AZ ranch

[MacLawn]

You suffer from the same ailment as me - mixing "want" and "need" in the same sentence! :laughing:
I penciled out my fuel and rough depreciation/maintenance costs and without a doubt, I could have the gravel hauled in for less than what it cost me myself. But I knew that before I bought. If I was going for absolute lowest cost, I would have bought a spread with a cabin built and everything all finished. But working through this long-term project is as much of a goal as completing the project. I want my truck so I can go get what I want when I want, even if it cost me a little more. So when I told my better half that I "needed" a dump truck, she just laughed, said "fine, but then I get to get a toy also". Can't argue with that! :thumbsup:

That's it, Bo! Man, you are right on all above counts!! Want/need, what's the difference? Takes a lifetime to figure that one out - the older I get, seems the less I really need... But, me haid is young - thinks it is anyway! And, yes, the wife gets her toys too...

 

[mjncad]

Oh, and about the wood under the bed, pressure treated is not so good touching metal, they say it causes metal to corrode/rust faster. I think I would try to get some oak, etc. Nice truck there!

I didn't know that about PT wood and metal. I guess one could put a 1/8" rubber liner between the truck frame and the wood. Of course that doesn't help the situation between the dump box frame and wood. I don't enjoy working with wood, so I don't know all the ins and outs of it; but now that you mention it, the corrosion issue makes sense with the new pressure treating chemicals as I believe building codes require the use of stainless steel fasteners and Simpson style connectors. Of course I could be wrong there too.

I want my truck so I can go get what I want when I want, even if it cost me a little more.

BINGO! It's tough to put a price on convenience!

 

[MacLawn]

Another thing you can do to treat wood so it won't corrode the metal is to use old motor oil mixed with diesel fuel - then paint or smear it on real good. It works as a good preservative for things like this, and on trailer beds. It is slippery when wet though! After it cures a long time, the slipperiness kind of goes away.

 

[BoFuller]

So I have been thinking that this ranch ought to be producing something. If I had a business going, then I could be writing off my expenses and depreciating my tractor and dump truck. Nothing is going to make me a bunch of money, but what could I lose the least with? I won't be there full-time for another few years, so livestock is out. I'm starting to think Christmas trees. It is Arizona, but it is also 6200 feet. It is currently covered with Pinion pine and Junipers. I did a little research and figure it is too dry for Douglas Fir but might be okay for Colorado Blue Spruce. I just missed the planting season for them, but I could get ready for next year. I figure it will take about 5 years to get any to grow enough to harvest, but expenses should be minimal. Any tree growers out there with words of advice?

 

[Tororider]

You could plant in the fall if you want. We have planted a couple thousand trees over the last few years, not much really, but enough to have tried several things. For my money the easiest way to plant the trees is a dibble. Its pretty much a wedge with a handle and foot peg. If your soil is soft enough, you just drive it into the ground, move it back and forth put the transplant in there, drive the dibble into the ground on the side of the hole and close it back up. My explanation may not be great but they really work well, are cheap and one person can easily plant a couple hundred trees in a day without even the best soil.

 

[BoFuller]

You could plant in the fall if you want. We have planted a couple thousand trees over the last few years, not much really, but enough to have tried several things. For my money the easiest way to plant the trees is a dibble. Its pretty much a wedge with a handle and foot peg. If your soil is soft enough, you just drive it into the ground, move it back and forth put the transplant in there, drive the dibble into the ground on the side of the hole and close it back up. My explanation may not be great but they really work well, are cheap and one person can easily plant a couple hundred trees in a day without even the best soil.

That sounds cool. I'll start looking for one. Thanks!

 

[R_Walter]

Thanks for the info. I think a part of this "project" is to realize that we don't really "need" all the power we are used to consuming. Maybe I'm developing a little bit of "green", but I'm positive we can do with a lot less power than we're used to in the city. We can learn to wait on running one thing until we are done running something else. It's okay with me if there is not unlimited power everytime I want to do something. We'll learn to get by with less, and to distribute it through the day or week. And if we really do need more than the solar/batteries can handle once in awhile, then we fire up a generator.
I think you are right about the fans. Being in the trees, on top of a hill, at 6100 feet, I don't think A/C is going to be a critical necessity.

I'm at 7,300 feet 3 miles from the Divide and it can get a little warm in July and August to where I can't sleep well at night without some AC.

 

[R_Walter]

So I have been thinking that this ranch ought to be producing something. If I had a business going, then I could be writing off my expenses and depreciating my tractor and dump truck. Nothing is going to make me a bunch of money, but what could I lose the least with? I won't be there full-time for another few years, so livestock is out. I'm starting to think Christmas trees. It is Arizona, but it is also 6200 feet. It is currently covered with Pinion pine and Junipers. I did a little research and figure it is too dry for Douglas Fir but might be okay for Colorado Blue Spruce. I just missed the planting season for them, but I could get ready for next year. I figure it will take about 5 years to get any to grow enough to harvest, but expenses should be minimal. Any tree growers out there with words of advice?

Want to make a small fortune in the Xmas tree business? Start off with a large fortune!

Looks like to me you're all rocky and hilly. With no water and an average annual precip of, what, 10 inches maybe, it'll be tough. Plus, what are the rules on taking hobby losses?

 

[BoFuller]

Want to make a small fortune in the Xmas tree business? Start off with a large fortune!

Looks like to me you're all rocky and hilly. With no water and an average annual precip of, what, 10 inches maybe, it'll be tough. Plus, what are the rules on taking hobby losses?

Gotta talk to my CPA on that one.

 

[BoFuller]

Well, we have been up to the Ranch almost every weekend, I just haven't taken the time to do any posting. Almost every time we go, I go to the quarry to get a load of chat. They said to not come back without a hardhat, so I had to get a patriotic one.