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  1. D

    Tell us something we don’t know.

    Nothing rhymes with orange. Nothing eats an osage orange.
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    Maple syrup -- mold or sugar congealing

    One of the few foods I won't compromise on is real maple syrup. I have a glass jug that has been in the fridge for over a year. A pure white patch has developed as a skim on one side. Its not fuzzy so it doesn't look like mold as I know it but I'm not sure. I wondered if it was like the sugar...
  3. D

    Tell us something we don’t know.

    A duck's quack does not echo.
  4. D

    Tell us something we don’t know.

    With just a very few exceptions, cemeteries are all laid out west to east -- with the feet on the east end. That way, when Jesus returns with the sun from the east, everyone can rise up and face him.
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    Tell us something we don’t know.

    There are no racoons in England [despite the one in 101 Dalmatians].
  6. D

    Extra Step

    Thank you so much. This place always has such good info to share.
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    Got to love developments in rural areas

    Yep -- a conservationist is someone who built his cabin last year.
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    Extra Step

    My age and condition have conspired to make it hard to climb on board my tractor [JD 4110]. It seems simple enough to add a step under the running board. I suspect I could make one of pipe or stock metal but there are probably ready made steps for boats, RVs, playgrounds, etc. Have any of you...
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    What is the name of the trailer towing site

    Yes. Thank you very much.
  10. D

    What is the name of the trailer towing site

    Someone here referred me to a very helpful site/forum focused on trailers -- especially camping trailers. I can't recall its name so may I ask someone to remind me. Thanks
  11. D

    Flushing Hot Water Tank

    Greetings, I was brought up to flush the HW annually. Recently, a plumber told me that it isn't done routinely anymore. Do you do it or have you heard its not needed. Also, the tray under the tank has a bit of water in it. I'm assuming this is from condensation. But how much is too much --...
  12. D

    Polaris hot hand grips

    There is a three-position toggle switch that isn't labeled -- maybe that's it. I'll check that and the wires tomorrow. Thanks so much for you suggestions.
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    Polaris hot hand grips

    I thought of this but I didn't know how to check. Is there an obvious on/off switch?
  14. D

    Polaris hot hand grips

    I have a 2005 Sportsman 500. I bought it used and it has obviously been rode hard and put away wet. We went out for a ride and my friend [wearing leather work gloves] says, "hey, these hand grips are really hot." I checked and he was right. The handle bars were fine, the rest of the dash area...
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    What is this tool

    I said bulb planter but someone else said soil sampler. What do you think?
  16. D

    Reliable pull behind mowers?

    Noticed this after mentioning it above but . . . This is a case of "Can't blame the horse for being a cow." I had an Alamo much like the one in your picture and it was a very high quality machine. Commercial model with Honda red engine ran about $2,400. Aside from the shortfalls of using an...
  17. D

    Reliable pull behind mowers?

    I had a commercial grade Alamo flail mower with the Honda red engine. An excellent machine. But towing with my ATV was not good. ATV's aren't geared for slow, steady towing under load and every hill or turn was met by a bog-down followed by a leap forward. And sitting on an ATV isn't near as...
  18. D

    Shower Head for Outdoor Shower

    You could be right but I assumed the clogging was from corrosion.
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    Shower Head for Outdoor Shower

    We built an open-top outdoor shower a couple of years ago --sort of like the Green Acres prototype. It has been a blessing but the holes in the keep clogging. I've thread punching them out with needles et al but they stay clogged. I think the solution is a plastic head. When I review them on...
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    Tow Behind Mowers

    I tried an Alamo flail mower behind my Honda 450ES. Both machines are solid performers -- no complaints. But you can't blame a horse for not being a cow. The main problem is that you can't keep an ATV at constant speed as it turns corners and starts up hills. It lunges, jumps, or bogs down. And...
  21. D

    Polaris 500 -- no brakes

    I have a 2005 Polaris Sportsman 500 that suddenly lost its brakes -- all of them at once, so I doubt its pads or the like. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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    Timber Theft Information

    I'm a little bit surprised to hear all these horror stories. We have sold timber in separate parcels for 40 years. We have always relied on a trusted consulting forester to manage the sale. He checks boundaries, marks trees, confirms performance bonds, evaluates stump and slash height and other...
  23. D

    Preventing mold in cabin refrigerator

    The fridge in our cabin is developing mold in the fan box at the back of the freezer [just had repair guy out today to replace the fan]. He says the solution is to keep the fridge running but we can't do that. If nobody is there, the power is off. So I am asking -- does anyone have a clever...
  24. D

    J. Orny -- Flintlock Rifle Maker

    We have a very old flintlock [converted to cap lock] rifle with the name J. Orny [or Orney] stamped on the top of the barrel just past the chamber. The barrel is rifled and overall the gun is pretty ornate. It has a brass patch box on the stock and several silver inlays along the wood below the...
  25. D

    Winterizing cabin -- which antifreeze

    For years, we have used RV antifreeze to prevent freezing in drain traps and toilets. I know not to use radiator antifreeze as it will kill all the good bacteria in the septic system. But today I noticed there is a choice of RV antifreeze at Home Depot: a]. Ethyl Alcohol [$2.98] b]. PG Formula...
  26. D

    Angus calves this time of year?

    While driving into PA from MD I passed a field with a modest herd of Angus cattle. I noticed there were lots of pretty small calves laying around as well. I didn't think there would be a whole herd of new calves this time of year. Is there something new in the world of bovine husbandry?
  27. D

    Ticks in carpet?

    Whenever my kids visit my cabin they say the dogs get a lot of ticks. We have plenty of them on the property but they tend to go away as the weather cools. In any case, the dogs like to hang out on an old braided rug and my son raised the question -- could there be ticks in the rug that become...
  28. D

    Best deal in a simple cell phone plan

    Greetings, As my last child reaches the age of 30 I have decided it is time to boot them off of my plan so I can get a simple, individual phone plan -- one without a lot of bells and whistles, and not a lot of data [like, I just want to make phone calls and use a few key aps]. Having looked...
  29. D

    Winches and power drain

    I have two ATVs with winches. It seems that they pull a lot of power off the battery. I was using one and the ATV shut down -- the battery was dead and wouldn't start until I charged it. So how much does a winch drain the battery? Is it reasonable to expect to re-charge after using the winch...
  30. D

    Batteries -- what is the dif?

    With three ATVs it seems I'm buying batteries with unsettling consistency. The dealer has plenty of options for $120 but Amazon and Rocky Mountain ATV have plenty of options at $40. I've bought some of the cheaper batteries and found that they don't last very long. The following are some...
  31. D

    How do you ship small packages

    As part of my general clean up and down-sizing effort, I am about to mount a sales campaign on eBay. I'm planning to sell old toys, antique cameras, automobilia, and the like. For me, the hardest part of the transaction is mailing the stuff out after sale. It needs to be convenient and...
  32. D

    Camper on farm -- hide it or hide it in plain site

    I have a small camping trailer that I park at the farm. a] I leave it there for storage; and, b] I use it as a guest house for me when kids' families and friends (and dogs) are at the cabin. Someone is at the farm about half the time but no one is there a good bit of the time. I had a utility...
  33. D

    Stubborn power plug

    I have just spent a frustrating half hour laying under the bumper trying to get the power plug inserted but it just won't go. I've done this before so I don't think I'm doing it wrong. I've got the alignment bump straight up and the locking clip held up out of the way. But I just can't get it...
  34. D

    Weird stuff in gas tank and fuel system

    I have a 01 Honda Recon. Every year or so the carbonator gets clogged by a tiny bit of black gummy dirt, which my local mechanic clans out and all is ok again. So last week it started doing its "runs but stalls" routine and I took it in. The guy called to say that there were little globules like...
  35. D

    Semi-permanent trailer camp site

    I have a patch off land where I would like to put a camping trailer. I can easily run electric service to the spot. But connecting to a well and septic could be a bit more tricky. I would especially like to put in a septic system and hook the trailer to it so that I don't have to deal with the...
  36. D

    Do you grease your hitch ball

    Just wondering, my hitch ball is sort of rusty which I think is ok. But do you recommend putting a bit of grease on it to reduce wear and tear?
  37. D

    Ice Straws in Stream

    We have a small stream running through our yard and today noticed these little tubes of ice springing up along the way. Can anyone say how they are formed and if there is a name for them? Thanks.
  38. D

    Looking for agressive, perennial, no-till crop

    I have some old hay fields that I mow but don't collect the hay. Over the last two year, Japanese stilt grass has invaded and is starting to dominate large portions of the fields. I would like to plant something that can compete. From reading various posts I get the impression that clover is...
  39. D

    Is cutting frozen wood harder on your chain saw

    OK, this might be a bit esoteric but I was out cutting some wood last week and it had been below freezing for a while so I would assume that the wood is frozen. Assuming that its not water logged [which isn't good in wood whether frozen or thawed] would the freezing make the wood harder and thus...
  40. D

    Choosing a Game Crop

    I would be interested in your experience with various game crops. I noticed that Tractor Supply carries a number of clovers et al that require no cultivation -- just spread them around and they should grow. I'm sure that's true on prepared soil but what if you have a light covering of weeds; or...
  41. D

    Gadgets or programs to make cell phones work where there is no service

    Our cabin is in a valley that has no cell phone service. We have internet access [when it works] and phone service but its not digital -- we use a pulse tone phone plus an old dial phone. People tell me that all I need is an xyz converter or an application for wi-fi or whatever. I have no faith...
  42. D

    Basis for capital gains tax

    We cut about nine acres of pine timber last year and now need to address the tax side of it. It is clearly eligible for capital gains treatment but we don't know was the basis should be. We inherited the land and the last time any money changed hands for the property was around 1850. Anyone have...
  43. D

    Mildew in boots

    It has been so wet here for the past few months that everything in the cabin and outbuildings is damp. When I arrived I wet to the closet for my boots and they were covered in blue mildew -- inside and out. I can easily wipe the smooth outside surfaces but the inside is more of a rough out...
  44. D

    Polaris 500 Battery Installation -- is there a trick to this

    Its time to replace the battery in my 2005 Polaris 500. The battery is up under the rear fender and looks difficult to extract. Other forums have discussed this and most say remove the fender. So I wanted to see if any of you have a trick for swapping out the battery more easily? Thanks
  45. D

    Recommend Tires for Polaris Sportsman

    Greetings, I bought a used 2005 Sportsman 500 4x4 ATV. The tires look well worn, one leaks, and the machine tends to wander. In my experience, it seems to pay to not muck about but instead just spend a few bucks and improve things. So I want to get a set of tires -- I'm assuming online is a...
  46. D

    Staining Pressure Treated Wood

    We built a Green Acres shower last fall -- an open top box outside the house. Aside from loving the option to clean up once in a while, its amazing how we all marvel at how cool it is to look up at the trees and sky while taking a shower -- can't explain it, but there is something improbable...
  47. D

    How Not to Lime a Field

    Greetings, This just has to be the worst. This photo is of a neighbor applying lime to his field using a rotary spreader. I suspect half the county appreciates the dusting on their fields, the other half does not appreciate the dusting on their cars and houses.
  48. D

    Best sources for bulbs and trees in quantity

    Greetings, I just added a bit of land to our hobby farm. One corner sits between too small streams and just cries out for a plot of daffodils. There is a field along a large sweeping "S" curve. I can just see a line of trees bordering the length of that curve. The nursery sites I've seen...
  49. D

    Gas grill leaking --can't find source, need suggestions

    We have a three-burning Char-Broil gas grill. We smell gas coming from somewhere. We've coated everything with soapy water several times but see no bubbles. I thought it might be leaking at the burner but don't know how to test that. Can you give me some advice on what to look for? Thanks
  50. D

    Those Plastic Caps on Small Keys

    This may be a first-world problem, but those little caps that come on mower keys and ATV keys don't last very long. Not always a big problem but on some keys it is pretty tough to turn them without the cap. Has anyone devised a replacement using common household items like duck tape, bottle...
  51. D

    Water filtering system that can withstand freezing

    Greetings, Just returned from the local home show looking for a water filtering system that met my specs but all I found was salesmen who had to check with a real technician and get back to me later. So here's my situation. We do not keep power [and thus heat] in our cabin when we aren't...
  52. D

    Fireplace sets off smoke alarm with no fire

    Greetings, My son just moved into a house. The fireplace hasn't been used in years. Today he opens the damper -- builds no fire -- and the smoke alarm upstairs goes off. A bit later he tries again and within a few minutes the smoke alarm goes off again. I can't think of a reason for this. Can...
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    How many pumpkin blossoms are too many

    Greetings, I have had great success with my pumpkins this year. The vines are long and the leaves are big and all is bright green with no mildew. And there are lots of blossoms -- some vines have as many as eight on them. As they start to pull back and set into making pumpkins, I started to...
  54. D

    Cemetery orientation -- exceptions to the rule

    Since the middle ages, cemeteries have been laid out so that the residents could rise up facing the east at the second coming. I recall seeing an old item in Ripley's Believe It Or Not about a cemetery that was laid out north/south rather than east/west so it must be considered universal. We...
  55. D

    Japanese Maple -- Leaf Curling

    We transplanted a small volunteer Japanese Maple this spring -- about three feet tall. It seems perky and productive but about half of the new leaves curl after they open. We don't see any signs of insects or disease. Anyone have an idea of the cause of this? Thanks.
  56. D

    Plastic gas cans for water

    So we are gathering at the farm and my daughter's husband shows up with two big red plastic gas cans full of water. Brand new, never been used. But I have concerns. They make different plastics for different uses and I don't think the plastic for gas is the right thing for water. Anyone have...
  57. D

    How do you store your grease gun

    Greetings, For years I have been hanging my grease gun on a hook on the wall. When the weather gets warm, a little grease seeps out and collects on the floor [dirt floor]. A couple months ago I laid it on a bit of cardboard to see if it was leaking -- it didn't leak but it collected a lot of...
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    Milkweed and Butterflies

    I have read that monarch butterflies depend on milkweed as a place to lay eggs. We have blue monarchs and yellow ones [which I assume are some sort of monarchs] and they are really a nice part of summer living. So I have started mowing around milkweed patches in a few places to ensure they are...
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    Trailer Buying Experience at Tractor Supply

    First, let me say that I really like Tractor Supply. I know there are lots of comments in here to the contrary but they always have what I need at a decent price, the staff is genuinely helpful, and they are the only real store within 20 miles of my farm. So yesterday I got up and decided that...
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    What is this tool?

    I got this at auction years ago and it just resurfaced among my pile of collections. The numbers on the wooden face are from the auction company -- wish they wouldn't do that. The lid slides up. The orange handle is similar to seat belt material. The little slots along the sides hold a variety...
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    Installed Chiney Cap -- now smoke lingers, any advice?

    Last year I discovered that our stone chimney was losing some of its mortar. I had a mason come and fix it. He also made a concrete lip around the top and installed a cap. The place is 75 years old and we never had a cap before. Also should mention that the chimney has two flues in it: one from...
  62. D

    Is this a bobcat

    Caught this on game camera in south central PA. Some say its a house cat but others say a bobcat. Please opine. Note: Date/Time stamp is not accurate.
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    What do I get to mow steep fields [while sitting down]

    Just came I'm from mowing the steepest parts of my fields using my trusty DR Field and Brush Mower. And I have to admit that I'm getting older and that kind of work is getting harder. I can get to most of my fields with my tractor but some of it is just too steep to risk. Even going up and down...
  64. D

    Building primitve bridge -- weight vs. flow-through for flood resistance

    I'm about to launch my long-stalled foot bridge project. I have some telephone poles and good heavy planks ready to span a 30-foot creek. My plan is to shove the poles across at a high spot and nail the planks across with a 1-foot gap between each. That way, when we get our annual flood [not...
  65. D

    Powder post beetle -- Borax?

    We have a growing infestation of powder post beetle in the outside logs of our cabin. The Orkin man recommended a borax treatment. He said spray on was ok but painted on was much better. Can this be done by just dissolving some 20 Mule Team Borax in water and applying it? I would welcome any...
  66. D

    How to get rid of mold

    I have a rental condo and after the tenants moved out I noticed a bit of mold in the grout by the tub. Also, there appears to be some on the ceiling of a closet that once had water damage. I'd like your advice of the fastest/best way to take care of this. Thanks
  67. D

    How often do replace your surge protectors?

    We have fairly dirty electricity at our cabin. Last week the power and/or internet were out several times. Late in the week my computer refused to come on at all. Could be any number of causes [not worth the money to find out] but being fried electrically is a possibility. A tech support guy...
  68. D

    Pine mulch, fir mulch, hardwood mulch -- are they ok

    I have a big pile of culled out fir trees plus a lot of ash tree tops. I plan to rent a big chipper and grind them down to chips. I recall that there may be a problem with using pine chips as mulch -- I think they leach the nitrogen out of the soil but don't exactly remember. So the questions...
  69. D

    Laminate vs cork vs bamboo -- and the weight of a grand piano

    Greetings, I suddenly need to replace the flooring in my semi basement [hot water tank split open big time]. The floor is a cement slab and while cool it stays nicely dry. I have a baby grand piano with a player mechanism in it and it is heavy -- probably four hundred pounds or more. I have...
  70. D

    Can you identify this wooden Stubes box

    I found this old box and hope someone can tell me what it is. Someone told me it was for artillery shells, someone else said it was for dynamite. So I turn to you for the straight scoop [there has to be someone on this site who knows]. As shown in the pictures, the wood has an odd yellowish...
  71. D

    Duct Cleaning -- and then the upsell

    So I get this coupon in the mail for duct cleaning for $34 -- sounds good. For $4 more they'll clean the dryer vent - still a bargain. For $15 more they will clean the three bathroom fans/vents -- still more than fair. So once under way, they note that I have bacteria in my ducts and furnace...
  72. D

    Foam in Creek

    Greetings, Just came in from a short walk around the place and noticed a large pile of thick off-white foam piled up against a log in the creek. This is common especially after a rainy period. I have always wondered what causes this. Is it natural, agricultural runoff, or soap from houses upstream?
  73. D

    Cemetary Orinantion

    We have an old cemetery on our land. There had been a Drunkard log church there in the 19th century. The more recent parts of the cemetery is oriented so that the graves face east. As I understand it, people were traditionally buried with their feet to the east so that at the second coming they...
  74. D

    Happy Thanksgiving

    Here's to wishing everyone a happy turkey day.
  75. D

    Squirrels vs Deer -- road warrior smarts

    So I'm driving down a country road and see a great buck -- I mean a real Boone and Crocket candidate. I slowed to a crawl and watched him. Then he started to run, making a wide arc across the field and then leaping into the road and sliding/stumbling to the other side, just a few feet in front...
  76. D

    White Wild Turkey

    As I rounded the turn into Cowans Gap this afternoon there was a flock of wild turkeys along the road. One of them was white. Not albino -- it had the same shading and marking as the others -- but it was decidedly white. Has anyone else seen one of these? Is it a real rarity, a freak of nature...
  77. D

    Window Glazing -- what am I doing wrong

    We have an old building where I noticed that the putty was virtually all gone from the window panes. So I tried to used traditional window putty but found it way too hard to work with. So I got some DAP in a tube and tried applying that. I've had some success but have to admit its a pretty...
  78. D

    Dehumidifier Recommendations

    My friend has a damp basement and wants to get a good dehumidifier. Its a sizable cape cod house and the basement is finished. It is fully underground with a door to a set of steps leading up to ground level. Is there a good portable unit that will do the job is it the kind of thing that only a...
  79. D

    Burning Ask Wood -- Heavy Soot

    Greetings, I had a dozen dead ash trees brought down in July. They had been standing dead at least two years and after cutting into firewood lengths they showed cracks within a month. So I figure they are seasoned enough to burn. So after a few fires this month I notice that the firebox is...
  80. D

    Regular Auto Oil in ATV

    Greetings, While pursuing my ill-fated oil change [see drain plug thread] I actually looked something up in the manual. It seems to say that using any 10W-40 oil is fine. But I recall the dealer and others saying you need to use ATV oil that contains various additives due to the wet clutch...
  81. D

    Drain Plug Loose and Leaking

    So I'm changing the oil in my Honda 450 ES and while replacing the drain plug it just turns and turns and turns. Doesn't seem to be cross threaded, it just won't get tight. I can wiggle it a little and it drips a little. I will confess that when it came out it fell into the space between the...
  82. D

    What comes in big black plastic drums

    I have a couple of big [like 40 gal] black plastic drums. They've been here for around 15-20 years. I opened one and there is a small amount of fluid in the bottom. The labels are all gone so I have no idea what it might be. I've seen these drums in various colors so I'm wondering if there...
  83. D

    Loader  FEL Capacity - at what point does damage occur

    I have a JD 4110 with a Frey FEL. I'm about to start a project of moving some rock piles around my place -- mostly about a foot across but a few that are substantially larger. I'm concerned about trying to lift something too heavy and subsequently damaging something on the FEL. So if I try to...
  84. D

    4110 Shut Off and Now Won't Start

    Greetings, Was out moving some downed limbs with my 4110, all working fine. Got off to dislodge a tangle and thought I was in neutral but maybe not since it shut off. Climbed back up but it won't crank. Gauges and lights are all fine so shouldn't be electrical. I've moved the gear shift...
  85. D

    My turn to have well problems

    Our well is about 20 years old and lately it has started pulsing. You turn on the water and the volume is fine but it comes out with a bit of a pulse -- about 2 seconds each. I suspect I will be enlisting the aid of a professional to check on this [there's no good time for the water to break]...
  86. D

    Smell in Cabin -- gas from septic?

    My cabin has a persistent odor that we had always attributed to dead mice or mouse nests in stuffed furniture. We had the furniture recovered [and cleaned out as needed] and cleaned everything including the log walls. But the smell persists particularly in a corner where we typically don't open...
  87. D

    Old Fashioned Drainboard Sinks - porcelein problem

    We have a porcelain drain board sink in our cabin. The porcelain was in bad shape so about 15 years ago we applied one of those restoration kits to it. It looked fine for a few years but then it started staining and peeling. Its in really bad shape now so I'd like to either replace or repair...
  88. D

    Travel Trailer Questions - thinking of a long trip

    I am thinking of getting a travel trailer and heading south for the winter. I have pulled horse trailers and utility trailers but never a livable trailer. I have a Dodge 1500 Thunder Road with a Hemi so I think I'm ok in the power department. I don't need anything too big -- just a simple unit...
  89. D

    Cleaning old glass bottles

    Greetings, I acquired box of really neat old bottles including milk bottles, wide mouth jars, et al. Some have a scaly coating inside that I would like to clean off. Would vinegar work? Is there something really effective that you could recommend? Thank you for your advice. Dr Rod
  90. D

    ATV Tires -- best source?

    So as my ATVs enter their second decade I think it is time to re-tire so to speak. I can get them mounted locally so I'm wondering if there is a good place to buy them on the internet. Does Tire Rack carry them [didn't see them there]?
  91. D

    Three cool old wheels - do you know what they are from

    Greetings, These are three old wheels that have been in our barn forever [well, at least from the 40's]. Can anyone tell me what they might be from? The metal one with the wine glass spokes has a gear on the hub if that helps. Thanks, Rod
  92. D

    Life of Fire Extinguishers

    I have a bunch of fire extinguishers that are about 12 years old. The gauges still show green but is that reliable? Are they still good? Thanks
  93. D

    Do you know what this is?

    Does anyone know what this is? Its heavy metal, about five inches wide. There are no markings on the bottom. I found it in a mixed lot [junk box] at auction. Any thoughts are appreciated.
  94. D

    How old is too old for oil

    I suspect this has been addressed before but my search turned up empty, so . . . I have a collection of oils that are at least five years old. Some is Honda ATV oil, some is basic WD 30, and some is 2-cycle oil. None of the containers have ever been opened. Does oil go bad or would they likely...
  95. D

    Japanese Stalk Grass - time to strike back

    Over the past three or four years I have been invaded by Japanese Stalk Grass. it is quickly becoming the dominant plant in the yard, fields, and even forest. is there something that will kill it somewhat selectively. I don't want to go to a total burn-down herbicide but would really like to...
  96. D

    Fuel Injection ATVs

    I suspect that the evils of ethanol and the carb problems that follow have been discussed at length in here. But I wanted to get some comments on fuel injection and how it might end the problem once and for all. I have a '99 450ES and a '01 Recon. I've had them both in the shop about once a year...
  97. D

    Unplanned Porcelain Stress Test

    Greetings, So every fall we drain the water out of our cabin and shut off the power. We always put some RV antifreeze in each drain and in the potty. I had my son do this for the first time this year. So when we get home I said -- wow, its going to be really cold there next week, I'm glad we...
  98. D

    Clogged Valve Stems

    My ATVs are getting old and the tires slowly leak air -- especially when they sit unused for a few weeks. I have had success in the past with sealants or fix-a-flat. Last time I added a little fix-a-flat the valve got clogged and now I can't put air into the tire. Is there an easy way to clean...
  99. D

    Charging a battery

    I'm sure I should know this but alas I just don't. I have a Sears battery charger that surprisingly had no instructions in the box. So I am hoping the good people of this site can answer a few questions. 1. It has a 2 amp and 10 amp setting. Why would I want to use the lower setting? Does a...
  100. D

    Old Gate Bail - What is this?

    So we want to install a very old bail on our front gates but the problem is that there is no one left alive who remembers how it goes together. I think we got the basics hooked up right but there is this one unique piece that doesn't seem to line up with much of anything. I know it was part of...
  101. D

    Water Filter That Can Freeze -- Iron 300X

    Greetings, We need a filter system for our well water -- iron, smell, bacteria, et al. The problem is that we don't leave the power on in the cabin over the winter so, even though in the basement, any system will periodically freeze. The guy from HydroCare affirms that their Iron 300X can take...
  102. D

    Rock Steps Repair -- Sakcrete?

    Greetings, My cabin has three steps made of about four big rocks each. After 70 years, the morter has come loose. I thought I might use Sakcrete to fix them but then I thought I really know nothing about it. Is this a good idea of is there a better product to turn to.
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    Selling walnut for gun stocks etc.

    Greetings, Everyone always talks about how valuable walnut is for gun stocks or other high end uses. But I have never met anyone who has ever sold a tree or lumber for big bucks -- just as part of a general timber cutting. Has anyone out there any hard examples of this and just where would you...
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    Stripping Screw Heads

    This is one of those general irritant things but . . . When I use my drill to screw in screws, it almost always results in stripping the slots out of the screw heads. I'd like to blame the cheap screws from the big box stores but maybe its the design of the drill mounted screw drivers or the...
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    Invasive Weed Invades

    Greetings, About two years ago I started noticing this thin leafed weed was gaining a foothold on my place. Just around the edges a bit but now its taking over. Its all over the yard and is dominating a couple of large fields. I should probably have a picture for this but, in any case, my...
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    Stumps, Salt, and a little help from our friends

    So this may be the best idea ever -- or not. I have a few really large stumps at my place and I was thinking of drilling holes in them to help them rot up quicker. I've heard of pouring diesel fuel, commercial chemical elixers, et al into them to speed the process. But then I thought -- hey, why...
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    Chestnut Trees Suddenly Dead

    Greetings, My place has been a bit of a landmark for its chestnut trees since the 1940s. We had a row of 12 along the fence line but around 2002 all but one died. No decline, no signs of blight, they just didn't bud out one spring. I planted replacements and, after some loses and replanting...
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    Bat Control

    Greetings, The bat population is increasing around my cabin. OK - I know they're supposed to be beneficial, but they are swooping us as we sit on the porch and are getting into the house. I'd rather deal with a snake in the house than a bat so I'm looking for suggestions. Do those electronic...
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    Garage Door Surface

    Greetings, The outer layer of our garage door is peeling. Looks like a very thin vaneer, probably wood. Is there a way to patch this without replacing the whole door? Thanks, Rod
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    Tub reglazing vs. lining

    Greetings, Just bought another place and the tub is rather yucky. Several people has suggested reglazing or putting on a custom molded vinyl liner. Reglazing is $350, the liner is $850. Anyone have any experience with these options or even just an opinion? Thanks for your thoughts.
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    Mowing to avoid nesting season

    Greetings, I recall a thread on this a while back but couldn't find it, so... I've heard that you should wait until a certain date/period in the summer before mowing your fields in order to avoid destroying ground nests of game birds et al. Can anyone tell me when that might be (I'm in south...
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    Hearing Protection

    Do you where hearing protection? If so, what kind? I haven't been using any because I want to hear what's going on with the tractor and the mower. But I do notice some ear-fatigue when I take a break. Doesn't seem like the noise is that great but it is constant for an extended period. So what...
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    3-Point Hitch  Leveling 3-Pt Hitch / Attachment

    Greetings, OK, more arcane questions this morning (can you tell I've been reading my manual? )... So my LX4 mower isn't level after about 6 hours of use (hitched to JD 4110). So I notice some clean threads on the right-side shaft and think -- hmm, this appears to have vibrated and creeped...
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    3-Point Hitch  Adjusting 3-Pt Hitch Drop Rate

    Greetings, I have a JD 4110 with an LX4 Rotary Mower. The manual says it should take at least 2 seconds to drop to the ground. Mine falls like a stone -- I have to carefully feather the rockshaft to ease it down. I have adjusted the drop/lock valve all the way to almost the closed position but...
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    How far off camber is too far

    Being relatively new to this tractor thing I don't have a good "seat of the pants" sense of my operating limits. I just don't know how steep a hill I can traverse safely and I don't know how to find out without taking a big risk. I have a JD 4110 with LX4 rotary mower, front weights, no FEL, and...
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    Help on sending private message

    Greetings, I am trying to respond to an inquiry via private message. I go to my home and hit send private message. I type in the user name and the message and send. But my home shows no private messages sent. Does the recipient have to log on to get it and thus it doesn't show up until he does...
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    Baseboard Heaters

    Greetings, We have had electric baseboard heaters in our cabin for over 30 years and I think they are getting tired. They're slow to warm up and put out less heat than I remember -- plus, with all such things, technology has come a long way in 30 years. So I'm looking for recommendations --...
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    ATV Flail Mower - picture this

    Greetings, Several people have asked to see a picture of my flail mower so I'm posting one here. Enjoy, Rod
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    Attracting Martings and Swallows

    Greetings, The post on summer mowing made me think -- does anyone have a good method for attacting martins or swallows? We used to have swallow around but haven't for years. Aside from looking nice they would be a great help with our insect population. Thanks, Rod
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    Price Check  Price check on a JD 4110

    Greetings, Our local dealer (PA) has quoted me $11,950 for a 4110. I can save $500 by deleting the hydraulics for the FEL but I think I'll keep them just in case. Also adding $995 for a LX 4 Rotary Cutter. I checked in at another dealer in MD and he was about $2,000 higher. Comparable set ups...
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    A Field of Sunflowers

    Has anyone out there planted a field of sunflowers? I think they would make a great show. Can you tell me what kind you planted, how much seed per acre, how you prepped the ground and planted, and what fertilizer you used. Thanks
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    "Plowing" with a Disk Harrow

    \"Plowing\" with a Disk Harrow Greetings, Once I get my fields mowed, I want to sow a game-friendly cover crop like clover. My field doesn't have dense turf on it -- just lots of weeds, but sparse enough to see dirt in most places. Can I expect a disk harrow to cut through it enough to sow...
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    Tractors with no FEL

    Greetings, I am buying my first tractor -- plan to use it for brush hogging, pulling a few logs, and pulling a disk harrow -- I don't need/want an FEL. I get the impression that virtually all models come set up for an FEL which means I'm paying for hydraulics and other stuff I don't need. Are...
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    Water Treatment System

    Greetings, We put a well in at our cabin a few years ago (replacing a 50-year-old spring fed gravity system) and now find that it has a high level of bacteria. Some of it really bad bacteria, plus it smells like sulphur. We thought it was from coal or some mineral but the tests show its from...
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    What does "quality" mean?

    What does \"quality\" mean? Greetings, I read a lot in here about value and quality but just what do you get in a higher quality machine? The nearest dealer to me sells Branson -- roughly $16K for 40 hp. The Deere dealer (an hour away) wants $18K for something comparable. The Farm Trak guy...
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    Considering a MF 245

    Greetings, I want a tractor for brush-hogging or mowing about 12 acres plus some occaisional log pulling. Might also want to disk a field for game plots but that's purely optional. In any case, I found a MF 245 gas tractor with 800 hours on it. The dealer has gone over it (it shows new belts...
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    Gasoline vs. Diesel

    Greetings, I am looking at buying a used tractor and found one that is gas powered. This has great appeal to me because it simplifies my fuel inventory. Are there any disadvantages to a gas powered tractor that I should be aware of? Thanks
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