Survived the Oklahoma floods!

[SouthernSooner]

Just closed on our 57 acres and the day before closing we had record flooding and tornadoes. Inspected the property and was very pleased that all five ponds held up well. The guy that built the ponds did a great job. None of them were backed up so the overflow pipe and spillways were designed perfectly. The owner even told me that the pond builder suggested blocking the overflow pipe to increase pond size - said the spillways were built to handle overflow just fine. Not sure I'm brave enough to try that yet.

At any rate, my wife's a keeper and used the weedeater on the pond banks while I brush hogged.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

If she's a "keeper", you may want to get her a pair of snake boots or gaiters for working around that pond

 

[SouthernSooner]

If she's a "keeper", you may want to get her a pair of snake boots or gaiters for working around that pond

True! We've actually been meaning to get some. Too many things to do and not enough time to do it all!

 

[CowboyRon]

Beautiful place you have there, I hope that you enjoy it.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

True! We've actually been meaning to get some. Too many things to do and not enough time to do it all!

I shot a moccasin just a few days ago that had worked its way to within 6 feet of me. It would probably not have been in that area except for all the standing water. It was just a reminder to always be vigilant. I usually wear snake boots anytime I'm out on the property - but not that day. I was lucky to spot the snake and it was unlucky that I had my 38 Rossi loaded with CCI shotshells

 

[SouthernSooner]

Luckily, we have no cotton mouths in this part of Oklahoma, but we do gave an abundance of copperheads and Pygmy rattlers.

 

[SouthernSooner]

Thanks, Cowboy. What part of Texas is Mabank located? I gave family all over texas and haven't heard of that town...

 

[CowboyRon]

Thanks, Cowboy. What part of Texas is Mabank located? I gave family all over texas and haven't heard of that town...

Well like you, I have family in Oklahoma. The only time we don't get along is around mid October if you know what I mean.
Mabank is a little over an hour southeast away from Dallas on cedar creek lake. We're closer to Tyler and Athens.

 

[Wagtail]

At any rate, my wife's a keeper and used the weedeater on the pond banks while I brush hogged.

Another suggestion, Mate. I had one of those hand-held 'weedeaters' and the vibration darn-near ruined my hands. I went out and bought a pair of thick, 'diving', foam-neoprene gloves. I also adapted an old golf-bag strap to help counterbalance it, but by then the damage had been done and the pain around my thumbs became unbearable whenever I used it.

I eventually bought a new Stihl with handles & a harness = no more pain and a lot easier.

 

[dave1949]

Congrats on your new place! It sure got tested so you shouldn't have any worries about the ponds.

I have the same tingle finger issues as Wagtail and I'm using a Stihl with handles and harness. Have to get some of those foam gloves. Regular gloves with a liner do help. "Vibration White Finger" I think the damage is cumulative over many years, so prevention is important. Vibration white finger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SouthernSooner]

My father in law has a wheeled weed eater that needs a bit of work that he is giving me. As soon as I get time to fix it, I'm going to start using it to weed eat the property.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just bought a Stihl FS56RC with harness and after using it for about 6 hours, the only thing hurting was my back but I had a bad back to start with. I found no excessive vibration but did find that the trigger pull is a bit heavy and was a bit hard to hold down for extended periods. This is the first Stihl I have owned but it sure beats the El Cheapo ones I have bought before in the power department. It can power thru knee high grass in an 18" swath with no stalling.
I am not worried about snakes when weed eating. If they come too close, they get whipped to shreds with the string. You just need to keep the trimmer in front of your walking path and no snakes, frogs, spiders or other animals will be alive after you pass over them.

 

[Wagtail]

I agree, Gary, that a 'weedeater' with handles & harness practically eliminates vibration damage to the hands. It's those hands-on-the-shaft (less expensive) ones that are the culprits. I use regular work gloves with my new one... and I swap out a 3-point blade for the string canister when heavy slashing is required due to bracken. Bracken will eat an entire string canister as a snack!

However, I've learnt my lesson and wear the foam neoprene gloves when using my 2-stroke leaf blower.

 

[MacLawn]

Great looking place, there Sooner! It was a good test of the water flow on ye land too. Snakes will get out of ye way when cutting, but I'm always on the lookout anyway, been around them rascals all me life. I've learned that bass love where snakes are. Reckon they eat the little ones, but I've alway done good for bass when/where I see snakes. Biggest bass I ever caught in me long life was in the Snake Hole (I ain't tellin') Mr. Crawford named way back in the '50s.

Oh, about the weed eater thingamajigs; I just replace the housewife model Ethyl got me a couple years ago with a Stihl. Love it! Buy good stuff the first time, I've been trying to tell Ethyl for over 40 years now. I think she's listening.

Okay, be back. Gotta run to WallyWorld to get oil/filter, peanut butter...