Slow progress

[halifax]

Hello everyone, just thought I'd try to show some pics of the place and what I've been up to lately.

I'm slowly digging out the bank on the opposite side of the creek, so that I can get the Beast over there.

picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5236022523762681042

Slightly muddy, as a matter of fact I had to give up this night because I was pushing mud with the Battery box, and the box blade was fillin up even though it was raised up! The Beast kept going though, OK I was tired, not the tractor. I'll get back to it at a later time,,, after hunting season!!

Followed Bigkidd and made a small 12v generator, the 90watts fo solar just was not cutting it, so I ran across a 63A GM alternator, Northern Tool had a 6.5HP engine for 150, and poof, works like a charm
picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5251606227968889762

This is what we started with:
picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5208554307387594930
And we are up tho this:
picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5251606280821002194
That the shower stall up front, for some reason the wife complains after a couple of days of no shower??

Watering some clover,(did I say Hunting season is close?)
picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5197360148657270082

This is loading some shingles for the roof:
picasaweb.google.com/awhalifax/TractorAndStuff#5208558129922912306

Hope some of the pics came through, thats enough for now. Hope all are well, I'm heading up to Maine for thanksgiving, Hunting time with the inlaws..

Aubrey

Ok the pics only showed up as links instead of within the text. Guess its a start.

[3RRL]

Hi Aubrey,
Man, those pictures sure remind me of when we were first getting started at our place.
Four years later and we had our Log Home and Barn done. Still a lot of work to do around here though. I'm sure you'll have years of work ahead of you too. There's nothing wrong with slow progress.
BTW, I love that home made generator!
Does it put out DC voltage then? Do you have an inverter for your AC stuff?
Rob-

[halifax]

A while back we had the thread about powering stuff in the woods. I have enough solar to produce a max of 6.5 amp on the brightest of days. I was set on using our creek for some hydro power, went to the trouble of measuring the flow and head. End result, I don't have enough flow during the dry times to light an LED never mind making enough for any use. I then thought of the wind, I was about 1 click away form buying the parts to make a wind generator, but decide to measure the average wind and was dissappointed on how much I don't have. So I ran out of ideas. Then I figured out screw with being cheap, I'd just get a temp pole set up fro the electric company, well they want 1800 to set it up, so that idea flew away with the rest of them. So now I'm down to making my own 12v generator. The stars aligned and the prices where right, and poof, that what I got.
Its just a standard GM 1 wire alternator ( I think made for a 90 Chev Pickup) rated at 63 amp. The power curve max at 80 amp @ max rpm, but I don't need all of it. Matter of fact, I'm running the engine a little off idle with everything running at once and I'm only charging 20 amp. So I have enough room to expand my power comsumption if needed.
Right now we are using the place as a get a way from VA Beach. Nothing like piece and quiet. I've got little under 5 years to retire from the Navy, then build a house out there. I'm not in too much hurry right now. I know someone with a dozer could come in and within 2 days clear the area, but it would not be as much fun as me and the Beast. It does make life inteeresting driving a tractor and FEL though the woods, I've got a couple of areas the rub the tires on both sides. Anyway, thats enough for now

Aubrey

[halifax]

Forgot to mention, I only have 2 batteries for storage, and I have a 1500 watt inverter inside. Really I don't need that much,,, yet. I have 12v flourescent bulbs for light, a LP heater for heat (Plus a CO2 monitor). I have a small refrigerator that I could use, but it's mainly used as a shelf, we use a cooler instead. I finally broke down and have the Sat TV out there. Yup, just in case a Football game is on, I can see it. I know its rough'n it, but I also have to keep the wife happy when I'm out there playing on the tractor.


Aubrey

[halifax]

By the way, does anyone have a good idea how to get rid of the Gum ball trees? The small pine tree I can actually push over or scoop up the trunk with the FEL. The gum ball trees are like rubber!! A small one maybe 2-3 inch big just bends over. I'll try to dig out the roots with the FEL, but the roots are like wire!!

And if I cut them down to a stump, it grows back!

Aubrey

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Pull them out.

[bradblazer]

Yeah, a couple of chain wraps and hook to the drawbar. If the tree is stiff enough to act as a lever, hook on a few feet up and it will break loose as it bends over. I've also had some luck pulling straight up using the top hook on the quick hitch. I will not recommend hooking high and pulling due to the flip hazard even if you fill the bucket and pull at an idle in low-low.

I do not have direct experience with sweet gum so let us know what you find works best.
This is interesting (even if it is Hokie):
www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/factsheets/sweetgum.pdf