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  1. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    That sounds like progress! I would have a listen at the pump as well, just in case. All the best, Peter
  2. ponytug

    Good spirits and divine blessings

    Wow!
  3. ponytug

    PT 1445 first hydraulic filter change?

    My tractor came with one. I would be quite surprised if yours didn't. Could it be in the engine compartment? It has a SAE/JIC female flare swivel fitting on one end (3/8?) and an unterminated hose on the other end. (If yours turns out to be in the compartment, I would give it a really, really...
  4. ponytug

    Buying ammo. Take inventory first!!

    That's a pretty sweet fringe benefit.
  5. ponytug

    2001 PT425 Kohler CH25 Oil Leak - Pull The Engine

    I'm impressed! Since LEDs use so much less power, I converted the one rear light into two, using short height wide lamps, with the beams set to point/flare well to the left and right. I love the LEDs as they illuminate so much better than stock. I also cut the mesh out to not obstruct the...
  6. ponytug

    PT 1445 first hydraulic filter change?

    I use high strength magnets and put them on the outside of the filter. You can get special made magnetic filter wraps that probably work even better. A few other tips on the suction filter change; one, I put a leftover plastic food tray below the filter before I start to catch drips, and then I...
  7. ponytug

    Fence Chargers

    +1 on Premier1. We have done business with them for a long time. Our chargers are strong enough to burn off the weeds here, but that's a YMMV item. Raccoons tend to climb, and we have used Premier1's 72 inch netting against them very effectively. If you get skunks, I would think about a wire...
  8. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    @Modrob I find that end of life decisions are always a challenge. I have trouble making peace with there being no right answers sometimes. Good luck! All the best, Peter
  9. ponytug

    PT 1445 first hydraulic filter change?

    The 50 hour service is just a new hydraulic filter, and bleeding of the charge pump. The procedure is in the manual. You need to hook the bleeder hose to the bleed port on the variable volume pump, and put the other end in the tank, uncouple the engine electrical connector (left rear of the...
  10. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    I'd start with Terry. He is very nice and helpful. I do not think that he is going to up sell you a new tractor. He has been very helpful in helping me get through a few issues with my tractor, which isn't a spring chicken, and it gets used almost daily, but it is by no means the hardest used...
  11. ponytug

    2001 PT425 Kohler CH25 Oil Leak - Pull The Engine

    Congratulations! That must feel great. All the best, Peter
  12. ponytug

    Stone Boat

    @gemutlich what is the ballast on top of the oak? All the best, Peter
  13. ponytug

    Ceramic Tile vs Laminate Vinyl Flooring

    I agree, but if it were me, I would still put down a fiberglass reinforcement on a concrete surface to keep any future cracks in the concrete from cracking tiles. It cuts down on tile breakage. All the best, Peter
  14. ponytug

    Ceramic Tile vs Laminate Vinyl Flooring

    We are out and about on the ranch constantly. To cut down on dirt and grit in the house, we have a large (3x6') industrial outdoor floor mat / rug just inside the main door to help catch sand and gravel from everyone's feet, human and otherwise (large dogs). It is easy to vacuum and hose off...
  15. ponytug

    $300,000 pet goat settlement

    I don't have a goat in this race, though I agree that the coverage seems to suggest that there were a number of missed opportunities and lessons. (I've been watching the news on it since shortly after it started.) One thing that does stand out to me as a livestock owner in a highly urban state...
  16. ponytug

    Ceramic Tile vs Laminate Vinyl Flooring

    While I don't mind padded vinyl/linoleum flooring for its walking comfort, and cleanliness, I think tile is much more durable, and will stand up to general wear and tear. I would buy extra tile for that occasion when something dumb happens like when some guest drops a cast iron pan on the floor...
  17. ponytug

    How stupid is this?

    Good point, though @NorTracNY's suggested tool is larger than it might appear. It is of a series of boulders at a famous closed mine in Southern California; As the boulders are placed by human's, I am not sure that they qualify as an "erratic". The rock looks to be at least 3'x3'x3' compared...
  18. ponytug

    EV owners of today and tomorrow

    You know that is an air compressor, on a European vehicle, with the image reversed right? 🙄
  19. ponytug

    How stupid is this?

    Nice photo!
  20. ponytug

    Solar powered cabin. (thumbs up)

    What is your electricity cost per kWh? It seems to me that whether you need another meter and panel depends on lots of details, but if you are tapped out on a 200A service, and you need more power, something has to be changed. Upgrading your service to 400A may or may not be pricey, depending...
  21. ponytug

    Easy way to install the wheels on the generator.

    Are you suggesting he got shafted?
  22. ponytug

    Heating 12 by 20 Insulated Shed

    @WVH1977 I'm not a fan of non-vented combustion heat in enclosed spaces, but that may just be me. There are the partially burned fuel residues, the carbon monoxide and dioxide, and all the water from burning the fuel. I'd rather seal and insulate the space and then use something simple like oil...
  23. ponytug

    Shop Air Compressor Maintenance Question

    I confess to adding the 1/4 turn on the bottom of the tank by feel. 90 degree elbow to some 1/8 copper tubing to the valve connected to the "muffler", which I surrounded by some larger PVC pipe because it was so darn loud. FWIW: I had a compressor motor control switch with a small pinhole leak...
  24. ponytug

    Shop Air Compressor Maintenance Question

    I store smaller compressors with the screw in type drain valves open. If I forget to close it before starting, the air leak will always remind me. The holes are too small for wasps or insects. For compressors with 1/8NPT drains and larger, I install air mufflers / silencers downstream of a 1/4...
  25. ponytug

    No rain.

    And in dry soils, frost depths can be much deeper than historic norms. We had a very dry fall on year, and the frost line went from 3' to 11' and that depth caused trouble with municipal water lines that were 8-10' under the streets. Just something to watch for. All the best, Peter
  26. ponytug

    You ever know how bad a wind storm will be in Oregon.

    I'm a little confused here. I understand the wind protection from a ridge, but wouldn't being on the southern side of a mountain ridge maximize your sunlight, unlike being on the northern (south facing) side of a ridge? Are there other ridges to the south that also block sunlight. All the best...
  27. ponytug

    Starlink

    Sorry that things are so destroyed. It was a big event. I love can do stories. Nice job! All the best, Peter
  28. ponytug

    Easy way to install the wheels on the generator.

    I put an inline shutoff valve on mine to be able to easily run the carburetors dry after use. Rebuilding or replacing carburetors isn't my favorite activity. All the best, Peter
  29. ponytug

    Massachusetts General Hospital room rates in 1988.

    Wow! Lucky you to have gotten the transplant and you are here today. Congratulations! All the best, Peter
  30. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    (y)(y) For critical loads, that's what I have always done. Enough UPS systems with the power and capacity to run the full load for ten minutes (aka as 20 min) to give the generators enough time to power up, warm up, and stabilize before the load was transferred. It helps the equipment under...
  31. ponytug

    Looking for recommendations for household frig

    FWIW: The issue seems to start pre-2020; https://www.classaction.org/lg-refrigerator-linear-compressor-failure-lawsuits As far as I can tell, LG made an evaporator from tubing that was prone to corrosion and that as a result debris moved through the system and air was ingested, resulting in...
  32. ponytug

    Now what's broke?

    I had an uncle that would never eat at a restaurant that was empty. He felt it meant that the food was bad. I wonder if the same applies to dealership service departments? ;)
  33. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    @jk96 congratulations! That's progress, and definitely falls into the can't hurt department. Good luck! All the best, Peter
  34. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    :ROFLMAO: Cat makes great paint, so you really can't go wrong there! Let us know if you decide to upgrade the engine to a 3408 and matching wheel motors.;) I will get the popcorn going. All the best, Peter
  35. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    @Modrob Once I had ruled out the obvious items like a loose filter, if I were that close to Tazewell, I would load it up and drive it over, and let them have a look see about what might need fixing. After checking the things above, I would first give Terry in the service department at PT a call...
  36. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    @jk96 just a thought, but given the lay of the land around the pond, it seems like there would be the possibility of enlarging the drainage a bit by having some low slope swales capturing some run off on the slopes above the dam, but downstream of the dam face. I think that @EddieWalker makes a...
  37. ponytug

    Now what's broke?

    Or, on the bright side, some kid will buy it at auction, fix the $19 part that is really the problem, and have a working car. I have a stack of stories that amount to dealers not being able to diagnose the underlying problem. I had a dealership tell me that I had a $6,000 issue that turned out...
  38. ponytug

    Addicted to Amazon

    Whenever I get one of those, I turn it over to Amazon, as I think bribing folks for a review is like pissing in the well. Yes, I mostly read just the negative reviews, but lately, I seem to have hit a string of reviews by folks who don't know how to turn on the gizmo and declare it broken, or...
  39. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    FWIW: I have the ingersoll sls-3l and it has worked well for me for 15+ years. It just runs and runs. I use the air mostly for blowing out the oil coolers on for Deutz and PT hydraulics, and some impact tools and a fair amount of die grinder usage. I also use it for plasma cutting, with some...
  40. ponytug

    Addicted to Amazon

    My do list is long enough for me to move on to the next couple of projects most of the time, though I admit sometimes parts arrive and I have to remind myself which project they were intended for...
  41. ponytug

    Addicted to Amazon

    FWIW: I have three HD stores within half an hour, and while the stocking locally seems and quality varies slightly, it only varies slightly. These aren't the lumber hardware stores that I am used to. There's a Lowe's forty minutes away, slightly better, but I still struggle with the fastener...
  42. ponytug

    How many of you guys here really, really enjoy cooking and planning meals?

    Recipe? We use crust based on flaxseed meal and egg whites. And no, not better than a yeast based heat dough, but it does make a gluten free pizza. All the best, Peter
  43. ponytug

    Rain

    Where are you located? (You might want to update your profile...) All the best, Peter
  44. ponytug

    Addicted to Amazon

    Hmmm...I try to buy from my local stores, but I find it can be an exercise in frustration, as the stocking locally seems to be pretty thin in all of them. Recent examples include the local big hardware store; no caulk other than white and black, no flexible tubing, and no mortar, while the local...
  45. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    The bubbles might be from a leak in the suction line to the charge pump, often at the suction filter, as you have found out. There is also the possibility that another wheel motor hose is slightly open, though the fact it happens in forward and reverse makes me think it is a motor or pump issue...
  46. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    So you are saying that they got so fired up by the volcanoes that they got iced? Hmmm...
  47. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    FWIW: I see the same collection of symbols and numbers as @MossRoad.
  48. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    That looks like a hydraulic direction control treadle, so no cable. All the best, Peter
  49. ponytug

    2001 PT425 Kohler CH25 Oil Leak - Pull The Engine

    Hmmm... I am used to the rubber spiders being the same size as the couplers. I doubt that it matters. That is super nice of PT to cross drill and pin the coupler! That saves a bunch of fiddling around. I wish that there was an access port to check on the state of the rubber spider. It is a...
  50. ponytug

    425 wheel motor(s) problem?

    Possibly. A couple of questions: When did the issue start to the best of your recollection? Any particular things stand out about when it started? E.g. post service, mowing, ...? Do you see any bubbles in the hydraulic tank after the machine has been running for a few minutes? How is your...
  51. ponytug

    Beekeeping

    I'm envious of your productivity! Do you have photos of the wool pillows? All the best, Peter
  52. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Many (most?) automatic transfer switches have the ability to have warm up and cool down timers on the load transfer. For some reason, lots of folks skip the warm up in favor of an immediate transfer, but that doesn't make it good for the generator. Same for cool down. Most of the bigger...
  53. ponytug

    How many of you guys here really, really enjoy cooking and planning meals?

    🤣 That comment brings back memories! My dad was an avid whole wheat sourdough baker, and developed a strain of sourdough that was mouth puckeringly sour. He was also the prime consumer. His other mainstay was a made home made yogurt, also lemon juice sour. After I left home, I haven't had any...
  54. ponytug

    2001 PT425 Kohler CH25 Oil Leak - Pull The Engine

    @MossRoad thanks for the detailed post and great photos. I find it very interesting to see the design/construction of your 425! What kind of straps did you use under the engine? All the best, Peter
  55. ponytug

    Now what's broke?

    Fuel solenoid for the tractor, tree trimming and chipping, and before that the full cycle of fluids for the vehicles, just like you. Fixing an oil leak that the dealer couldn't find.:mad: Along the way, re-caulking a bathroom, fixing our fire hydrant and piping, dealing with a wildfire caused...
  56. ponytug

    Cataracts and other visual concerns!

    Wow! Having to close one eye to read a highway sign seems to me more than bit beyond "you don't need it yet". Some doctors don't hear very well; a patient tells them that their life is significantly impaired and the answer is per an organizational guideline. Grrr. In fact, double Grrr...
  57. ponytug

    How many of you guys here really, really enjoy cooking and planning meals?

    Looks yummy! Any recipe tips (brine, spices etc.)? @JasperFrank sorryy to hear about your partner's narrowed tastes. I would find it hard, too. It sounds a bit like orthorexia. All the best, Peter
  58. ponytug

    Refrigerator in garage.....

    FWIW: I have had cans and bottles freeze in garage refrigerators. So, I wouldn't leave anything in it over the winter, and I certainly wouldn't rely on the freezer portion to stay frozen. I have to admit that personally I'm on @dodge man's page. $20+/mo to save me a walk back to the house seems...
  59. ponytug

    PTO generator/volts vs hertz

    A neighbor down the road has a well with the water table over 700' deep, that's 300+psi at the pump, and starting that is not a small amount of power. Voltage matters, but so does how long the voltage is out of specification. One cycle, not usually an issue, and 30 seconds is a very different...
  60. ponytug

    PTO generator/volts vs hertz

    I am glad that it works for you now. I would check with Winco if you want more volts; their manuals don't include voltage adjustments as far as I know. Their generator voltage regulation seems to be a fixed voltage/Hz system. All the best, Peter
  61. ponytug

    Stone Boat

    "Son, it needs doing." End of story for a farm kid, at least in my experience... I think of it as one of those "build the pyramids" jobs, but I think that you start in one corner, and rock, by rock you make your way through the field. I'm sure that the rock picking happened many times over many...
  62. ponytug

    Looking for recommendations for household frig

    +1 for Amana in the "French door" style. We have two in the family that are an average age of 20 years, with no issues (knock on wood!), but the trouble with that is that are for fridges made many moons ago. I have no idea what the current quality is, or isn't. I would never do a side by side...
  63. ponytug

    How many of you guys here really, really enjoy cooking and planning meals?

    Do you have dairy? Milk? Cheese? Just curious. There seem to be quite a few people who have had immune related diseases (pre-diabetes, arthritis, asthma) improve on low carbohydrate diets, so you aren't alone. All the best, Peter
  64. ponytug

    Starlink

    I have lots of high capacity fiber in the road, but it is private fiber optic, so no benefit to us. I keep hoping that some of that broadband money will flow here, but I really doubt that it will happen. All the best, Peter
  65. ponytug

    Starlink

    It is closer to 1 bar here, so I know that external antennas are going to be critical to making it work. While I have great line of sight to the tower, the distance itself will slow the data rate. We will see...Starlink is great; I just am a little nervous not having a backup, just in case...
  66. ponytug

    Cataracts and other visual concerns!

    Yes, I know that I will need it at some point, but I'm not looking forward to it. The potential for imperfect vision is not zero. I will try for patient #3 or #4...;) All the best, Peter
  67. ponytug

    Replaced a section of sill on my daughter's 1800's built house.

    Yes, it is hard to look at an existing house and have the fortitude and cash to bulldoze it and start over, but sometimes it really is the best decision. @CalG Congratulations! That's tough work, in my book, and in my book at least, definitely not one of the glory jobs in home rebuilding...
  68. ponytug

    Wheels for Ym 169(d)

    Welcome to TBN! Is that you don't know if you have R1/R4 or that you do not know what you want to get? What do you plan to use the tractor for? (R1 is the classic deep lug tractor tire, R3 is turf) Are your current rims shot, or possibly repairable? All the best, Peter
  69. ponytug

    Cataracts and other visual concerns!

    That sounds like such a well oiled, and well run system. All the best, Peter
  70. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Our utility is sufficiently unreliable that we have the whole catastrophe; solar, batteries, generators. The nice thing about batteries, even for commercial deployments is that they pick up the load in a fraction of a second, supplies the essential power on while the generators starts and warms...
  71. ponytug

    PTO generator/volts vs hertz

    One point about the legs. US split phase has two hots and a neutral. Hot to hot should be close to 240VAC, perhaps a bit above if you have a long cord to the house to get 240 in the house. Depending on the generator, it may or may not have a great ability to keep the hot to hot at 240 and...
  72. ponytug

    Starlink

    @ning, thanks for that link and hack! An earlier version of the cube brought two antenna ports out. Around here, I would probably need a quad amplifier, but it might be worth trying. All the best, Peter
  73. ponytug

    Wheels for Ym 169(d)

    Rims? Tires? Front? Rear? Both? Details would help. If you update your location, folks might have some local recommendations, depending on where you are. All the best, Peter
  74. ponytug

    More than a week without a post?

    Ouch! Best of luck with the surgery and rehab. I hope that you find a great PT. All the best, Peter
  75. ponytug

    A timber frame cabin memoir

    @caver what is an Asian beetle in your neck of the woods? Color me curious... I love the house build. All the best, Peter
  76. ponytug

    How many of you guys here really, really enjoy cooking and planning meals?

    Me, too, but I just love to cook, try new recipes, and improvise. I think that the "The Food Lab" book is a pretty amazing combination of recipes and food science. After trying his chili recipe that adds whiskey just before serving, I now always add a shot. I think that the whiskey makes an...
  77. ponytug

    Replaced Fuel Tank

    Actually, that's a great idea, but I might do it with a twist. I can probably heat up a 3/8" plate and get it conformed to the curves and then bolt it in place after it cools. More ideas to ruminate on. I might be able to plastic weld a brace across the rib. Hmmm... All the best, Peter
  78. ponytug

    Stone Boat

    Small world, I know the park and the area. ;) Lots of glacial moraines and deposits thereabouts. My assumption had always been that the boulders had been rolled into place, and I would have put money on it being a winter job when the ground was frozen. There were reports of ice "roads" in the...
  79. ponytug

    Replaced Fuel Tank

    Good idea! The crack is on two intersecting curves, well a col /saddle, but not an impossible shape to fabricate, especially with a rubber seal underneath. The crack is near the top of a cylindrical tank with round top shoulder, at a U-shaped reinforcing rib. The compound curves is why I...
  80. ponytug

    Stone Boat

    I just look at stone fences and piles of stones like that and find the amount of work just staggering. I can imagine the whole family of kids fanning out in the field and tossing stones on to the stone boats, round and round. Sometimes, I think big jobs are best done one pebble at a time. You...
  81. ponytug

    My PT 1430 journey of resurrection

    Looking good! What is that tire size? It looks very wide, compared to what other models have, and as if it would give your units a really great stability on slopes. All the best, Peter
  82. ponytug

    More than a week without a post?

    Snow? Around here, I successfully replaced my fuel shutoff solenoid on the Deutz F3L2011. If there is a great way to get a dead solenoid out, I am all ears on what the technique might be. I spent literally two hours jiggling, turning, rattling, twisty, and just generally yanking and pulling on...
  83. ponytug

    Starlink

    It depends. I think the latest version of the antenna is now down to Ethernet size, e.g. about 1/2". The older ones were 3/4", as @lincmercguy notes, but to be honest, I treat Ethernet cable very, very gently, and I would use the 3/4"/19mm hole size, and make sure that you never, not once, bend...
  84. ponytug

    Best hunter cam to catch thieves?

    This is why I recommend the Reconyx products. Getting the positioning optimized for plates does take some trial and error, but ours has pulled in plates from vehicles going 40mph (+/-, no radar gun here). The first day I had it out, the camera captured the plate of a pickup and the pickup...
  85. ponytug

    Need a recommendation: log splitters

    Nice looking barn! How old is it? (Really nice splitter!) All the best, Peter
  86. ponytug

    No water after planned power outage

    Tapping a pipe and having things get better to me is a sign of either blockages into the pressure switch or a dying switch. I have seen something similar a few times. Once it was that the pipe to the pressure switch had corroded almost shut. Tapping it broke something free. Two other times...
  87. ponytug

    Best hunter cam to catch thieves?

    Point taken: you get what you pay for. If someone wants license plates, I think a license plate camera is needed. All the best, Peter
  88. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    @paulsharvey I had read some utility document a while back (2004-ish, but the document wasn't new then.) that underground lines had a 50 year lifespan, and overhead wires were 75 years. (I was pricing out the probably cost to run underground wire up to a lot that we were thinking of buying. ($$$...
  89. ponytug

    Cataracts and other visual concerns!

    @aryla Best of luck and success with the operation(s)! All the best, Peter
  90. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    I gather that the Baxter is much worse than that from my wife who was speaking with Baxter representatives last week. They were predicting years to get back to full production use to contamination from flooding. Imports will help, but aren't a full solution. All the best, Peter
  91. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Yes, you are right it does exempt propane. I think that the intent of the act is really focused materials that could leak and cause environmental issues. So, a large buried propane tank would be pretty safe in the face of wildfire, with no permits needed. All the best, Peter
  92. ponytug

    Electric fence advice

    The number of joules needed has a lot to do with the lack of resistance of the wire or tape. Heavier wire will work better, copper wire works a lot better, and stainless is ok. We use a braid of polyethylene, stainless and tinned copper. Copper is nearly a thousand times more conductive than...
  93. ponytug

    Best hunter cam to catch thieves?

    Try Reconyx, especially if you have cellular. Annual subscription is $60+ to $120/camera I think. The higher cost plan includes some insurance against camera theft. https://www.reconyx.com/product/Security_Series All the best, Peter
  94. ponytug

    John Deere spending $2 billion in US

    @RSKY Here's an article that fact checks the John Deere statement above, and includes a statement about the lack of veracity of the $2 billion dollar claim from John Deere itself. You might want to read some other sources of information...
  95. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Around here summer gas is tweaked to lower the vapor pressure and winter gas has additional oxygenates. That's pretty much the case in any area in the US under air quality regulations.
  96. ponytug

    Electric fence advice

    @beowulf thanks for the follow up! All the best, Peter
  97. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    I do not think it is weird; I do think that what passes for home heating oil varies by location, just as gasoline blends vary by geography, brand, and season. I would point out that it gets just a wee bit colder where @grsthegreat is than where @LouNY is and that may have something to do with...
  98. ponytug

    No water after planned power outage

    Congratulations! FWIW: The low pressure cutout is to keep the pump from burning out if there isn't water for some reason. Aren't the folks here great? All the best, Peter
  99. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Propane might survive a wildfire if it is in a well cleared area, and preferably buried. The Paradise, CA fire had lots of reports of propane tanks exploding. (The state now requires 10' clearance to dirt around the tanks) Defensible Space | CAL FIRE Our county wants 20'. Yes, I wouldn't want...
  100. ponytug

    John Deere spending $2 billion in US

    Yes, I think links are needed for your credibility. If you make an assertion, and someone calls you on the details, reliable links are important.
  101. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    I've been across more than a few made of grass and renewed annually, but humans and pack animals only. Most folks focus on the bridge part, but more often than not, the abutments (supports) for the bridge get glossed over, yet are a key component for strength. Have you ever read any of the...
  102. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    I agree that a super sack on a slope would definitely be "tricky". Can you rent/make a super sack stand that would let you fill your bucket from the sack? I wouldn't want to be using a super sack on a slope for the tip over risks. All the best, Peter
  103. ponytug

    Air Compressor.... which one?

    I routinely look at the details pump construction (cast iron vs aluminum), valves (especially the in field durability as all reed valves are not created equal), and definitely compressor speed. Not mentioned so far are scroll compressors (but not cheap!). However to @Richard's needs, I would...
  104. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    I'm sure that working the bentonite in is a better way. I have read of a usage that spreads bentonite in the pond and allows the bentonite to be settle down and be sucked into the pores, sealing the pond. I have zero experience doing that. All the best, Peter
  105. ponytug

    Yanmar 2500 frankensteined

    "Built Yanmar tough". I think that Yanmar tractors were designed to be used and perhaps overused in lots of low resource settings. The old Timex tagline comes to mind, too. Congratulations on getting the hoses worked out! All the best, Peter
  106. ponytug

    Air Compressor.... which one?

    I have an Ingersoll 3HP 60 gallon that works well for me. (SLS-3?) Found it on sale for 30% off, free shipping. Unless you do a lot of spraying, I would not go too large on the air compressor, and put some of the budget toward replacing your air grinders with corded electric grinders. A few...
  107. ponytug

    Rant on shipping

    Our video tags tend to be in the middle of the night as well. I think we have had both the sheriff and the postal inspector. We both live in proximity to areas with, shall we say, low respect for laws. That apparently most of our identified thieves were from elsewhere a longish distance away...
  108. ponytug

    Rant on shipping

    @ultrarunner I can't speak for all of California, but around here both the USPS and law enforcement take mail theft very seriously. We've had our mailboxes finger printed more than once, and once the fingerprinting at least allowed an ID of a perpetrator, and a neighbor's video has resulted in...
  109. ponytug

    Pics from the stand

    I don't know Eddie. It seems pretty rational to me. Strong selective breeding pressure over years, changing their average behavior. Bucks not getting the message are eliminated from the gene pool. We've had close to 125 years of hunting regulations in the US. That's a few breeding cycles. All...
  110. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    Yup. Haven't changed much.
  111. ponytug

    Pics from the stand

    I think that predation has a lot to do with the size of deer around here. Locally, it has been studied in great detail, complete with population demographics and genetic analyses. Towards the coast locally, there are fewer mountain lions as the terrain is not conducive to very many mountain...
  112. ponytug

    Punkin chunkin time

    I don't think that you can do that. If you do that, it isn't pumpkin any more, it is squash(ed)!;)
  113. ponytug

    Wild Edible Plants

    I think that about more than a few foods, too. Ferns, cashews, persimmons, acorns, rhubarb, puffer fish...makes me wonder how many more items are out there that our ancestors knew how to harvest and prepare safely. Like who ate, and then bred up from some fairly plant toxic to get a tomato? All...
  114. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    I agree propane has a number of positives, but as @LouNY points out there are drawbacks. E.g. Around here, you would probably never get a refueling during an outage. I think if there were "One" fuel, we would not have the diversity of solutions for electrical backup that exist today. I think...
  115. ponytug

    Rant on shipping

    Yikes! I don't know what leaked on it, but it seems to me that a yellow residue isn't Windex. Is it waxy? I hope that your passport turns out to be ok. All the best, Peter
  116. ponytug

    Ever try these?

    @ning, that video is priceless. That it is on the company's website is just ROTFLOL. :ROFLMAO: Others here I believe have put bait on their electric fence/netting to teach avoidance. @dj1701 I don't see how those units are going to be effective. They are too short for one, and not close...
  117. ponytug

    Beekeeping

    I have often used a 50/50 mix of shellac and linseed oil. Gorgeous, but it benefits from many, many coats. I'm not sure that I would use it on a workbench. All the best, Peter
  118. ponytug

    Beekeeping

    I noticed. Gorgeous! What coating did you put on it? I also noticed how pristine the top is. 😀 All the best, Peter
  119. ponytug

    Beekeeping

    Gorgeous! (And I love the work table) All the best, Peter
  120. ponytug

    Time to check out the generator.

    @grsthegreat PSPS events happen when the utility is concerned that the wind is likely either to bring wires down and cause fires, or that branches will be blown into wires causing arcing and fires. They have gone bankrupt more than once in recent history. Moreover, the fire liabilities are...
  121. ponytug

    Punkin chunkin time

    What does an 8" display shell weigh? I wonder if you might need something like a sabot to stabilize the pumpkin at launch...though where it lands, or the pieces land, would be my concern. The larger pumpkin catapults get some serious distance, so, yes, probably in that range (4,000'+ lateral...
  122. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    County agent? I think a bunch of factors can go into it, including how new the pond is, soil permeability, sun & wind exposure, local water table, drainage distance to trees, etc. Somebody who has experience with ponds in your local conditions probably has a much better idea. Armchair...
  123. ponytug

    Wild Edible Plants

    Cracking them may be pain, but I remember butternut sugar cookies as just amazing. IIRC, the drying out really helped get the nut halves out intact. There was a tree down the road, and nobody else in the neighborhood could be bothered to collect them. Great memories! All the best, Peter
  124. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    Yeah, it took me years to find them. When I have asized employees lately, mostly they pull out their inventory gizmo and check on the web for the aisle and bin number. I've quit asking. Paraphrasing Johnson; Two kinds of knowledge, that which you know, and that which you know where to look up...
  125. ponytug

    Anyone had a snake bite?

    Thanks! I missed that. BTW: the name of the drug is Crofab, and is a mix of antibodies from sheep to venoms from Mohave, copper mouth and two species of diamondback rattlesnakes. All the best, Peter
  126. ponytug

    Punkin chunkin time

    I have an acquaintance who has a trebuchet specifically for hurling pumpkins at his pumpkin patch. Apparently, it makes for a big draw, pun intended. How did he end up with a trebuchet you ask? He bought it off of Amazon. (Just kidding!) He had a neighbor who decided it would be a fun, albeit...
  127. ponytug

    Anyone had a snake bite?

    Probably not. Look at the last band at the rattle. I have read descriptions that if the last band is yellow, or mostly yellow, and the rest of the description matches, it is probably a Mohave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_scutulatus Note the text from above "...There is no single...
  128. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    Often with clay, if it dries a little, it can be tough to rehydrate and compact. Sometimes you have to let the clay get bone dry, then start the compaction/resetting cycle. The type of clay, and pH has a lot to do with it. Red vs yellow vs grey can be almost the same clay with the trace iron in...
  129. ponytug

    Wild Edible Plants

    After the usual washing, hulling, and drying, and if you are willing to sacrifice a pot, boiling black walnuts keeps the nut meat in bigger pieces, and makes them easier to shell, but be forewarned that the liquid from the hulls makes a great fabric dye. I know of decompression shellers, but I...
  130. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    You are welcome. For the record, I did not include a link to miniweenie dogs.
  131. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

    :ROFLMAO: That's an awesome picture! Looks like great clay from this armchair. As always, thanks for sharing @jk96! All the best, Peter
  132. ponytug

    Fence Chargers

    Fence fixer has repaired several of ours. He has been helpful, and prompt. When we quit using one brand (the enclosures went to pieces), I sent him our electronics to repair and add to his stock. All the best, Peter
  133. ponytug

    Wild Edible Plants

    There are several different species of mushrooms with the common name "Inky cap". The one with the toxic chemical (coprine) is Coprinopsis atramentaria. I have cooked a different one, Shaggy Mane Inky caps, (Coprinopsis comatose) with wine in the past, and I can't say that I noticed anything...
  134. ponytug

    Starship News

    I thought that the videos of catch are pretty amazing. I expected to see some flex in the tower, and didn't see any. That's certainly a win for SpaceX. All the best, Peter
  135. ponytug

    3rd function, PT-180

    Summit racing sells diverter kits. If it were me, I would keep an eye on the overall attachment weight. I think that it is pretty easy to eat into the actual load capacity if one isn't careful. PTs aren't exactly skid steers with 7,000lb lift capacities. All the best, Peter
  136. ponytug

    (Laptop) monitor wire question...

    If you could add the brand and model of the laptop, particularly the graphics option would help answer your question. Not every graphics option can drive two external monitors plus the main screen. If it were me, I would buy a USB-C hub and drive everything through the hub, and I would make...
  137. ponytug

    PT-418 “Power Trac”

    https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/418-power-trac.7119/ https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/power-trac-418-vs-yanmar-1500d-w-fel.12295/ Well, a new PT-180 with a bucket is roughly $10k, plus taxes and shipping. http://power-trac.com/index_htm_files/tractorgasH6price110123.pdf A...
  138. ponytug

    PT-418 “Power Trac”

    Welcome to TBN! You might want to let folks know where this tractor is. If there are attachments, (bucket, plus?) that would affect the value as well. There is a subtlety on the attachment hookup. Early models used 3-point hitches on the front, and current models use a quick attach plate. From...
  139. ponytug

    Wild Edible Plants

    Lucky you! I love morels. I'm impressed that you have morels! I would have guessed your climate was too dry. Do yours come up under the pines? Not a great deal to forage here. Elderberries, plus pine nuts, and some sunflower relatives for seeds, and every few years, edible mushrooms. There is a...
  140. ponytug

    PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

    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...
  141. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    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
  142. ponytug

    PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

    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...
  143. ponytug

    PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

    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...
  144. ponytug

    PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

    "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...
  145. ponytug

    PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

    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...
  146. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    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...
  147. ponytug

    Beekeeping

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

    Bottle opener

    That brings back memories!
  149. ponytug

    YM 1401 and RS1205 tiller plus YM135 questions

    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...
  150. ponytug

    oil/diesel mix vs. Thompson's® WaterSeal for house deck

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

    Generac Generator LPG or Natural Gas Fuel Consumption at Low Loads

    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...
  152. ponytug

    Hurricane data

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

    How much $ to survey land?

    "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
  154. ponytug

    Sine wave Inverter type back up generator for well pump.?

    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...
  155. ponytug

    I wonder what that cost

    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
  156. ponytug

    Dock strike/Toilet paper shortage??

    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...
  157. ponytug

    Sine wave Inverter type back up generator for well pump.?

    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...
  158. ponytug

    Sine wave Inverter type back up generator for well pump.?

    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...
  159. ponytug

    Dock strike/Toilet paper shortage??

    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...
  160. ponytug

    Stupid Things I Have Done

    :ROFLMAO:
  161. ponytug

    Sine wave Inverter type back up generator for well pump.?

    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...
  162. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    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...
  163. ponytug

    I wonder what that cost

    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...
  164. ponytug

    Dock strike/Toilet paper shortage??

    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...
  165. ponytug

    I wonder what that cost

    @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...
  166. ponytug

    Sine wave Inverter type back up generator for well pump.?

    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...
  167. ponytug

    Building Lake Corona

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

    Making friends?

    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
  169. ponytug

    Making friends?

    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...
  170. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    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...
  171. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    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...
  172. ponytug

    Beekeeping

    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
  173. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    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
  174. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    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...
  175. ponytug

    Hurricane Helene and Power-Trac

    Thanks for the update! All the best, Peter
  176. ponytug

    Wal Mart disaster relief.

    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
  177. ponytug

    Power Conditioning Options While on Portable Generator

    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...
  178. ponytug

    Propane generator regulator questions

    Swapping orifices is generally very straightforward.
  179. ponytug

    Propane generator regulator questions

    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...
  180. ponytug

    oil/diesel mix vs. Thompson's® WaterSeal for house deck

    @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...
  181. ponytug

    Downsizing & Simplifying Discussion Thread

    @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...
  182. ponytug

    Hurricane Helene and Power-Trac

    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
  183. ponytug

    Hurricane Helene and Power-Trac

    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"...
  184. ponytug

    Loader Hydraulic issues, No back Pressure after the Loader controls?

    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...
  185. ponytug

    Hurricane Helene and Power-Trac

    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...
  186. ponytug

    oil/diesel mix vs. Thompson's® WaterSeal for house deck

    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
  187. ponytug

    Hurricane Helene and Power-Trac

    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
  188. ponytug

    oil/diesel mix vs. Thompson's® WaterSeal for house deck

    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...
  189. ponytug

    Fence Charger Help

    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...
  190. ponytug

    oil/diesel mix vs. Thompson's® WaterSeal for house deck

    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...
  191. ponytug

    Best Options for Garage Door Insulation?

    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...
  192. ponytug

    Best Options for Garage Door Insulation?

    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...
  193. ponytug

    How do y'all feel about Frigidaire vs. GE vs. Whirlpool

    Sounds like a nice eBay side business...
  194. ponytug

    Getting our new puppy today

    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
  195. ponytug

    Fence Charger Help

    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...
  196. ponytug

    The Thievin' Bas*****

    🤣 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...
  197. ponytug

    How do y'all feel about Frigidaire vs. GE vs. Whirlpool

    @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
  198. ponytug

    How do y'all feel about Frigidaire vs. GE vs. Whirlpool

    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...
  199. ponytug

    How do y'all feel about Frigidaire vs. GE vs. Whirlpool

    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...
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