Driveway and lot clearing progress and what are you all up to?

PowerTracManiac · Mar 20, 2020

Wel, I am working about 1/2 as much as normal so I have time to work on the driveway and lot clearing for the new shop. My PT1460 machine has plenty of power to push over trees up to about 6-12 inches depending on species. The problem happens with the trees that just bend over and then come back up. Best way to get those out would be the single fork idea to get under the trees and then lift them out. I don't have that tool, so I'm just using a mattax on the small stuff and a sawzall with carbide blade on the medium size stuff.
I have the 4 in 1 bucket and I am able to get the big trees I cut picked up and moved out of the way with no problem. My impression is that if you are considering a 4 in 1 bucket or a brush grapple, I would recommend the brush grapple over the 4 in 1 bucket. I am not having an issue with getting flat tires that I was worried about.
The cleared area in attached photos is about 50 by 60. There are some bigger trees I haven't cut yet at about 2 feet diameter. My thoughts on those are to cut them down and then burn the stumps?
Hope you all are staying safe and working on the tractor is good times in this current situation.

Thomas · Mar 21, 2020

Looks like good dirt...keep updates coming.

MossRoad · Mar 21, 2020

PowerTracManiac said:
Wel, I am working about 1/2 as much as normal so I have time to work on the driveway and lot clearing for the new shop. My PT1460 machine has plenty of power to push over trees up to about 6-12 inches depending on species. The problem happens with the trees that just bend over and then come back up. Best way to get those out would be the single fork idea to get under the trees and then lift them out. I don't have that tool, so I'm just using a mattax on the small stuff and a sawzall with carbide blade on the medium size stuff.
I have the 4 in 1 bucket and I am able to get the big trees I cut picked up and moved out of the way with no problem. My impression is that if you are considering a 4 in 1 bucket or a brush grapple, I would recommend the brush grapple over the 4 in 1 bucket. I am not having an issue with getting flat tires that I was worried about.
The cleared area in attached photos is about 50 by 60. There are some bigger trees I haven't cut yet at about 2 feet diameter. My thoughts on those are to cut them down and then burn the stumps?
Hope you all are staying safe and working on the tractor is good times in this current situation.

View attachment 646330
View attachment 646331

You can't hide behind that tree! :laughing:

PILOON · Mar 21, 2020

What am I up to?
LOL, with this virus I'm at home on the TBN web as it is to cold and too much snow to do anything outdoors.

Besides my drive is pure ice.
All restaurants are closed as are many stores.
People have gone crazy hoarding all kinds of stuff.
Perhaps I should start making TP as there is such a shortage.

Maybe if I really get bored I might do somethin useful like sorting my nuts and bolts, LOL.

Oh well another hour or two and I'll enjoy a 'favorite beverage'.
I did stock up a few 'fifths' and judging by the lineup and full baskets hospitals will be very busy in nine months.

PowerTracManiac · Mar 21, 2020

Yeah, I am kinda hiding out (not behind that tree-:laughing

and I wanted to post so anyone interested could join in some conversation. My place is rural with no one else really around so I am kind of self isolating. Have supplies for about a month, if necessary. Several states in the US have declared stay at home rules and I think Virginia will do that if the cases here jump up.
Weather is getting warmer and my plan is to work on some projects that I have been wanting to do for a while to stay active (start shop layout, fix electric bike, clean out storage area, extend access road to pond, work on some old cars, etc.)
Might have to go get some adult beverages myself as I'm going to be sore from all the tree work I need to do.

woodlandfarms · Mar 21, 2020

We had a pipe break in our house in LA and do some 70k in damages. I have been at that house supervising the repairs. Everyday they continue to close more and more stores and are telling people to shelter. Unsure of what my line in the sand is when I say heck with this and try and catch a flight back to the farm. If my vendors are still available I should be done in 10 days.

MossRoad · Mar 21, 2020

Home repair stores were one of the ones that were allowed to stay open and people are allowed to go to during this crisis here in Indiana.

ponytug · Mar 24, 2020

MR: Home repair stores are allowed to be open in California, as well, but the contractors, e.g. plumbers are not, unless it is an emergency. (Ask me how I know...)
Woodlandfarms: I hope that your contractors keep going!

All the best,

Peter

MossRoad · Mar 24, 2020

We're supposed to be starting an addition to our garage this year. I'll be doing it all myself except for the concrete. Pulled the permit last week. Gave them full description, scale drawing, everything. Concrete guy tells me yes, you gave them everything, but they didn't tell you everything. :laughing:

Existing garage is 24' wide by 20' deep. = 480
Addition going behind it is 24' wide by 24' deep = 576
480 + 576 = 1056

Yeah, so?

Anything over 720 requires a footing below frost line. Can't do just a slab.

It's not over 720.

It will be with the addition.

But, but, but.... the existing garage is on a slab with no footing.

Too bad. That's what the inspector will tell you when he comes out and tells you to remove all the forms, dig a trench 4' deep, put in a 12" wide footing, wall, backfill, compact, etc....

GRRRR!!!!!

Called building inspector last week. He finally got back to me today. Confirmed.

If it was a pole barn addition, I'd only have to put posts down below the frost line every 8', even though it would have a slab the same size. It's a regular framed addition, not a pole building. Can I just put a 12" pier down below frost line every 8'? Inspector says sure. That's perfect.

YEESH!

Anyhow, now it's gonna be just a slab like I'd planned before with the addition of a 12" x 4' deep hole every 8' filled with concrete.

So now I have to ask the contractor when he'll be able to do it, and order the garage materials to be delivered a couple weeks after that to give it time to dry/cure.

woodlandfarms · Mar 24, 2020

Yup. Big bix stores are open. You have to stand in a line outside 6 ft apart. They hired extra people to manage the lines. As 5 go out 5 get to go in. In la contractors are still working as housing is considered critical. At least for the moment. So new concrete floors are in today. Paint and trim on Thursday. I decided to redo my bbq island and pour concrete countertops and for my first time it came out pretty good. Z-form countertop forms.