Why a fire extinguisher?

[ponytug]

Carl,

You raise a good point. You want to take that extinguisher off periodically and shake it (turn it end over end) until you feel the powder inside loosen up and flow end to end. The idea is to have free flowing powder, rather than a rock at the bottom.

Personally, I think that seconds count. I like the ROPS mount, as it is in view, easy access all the time, but it is tough to mount 10lb extinguishers there. Besides, I had issues with drilling into a safety member.

I mounted my extinguisher at the front of the hood, directly over the diesel tank. Pretty good access, but it does add another 15lbs of dead weight, just at the point where the hood is the heaviest. For some reason, hood is a little sticky and I can only open it from the left side.

I thought about a transversely mounted 20lb CO2 extinguisher hooked up to a remote rip cord, but I haven't gotten there yet.

If you get a gas lifter worked out, let us know!

All the best,

Peter

...As for the extinguisher, mine is so small I am not sure what I would get put out, but I guess it is better than nothing. It is just a standard extinguisher as well. Wonder if one of other types would be a better thing.

Finally, mine is subjected to vibration and direct sunlight all the time (and the heat from the engine). I wonder how often I should replace it.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Check to see those bands that keep the hood from going all the way back are binding. Mine rub / hang against the engine on occassion.

 

[ponytug]

Yeah, mine vibrated loose and scratched up some hoses and the engine. It would be a minor disaster if you yanked the hood open and didn't notice that the retainer was missing. A major one, if the engine was running.

I added a pair of Bellville washers and a locknut and it has been fine since- I hope.

All the best,

Peter

Check to see those bands that keep the hood from going all the way back are binding. Mine rub / hang against the engine on occassion.

 

[BobRip]

BobRip do you still change your fuel line every year with a new one or is the replacement line really not necessary to replace every year?

I don't routinely change the filter. I have not really seen one give me problems. I think it relates more to bad gas.

I did put an in line shut off in the fuel line. Helps when you change filters or pull the gas tank. Also, when I let it sit for a while (like vacation) I will close the valve.

 

[ponytug]

Sigh...I should have double checked my math.

Driving home the other day, it struck me that I had forgotten to multiply by the number of acres of the pond.

SO...you put down closer to 43,000 gallons, not 11,000.

All the best,

Peter

...By the way KentT, an acre foot is 325,851.53 gallons, so you pumped on just under 11,000 gallons of water. Good call to have that much water on hand. I can also see why you elected to have the rest of the pile chipped; I remember your detailed description of what a real chipper can do. Great posts!

All the best,

Peter

 

[KentT]

Sigh...I should have double checked my math.

Driving home the other day, it struck me that I had forgotten to multiply by the number of acres of the pond.

SO...you put down closer to 43,000 gallons, not 11,000.

All the best,

Peter

It was a 13,500 GPH-rated semi-trash pump, with a 3" outlet stepped down to the 1" ID PVC pipe that I ran. I knew the "step-down" would reduce the flow some, but once the water was pumped up and over the dam (and road that crosses it), it was a downhill run to my building site...

So, I thought that original number sounded low, but I didn't check the math nor quibble over it...

 

[MossRoad]

That's a lot of water. Any pictures of your pond?

 

[KentT]

That's a lot of water. Any pictures of your pond?

Here's the one we were pumping out of, across the road behind the lot:

Here's the one in front of the lot. That's my tract on the other side:

And last but not least, an aerial view of the clearing:

 

[SpringHollow]

Very nice!!!

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

Yeah, mine vibrated loose and scratched up some hoses and the engine. It would be a minor disaster if you yanked the hood open and didn't notice that the retainer was missing. A major one, if the engine was running.

I added a pair of Bellville washers and a locknut and it has been fine since- I hope.

All the best,

Peter

The bolt to my hood latch broke. Snapped right off. Hood flopped back, made me jump and was a bear to handle.

 

[woodlandfarms]

That is such a nice piece of property. When are you going to build or have you?

 

[SnowRidge]

It was a 13,500 GPH-rated semi-trash pump, with a 3" outlet stepped down to the 1" ID PVC pipe that I ran. I knew the "step-down" would reduce the flow some, but once the water was pumped up and over the dam (and road that crosses it), it was a downhill run to my building site...

So, I thought that original number sounded low, but I didn't check the math nor quibble over it...

Kent is this your pump by any chance?

 

[MossRoad]

I remember those pictures, now. Thanks again.

 

[KentT]

That is such a nice piece of property. When are you going to build or have you?

Thanks! We'll likely build in about 3 years. I'd planned earlier to build a 2-car garage with an apartment over it to use as a "cabin" and somewhere to live while the house was being built, but thanks to the housing market and the stock market tanking, I haven't... now, I'll be lucky to afford the house alone.

 

[KentT]

Kent is this your pump by any chance?

No, it was my friend's 6.5 HP, Chinese clone of a Honda... rated at 13,500 GPH. They're sold all over the place, in two sizes, one has 5HP and this larger one.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Thanks! We'll likely build in about 3 years. I'd planned earlier to build a 2-car garage with an apartment over it to use as a "cabin" and somewhere to live while the house was being built, but thanks to the housing market and the stock market tanking, I haven't... now, I'll be lucky to afford the house alone.

We are in the same boat as you. We wanted something modern custom... Well, if we are lucky we will get a plan from a magazine and it will be 1000 sq ft. What I don't get is that a number of these companies that do prefab modern are not dropping their prices. Man... $250 a square foot was stupid two years ago and, well, completely dumb now.

 

[ponytug]

Don't you think it is a function of fixed and variable costs? They are probably selling many fewer homes, but the fixed costs of the plant, equipment leases, etc. don't change...

Of course, that's why you have a fire extinguisher on your PT, right? No fires to preserve the home that you have.

All the best,

Peter

We are in the same boat as you. We wanted something modern custom... Well, if we are lucky we will get a plan from a magazine and it will be 1000 sq ft. What I don't get is that a number of these companies that do prefab modern are not dropping their prices. Man... $250 a square foot was stupid two years ago and, well, completely dumb now.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Don't you think it is a function of fixed and variable costs? They are probably selling many fewer homes, but the fixed costs of the plant, equipment leases, etc. don't change...

Of course, that's why you have a fire extinguisher on your PT, right? No fires to preserve the home that you have.

All the best,

Peter

Trust me, when our insurance broker said that he insures stupidity, it sent my mind reeling...