Anyone already thinking of springtime?

Gary Fowler · Mar 11, 2015

Its a nice spring day today about 68F so thoughts turned to spring time. I didn't change the oil in my mowers last fall for some reason or other so I decided that today was the day. I got the Ferris out and drained the oil and removed the oil filter only to discover that the dealer gave me the wrong filter. This is getting a bit disgusting with that parts guy. I bought a new set of blades and the oil filter when I bought the mower and instead of 52" set they gave me 48" set so I had to take them back last spring (25 miles each way) and now another 50 miles driving to get the right oil filter. I did discover that I can get the same filter at Walmart for most likely less money. The same filter for my 26 HP B&S engine fits my Kawasaki 23 HP engine.
Anyway, I got everything oiled up and ready to go when it dries up from all the rain and snow we had. I will drop the mower low and mow off all the dead grass first so the fresh growth can come thru faster.

I suppose today I also can go around and pick up all the broken limbs from the ice storm. I have been waiting for the ground to dry out a bit so they are still just laying all over the property. Some will need to be cut now since they didn't break but just laid down on the ground.

mddorange · Mar 11, 2015

I have been but the weather here is very wet. The temps have come up to normal though.

MoKelly · Mar 11, 2015

Very nice near St. Louis as well. The issue is our roads are getting very mushy. Seems to happen every few years when Spring comes an dthe winter freeze melts.

Grass will be growing very soon. I also just changed the oil and filter in my mowers. Happily, both started just fine after quite a layoff.

MoKelly

peterc38 · Mar 11, 2015

Thinking about spring but we have a long way to go here

chad22 · Mar 11, 2015

Yep. It sure feels like spring weather here. 75F currently. Been out working on my garden tractor "The one in my avatar" adjusting the carb to get it running right. It's been stalling out.

Think I finally got it fixed. Probably take it down the street for a test run tomorrow. "Hopefully it stays running and doesn't make me push it. lol"

DFB · Mar 11, 2015

Ya was +50F 2 days in a row. The maple sap must be running like crazy now. I was already approached by the gal that runs the CSA farm if I would be ready to do her new field rototilling. Of course I told her I would but that's a long way off right now considering there is still over 2 feet of snow just about everywhere here and we still have to have mud season first!

jjlite · Mar 11, 2015

Its been around 40F (above 0F):cool2:the last couple of days but still have 3ft of snow on the ground. Should see some grass around mid may and be dry enough to get on the field by June. This nice warm up has me digging at the grill that has been nothing but a hump in the back yard since November.

phiferpharm · Mar 11, 2015

82F today - too warm and just the beginning. Spent yesterday getting the ZTR serviced and new blades, servicing the chipper/vac, and picking up twigs, branches, and yard junk. Spent today vacuuming leaves... lots and lots and lots of leaves...

nybirdman · Mar 11, 2015

Plus 40-50F in Northern NY,quite a change from a couple weeks ago.We have lost a foot or so of our three feet that we had.It is suppose to go back down in the 20's at nite so that will slow the melt down.Everyone is ready for spring around here.Averaged 7.3 F for the month of February............+100 inches of snow.

rekees4300 · Mar 11, 2015

60F and sunny here today, snow 99% gone, sure feels like Spring. Have an urge to fire up the chainsaw. No ticks, snakes, mosquitoes, gnats, chiggers, or deerflys yet.

Opti-Mist · Mar 11, 2015

+50 F today and the fields are half bare. I can remember back in the NW U. P. of MI when I had the spring planting done on the opening day of trout season (once) and walking the back fields in shorts and T-shirts at Easter (also once). The only two early springs I can remember.

Mendonsy · Mar 11, 2015

Low 40's here today, 30's tomorrow, snow forecast for Saturday. My wife had me working in the greenhouse all afternoon so she can start planting stuff next week.
My back is killin' me from lifting stuff in the greenhouse and she wants me to build more raised beds in the garden. Yeah, I'm thinking about spring!

oosik · Mar 12, 2015

Thinking springtime - - we are living spring here. Except for the very low spots in my fields, everything has dried out. Rather than spring mud - I've already got early summer dust. The last two days have been spent grubbing in the ground and preparing spots for later planting. I have already mowed my lawns once.

All this is at least a month early - the shoe will fall if we don't get more moisture - rain. Late summer/early fall wildfire season could be disastrous.

mjarrels · Mar 12, 2015

Muddy mess right now, did see a robin yesterday.

mary

HEC · Mar 12, 2015

I sure am thinking about it but we have a snow storm coming Sat. , they say about 6 inches . It was almost 50 here yesterday but that was just a tease .

Thomas · Mar 12, 2015

Thinking about spring since first January...come on mud season.

Mendonsy · Mar 12, 2015

I saw a groundhog this morning!
He was sitting on top of a snow bank warming himself in the sun. I guess that would count as Spring?
Mixed rain and snow is forecast for this weekend then colder and more snow for next week.

Walkin Horse · Mar 12, 2015

Yes I'm ready to shuck my carharts. We got a little greenhouse going Sunday. I used a window and built a frame inside of it. I hung it on the fence in the sun. Last nite I fixed the wheels on my tiller. It had the plastic ones that broke at the hub. I took some rubber tires and the fork off of an old finish mower. So yes I'm ready.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

flyerdan · Mar 12, 2015

It's been quite mild here in Oregon this year, already have about 80 miles on the bike from jaunts to the river parks. Last week I tilled my garden spots and planted peas, have mowed the lawn twice already, usually wait until May for the first mow. Like oosik said above, we'll probably pay for it later.

Ken · Mar 12, 2015

Gary Fowler said:
Its a nice spring day today about 68F so thoughts turned to spring time. I didn't change the oil in my mowers last fall for some reason or other so I decided that today was the day. I got the Ferris out and drained the oil and removed the oil filter only to discover that the dealer gave me the wrong filter. This is getting a bit disgusting with that parts guy. I bought a new set of blades and the oil filter when I bought the mower and instead of 52" set they gave me 48" set so I had to take them back last spring (25 miles each way) and now another 50 miles driving to get the right oil filter. I did discover that I can get the same filter at Walmart for most likely less money. The same filter for my 26 HP B&S engine fits my Kawasaki 23 HP engine.
Anyway, I got everything oiled up and ready to go when it dries up from all the rain and snow we had. I will drop the mower low and mow off all the dead grass first so the fresh growth can come thru faster.

I suppose today I also can go around and pick up all the broken limbs from the ice storm. I have been waiting for the ground to dry out a bit so they are still just laying all over the property. Some will need to be cut now since they didn't break but just laid down on the ground.

Gary Don't over look the Black Berry winter when the berries are blooming.

I also waiting for spring the grounds is to mushy to run mower on lawn. Have been clearing brush and broken limbs from trees. Next week supposed to be in the 70's I'm ready .
ken