1,000rpm PTO, and then...

I have never used an IMD, but I'd pick the AVR over the capacitor based voltage regulation, as it will give better voltage regulation. Generally speaking, PTO generators aren't as good at regulating frequency as other generators, unless the tractor has a digital ECM to control engine speed...

Upfront, I'm not a qualified electrician. I guess that I start from the page that I know grid power isn't perfect, and generator power is even less perfect, so a imperfections are to be expected. I have never seen a consumer oriented line conditioner for more 20A. If you really wanted to, you...

Congratulations on a great score! Does it have knives or the carbide cutters? All the best, Peter

That brings back memories!

If you can't find the pins easily, I would make the pins. You might try a place such as McMaster Carr or Grainger for the right size material. I've bought a fair amount of metric rods off of Amazon recently. I suspect that the two point rototiller will be pretty amazing when you get it running...

@2515R Dude thanks for the update and the experimental results! All the best, Peter

Ok, a few things go into this. 1) your 500 gallon tank has a maximum of 400gallons in it. 2) as the tank gets empty, it cools off and the last portion may not be accessible because it can't boil off. (Better in the summertime, much worse in the winter time.) There are tables to look this up in...

"Hide from wind, run from water" I feel for the folks in harms way. Stay safe out there. All the best, Peter

"Time is money" as they say, and complex surveys due to terrain, landscape, value, or extra research at the courthouse is all about hours. I think that survey pricing is very local, and the only way to know is to get a number of quotes. All the best, Peter

Yes, modified sine wave, aka square wave, is very hard on motors, but it is not what an inverter generator puts out. (At least no inverter generator that I have ever looked at.) Cheap 12V inverters are usually modified sine wave inverters, and that is why they are hard on motors. Franklin...

Around here, they get maps (tablets) and keys. Our local guys, at least the ones that I have spoken with, really like the tablets because they are more up to date, and they aren't having to organize rolls of paper. All the best, Peter

Pretty much. Median age in Japan is 49.5 years, compared to 39.8 for China and 38.8 for the US. Japan is #2, beaten only by Monaco, (total population 39,000) is said to be #1. Demographics of Japan - Wikipedia Lots of Japanese villages are dying out as the elders die because of the low...

I would not sweat it too much. It does not need to be an exact split. Balancing the loads just makes the wear and tear (primarily heat on the insulation in the generator) less. Plus, balanced loads reduce the return current on the neutral. I tend to monitor the voltage in the two phases and...

In my experience, open frame Hondas are loud, though not in the WINCO league. But I have found a sheet or three of plywood is more than a few cards short of a full deck in sound reduction. BTDT. "Silent" generators have a bunch of items to suppress the sound. At the end of the day, it is your...

Hmmm... visit Japan? Fax machines are practically revered as honored ancestors there, and most government agencies require them; https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/08/09/national/fax-machine-phaseout-pushback/ Did you know that 2024 was the first year that the Japanese government allowed...

:ROFLMAO:

Every WINCO that I've been around was definitely not quiet, but at the price... I think that using a 240V generator on most homes is always going to be an exercise in load balancing the two 120V circuits. I have to say that as a result, I have tended to buy 240V appliances and motors when I...

Great example! Sometimes, it is hard to swallow that the best rebuilding might not be down in the flats any more, meaning starting over with a new road elsewhere. Plus, there have been lots of landslides as well. Some folks out here in California did the post earthquake disaster preparation...

Here, too. Two squirrels once took out the county's largest employer (23,000+) by shorting out the transfer switch between the grid and the site's cogen power plant, leaving everything dark. There happened to be a replacement switch on the East coast, otherwise 120-180 day lead time for...

If you look back at prior dock worker negotiations, zero automation has always been a recurring demand. Like others, I don't think it is in the national interest, but we've seen lots of instances where technology gets a virus or bad update, too. Still, I think that we could have more efficient...

@orezok I'm glad that things are back on track for you. We've had a few 1-2 customer outages, so I tend to call in the outages, just in case (line fuses and transformers, and insulators). The smart meters do get polled every few minutes, but it can take awhile for the the information to get...

Do you know the well pump specifications? Other than the straight load (watts), what usually causes generators and pump motors problems is the pump starting current that can run 2-6 times the running current. Inverter generators can be more efficient when supplying reduced loads, compared to...

Cats?

@jk96 has not been on the site July of last year.

Calves can be like smoke. Some of them just drift obliviously through fences. Over the years, our dogs have alerted us to countless calves "out of bounds". One was curled up under a horse trailer, all 8" of clearance, but perfect size for a calf. All the best, Peter

To me, that's just a weird, weird letter. We were guilty of having sent a letter to our neighbors a few weeks after moving in, but it was a "Hey, we are new and having a BBQ, and we would love to meet you" type letter. I'd be tempted to bid on the work for their GC, as a way to break the ice...

I would love to help you out with some specifications, but I have never seen an "In/Out" comparison on the noise reduction of the Isobar units. Yes, it is not a $9 cheapie from Amazon. The photo is the inside a $40-100 surge protector. https://tripplite.eaton.com/pages/isobar Having lived...

I think that the Siemens is great for the house generally, but unlike the surge suppressor strips, it really is only for attenuating voltage spikes. I think that the other nice thing about the surge suppressor strips is that the clamp voltage tends to be lower than the whole house surge...

I agree, though my back hurts just looking at everything on the floor. @CloverKnollFarms do you do most of the build on top of the stand? All the best, Peter

Yes, you are right, a gas tube or a metal oxide varistor isn't going to clean up power. However, most quality surge strips do include capacitors and inductors that definitely do help clean up the power. Here's one from Isobar/Eaton; Buyer beware! All the best, Peter

In many of the valleys, the flooding was so extensive that there is not much of any flat land left. It is just boulder strewn floodplain. From 'Nothing like this': National Guard rushes supplies to communities cut off by Helene Which has some staggering photos in their gallery. Before and...

Thanks for the update! All the best, Peter

Lots of folks stepping up. The damage is extensive, and with roads and power lines washed out in many areas, it won't be quick to fix. It is a ton of work. All the best, Peter

I'm sorry that you don't have power. I hope that you have enough fuel for your needs. Congratulations on having a working generator. Don't forget to check the oil daily! A few thoughts. One, don't believe generator specifications. They may or may not be as bad as they claim. (And can certainly...

Swapping orifices is generally very straightforward.

First, I think that you are probably right about the regulator being the issue, but I would check an few other things first. First, I would check that your propane tank is not low. Second, I would double check that the pressure out of the main liquid LPG to gas regulator on the tank to make...

@2515R Dude Solid stains have pigments (stains) in them that absorb and block UV reducing the damage to both the deck and the stain. The order of protection / resistance to weathering is; Oil based deck paint (most resistant) Latex deck paint (it is a big step down from quality oil paint in my...

@bdhsfz6 I think it is a very individual decision, and rarely easy in my experience. No property is zero maintenance. One thing a few friends have done is to either make an apartment, or second home on the property, and swap some rent for property maintenance work. That's less permanent than...

I had the same experience today, too. On the bright side, voicemail suggests that they have power at the factory. I worry about the employees and the factory which is pretty close t the river as I recall. All the best, Peter

An article on why rainfall events are particularly hard in mountains that points out for Ashville, NC, 19.4" of rain over 60 days would have been a 1 in a thousand year event. Several stations in and around Ashville record more than 20"...

Yes, that o-ring looks bad to me, both in this photo and the slightly out of focus one before. However, I would look inside to see if there is rust or scars or scratches that could have caused the nicks/wear in the o-ring. It would be great to find the cause of the wear on the o-ring. If you...

Yes, there was a great deal of infrastructure, hospitals, water treatment plants, and roads in the "flats". I'm not being critical; building on flat ground is much easier than a hillside, but flood plains are flood plains. Access in Appalachia has never been exactly easy, and now without many...

For me, oil/diesel treated fence posts stink for a long time, like years, but I'm sure everyone is different in their ability to smell. I just think that there are lots of toxic chemicals in motor oil and diesel that you don't want to be inhaling any more than you have to. All the best, Peter

There is flooding in downtown Tazewell apparently, with road closures in and around the town. Any one know if the factory flooded? The main workshop is on fairly flat land close to the creek. Just wanted to wish all of you dealing with severe weather the best of luck. All the best, Peter

I would say it can become very dark over time, but I think it depends a little on how often and how much one applies. I first used it on a cedar shake house to help preserve the shakes on the advice of the builder. He said let the shakes weather, and then spray on the linseed oil/thinner mix...

When you write "thick slick wire", do you mean solid steel wire, or something else? A photo would help. We have had Gallagher chargers for fourteen years or so, and run two strands of poly wire rope (copper and stainless steel woven into plastic rope). My Gallaghers would put out 5-6kV onto the...

I've used boiled linseed oil and thinner, but that also stinks to high heaven for a while afterwards, and yes, it is going to get tracked into the house, where it is a captial P, pain, to clean up. Sun and weather is just hard on decks, though shaded decks might even be worse due to rot in my...

If in doubt, add more insulation. It is so cheap compared to the energy costs. Also, I would not overlook the cumulative losses from air leaks around doors, windows, outlets, air registers, plumbing from one floor to the next (basement/crawlspace to house, and house to attic), the fireplace...

I'm with @EddieWalker small air leaks make a big difference. I would add my vote to reflective panel foam at least as thick as thick as the ribs, glued on with a compatible panel glue. (If you make it thicker, you have to bevel the foam to allow the door to roll up. I think it is not worth the...

Sounds like a nice eBay side business...

Best of luck with that gorgeous, sweet looking pup! You can never have enough chew toys, and never spend too much time with a puppy in my book. (And it is great time!) All the best, Peter

Sorry to hear that you are having electric fence issues. I have a few questions. Where are you, and what is your land like? What kind of voltage meter do you have? Is the soil dry where you are at the moment? What kind of electric fencing material do you use? Brand? Age? Insulator type...

🤣 ROTFLOL That is a truly awesome story, from both sides that a) Bosch would consider "percussive adjustments" (thank you @Dftodd) validated, and b) you could see the humor (ok absurdity) of smacking an expensive electromechanical device to adjust it. Thanks for making my day. All the best...

@CalG Have you tried a small internal fan (or an extra fan) to equalize the air temperatures top/bottom left/right? In my experience fridges "stuffed" with items don't cool especially well, but that there is a big difference between ones with fans and ones without. All the best, Peter

If it really worries you, pass the buck, as there are always home warranties. I knew a guy who put in two dishwashers, so he could have a clean one and a dirty one to save putting things away. (Yes, he was one of a kind...) Don't forget commercial brands like Hobart. Rock solid, with a history...

Our LG washer went 12 years, and cleaned really well. What I appreciated most about it was how dry it spun the clothes. The front load design means that there is a rear seal to a bearing to the direct drive motor. In principle, one could do a preventative maintenance and pull the washer apart...

For asthma, I could see it. Cold can set off many asthma sufferers. I would put in an Energy Recovery Ventilator, and if possible, combine the bathroom exhausts to a central exhaust that could be run through an ERV. I would double check that the ERV that you select is HEPA capable. Oh, with a...

+1 on @jyoutz's comments on Bosch. Ours is practically silent, and in 15 years, the only service was a pump replacement, which took longer to order than to replace. Ours seems to be basically self cleaning as far as the filters go. Every couple of years a pebble will get in, and drops safely to...

Just make sure that you are ok with the energy cost. They make saunas look inexpensive. All the best, Peter

You could use a shaper and follow a template. But lots of chips/sawdust, which is, I believe one of your original issues...;) You could also clamp a bunch together and use a CNC router to make the legs while you are doing something else. (You could start from a wider piece of wood and make two...

Is there a favored method to crack the nuts? I harvest our grey pine cones for nuts, but we don't have enough to do much with them. All the best, Peter

If you plan to use the bandsaw to trim boards to size, you might want to look for a bandsaw specifically designed to take resaw blades that are much wider than a standard bandsaw blade. That gives the blade better stability, with more uniform cuts. If you are trying for curves, it is not what...

I hear you on wood quality. In my book, any operation on a table saw that can be avoided by using a different technique is a good one. I realize others are more comfortable with table saws, but to me their primary use is breaking down sheet goods. I would rather use a joiner or planer to get...

Looks nice! Using your joiner? Why the taper? All the best, Peter

Perhaps given the longevity of your 1920s units, you might be a tad...optimistic in your expectations. Some of those units were/are great for longevity, and perhaps not so great for energy efficiency, uniform heating, and air quality, but hey, they are mechanically dead simple and keep on...

I enjoy seeing the hives get built. Thanks for sharing! All the best, Peter

I think that I have seen similar spokes as inner spokes for an old fashioned combine/harvestor/ grain sickle type mower, bolting on through the perimeter holes. As to the rebar, and the modified use, I have no idea. All the best, Peter

Most are pretty easy. I worked on one that actually seemed designed for repair, as the whole electronics module slid out easily. One wire and a socket and the magnetron was out. It is always nice to repair things that seemed designed with some thought of future repair. Some cars leap to mind as...

Sounds like you have great batteries and that you are treating them right! I just replaced some that were 23 years old; the cases were starting to swell and the capacity was finally dropping. And, yes, they weigh a ton. All the best, Peter

Group 31s are used in most semis, so there is a large and cost sensitive market. I also think more of the market are repeat customers like you, who keep detailed notes on performance, lifetime costs, and buy accordingly, unaffected by marketing. You might try a battery blanket on your F-150, if...

I'm glad it works for you; I saw your photograph and my back hurt just looking at it! I prefer microwaves up where I can see into them easily. Speaking of seeing, I wish more of them were better illuminated, but that's another saga. All the best, Peter

I agree that no to low creosote production has something to do with operation and venting. Creosote is a result of incomplete combustion, aka smoke, and water. Pellet stoves do better than older wood stoves, but deposits can be a problem both from particular stoves designs and operation, and...

Welcome to TBN! Yes, that part generally has a plastic over piece (outer cap) to prevent water from getting in. Was there any rust or clumps when you drained the fluid? Did you clean the hydraulic pump intake screen? It often clogs after water has been in the system for a bit. All the best...

The condensation is directly related to the fuel burned, though diesel (C10H12) heaters will produce a little less than natural gas (CH4), or propane (C3H8). All of the hydrogen turns into water when it burns. For a shop, a heater that doesn't exhaust into the shop, I.e. indirect fire...

@LD1 Thanks for the great post detailing the site preparation. We are looking at a ground mount on a slope, facing similar issues, and the advice we are getting is similar. All the best, Peter

+1 on microwaves fail. We had a built in one fail, and long story short, the size turned out to be no longer manufactured. Replacing the unit was a pain. A real pain. @HawkinsHollow If counter space is really that tight, I would put the microwave in a generously oversized space in an above...

@gsganzer my $0.02 would also be to check the metal building's wind speed ratings for the metal buildings, as I believe tropical storms and hurricanes aren't uncommon in your neck of the woods. A few extra bits of reinforcement might go a long way to preserving your investment... All the best...

They also list used items there, and I think that these attachments are the older 3-point style. All the best, Peter

That sounds more like a leaf cutter bee. In my experience, mud daubers (and bees) are rather particular about the size hole that they want. All the best, Peter

If you want a carport solar array, they sell kits, but as @MAX-24-Dean points out, taller arrays need more of a foundation, so the overall cost is higher. A three sided carport may be a lower cost option. Many solar companies will not install solar panels on two sided carports. Tesla used to...

Even if it is a chimeric pin oak, why would one half be lighter green? Do you have light green and dark green pin oaks? Chimeric trees tend to share nutrients from the combined root system, so I would not expect much of a color difference, and when I have seen known chimeric trees the ownership...

While you can certainly run a stove pipe horizontally, you would want an outside pipe tall enough to get the stove pipe chimney above the ridge line if possible. If your pellet stove can burn corn, and you plan to do so, you will need stainless pipe. Otherwise, yes, I believe standard stove...

Concrete makes a pretty good ground actually. You can look up Ufer grounds if you are interested. I would definitely use them. The trouble with rules of thumb is that they may not apply locally. And I think this is a case where they don't. With dry, rocky soil, I suspect that you will want much...

"The little tray" items here are a parade of life on the ranch. Rusty barbed fence staples seem to do quite a number on clothing...but better that inside our cattle. All the best, Peter

@v11m :LOL: Yes, I think that many of us have done that. Personally, after the first and only time, I work hard not to leave the key in the ignition. Welcome to the club! All the best, Peter

I want to extend my sympathies. It is not easy living with autoimmune diseases or spouse who have them. I can't give you specific medical advice, not being an MD. I would ask if she has had a full work up by experts in myasthenia gravis. Sometimes there are researcher/MDs who have a few tricks...

Happy to share! Good luck. All the best, Peter

@beowulf Congratulations on scoring nearly free fencing. Electric tape is normally just for horses. Cows do fine on polywire rope, or smooth galvanized wire. For temporary fencing, I would not use galvanized wire. I think that the biggest issue will be a getting good ground, but it is worth...

@HawkinsHollow Can I suggest looking at a few YouTube reviews and teardowns? There several good videos around salvaging Nissan Leaf battery packs for other uses that go into the nitty gritty. The general issue with the low cost lithium batteries on Amazon is that many of them have been...

@LD1 Nice job! Thanks for posting this. I would at least consider surge protection at your solar and the house. That is a chunk of change in sensitive electronics, not to mention hard work. I like the Siemens ones because they are available in large capacities for areas with thunderstorms...

Both wireless and fiber can work; if you have something close to line of sight between the buildings, if not, fiber is the way to go. I would distinguish between point to point systems (potential range miles) and WiFi extenders (typically hundreds of feet). Are you ok with a system going out in...

Photos of the inlet and outlet ports would be helpful. I don't consider myself a septic expert, but in general, the inlet port should be covered, usually with an elbow, to get a good gas seal to keep gases from backing up into the house. The outlet should not be covered, basically the level...

@sixdogs You might want to check what the bed rails in your truck can take if you are planning to stash the full 500lbs in it. I like @oosik's under box support. Bumps seem to be a fact of life for me in a pickup, and I have friends that have crunched their bed rails doing stupid things and the...

Well, more than a few of my fences would qualify, or at least I know that the wire is from the 1880s.;) Much of it is on old growth redwood. Just picked up an old roll that was recently surfaced by a fire, and as I carefully picked it up with thick gloves on and the end tucked in, a loop popped...

Yes, you can see an allergist, and they can do a skin test, but skin testing is imperfect. As others have mentioned, your immune system changes with time, sometimes for the good and sometimes not. Mast cells are the prime guardians for foreign substances in the body, and the prime agents behind...

Starlink's site is a bit of a morass to navigate in my opinion. That's their specifications page that includes older hardware. The order page only includes the newer non-pivoting residential and business antennas, plus the mobile and lite versions; https://www.starlink.com/service-plans All the...

Electric net fencing? Dog? Our current dog runs coyotes down that she doesn't like and bodychecks them, typically tossing the coyote 20-30 feet. It is impressive to see. The first time it happened, I thought it was a fluke, but she has done it repeatedly. We find it interesting that there are...

Coyote, based on the tail, and body shape/leg length. We get lanky coyotes and chunky ones, and not all of the lanky ones are youngsters here. We had a red fox peer in the living room windows one year, but normally they are more cryptic and elusive than the mountain lions, though I occasionally...

The third generation has Ethernet directly, and has a slightly larger and more powerful antenna, with no motors in the mount. To my way of thinking, the new actual router is also a slight step up in performance, due to slightly reduced latency. Currently, the base kit is on sale in many areas...

I agree. We had some wonderful examples of barbed wire from the 1880s on some of fences when we moved in, Brinkerhoff Sabre, Hallner Greenbriar and TC Allis's "Buckthorn", all of them metal tape with barbs closer to knives in my book. Yes, I put in new wire to replace those. They were just too...

I don't know if it is a new trend, but it is how I judge contractors. If they aren't organized/careful with their materials and waste, I have often found it reflects on the rest of the job as well. At some level, not cleaning up demolition work is a safety issue. All the best, Peter

@TimberFarm Sorry about the damages and losses. I would suggest having a look at Reconyx for cameras, and ABUS 20/80 locks for containers. Reconyx cameras are not cheap, but US made, and come in security and license plate versions, and the cellular versions are available with high power...

If you like interesting reads along these lines, you could try "The Last Grain Race" by Eric Newby his account of the last fleet of sailboats bringing wheat from Australia to England by circumnavigating the globe. He also wrote "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush", up in Northern Pakistan /...

Same reason that when skiing you always break your leg on the last run of the day...

@geteh Fungal contamination is not something that I would take lightly. Fungus exposure and disease accounts for $11-$48B in medical costs and lost work per year in the US. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/data-research/facts-stats/index.html I would not enter a mold filled space without...

@Eric_Phillips I am not quite sure what you mean by a wood and a vinyl post in the same concrete. Two holes, one blob of concrete, or one hole with two posts in it. Or something else? Do you have a photo? I've been pulling out and replacing old posts in the old concrete for a while now in an...

Buyer beware! Be careful with the claimed specifications. Oftentimes I find something like a 6x12" panel comes with an impossibly high 100W rating. Used prices are variable, but new prices are still pretty much where they were a year ago, generally a little higher. All the best, Peter

So curious minds would like to know, what does your place have that makes it so attractive for the coyote to trot five miles over to your place? In season, we see lots of choke cherry pits in the coyote poop. I've read that the size and the cyanide do a pretty good job of removing internal...

One tiny difference; sanitary manholes are cast iron, and there's a way to get real leverage on them. Plastic lids won't tolerate that amount of force, but they are also easy to replace. All the best, Peter

Nice job on the carryall! I like the trim paint. All the best, Peter

I'm sorry that the flavor did not meet your standards. I think that changing recipes, especially sugar based recipes isn't easy. Apple juice pretty high in sugar. I would check the labels. Good luck! Peter

Grampa's! Works like a champ. All the best, Peter

We had the reverse with ground squirrels this year. I think that many of them got flooded out over the winter. The population was way way down, though coming up now with teeny tiny ground squirrels. All the best, Peter

Looks very nice. Do you have a link? All the best, Peter

Depends on where the frost line is in any given year, but it is certainly possible, especially if it was installed without any foam insulation on top of the tank and excavation, which is uncommon in the US, though more common elsewhere. I've seen a nominal 4 foot frost line become 10 feet down...

I can tell you that I regret mounting a 10lb dry chemical extinguisher at the front of the engine cowling. It adds a noticeable amount to the lift weight of the cowling. However, even there it has been brushed loose a handful of times, though never off, which is why I haven't moved it to the...

It would be easy to find out. Lubricating the inner bolt isn't easy, which is why I posted the photo above. I think that given the usage, the bolt would really benefit from a high pressure lubricant, but one would want one that doesn't attract dust. All the best, Peter

Monk fruit works for us. I would be careful with sugar like compounds such as allolose or xylitol, as there are other effects (e.g. increased risks of things like stroke) However, pectin needs some sugar from some source to trigger gelling. Blood sugar level is the bottom line. People often...

Both the inlet and the outlet should be covered, and the only way they wouldn't be is if the tank has a leak. So, congratulations on finding the problem, but as the level is below the inlet and outlet you are most likely looking at pumping the tank out, digging the tank up, and probably...

There is a similar story about Feynman being astounded that biologists memorize the anatomy of a cat. Samuel Johnson once wrote; "Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it..." (Boswell's Life of Johnson ) All the best, Peter

Yes, I've accidentally dumped tools more times than I care to admit. The side scraping on Power-Tracs seems to be a common theme, and contributes to why I haven't put anything on the sides of mine. I may do a roof rack for long handled tools. All the best, Peter

IIRC: Terry once mentioned in passing that the bolts are made by PT, but I don't know if that is true for all of the grease through bolts. I was asking why the steering cylinders didn't have them, and he said because it made the bolts too weak. All the best, Peter

@3rd Coast That grease is a new one on me. There isn't a weep hole there to my knowledge. Is the bolt tight? In other words, if the bolt were tighter would it cover that hole and direct grease inside? Not related, just me being curious; what brand / type of grease is that? All the best...

Could you please post a few photos, as they would help a lot to make sure that we are all on the same page. If your top center pin is your rollover, I think it should have two zerks, or at least my 1445 does. All the best, Peter

I would suggest that you try to spray the lube at the top of the gap on top of the pin inside the bushing. (End of the green arrow above) The mount is a bolt in a bushing in an eye. The inner bolt/bushing bearing area is often missed. I didn't realize that it was there for many years until I had...

When you come up with something, I would love to see it. Like @MossRoad, I tend to put things in the bucket or chipper or tool that I'm taking out. I've been experimenting with what can be done with ABS drainpipe making chainsaw holders and guards, but nothing suitable for mounting on to the PT...

Thanks Mike! Sorry that Covid hit you hard; I know the feeling. My $0.02 is take it easy and don't push it in recovery. Three things that I do that may help; one, I have moved to a large chain wrench for getting the hydraulic filters off. For me, a chain wrench is a night and day improvement in...

What did you decide in the end? All the best, Peter

It is ok if the concrete pad slopes, but not the actual unit itself. I think that you really, really want it level for the best compressor lifetimes. I would shim the unit with something that won't move or compress, or buy different vibration isolators. All the best, Peter

I use the well researched scientific method of temperature monitoring the hydraulic tank- with my hand. I have put an IR thermometer on it, but the hand is quick. If it gets too hot, I stop for a bit and let the fans cool things down. For me, it has to be something like tilling, or mowing, or...

I've seen hydraulic rams, as well as water and windmill mechanically driven lift pumps. There are some great videos out there, if you like low tech solutions. Fun to see what you can do with linkages and rods. All the best, Peter

What is your power cost per kWh? (Helps compare with other parts of the country) All the best, Peter

@sixdogs While diesel's flashpoint isn't that high, I would put a large diesel tank behind a firewall just to lower the chance of a small fire becoming catastrophic. It doesn't take a lot of fire resistant plywood or plasterboard to make a nice fire resistant wall and ceiling. Most oil tanks...

Running a diesel has a lower fire danger, but finding a diesel powered water pump isn't always easy, and rarely inexpensive. Personally, I will do a lot to avoid running a gas engine during fire season, but that is from too many fires getting too close. All the best, Peter

Hmmm... I'm not sure that I would express it that way, but yes, uncommon in suburban homes. Not uncommon in rural homes on farms in my experience, but that is often three phase delta (3x240V) rather than the more common three phase WYE (3x208V) in commercial installations. I do see a trend in...

I think that @Sigarms might have been referring to refrigerant phase, rather than electrical phase. All the best, Peter

Congratulations on a nice spring! I guess my first question is how much of the 1.5gpm do you plan on using in the garden? A sump pump is designed for a 2-10' lift; so, not what you really need. A solar powered pump with the right lift/flow would work, and I would add a battery to try and...

ORA falls into my personal "trust, but verify" category. I can't see doing the surgery without using ORA. My vote would be to get it right the first time... All the best, Peter

Wow!

I think it depends a great deal on how and where you plan to use yours. Here, I would be buying new turfs every other year or so, and they don't have the load ratings that I routinely use. Then again, I never mow lawns. (I use the R-4s that mine came with, 17 years later...) All the best, Peter

A few photos of your valve will help folks who know give you better advice. The old "a picture is worth a thousand words"... If you can find numbers, that is a help, as well, but start with some good photos please. All the best, Peter

It is any form of high heat to sear them and dry them out. If you make them whole, the slime is less of an issue. Grill, fry, bake it all works. Or a few in a soup or gumbo. Just don't slice them into pieces and add water unless you enjoy slime... All the best, Peter

👍👍 Once you get the hang of these, they are wonderful units in tight spaces and tight curves. (@Poppy7094 welcome to the club!) All the best, Peter

Can you post photos of the back and bottom of the control valve? Most valves have ports that can be unscrewed to clean the passageways, but without seeing yours, it is hard to advise, beyond get the control valve absolutely clean, as in "open heart surgery clean" before opening anything. (Scrub...

I agree. Grilled, baked, lightly fried, or in soups, yum! Like eggplant, it is one of those crops for us that veers from enough to OMG levels. (Slice, blanch, freeze, and start cooking while frozen...) All the best, Peter

That sounds a lot like a piece of debris got dislodged and stuck somewhere, either in the valve, or in the reservoir as @rScotty suggested. A not uncommon thing to happen after being trailered in my experience, and not just for tractors. All the best, Peter

I think many of us contemplated it, usually before using it, but once I used the system (and my $0.02 is to keep both feet on both pedals at all times), I would not contemplate changing it. The way the other controls are laid out gives your hands plenty of things to do. For the sort of work that...

Due to the toxicity of chromium (e.g. Erin Brokovich...), it was phased out in pressure treatments for residential use in 2004. So in theory, CCA should no longer be available. For the rest of the copper treatments, I think it mostly comes down to how much copper is being put in, and whether all...

I'm glad that your pressure treated round posts are well treated, but that isn't the case here by a long shot. I think that your points about keeping the post dry are well taken, and align well with my experience. I've thought about putting tar on the top 18" of the buried post, but haven't...

I haven't ever done this, but I have to ask; have you ever done this before? Are you planning on capping all of the roof vents? (Generally, one per sink, shower, washing machine...) It just seems like a big flow mismatch between a capped drain system and a vacuum. I'm also visualizing lots of...

Yes, good point. Two business days after the day of the call is the target for 811 in every area that I have lived in. However, the onus is on the excavator to get responses from power, gas, water, telco, cable, etc., before digging. Just because there isn't a response, is not a "Go". Depending...

I think that getting the pipes wires traced and marked is likely to be worth whatever it costs...an ounce of prevention and all that. I found a used wire tracer for cheap and it was worth every penny to me, as the buried feeds to my outbuildings didn't go where I thought they would go, they...

Those are one of my favorite squirrel species. I like the long ear tufts! All the best, Peter

Not many of us have this particular model, but that doesn't mean we aren't interested, or at least I am. But my trencher isn't a DitchWhich. Good luck on the rebuild. All the best, Peter

@shock Baking soda won't help you. A couple of thoughts, preceded by a question; where is the cottage roughly? Does the cottage water have much sulfate in it by chance? First find a way to seal your tank lid, or get someone to do it for you. If the outlet is open, it could be possible for...

Which brand/model does your father have and like? All the best, Peter

@Harry in Ky some earbuds can Bluetooth to your streaming device, and you can program the volume/tone/balance to help you out. Some even have modes to favor speech. e.g. Wireless earbuds can actually help you hear conversations better But first, you might want to check that your streaming...

What's the relative cost of propane and electricity for you? Your pole barn might benefit from a heat pump if you are out there frequently, or could use the cooling in the summertime. +1 on @groundcover's comments on insulation. Get more insulation than you think you want. It is the gift that...

Oil stem gets replaced on a regular basis due to metal fatigue. For those who live close to oil fields, drill stem is basically scrap pricing, and given the general remoteness of oil fields relative to foundries, can be quite cheap, often as cheap or cheaper than wood. I think it isn't that...

I think that there is a difference between ground squirrels in different areas. For instance our local California ground squirrel is 10oz to 2lbs, and forms large colonies, like it's more eastern relatives, prairie dogs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_ground_squirrel Often chipmunks...

I really liked the Gempler's brown muck boots; good traction and great at shedding our sticky clay. They used to last me a couple of years a pair. I think that their replacements aren't as nearly good, as they don't shed clay as well, and the traction was much worse, plus they wore through on...

I use a pressure washer and one of the sewer jet, like this one; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BNHMKRR But mostly I try to settle / screen debris out first. All the best, Peter

Great post! That's what I do, too. (It took me longer than I really care to admit to work that out. I grew up doing barbed wire fencing.) Works like a champ. And x2 on the use of screw clamps over the wimpy little squeeze clamps. I use two spacers, one at each end, because I am the only person...

Those setups were used for two reasons that I am aware of; 1) vent air into the pipe to the well reduced the chances of the pipe to the well freezing and breaking, and 2) the Schrader valve allowed air in, not all of which came back out, thereby putting air in the pressure tank and keeping the...

Or a blown trailer tire on its rim... Or ⚡... Or 🕯️. We just had one of those. Five ignition points on both sides of the road over a mile and a half. We spotted the fires within minutes of ignition, and the fire crews were on it quickly. The first chopper was dumping water within ten to...

I much prefer to use a solid item, securely anchored, and I mean really securely anchored, perpendicular to the water flow 3-8' before the culvert. However, expect the water to spread as it hits the bar, so make sure that the bar is sufficiently wide not to be eroded around, and strong enough to...

Neither did I until I saw a pair. I was driving a remote road around 4:00am and saw two large white spotted cats by the side of the road. I knew that they were felines of some sort, but that was it. Later that day I was talking with a long time resident (80ish?) and she said she had never seen a...

I did not see that animal myself, and I could be wrong, but I think that it is a juvenile mountain. Juveniles have lots of spots and stripes that go away as the juveniles grow up. I think I can see the remnants of the black spot on the side of the nose. Here's a photo of a juvenile here...

It's called a post driver. PT makes one and it is awesome. If you are in rocky soil, it can help to predrive a 2-3" metal rod and then pull that out to put the post in. Some folks bevel the bottom of the post, but in my heavy clay soil, I haven't bothered. Once I get going I can do a post in 2-3...

We see both cats here, several times a year. Bobcats, even when hunting don't look like the black and white photo. The movement, and their way of holding their bodies and body build is much, much different. Cougars or mountain lions are beefy, stocky animals. Just my opinion, but I've seen a...

Plus if they don't maintain it, their right of way can be in jeopardy...

I know hedge laying rather well. However, the climate here, where it is there is almost no rain for six months from April to October isn't exactly favorable, and with a total rainfall in the 250-300mm range, so hedges don't exactly thrive. Other parts of California are more favorable. I think...

Short answer is water velocity and how the speed greatly affects the amount of sediment that can be carried. When the water is shallow, and moving quickly, the sediment load varies at somewhere between the velocity to the fourth and sixth power. However, once there is a barrier, e.g. your...

With horses, I would use 2x6" boards, but I guess it depends a little on the personalities of the horses. I would also consider putting the fence 6-8' down the slope from the trees to keep horses from eroding the soil over at least some of the roots. All the best, Peter

Yes, you are right NEM 3.0 makes only solar installation break even for homeowners quite difficult on a purely economic analysis, especially with the cost of capital being what it is. Storage can help. (But only some in my view.) Given the utility's ability to add fees like "meter fees" fairly...

Unless I knew a lot about how the culvert was installed, and what condition it was currently in, I wouldn't do that. Leaving a chain in is just asking for extra wear and corrosion in my book. All the best, Peter

As far as I know, there is not a storage requirement around here in Northern California (PG&E), nor in LA (LADPW), nor San Diego (SDE & SDGE), and that covers 85% of the power market in California. Do you have a reference? That said, given the low generation prices ($0.02-0.07) to some newer...

If I am removing mildew for painting preparation, I use bleach plus TSP (preferred) and /or washing soda. However, it is very corrosive, so I think that protective equipment is vital, especially skin and eyewear protection. Mildew is hard to kill, and can grow under paints, especially those...

Got any staple forming tricks? All the best, Peter

The Australian megapack deployments are for time shifting solar to make the grid more reliable. They absorb solar power 10-3 and then act as peaker plants to support the grid 4-10pm. https://electrek.co/2023/06/20/tesla-megapack-2xl-power-new-giant-neoen-battery-project/ (877MWh of capacity)...

I am really impressed that you can mow over your irrigation lines. I haven't had such great luck mowing around the drip lines. All the best, Peter

Your design and fabrication turned out very well, I think. (y)(y) Do you know the hydraulic HP (flow x pressure) available on your machine? It might give you some insights on the log splitter cycle. (I love your shop; lots of items to be out to use and seemingly well organized.) All the best...

I would think about side stepping the inspector by using metal drain that then connects via a gasketed slip fitting to the ABS pipe, making things code compliant. Interesting article, complete with glue testing on ABS, PVC pipes and glues, and the ins and outs of the code for anyone interested...

I don't know of any in the US, either. A relative is doing that overseas. His company specializes in alternative energy supplies. For places like say islands, solar, plus battery, plus a generator makes for a robust power subsystem, typically with a much lower cost per kWh, due to the high...

+1 on the right cats. Not many will/can take on ground squirrels. Ferrets anyone? We use tube traps from Wildlife Control Services. They aren't cheap, but they are very durable, and the squirrels love to run in them. Once each. https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/TUBE001-1.html All...

Didn't Charlie Iliff (@Charlie_Iliff) fabricate a vertical sickle bar hedge trimmer for keeping his trails from being overgrown? All the best, Peter

Have you looked into solar systems with export limits? Some California utilities are ok with larger solar systems if the maximum export is capped. All the best, Peter

A lot depends on fast the driver notices the low oil pressure light... All the best, Peter

These squirrel control traps work really well for me; https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/TUBE001-1.html The traps are very durable, and the squirrels can't seem to resist running through them. I put them on the ground or on a horizontal branch. All the best, Peter

Yes, I think that the low hour change interval comes of not having other filtration in the circuits for most of the machines. The suction filter isn't particularly fine, and if it were to collapse, the drive pump would probably not be in good shape... All the best, Peter

@CalG Sorry that you missed out on your plums! Raccoons have stripped our plum in a single night. Between the jays, tree rats, and raccoons, we have had to go netting surrounded by electric net fencing. All the best, Peter

Have you considered having a plumber run a camera down with a locator? You could at least map the system, and that might set you up for bringing it to compliance... All the best, Peter

Good luck! All the best, Peter

@WinterDeere, yes, I do know that there are a few species around. I would file the ones here in the generally "shoot first and ask questions later" category. I believe them to be the Western (aka Eastern) Yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica. However, there are the German ones around (V...

I actually don't mind having them around, and I' quite allergic. They go their way, and I go mine. The yellow jackets really help clean up the area. They will strip a squirrel carcass in six hours or so. It is pretty amazing at how quick they are. The slow bit is getting under the skin, and...