MikePA
Super Moderator
Well, I finally got around to completing 2 of the items on my 'Honey Do' list today. We made the mistake of using plastic, step in posts around our riding ring. We covered them with white plastic pipe topped with T fittings then ran 1.5 inch white electric fence tape between the posts for decoration. Since the ring is inside our fenced in area, there was no need to electrify it. Plus since it looks like the same tape that is electrified, the horses leave it alone. Why were the step in stakes a mistake? The metal rod that is at the bottom is not very long and therefore does not go into the ground very far, plus the connection between the rod and the plastic is a weak point and breaks easily. Several had fallen over and we had been replacing them with metal T posts. Before I got my TC25D, I had set several T posts by hand using one of those contraptions with a tube that drops down over the T post and handles on each side. Lift, slam down, lift, slam down. Darn, a rock is in the way. Pull the post out guess at a new spot. Lift, slam down, etc. Quite a workout.
Last night my my dearest reminded me that four posts needed replaced and, oh by the way, could you please move the manure pile so it's not in the way when I turn the trailer around? OK, dear, but I'll use the tractor FEL to set the posts and I'll need your help with making sure the FEL is centered on the post (we used the hand T post setter to protect the bucket). "How are you going to use the FEL to set the posts?". "Trust me.", I said, confident of the information I received right here on TBN!
As luck would have it, there were no rocks in the way when we set the first post. I lowered the bucket and the post slid into the ground just as slick as could be. I kept an eye on my wife's face (she was standing off to the side after getting the bucket centered) as this was happening. It's good the flies are gone for the season cuz she would have caught a few when her mouth dropped open. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif While some of the other T posts needed slightly relocated due to rocks (even the FEL method wont drive them through rocks!) we were finished in about 15 minutes. Great fun! On to the manure pile!
I didn't have to move the pile very far, only about 10 - 15 feet, but it was far enough away that I couldn't just push the pile to its new location. The pile (manure and pine shavings) was about 5 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. (see attached picture) The ground wasn't muddy, but I still needed 4wd. The 'suicide knob' (thanks for the recommendation, Muhammad!) was invaluable in using the FEL. Since I could not get completely around the pile due to some standing water, I got to use the bucket to drag the manure backwards where I could fill the bucket. I also used this method to smooth out some of the tire tracks (R4s) when I was finished.
I still have to think which way to move the joy stick in order to move the bucket/FEL but I was getting better as the original pile disappeared. I also discovered that if the bucket is not in float position, it can dig into the ground pretty good and pretty quickly. Oops, dump the dirt back into the hole and smooth it out by back dragging the bucket.
So in 2 hours I had set four T posts, moved a manure pile and cleaned the tractor (clay is sticky!). Great fun and great learning!
Last night my my dearest reminded me that four posts needed replaced and, oh by the way, could you please move the manure pile so it's not in the way when I turn the trailer around? OK, dear, but I'll use the tractor FEL to set the posts and I'll need your help with making sure the FEL is centered on the post (we used the hand T post setter to protect the bucket). "How are you going to use the FEL to set the posts?". "Trust me.", I said, confident of the information I received right here on TBN!
As luck would have it, there were no rocks in the way when we set the first post. I lowered the bucket and the post slid into the ground just as slick as could be. I kept an eye on my wife's face (she was standing off to the side after getting the bucket centered) as this was happening. It's good the flies are gone for the season cuz she would have caught a few when her mouth dropped open. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif While some of the other T posts needed slightly relocated due to rocks (even the FEL method wont drive them through rocks!) we were finished in about 15 minutes. Great fun! On to the manure pile!
I didn't have to move the pile very far, only about 10 - 15 feet, but it was far enough away that I couldn't just push the pile to its new location. The pile (manure and pine shavings) was about 5 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. (see attached picture) The ground wasn't muddy, but I still needed 4wd. The 'suicide knob' (thanks for the recommendation, Muhammad!) was invaluable in using the FEL. Since I could not get completely around the pile due to some standing water, I got to use the bucket to drag the manure backwards where I could fill the bucket. I also used this method to smooth out some of the tire tracks (R4s) when I was finished.
I still have to think which way to move the joy stick in order to move the bucket/FEL but I was getting better as the original pile disappeared. I also discovered that if the bucket is not in float position, it can dig into the ground pretty good and pretty quickly. Oops, dump the dirt back into the hole and smooth it out by back dragging the bucket.
So in 2 hours I had set four T posts, moved a manure pile and cleaned the tractor (clay is sticky!). Great fun and great learning!
