Got 'er done despite..........

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Nice splitters :)
 
No offense taken BS - I like your neighbors saying. I was really frustrated Saturday morning - it took me about 2-1/2 hours after I started getting equipment set up before I even split that first round.

I think I could safely say "My Irish was up!" when I pulled the cord to start the splitter.

Man, I love my 38 yr. old splitter (Didier brand). She sat all winter and still started on the third pull. She & I bonded some years ago. :)

Shari, I knew you would not take offense. We've discussed this before and also discussed your splitter. I know of some of your circumstances and know some of the struggles you go through and have gone through. I have the utmost respect for you.
 
Haven't we all had "One of Those Days"? Here's a two day "One of Those Days" diary:

Day #1: Scored some free wood from Craig's List. Brought home the first 1/2 cord late Friday night. First thing Saturday morning. I went out to the patio to move our riding lawnmower that is 'dedicated' with a snowblower attachment mounted on it. This was blocking access to our other riding mower that mows the lawn and pulls our small trailer around the yard. The trailer transports splits from our splitting area to our wood stacks.

1. The front tire on the rider #1 was flat. Okay, I cranked up the compressor and filled that tire. Luckily the hose from the compressor reached where that rider was parked. Moved rider #1 out of the way.

2. Started up rider #2 and moved that to the driveway.

3. Rear tire on rider #2 was almost flat. I had to take off the 45# wheel weight to get to the valve.

4. Somewhere, someone has invented the proper tool to get to the inside wall of a rider's rim. We, however, do not own that tool. :( Socket extensions are either to short or too long.

4. Eventually got the weight off. CAUTION: DO NOT drop a 45# weight on fingers or toes. :(

5. I inflated the tire but apparently I buggered up the threads on the wheel weight bolt and couldn't get the nut back on when I tried to re-install the wheel weight.

6. I determined it's not a good idea to run only one wheel weight, so I removed the second weight. "Who invented that tool?" again crossed my mind while I struggled getting the bolts off the second weight.

6. Got the splitter all set up. Checked gas/oil/hydraulic fluid in all equipment. Filled where/what was needed.

7. Went to get the trailer - both tires were flat. Inflated them.

8. Went to get our 'industrial' sized wagon which we use for 'uglies' - both tires were flat. Inflated them.

:( :( :(


Day #2:

Picked up a second 1/2 cord.

1. Rear tire on rider #2 was low - again. Inflated that, again.

2. Both rear tires on the wagon were totally flat, again. Inflated them, again.

:( :( :(

IN CONCLUSION: We have a 'parts' rider that I'm going to swap out a rear tire for rider #2 - I might do both tires as the parts rider has better looking tires then I have to find a place that can install inner tubes for the rear tires on the wagon.

BUT - We did get a cord of wood split and stacked this weekend.

No........ there are no pictures........ I wasn't in the mood. :) :) :)

Mother said there would be days like this but not so many in a row! Try putting some antifreeze in the tire's
just take out the valve and put in enough to cover the inside turn tire around after putting in air in. This works well
with tubeless tires will put an end to reairing.I have done this for years it will even stop sidewall leaks don't know why but it works used it on boat trailers,wheelbarrows,roto tillers small tractors ect. The only thing that could make it not work is the new antifreeze may still work but worked with old
Whitepine2
 
Good thought, WhitePine. I was even thinking of Green Slime at least for the two wagon tires.

This week is turning into a string of "Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This":

At 9:30 last night I realized our sump pump was acting up. Continuous rain here, 1-1/2"+ per day here since Sunday. Pump was running but wouldn't shut off. There's another long story on how I replaced the pump last night but the short version is we didn't have the exact parts needed to install our old/spare pump so I went into Mrs. McGyver mode and, as they say "Got 'er done!" in some sort of fashion. We dumped $180 at the hardware store for a new pump & fittings. There's always a sunny side: I bailed a bit - but we didn't flood.

More rain today, tonight & tomorrow. Rivers are flooding, etc.

No word on the rest of the wood. It just won't stop raining.
 
Don't know if I ever said this Shari . . . but women like you and my wife are inspiring . . . not because I am amazed of the things that you do . . . I am not so old that I think in term of "men's work" and "women's work" . . . but rather because I know just a bit of what you and your husband have been through and I have just a small inkling of the work you do to keep things going . . . and it is truly inspiring.

Keep the faith!
 
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Good thought, WhitePine. I was even thinking of Green Slime at least for the two wagon tires.

This week is turning into a string of "Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This":

At 9:30 last night I realized our sump pump was acting up. Continuous rain here, 1-1/2"+ per day here since Sunday. Pump was running but wouldn't shut off. There's another long story on how I replaced the pump last night but the short version is we didn't have the exact parts needed to install our old/spare pump so I went into Mrs. McGyver mode and, as they say "Got 'er done!" in some sort of fashion. We dumped $180 at the hardware store for a new pump & fittings. There's always a sunny side: I bailed a bit - but we didn't flood.

More rain today, tonight & tomorrow. Rivers are flooding, etc.

No word on the rest of the wood. It just won't stop raining.

Shari, we have the same situation with the rain and now it keeps trying to turn to snow. Looking at the forecast through next Wednesday it is rain or snow every day except Saturday. Nuts...
 
. I was even thinking of Green Slime at least for the two wagon tires.

Be careful some of the slime is very explosive I don't know which one's but a friend that lives in Alaska lost his friend
a welder when a tire exploded an killed him just be careful. The old antifreeze trick works and is safe.
Whitepine2
 
Shari, I hope your days get better and easier. I've had lots of days like that, too. It can be aggravating, but as long as you can laugh at it, it's bearable. :)
 
I think we have some antifreeze hidden in the garage somewhere so I am willing to give that a try before the green slime.

The rims on the wagon are different: They are like two dinner plates with the bottoms of each plate touching each other and then they are bolted to each other. It is the 'jumbo wagon' at this link: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=wagon
 
How do you get all that. Free wood, thanks... Or was that a joke...

I'm not replying to Defiant's post but 99% of the wood I currently have in stock was 'free'. I scrounge wood where ever I can get it: Craig's List, municipal recycling center, if I see a stack of wood from a tree that was just cut down I've been known to stop in and offer to remove the wood for free, etc.
 
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Thanks for the suggestion, Jags. We've been rained out for just over a week so haven't gotten back to do anything. All I can say is the air I put in the rider and wagon tires has 'evaporated' over this past week. :(
 
My local tire guy will put a tube in a small tractor tire for about $10.A few bucks spent might save you a ton of frustration. This whole "free" firewood thing is quite a bit of work even when all the tools are in working order. Try to eliminate as many of the forces against you as possible.
 
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That was the conclusion I FINALLY came to when I put the slime in.
My long term time is more important than the few one shot bucks it took to do it.
I'm much happier now.:cool:
 
Shari Im with you girl on all said. Flat tires and dead batteries and bad gas and no money. I always tell myself if I lived in an apartment and only had a computer or TV I would feel like I was in prison. Commit suicide.
Id rather have all my challenges and problems than live in confinement.
As my older brother says, " Bring it on..."

If you try radiator coolant in the tires let me know what happens. Thats a new one on me.
 
That is a split rim. Use a tube and move on to better things.;)

Jags is right on split rim tube it. You might find welded rims will leak as well as split ones. I worked for a friend of mine
he was a dealer Cub,Kobota and several other too numerous to name but big dealer and Cub would be forever have
flat tires new out of the crate,welded rims they suck always tubing them. Now Kobota never had a bad one until cousin
got one of the new BX's don't you know new tractor flat front tire so gave it the antifreeze treatment and still good for 2 years. This is the only one I know of that went flat ma-be made in USA???? Go figure.

Whitepine2
 
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