Good morning!!!!

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 36F this morning, clear, calm wind. Wind stayed light with moderate gusts, sky stayed clear, high temp 66F. Changed oil in mower today, along with a blade sharpen. Volagi has some maintenance issues, especially leaking rear tire, so changed over to Trek till they are done and went for bike ride. Could not get motivated to continue with lights
Ted, good to hear you got through surgery ok.
Don no pics on crown please
Eric congrats on new tractor !!:drink:
RNG, another voice to say let him back in!!
CWB good to hear good report on your wife
Thomas, let me know how do you cancel winter?
prayers for all

 

[txdon]

Ah man, I just figured it out. It is a red, white and blue early Christmas for the morning group,
Drew red (tractor)
me white (crown)
Eric blue (tractor)

I predict mine is the least fun.

 

[sodamo]

Farmer, someone will always buy your used tractor, whatever the hours or age, it's only a question of how many chickens you need to raise to pay for the replacement. How are your tires doing, they are often the big expense item ? Some would say sell while there is still enough tread left for a light user not to worry about, or change tires and keep the tractor for a few more years - your engine should be nowhere near the end of life.

I've recently sold my Iseki (I've been waiting for Drew's new tractor to arrive before announcing this, but he keeps coming up with excuses to delay delivery until his comes gift wrapped for Christmas ).

Business wise, it was a stupid thing to do, if profit was the only consideration I should have kept it for several more years. It was built in 2012 and when I bought it 2 years later it was immaculate, having done only a few demonstrations. Another 4 years on and by some amazing strokes of luck, there was still not a scratch on it and the tires looked good (at least, they did when not covered in sheep poop). I had intended to retro fit an air suspension seat, then realised they were less than half the price if bought at the same time as a new tractor and that's when I thought if I was ever going to sell my much loved Iseki, this would be the ideal time. Still couldn't justify it on cost, then reasoned to myself, I have been very fortunate in life - why spoil it and risk having death bed regrets about not buying a new tractor ? :laughing:

You make me laugh, Eric. I’m toying with several projects that pencil around $30k, which of course I don’t have in my back pocket. None involve a new tractor . Wife’s attitude is maybe it’s about time we enjoyed some our son’s inheritance while we are still alive. He won’t miss it if it’s not there.

 

[sodamo]

PJ, if it were me and our son my approach would be along this line. Sell him the car at a decent price, maybe $6k with a reasonable monthly payment schedule, don’t forget interest to be legal. I’d also put it in writing and not let him miss a payment. Save the payments, totally without his knowledge. This should be a could thing for his mother as it fosters some growing up. A some point, when he is grown and more responsible gift him the money.
Our own son added his own twist, cancelled his collision insurance on his own and totaled car about 6 months in. He ended up making that payment and the bank payment for the replacement car. A tough lesson he hasn’t forgotten. Invested the money in an account and then gave to him as a wedding present a few years later. Last we talked it was still invested. He’s still driving the 2001 Honda Civic he bought new to replace the totaled car.

 

[sodamo]

New tractors, new teeth, rebuilt knee, decorations, car, trips, congrats all.
RNG, hope you get home soon. Do you get enough rain to catch an emergency supply?

 

[sodamo]

Talked myself out of going to town and called the supplier to discuss over phone. Good thing as some items will have to be special ordered.

 

[Eric Salop]

Good morning. I have to go out today so in a couple of minutes I will be filling hay racks in the dark. That's not too big an issue, it's lifting the tops open in this high wind that is going to be the fun bit.

LS, nothing earth (or bone) shattering sounds great news. :thumbsup: Take it nice and steady - no more competitive festive decorating for a while.

Eric, nice Iseki. Is that a self leveling loader?
Glad two of us are getting Christmas presents...
let's see who else we can motivate...

Drew, yes it is self levelling but ssssh, not so loud, my wife may be listening .
Just to be clear, your tractor is a Christmas present. All I did was purchase an air suspension seat to resolve an health and safety issue in the ageing self employed workforce. It just so happened that the most economical manner to purchase this item was with a tractor attached.

 

[RoyJackson]

2018-11-28, 0341

30 right now...high in the mid-30's today.

After posting yesterday and a bit of internet prowling, I went out to clear snow from the drive and street. Definitely wet, heavy snow. Anyway, on a pass on the street, the outside lights on my neighbor's and our house flickered twice, then total darkness. I finished up clearing the snow, then back to the house. Fortunately, I have a small handheld Stanley LED lantern in the truck (which was right next to where I park the Deere), so I had light to get into the house.
We have three LED lanterns in the house so we had light, but no heat, water or much else. I ran up to Randolph for coffee, donuts and some hot sandwiches
Since the snow was coming down heavy, I plowed again at around noon (yeah, I stayed home yesterday) since the tractor was still relatively warm and I couldn't plug it in, obviously. All told, we got 8 or 9 inches of wet, heavy snow. If the snow had been powdery, I'd estimate it would have been a good 15-18 inches.
Per the reports, 10% of Vermont residents lost power from Montpelier as far south as Springfield.

Power was out until 0130-0145 this morning.​

Now, I have a 10kW generator...and we did run an extension in to the house, but there wasn't much we could power up...things such as the well pump...since the circuit breaker box is on the opposite side of the house. I'm going to have to plan better come spring for the genny set up.

 

[Looking4new]

22 and going to 32F. Wind NNW16 gusting to 26 mph. 60% chance of 'periods' of snow.

The neighbour slid his 4 wd pickup off the road ind into the ditch yesterday. His 2 wd Massey was just spinning its' wheels, so I grabbed the Kioti. He is back on the road now. We had to get the township out to cut a bunch of trees that were hanging over the road and right down to the road. They are the reason he was in the ditch to begin with.

I had a tree down in the driveway, I just plowed around it until the young (50) lad got his sorry but out of bed and he cut it with his buck saw.

Today I take the dog (Pug) to the vet to get 'fixed'. She will argue that she isn't broken, but I say she will get fixed anyway.

After the vet run I will plow. Do I ever get tired of plowing snow? No. I love plowing snow and once upon a time I did it for a living (20 years).

Have a good day all

 

[Looking4new]

Now, I have a 10kW generator...and we did run an extension in to the house, but there wasn't much we could power up...things such as the well pump...since the circuit breaker box is on the opposite side of the house. I'm going to have to plan better come spring for the genny set up.

I ran the 220 Volt line from my genny into a 2 position center off knife switch for the well pump. The top position is from grid power. The bottom position is from the genny. It works good. Everything else is 110 V. My breaker box is 52' away from the well pump, too. The genny is another 25' past that.