Bit the bullet

[ctgoldwing]

This weekend has been great for me so far. The UConn football team won the Big East Conference and are headed to their first BCS bowl. This morning, after months of failing, I finally nailed the *%&$ woodpecker that has been detroying my house with my pellet gun.

And, drumroll please, yesterday I bought a Normand 60" blower off an ad on Craigslist from a woman about 40 miles from here. The machine is in GREAT shape, always stored indoors and has hydraulics for chute rotation & deflection. I pick it up sometime this week. $1500 seemed a very fair price to me. After I check it out on the tractor I now have to get remotes on the rear - this is a good excuse to get a hydro top link next summer

Actually there are hydraulic lines back there for the bh already so I am not anticipating a major deal here. I guess the most important thing is to make sure I locate the valves in a convenient spot yet not in the way of the bh operation.

I can't wait! When trimming the driveway with the box blade I have regretted not having the hydro top link.


btw I have looked at Normand's site and the Econor series (which I assumed this is) has an Econor decal on it - this one just says Normand. . . All I know is it sure looks like its built like a tank. . . I think it may even be near the weight limit on my 3ph.

 

[pitt_md]

Congrats on the snow blower. Used mine for the first time yesterday on an 8" snowfall. They sure make living with snow easier.

 

[Haywire]

This morning, after months of failing, I finally nailed the *%&$ woodpecker that has been destroying my house with my pellet gun.

If a woodpecker was destroying my house with my pellet gun, I would stop loaning it to him. :thumbsup:

Ian

 

[kebo]

Don't you know it's illegal to shoot woodpeckers?????? Geez.....

 

[Haywire]

Depends on your local I'd expect unless they're endangered.

Ian

 

[Gary Sweat]

Depends on your local I'd expect unless they're endangered.

Ian

If he's tearing up my house, he's endangered:laughing:

 

[kebo]

Depends on your local I'd expect unless they're endangered.

Ian

Woodpeckers (and many other species) are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it doesn't just have to be endangered species.

Here are the list of woodpeckers under Federal Protection:

WOODPECKER, Acorn, Melanerpes formicivorus
American Three-toed, Picoides dorsalis
Arizona, Picoides arizonae
Black-backed, Picoides arcticus
Downy, Picoides pubescens
Gila, Melanerpes uropygialis
Golden-fronted, Melanerpes aurifrons
Great Spotted, Dendrocopos major
Hairy, Picoides villosus
Ivory-billed, Campephilus principalis
Ladder-backed, Picoides scalaris
Lewis痴, Melanerpes lewis
Nuttall痴, Picoides nuttallii
Pileated, Dryocopus pileatus
Puerto Rican, Melanerpes portoricensis
Red-bellied, Melanerpes carolinus
Red-cockaded, Picoides borealis

Here is the entire list:
MBTA List of Migratory Birds

 

[RalphVa]

Congrats on getting the blower. I had a 1960ish Gravely before the JD we have now. The package deal with it included an older square chute blower that was in perfect shape. I figure it was probably maybe used once before I used it once. Used it on 7 inches of sleet. Picked the sleet up and threw it maybe a 100 feet to the side.

Beware. Ucon is facing OU, my alma mater. My first year at OU was Bud Wilkinson's last year.

Ralph

 

[VitaBene]

Typically woodpeckers peck for insects. This one may have done you a favor and pointed to a trouble spot on your house.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Yeah, really. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice..

Congrads on the blower goldwing. what tractor is it going on?

I have an L3400HST - now I'm chomping at the bit waiting for her to call me to pick it up

Congrats on getting the blower. I had a 1960ish Gravely before the JD we have now. The package deal with it included an older square chute blower that was in perfect shape. I figure it was probably maybe used once before I used it once. Used it on 7 inches of sleet. Picked the sleet up and threw it maybe a 100 feet to the side.

Beware. Ucon is facing OU, my alma mater. My first year at OU was Bud Wilkinson's last year.

Ralph

Hmmm I'm realistic - Its going to be a tough game for UConn Our QB really sucks - but w made it to a major bowl. I'm trying to convince some friend to fly to Phoenix, it should be a fun time!

Typically woodpeckers peck for insects. This one may have done you a favor and pointed to a trouble spot on your house.

Well that was my theory also - 15 years ago. They have been at my house that long & I have been thinning the herd since then. The house is only 20 yrs old and has cedar siding on the outside. Below that is Tyvec and 1" hi density foamboard, no wood sheathing. Then 6" of fiberglass insulation. The little bastards drill a 1-1/2 to 2" hole in the siding & then live in the stud space. I had the house repainted this past summer and all the holes repaired. There are now about 12 or more . . . on all sides. I tried just about everything anyone suggested before pg (pellet gun): aluminum strips attached to the side, mylar balloons, plastic owls (they crapped on them) etc.

 

[jake98]

I saw a million dollar house down in FL that they were pecking thru the stucco on.