winter "blahs": any cabin fever yet?

[Home Grown Poultry]

I got my "tractor" running and blower set up. battery is still crap but starts with the charger and will run forever. someone monstered the 12.5hp motor in there, they did a pretty decent red neck job. I had to fix a few things and beef it up a bit but here she is. Its a Case 108 and prolly older than me! I still have to put the chains on but thats easy enough.

2015-12-29 16.18.23-645535911.png (261.78 KiB) Viewed 4176 times

2015-12-29 16.20.01-406294950.png (258.05 KiB) Viewed 4176 times

[baronrenfrew]

Hana; I love the snow. The light and reflection "unblahs" (or is it deblahs?) me. It the snowblowing doesn't bother me if the tractor was up to snuff. First it wasn't here (my brother borrowed it but didn't bring it back), then I had to get it, then it died enroute, so I changed the fuel filters (miserable job: glassbowl and rubber rings hidden behind the loader frame; and of course the fuel tank valve sticks closed so you have to blow air back w a bicycle pump; gets you full of diesel everytime). Then the glass bowl broke overnight, tank of diesel in the grass, new bowl $25. Then the parts guy sold me the wrong part and they were closed yesterday when I tried to replace it. Now its in and working (so I did a half-ass job on the snow) BUT STILL LEAKING so I have to pull it apart and try again tomorrow, then do a proper job w the snow.
I am not a mechanic for a reason... No patience for it (especially when you do it all outdoors as we don't have a garage).
Actually we do have one but: 1 its too small for this machine w the cab and 2 its full of junk I'll never use as I'm not an electrician and he won't let me toss it out.

[ross]

Yu got er ready Al good insurance yu won't need it now . )

[Home Grown Poultry]

hahahaha no kidding eh Ross!

[baronrenfrew]

Al, that tractor is fugly... I like it! Cheers on running an old machine made of steel rather than the new junk Made in China and disposable.

Don't fix that old stuff, pull out your plastic and buy a new one, so what if you retire broke and make the banks rich. That's what the consumer world wants us to do. The gov't wants you to pay more tax so fixing stuff doesn't work for them either. "Planned obsolescence" they call it. Make sure parts for this don't fit on that or they can't sell us more stuff. What? You cut and burn wood to keep warm and aaack! cook! The gov't doesn't collect HST on that! It doesn't count in the economy!

I wish I had better skills on old stuff. I have a skillsaw: the motor's good but the dinky trigger switch is shot. Part is not available, and another unit is cheaper than taking it somewhere. I choose "plug in" tools because they should last 30 years as I don't use them much and won't wear them out (as compared to all the rechargeable stuff with dead batteries)

[Home Grown Poultry]

you goter! I love old machinery no matter what it is. they way old farm machinery works just boggles the mind trying to figure out how they came up with the idea in the first place. or an old sewing maching... simply incredible. and should work till this day if they never stopped using it and bought the newest one available. they all just need a little love and they will work again.

all new vehicles are crap. im a gm guy through n through... drive a 97 suburban 5.7 L 350. sure it might be a bit of a gas guzzler but its VERY dependable 280000 miles, yup miles on her. these new ones gm is building, since 2007, they are using the 5.3 L 305, with AFM, (active fuel managment) which shuts off 4 cylinders or rather the intake/exhaust valves all the while the pistons are still pumping... the engines just get destroyed. im on gmtruckclub and iv seen a brand new truck with under 2000k blow up and most of the others are blowing up under 100 000k. thats unacceptable and gm is not taking ownership of their design flaw. the engine in my truck is 100% original and is known for being a very dependable engine and probably the absolute best engine gm ever produced. they stopped building them in 2000. iv put alot of money in my truck, prolly 5k since i got her but thats what makes them last! price a new one with that crappy motor... 60k+ Im keeping my truck forever, even if i have to convert it to a gasafier to keep driving it!

Some of the new tools are good but i can't speak for all. Dewalt makes darn good tools that can take a beating, they now have a brushless line... expensive! i was one lucky guy when Lizzie bought and brought that set home to me... she then said now you have no excuse hahaha! build me some stuff! and I obliged with a huge smile on my face. hey i converted an old 18v cordless drill back to a corded one to run off a 12v battery... works great when running off a running vehicle!

yup yup im a rambler!

[Colleen Kinzie]

Cabin fever for me for sure!!!!
Broke my foot November 2
Yep Nicest fall/early winter we've had in how many years. And I'm a house prisoner!!!
Now that I no longer have crutches or air boot look what weather we get
Figures!!!!
I was having chicken withdrawal after hubby put my 2 chicks from Shirley Bayvista down into coop
At least I had them in the house for my first two weeks of imprisonment. Lol
Snuck down once to see them
I guess they missed me too!!!

Now I just have to be careful I don't slip and break it again
Apparently this break takes 6 months to fully heal!!!

[baronrenfrew]

Colleen: my heart goes out to ya. Been there. FYI Lifting weights (weight training) increases bone density and improves flexibility and range of motion.

You need to train a bantam as a "house chicken"

[Robbie]

WL, I am looking at your list and getting tired. i am sure I was a Jamaican in my past life "Don't worry man, it'll get done... on island time."

I am not much of a gardener... yet. Thinking about a greenhouse.. Partially for chicken use.
Any suggestions?

Greenhouses are great! If you are serious get a real greenhouse, not a cold frame/ hoop house. (You can get a hoop shaped greenhouse). They are worth the extra money and are built to take snow loads- our greenhouse even held up a tree that fell on it this past summer in the wind storm, that would have squashed a hoop house flat.
A nice size is 20x48'. That way you get the 33x 100 foot length plastic and fold it over for a double poly skin. We got ours from these guys, 20years ago and it's held up very well. http://www.omnicanada.com/index.html

[WLLady]

I have a tiny prefab greenhouse-an ecogrow- i think. 8x10....and i cant get enough of it. I need something way way bigger but if i do that...i will need to stay home full time!!
I think greenhouses are like barns. Build ttwice the size of what you thinkyou need. At least. For chickens..my greenhouse gets real hot in summer but winter would prob be nice...mine isnt heated...and winds over 95km/hr can and do dislodge lexan....