Ready for this winter?

[whistlepig]

We got hammered here last winter. Worst winter since the blizzard of '78. A few nights of wind chills of -30. Luckily we did not lose power. Going into last winter I didn't think our setup would survive. We feared our horse waterer would freeze or the lines to the barn freeze. And we had a lot of snow for these parts. All of this worked last winter as we hoped. You really don't know until the winter is over.

 

[dave1949]

I haven't cleaned the chimney yet. I usually do that when the burning season is over but it didn't happen this year. I have an easy chimney to clean so it's no biggie.

Firewood is in and ready.

The 3pt snowblower needs going over, fresh gear oil.

Some places in the driveway could use some fresh topping.

It's true, you never know what is coming. For what it's worth, the long range forecast is similar to last winter. Our winter can be so variable depending on how far north or south the storms go--which could be anywhere from Bangor to Boston. I don't think anyone can predict that long range. If they get it right within three days of the storm they are doing well.

 

[whistlepig]

I need to test run the generator. Fill some gas cans with stabilizer. Replace the heating element on the livestock waterer just in case. Don't want to do that in -30 wind chill. Install the tire chains, ballast box and mount the loader. A change of season on a farm no matter the size takes some effort. It paid off last winter.

 

[deerseeker001]

dont rush it Man, we have 3-4 months yet enjoy the Summer and Fall.

We got hammered here last winter. Worst winter since the blizzard of '78. A few nights of wind chills of -30. Luckily we did not lose power. Going into last winter I didn't think our setup would survive. We feared our horse waterer would freeze or the lines to the barn freeze. And we had a lot of snow for these parts. All of this worked last winter as we hoped. You really don't know until the winter is over.

 

[oosik]

Hey, like deer seeker, don't rush the seasons. I don't want to start thinking about winter til the end of Oct. I'm retired and the last thing I worry about is getting snowed in - so what. I'm always as ready as I'm ever going to be.

 

[jimpen]

Well my pellet stove ran for too many days that it burned up the auger for the pellets. So I have to get that replaced. Other than that, I'm telecommuting so only have go into town like twice a week for alcohol.

 

[square1]

Made and installed a light bar on the tractor yesterday for working on shorter daylight days. Bring it on!

 

[OldMcDonald]

jimpen, You need to make the effort (and find the money of course) to buy more alcohol before you get snowed in. From experience I can tell you that it really is possible to buy more than you drink. Difficult, but possible. I am lucky to have a cellar with space for more than 600 bottles a few barrels and many cases of wine - all the wine making equipment too, but it is cheaper to buy better stuff than I make. The cellar is not full!!

 

[oosik]

I'll take you up on that Mac - I would love to try a bottle of your home made. From what I hear Portugal makes some of the finest. Its been more than 30 years since I have drank much - now, its a seldom seen glass of JD.

Anyhow, Jimpen - do you mean the auger MOTOR fried?? You actually didn't burn the auger, did you?? I've fried the auger motor on my pellet stove once. It was due to the "fines" building up in the auger chute and making it difficult for the auger to turn. I was burning cheaper pellets with a higher amount of sawdust - and I found if I continued with that brand I had to clean out the "system" more often. I haven't used the pellet stove in over ten years - pellets are too expensive ( $275/ton this year) and electricity is very cheap.

I've seen temps as low as -20 F here, once in 32 years. but our salvation is that it doesn't really blow much or that strong in the winter. I've never had to run my little generator due to a power outrage - knock on wood.

 

[RoyJackson]

About the only thing we've done (so far) is buy two cords of firewood.

Last winter was long and tough. As Dave1949 wrote, the prediction is for a repeat of last winter. Later this year, after mowing season, I'll rig the blower to the 4400 and re-install the loader.