Moving to the Farm

[dave1949]

Good catch. Vigilance pays off in extreme weather.

Maybe you could replace the plastic where it goes through the floor with copper pipe and use a heat tape on the copper below the floor. I don't know if closing in the skirt and insulating will totally solve the problem, it will still be below freezing under there in cold weather.

 

[Tororider]

Good catch. Vigilance pays off in extreme weather. Maybe you could replace the plastic where it goes through the floor with copper pipe and use a heat tape on the copper below the floor. I don't know if closing in the skirt and insulating will totally solve the problem, it will still be below freezing under there in cold weather.

We plan to use heat tape on the plumbing but may now have to consider adding tape to that as well. Most tape is safe to use with PVC. I do think that if it were enclosed and insulated it wouldn't have frozen. You have to think that it only drains every so often, it is warm from coming from the furnace, and that space will become semi conditioned. That said, it might be safer to tape it and not have to worry about it. Thanks.

 

[Tororider]

I was happy to see this when I got out there this morning.

 

[Tororider]

No news is good news. The furnace is still functioning properly. I talked to the drywall pictures and they are planning on coming on Tuesday and Wednesday. And the septic contractor thinks a bill get started on Monday. So progress is being made.

 

[Tororider]

I had a busy weekend. Picked up a set of stairs, some foam board insulation for behind the skirting, and nearly got my van stuck. Oh yeah and the tractor won't start.

I used it to plow snow on Friday, and when I tried starting it on Saturday evening it wouldn't turn at all. When I tried to jump it via my van or jumper battery it would try but not turn over. I have to imagine the starter isn't getting enough juice but I haven't had time to clean the battery connections or try to start the tractor straight from the starter but hopefully I will find some time soon as I would like to use it to try and help unload the stairs.

More details can be found here http://homesteaddad.com/2014/01/12/snow-stairs-rain-dead-tractor-and-other-updates/

 

[Larro Darro]

I can't give advise on ice and snow, but I do know about hauling foam. I used to work part time driving a truck for a local Styrofoam plant. Until we had some metal ones made, we used short pieces of 1X4's nailed at right angles on each side to keep the strap from digging in.

When you try to start your tractor, make sure it is out of gear before you start it from the starter. The old fellow who farms behind me got ran over by a big tractor when he cranked it up in gear. Thank God it had dual wheels on to lessen the weight on him. He had farmed his whole life and should have known better.

Well done and good luck.

Larro

 

[Tororider]

I can't give advise on ice and snow, but I do know about hauling foam. I used to work part time driving a truck for a local Styrofoam plant. Until we had some metal ones made, we used short pieces of 1X4's nailed at right angles on each side to keep the strap from digging in. When you try to start your tractor, make sure it is out of gear before you start it from the starter. The old fellow who farms behind me got ran over by a big tractor when he cranked it up in gear. Thank God it had dual wheels on to lessen the weight on him. He had farmed his whole life and should have known better. Well done and good luck. Larro

Thanks Larro, I hope not to have to haul any more foam board insulation but will keep that in mind if I do.

I double checked both the gear lever and forward reverse lever. Our tractor won't even turn if either are engaged. Thanks.

 

[farmer2009]

Does your tractor have a PTO safety switch. If so check it if not try load testing your battery before you go buy a new one.

Sounds like you have things going good.

 

[Tororider]

Does your tractor have a PTO safety switch. If so check it if not try load testing your battery before you go buy a new one. Sounds like you have things going good.

By safety switch do you mean the yellow knob to turn the pto on? Normally if anything is out of place it won't turn at all.

The drywall finishers started today. They think it will take three days.

 

[farmer2009]

By safety switch do you mean the yellow knob to turn the pto on? Normally if anything is out of place it won't turn at all.

The drywall finishers started today. They think it will take three days.

No follow the wires from the pto switch. Some tractors have a switch in the line that if the pto is on it won't start others have it where it shuts down. If it's a manual engagement (lever) the sometimes it's a position sensor. These can vibrate loose as you said it ran fine the day before. Isn't it kept it a heated building? Try taking apart all safety switches and putting them back together one at a time ( this way you know which one it was for next time).