Howdy, I seem to be full of questions tonight so I figured I’s pose them to the group and see if anyone has practical knowledge or experience they’d like to share with the group.
1. How often should you change the oil in a farm tractor?
1a. How do you test the hydraulics to know whether you need to add more fluid?
1b. How often should commercial sized mower blades be sharpened?
2. When establishing a driveway how far down should you dig before compacting and adding crusher run?
3. Besides pruning how does one revive old apple trees in a small orchard?
4. Any tips on growing grapes? The vines are established but I don’t want to kill them by doing the wrong thing.
5. If you have added a sun room to your home recently did it involve pouring a pad, small foundation, or set posts? How long did it take you?
6. Heating a barn, I was thinking of using a wood pellet stove to heat the barn or a portion of it. Has anyone used one of these? If so do you think it would be a good solution?
7. Old rock retaining wall, I’ll be repairing one and it was originally done with concrete, not mortar, so I’m concerned that pointing it out with mortar will not work correctly. Should I tear it all down and start from scratch?
8. Truck owners, feedback on the model of your trucks and your opinions on them will be appreciated. I have a V-6 but am looking for something with a larger bed and stronger engine.
9. Improved the efficiency of your windows lately? What kind did you get and how do you like them. I’ve had good luck with Hurd windows so far.
10. Waterproofing masonry in the basement. There is a small leak coming through the poured cement walls in the basement on very wet days. Besides digging a french drain is there a product that actually works from the inside that would seal the leak? I’ve used some products before that didn’t really do the trick.
11. In-Floor heating system, do you have one? Does it leak? Is it efficient?
12. On-demand water pump, water heater, have one? Do you like it?
13. Added a bathroom recently? What was the overall bill? How long did it take you?
14. Irrigation, about 4 acres of land will be used for organic gardens, both fields slope down to opposite sides. I’d like to put in a hand pump or solar pump to provide the right amount of water. How much water would be required? What type of pumps should I look for?
15. Organic fertilizers, what ones have you used? Which ones worked well?
16. Propane powered cordless tools, have any? Do you like them?
17. Wind power, there will be an opportunity to set up a wind turbine, I’m a little confused on how the energy is stored and used however, any practical tips would be welcomed.
Thanks freaks!
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1) Change your oil about every 3000 miles, just like a car. You won’t use your tractor that much unless you really use it–so, I would change the oil every spring to get rid of condensation.
1b) You should always keep your hydraulic fluid reservoir full–if it gets too low you will feel them getting “squishy” and will have to bleed them to get back functionality.
2) Depends on your local climate. The colder; the deeper.
5) Again, depends on your climate. In colder climates a pad works well to hold in heat and release it slowly over night.
6) Pellet stoves are convenient, but the pellets are factory made–and you have to buy them.
7) If your rock wall is sturdy mortar will be fine for cosmetic pointing; if the rocks are wiggly–tear it down (lots of work!).
10) Waterproofing from the inside is problematic. There may be a product that really works, but I haven’t found one yet.
12) On-demand water heaters are great–and save energy.
16) Propane powered cordless tools? Never heard of them–Cool!
17) If you are connected to the Power grid you won’t have to store energy–the power company will buy the excess and you can use their electricity at other times (pays for itself if you are in a windy area).
There you go freak 🙂 I hope I’ve been helpful and haven’t given you any shitty info.
I take it you’ve met the owners, seen the entire property & still like the place?
We’ve been pretty self sufficient (read Poor) most all of my married life, so I have some exp. in most of your list.
1. every spring unless you are using tractor a Lot, plowing, planting, cultivating, etc…
1a. keep it topped up. If its Not working you’ll know.
1b. ummm… if you’re just talking bush-hog & doing rough cuts on fields…I don’t remember doing this more than once a yr…if that. But I’ll check w/MrD & let you know for sure.
2. dunno…sorry! check w/ your local county extension ASAP, they have invaluable info for you…maybe not regarding this in particular…just seemed the right place for this advice.
3. Make sure you know how to prune correctly & have enough time for wounds to heal before hard cold, great damage Can be done. Mulch thickly with leaves, grass clippings, old hay if necessary…out to the drip line… lite fertilizer would also be good.
4. county extension office…basically you leave a trunk & a few branches, cutting everything else away…here in SC this isn’t done til spring…pls check w/your cnty agent for timing in your area
5 & 6.. no experience…sorry
7. for expert advice ask stonemason!
8. We have a 2000 F-150 long bed, wish we had a F-250. Best truck we ever had was a 85 chevy long bed…we patched that thing for many many years with bubble gum, paperclips & ductape…it was nearly 350,000 when it gave its last big sigh.
9. Yes, Pela’s. I’m exstatically happy…but I was replacing found at the dump wieght windows that we’d had (& plasticed over each winter) for ‘most 30 yrs.
10. again check with stonemason. I know there are great new products on the market…elastomeric type things…we sealed a cement patio & turned it into a kichen a few yrs ago for some ppl…can’t remember the name of the product.
11. no but let me know if you get one how you like it. Please see about getting the mother earth news on cd’s …ea. 10 yr set is $20 I think…really Great info for you…maybe the library has it?
12. depends on your usage & type…ELECTRIC (or all we could find anyway) requires THREE 220 Lines!!! in order to function. In an established fuse box that is not very easy to accomplish…& I have to wonder about if thats really effective all things considered. GAS on demnds are great…we’ve installed 3 or 4 & are sold on them…hope to do ours soon.
13. You need to be more specific here…Are you doing the work yourself? Hiring someone?…are you adding a whole room onto a house, from foundation to roof? walling off the end of a hall? gutting one you have?
14, 15. find community sustainable ppl in your area…they’ll be able to help you. Also I suggest you start with an acre the first year…do you realize the work involved in an acre or organic garden?
16. Yes!! Wonderful!! we have propane nail guns…battery powered sawzall, drill, etc.
All are good, easy to use…portability is cool (especially these oldtimers used to dragging ext cords)
17. again, no idea but check mother earth news.
Good Luck to you! Feel free to e me if you want.
some links you might enjoy
http://www.dailykos….
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http://www.dailykos….
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thanks these questions… about our other lives that don’t include BushCo
like them…….