The gully to pond project

[jinman]

Rental?

Maybe I just need a bigger tractor to pull my dump trailer. Hmm. . . that has a nice sound to it. For the next project, I'll think seriously about maybe buying a big used farm tractor with GOOD BRAKES to pull the trailer.

 

[pacerron]

Maybe I just need a bigger tractor to pull my dump trailer. Hmm. . . that has a nice sound to it. For the next project, I'll think seriously about maybe buying a big used farm tractor with GOOD BRAKES to pull the trailer.

Beppington's idea of rental of a dump truck sounds reasonable. If the construction industry is anywhere near as flat there as here there are probably many dump trucks, with driver that would help you for a good price just waiting for the phone to ring. Maybe even a local vocational school that would like to give the students an experience of more than moving a load of dirt from one side of a parking lot to another.
My original suggestion of an earthmover scraper probably was a bit far out for what your doing, although the scrap value of them almost equals the selling price anymore. I guess I was just reminiscing of days long past when
I was in USAF Prime Beef. Lots of big toys, for lots of big projects.
You know what they say: " The difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys"

 

[bindian]

Maybe I just need a bigger tractor to pull my dump trailer. Hmm. . . that has a nice sound to it. For the next project, I'll think seriously about maybe buying a big used farm tractor with GOOD BRAKES to pull the trailer.

Jim,
A big, old, farm tractor...only 2WD with no hydraulics, only a draw bar, can pull, pull, pull! They are cheap too!
hugs, Brandi

 

[ronjhall]

Maybe I just need a bigger tractor to pull my dump trailer. Hmm. . . that has a nice sound to it. For the next project, I'll think seriously about maybe buying a big used farm tractor with GOOD BRAKES to pull the trailer.

How about putting a brake controller on your current tractor?

 

[jinman]

How about putting a brake controller on your current tractor?

Well, brakes are not the issue with the blue tractor. Pulling uphill with the wheels spinning is its major problem. However, I am thinking of putting a brake controller on the trailer. It has its own battery for the hydraulic pump, so I could add a brake controller inside that box that should work with any towing vehicle. As Brandi pointed out, big ol' 2wd farm tractors are cheap, but many/most of them have poor brakes from pulling too many hay wagons or just neglect. I might have to buy a "beast" and fix its brakes right away.

 

[jinman]

Well, I get the dummy award for not getting pictures (I had my camera in the Kawasaki Mule, but forgot to use it.), but yesterday I stocked my first little pond that has been nearly full for several weeks. I put in 10 lb of fathead minnows (too many, I know), about 50 coppernose bluegill, and 30 channel catfish (4"-6"). I need to fertilize the pond in a hurry and will be feeding the catfish every other day. I also need to put in a spawing structure for the minnows. One article I read said to go to grocery stores and get their waxed cardboard boxes that frozen food comes in. That seems a bit trashy lookin' for a pond, so I may look for other methods. What you need is somewhere for the minnows to attach their eggs because they spawn 2 or 3 times per year.

 

[bindian]

Well, I get the dummy award for not getting pictures (I had my camera in the Kawasaki Mule, but forgot to use it.), but yesterday I stocked my first little pond that has been nearly full for several weeks. I put in 10 lb of fathead minnows (too many, I know), about 50 coppernose bluegill, and 30 channel catfish (4"-6"). I need to fertilize the pond in a hurry and will be feeding the catfish every other day. I also need to put in a spawing structure for the minnows. One article I read said to go to grocery stores and get their waxed cardboard boxes that frozen food comes in. That seems a bit trashy lookin' for a pond, so I may look for other methods. What you need is somewhere for the minnows to attach their eggs because they spawn 2 or 3 times per year.

Jim,
My county extension agent told me to put wooden (oak preferred) pallets in for the fatheads. The inner structure of the pallet gives the fatheads perfect places to attach eggs and it makes it harder for the cats to catch the fry. I change the pallet out every year. I weight it down with two cinder blocks.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

Jim,
My county extension agent told me to put wooden (oak preferred) pallets in for the fatheads. The inner structure of the pallet gives the fatheads perfect places to attach eggs and it makes it harder for the cats to catch the fry. I change the pallet out every year. I weight it down with two cinder blocks.
hugs, Brandi

I think I have the perfect solution. We have bunches of old black soaker hoses that have broken and are no longer used. I'm going to cut 2' sections and bundle them together in groups of a dozen so that there are 24 openings. I can make two of these from each 50' hose. I'll put maybe 10 of these at locations around the pond and weight them to be sure they reach the bottom. The inside of the hose sections should be ideal for the little minnows to lay eggs and be far away from bluegill or catfish coming to dine. I'll take pictures of my pond critters when I get them ready.

 

[jinman]

We threw out half a coffee can full of catfish food yesterday morning and just before sunset last night. I was hoping to see some of the little catfish fingerlings coming to the surface for a sample, but they didn't. All we saw was fathead minnows nibbling at the floating pellets and a couple of bluegill popping up to the surface for a bite. Perhaps the catfish were too shy. They may still be settling into their new home and not in the mood to eat.

I've also added another 3' to the dam over the last couple of days, but I'm not posting pictures until it gets dramatically bigger. Of course, it rains a bunch and water levels rise, I'll take photos of that. For now, it's just a dam getting taller at a slow and steady pace. I can tell you that compacting every square inch of the dam is very time consuming, but also so important. I sure am glad the shuttle lever on my tractor is brand new. It's gettin' a workout.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've read a lot of stories about structure, and seen some of the pictures that those guys come up with. I'm even guilty of building a few of them out of PVC pipe myself. Now I think that branches and trees work the best. Seeing the activity around my bush piles leaves no doubt that they use those area, and the more you have, the more fish will use it.

Just prune your trees and put the branches along the shore. Make a mess and pile them up. The uglier it is to us, the prettier it is for the fish!!!!

Eddie