Today I made / bought / learnt .... (for a post oil world) 2

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 882

Went on another mini shopping session gathering a few staples, some extra and taking advantages on sale items. What I used to pick up occasionally is now on my watch list for sale day.

Tomorrow I'm working on my horse hay-mower at the place where I've been learning teamster work. I made up a new pitman the other night because that is the weak link in this mower. I want to start the day off right by not relying on that old weathered piece of ash. I didn't have any ash for mine so I used what I had which is white oak. The only difference between the ash and oak is that the oak my add a little draft to the mower because of the increased density and therefore weight of the pitman. Too bad it's going to rain or we might be able to take it out behind a team and clip some dandelions. Very Happy

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1503

SpringCreekFarm,
Does your mower have a "truck" (pair of wheels) under the front to take the tongue weight? The Amish around here are adammant about using them, so I have added these wheels to quite few mowers. Without them, the whole weight of the mower is supported by the horses' necks via the tongue and neck yoke, resulting in ugly pressure sores on the horses necks with prolonged use. The collar first rubs the mane hair off, the makes a huge friction blister on top of their necks. Of course, we're talking about several days of hay mowing to do that, but the horses would appreciate relief from that weight.

The rig looks like the pair of wheels under a horse-drawn disc, and works the same way, on a pivot, with the tongue attached to the wheels to steer it all.

The same thinking is behind what is called a "stiff tongue" wagon, where the wagon tongue is self-supporting.
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RedStateGreen

Ludi

Worked on fences; planted some squash and melons.
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FoolYap

Planted five hardy kiwi vines. Two edible honeysuckles. One serviceberry. Three more blueberries. Three more raspberries.

Re-potted a few dozen tomatoes, peppers, and cabbages under grow lights, that were outgrowing the little mini peat-pots they were started in. (Anyone have a soil blocker? The gizmos that squeeze a soil mix into cubes to plant in? Do they work well?)

--Steve

ohcomeon · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 10, 2006 Posts: 119 Location: USA

In the last few days, planted some tomatoes, peppers, stevia, cilantro in containers on the deck. Got my order ready for the new chicks. Planted Mesclun inside (don't know how this will work...). Added some onions in the front flower bed...

Feeling like I need to do more. Not sure what... Can't have a garden here this year. So it's all container stuff.

Oh, also bought 5 boxes of canning jars at an auction for a steal!

Shannymara · Master Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 5390 Location: Oklahoma

Planted more seedlings, got my 4 year old to help and he actually got into it this time. Joined the OK Food Cooperative.
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"Every junkie's like a setting sun..." - Neil Young

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1394

One more thing off the to-do list for 2008 done...

DomusAlbion

Sweet ride, Carlin, and Darlin' I hope he demonstrates his appreciation.
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"Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett

"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1394

LOL yes, DA he does show his appreciation. Yesterday he helped me load and carry half a ton of feed for my goats to storage till it's used, then he moved all the blocks for the foundation of the new room we're adding on from the front yard to the back yard (at least another ton of weight). Don't know if he'll be able to walk today, but he worked his hiney off. That is, in between stops to show off the new bike to his buddies. Smile

Today we start putting in the foundation. Smile

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 882

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1503

SpringCreekFarm,
You've done your homework. Good job! On the oil, I'd want to try Mobil 1 75/90W Synthetic. That stuff makes a world of difference in my truck trans and rear end (+2mpg), and the worm drive on my steel bandsaw (no wear, no heat). Love that stuff! If you choose it, wash out the old stuff with diesel, mineral spriits, etc., because that old gear lube had something like asphalt in it for high pressure characteristics.
The anti-wear properties of synthetics are such that a friend of mine had to replace it in his car engine, with cheap motor oil to develope enough friction to get the rings to seat! After about 3,000 miles with cheap oil in it, it stops using oil so he put the synthetic back in and drove it for 200,000 miles with regular 6,000 mile changes. Stilll in great shape when he got tired of it and traded cars.

The only downside that I can think of is that there were essentially no seals in those old mowers, as we know them today, so you might get leakage with synthetic oil. If so, I'd go back to petroleum oil with about 10% STP in it. The viscosity will reduce leakage, and the STP will keep the gears well coated. Can't get that stuff off when you WANT too.

Good luck! Wish I could participate!
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davep · Expert Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 1243 Location: Europe

This weekend I've planted a couple of fig trees, an olive tree (against a south-facing wall), some hazel nut trees, and some rosemary (as well as some girlie flowers for Mrs P). I also weeded the strawberries and cut the grass (about one acre) and planted some veg in trays.

It's been a balmy 27 degrees C here this weekend. Lovely Cool

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All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become. - Buddha

Laurasia · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jul 10, 2004 Posts: 533

Picked up a couple of meat-grinders from a country flea-market yesterday, for $8. It's been years since I went to a flea-market - lots of interesting stuff, though.

Regards,

L.

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1503

I'm still gathering materials. Hauled home 134 used concrete blocks this weekend, and in my old S-10 pickup, that meant 4 trips. I'm pooped.
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