What home improvement work did you do today?

You could just put a plow on the tundra and save you both some time.

 

Yes it is.

 

Buy a used one. Toro, Honda, Ariens there's not really a whole lot that can go wrong with them and they typically aren't used enough to have major problems.

 

Finally built a sturdy firewood holder

 

There's an idea. 2 passes and the driveway woudld be done. LOL

Honda is #1 on my list. I just need to make sure I don't buy anything that will end up underpowered. The HS621 units pop up now and then, so that's on my radar.

 

I had an old 1985 model HS55 that I sold last year, it would go through snow over the auger housing in low gear.

I plowed snow for about 10 years they're nice but also come with their own share of issues mechanically and logistically. You need to plan ahead on where the snow is going to end up, legally it shouldn't leave your property and can't be plowed across streets. If you don't have a lot of room to the side of the driveway your going to end up with a large pile in the front yard and you're going to tear up the grass guaranteed.

 

Good to know, thanks! Any particular mechanical issues to look out for?

 

On the plows? If you're buying new not so much but used ones are a crap shoot. Truck side mounts and wiring are stupid expensive if you don't find used specifically for your truck, leaking ram packings if it wasn't used much, water in the hydraulic fluid, damaged wiring/connectors, bent a frames, seized pivot pins.

On the blowers, not much more than a mower. Belts, oil, and bent auger parts are about it.

 

Perfect. I'm just gonna go with a blower. No point in a full plow for my city driveway.

 

What....The....F!!!!!
Complete fail today. Spent all afternoon working on this Fing water feature!!

Mistake #1- not realizing the bottom of the biggest tall stone, was NOT flat. Makes setting the thing, impossible - the way the water fountain sales place told us to (on pavers).

Mistake #2 - believing the stone salesman, that the stone weighs 800 lbs, and not 1100 lbs.

Mistake #3 - thinking that the Kubota that can pick up a 1400 lb pallet, can pick up a 1100 lb rock - 8ft from the bucket. Center of mass.

Mistake #4 - thinking that a 10ft stick of .180 wall 3x4 DOM tube could hold a 1100 lb rock at the 8ft mark.

Mistake #5 - thinking I could make a home-made boom with a Kubota.

Mistake #6 - using 20K lb ratchet straps as boulder-holders - rigging. Had the 1100 lb rock pop off the boom, thankfully I got out of the way. Busted out the 50K lb tow rope, which worked much better.


At this point tonight, we moved a few yards of sand, we moved thousands of pounds of boulders to the area, laid the felt, laid the liner, and took on the biggest challenge, the center 1100 lb feature rock - and failed.

I know, I know. The right tool for the right job. I was also taught, make due with what you have. This was a tough one.

Not sure what tomorrow holds. I need an excavator. The neighbor has one I might borrow.

 

Was weed wacking this morning and hit a fresh puppy turd that was in the weeds. Good lord that should never happen again!

 

LOL!!!! Disgusting!!
It’s like stepping in a turd bare foot.
Been there, done that.

 

Absolutely can not BELIEVE we got what we got done today!!
During our morning “Speed and Agility” workout - I recruited 2 x 6’6” beasts that helped with the rocks! (One of them is my landscape design buddy).

I re-rigged the Kubota, and we got to work! Was able to get not only the 1100 lb rock up and stable, but all other 4 fountain rocks, and 4,000 lbs more of other boulders. Soooo incredibly happy and thankful for my buddies helping out. I wouldn’t have ever been able to do this solo. It’s starting to take shape.
Ran out of the water line tube, so headed to water fountain store and will start installing pump and lines tomorrow.
For now:

 

I'd rather step in one barefoot than with shoes on. Barefoot you can just rinse it off with a hose. Shoes, you have to clean the treads. Yeah, my wife thinks I'm an idiot too.

 

LMFAO!!!!!
Riiiiight!?!?

 

Trust me. With three dogs it happens a lot. I can spend 30 seconds with a hose or 30 minutes with a brush. That's not to say I like it. Lesser of two evils is what it is.

 

Went to Home Depot and Lowe’s. Got some soil and sod for my backyard. The stuff I put in a few weeks ago didn’t die, so I decided I could get some more to cover the dirt.




I might got back tomorrow and get some more to square off the odd corners.

 

I think a flat blade shovel and elbow grease would be your cheapest bet.

 

You need a pair of yard shoes. Then you just leave them outside until the next time.

 

Yep!! I use some cheap POS things (ironically, that my dog has chewed up) and leave them outside.
They’re made of rubber.
Or the muck boots. But normally if I’m not working the crap rubber ones go on.

 

I’m missing 30” of tube damnit.
Wanted to fire this sucker up tonight.
Oh well. Tomorrow is the day.

 

My rubber troweled flooring is installed on my 20 stall horse barn project. It’s amazing how much quieter it is inside the barn now! My flooring installers will start to clean and seal the flooring today and tomorrow. Getting closer to the completion date on this one. My clients are very excited!

 

Took me 8 hours to wrap 4 pho-beam’s yesterday. 4 to go (2 on rear of house). I’ll post some more updates once I get some more features finished. We’re stoked on the outcome so far.

 

Looks great! Mind if I make a few suggestion for your window planter boxes?