Catching Up

Haven't put any food up for awhile, but I thought I would post a status of whats been going on, on the farm.


During the federal furlough, I did work on removing the remaining accessible stumps from the trees I removed to install my fruit trees this spring.  I also cleared the land around the red barn so that I could clean up that barn and also to prep for the measuring and digging of the walipini (underground greenhouse).

Stump removal and land clear

Here are some pics of the stumps before, after, and during.

That area, between the cherry trees and the persimmon trees now is nice and clear:

Greenhouse

I have been working on maintenance of the backhoe (trying to make sure it lasts until I get my greenhouse dug!)   So far, here is what the greenhouse looks like:

Actually, as of tonight, its a bit further along.  I just don't have current pics!  A big issue I have is WHERE TO PUT THE DIRT!  Also, because its so hilly and rough over by the barn, i have trouble finding a place to safely plant the backhoe while I dig.  So I have been moving much of the dirt that I dig up to form flats that I park in while I dig.  Lots of moving dirt from one place to another.

Out of fuel!

I ran the backhoe out of fuel, AGAIN, today!  ARggg.  Its a pain when a diesel runs out of fuel because its difficult to get the fuel back into the line and into the cylinders to start again.  Last weekend I ran out of fuel while running and I drained the battery trying to start it again.  I ended up connecting the battery charger to the generator - that worked - for about 10 mins.  Then the generator stops producing power!  I need to go back and see whats wrong with it - hopefully just a fuse or something that needs replacing.  Anyway, I then had to run extension cords from the garage to the backhoe - and CRANK and CRANK and CRANK!  Finally, it started up last weekend and I just moved it back by the garage.  I recently found that the way to start the backhoe is to turn the key, hit the glow plug button for about 30-60 secs, put the throttle full on, and then hit the starter button.  Works well, when you haven't ran it out of fuel first, that is!  Anyway, today I thought I would do what the manual says to do when that happens  - vent the fuel line.  Unfortunately, the manual I am referring to is for an 1973 3600A - mine is a 1978 - and there are differences.  However, I kinda figured out what they were saying to do and tried it.  The venting seemed to help - but I did still need to run the extension cords for the battery charger.  It started much more quickly though - much less cranking this time - maybe due to the venting - maybe due to the correct method of starting the vehicle.

Hydraulic Leak

I ran the backhoe for a couple of hours this afternoon - I was running the front loader hard - and I noticed that there was A LOT of oil pooling up under the tractor.  I went ahead and moved it back to the garage to check it out.  I determined that it was hydraulic fluid that was leaking out - and it was leaking out quite quick.  I put a bucket under the leak (seems to be under the battery area).  After it cooled a bit, I no longer saw much oil coming out - maybe it stopped.  I looked it up online and people are suggesting that maybe a hydraulic pump is bad or a seal on the pump or valves.  I need to get in there and see exactly where its leaking.  It was about 4:30 pm though and I was tired so I decided to wait until next weekend.

LASER level

I need to bring the laser level up next time to see where "level" is for the greenhouse.  Its tricky when you are digging!  I also need to keep an eye on the area around the greenhouse to make sure it drains correctly.  I did block the front drainage ditch today when I made an access ramp to get into where I needed to dig.  If it rains now, its going to make a mess!

LATHE & MILL DELIVERY

I will be coming up again this Friday to take delivery of the lathe.  The crappy trucking company called me last Friday (I got up early and rushed up here just to be ready to take delivery!) morning - around 10:10am, right after I finished putting the heavy mower on the tractor so I would be counter balance to use the fork lift to lift the lathe off the truck!  Oh, and while I was rushing I ran the tractor over the air hose and destroyed the outlet fitting - need a new hose! - GRRR  Anyway, guy is from trucking company and wants to know when I want it delivered!  I said "today" - he said no way - trucks where already out and wouldn't be back until too late.  So i said Monday, he said they could get it here LATE Monday!  GRRRR  So I said ok, how about next Friday?  They said ok.  So I am back here next Friday.  Maybe the company it shipped from can arrange to get the mill loaded on the same truck so I can get them both next Friday.  We will see.  Not real happy about the delivery issues - I hope sitting on the truck doesn't hurt the lathe.   The lathe was bought through ebay so it should have buyer protection.  However, the mill wasn't bought through ebay - so I really hope that the mill is OK!    I want to get these machines set up and figure out how to use them (and what else I need to equip them with to actually use them!).  I might need them to fabricate parts for the backhoe!  I have already noticed that the dipper stick "pins" are kinda loose and could do with replacement.  A lathe would make short order of making a new pin!  (assuming I can find a decent piece of steel big enough to machine to size!)