Got poly film, wiggle wire and track in my cart at bootstrapfarmer. Total $241
Next payday will be chain link top rail for truss ties and roll up sides and roll up door on one end. That will be everything to get it closed in. Will need to buy a few 2x6s and/or 2x8s to build the tunnel shed.
Without the pickup truck, my new way to reach the peak of the tunnel will be a step ladder strapped down to the roof of the Trailblazer.
Just ordered some brighter high beam bulbs, liftgate supports and a taillight assembly for the rig. Taillight was broken when I bought it and on cold days, the liftgate wants to come down on my head. Still need the headlight assemblies and struts/shocks at some point. Another $400.
Waterpump, belt tensioner/pulley, idler pulley and Gates belt will be here today. I already have the new fan clutch so everything on the front of the engine related to cooling will be new. All good high end brand names so I won’t have worry about it for many years. Genuine GM clutch, Melling pump and all else Gates.
I had a pulley bearing howl/sing the other morning when it was cold. Checked with a mechanic’s stethoscope and the idler pulley and tensioner pulley sounded dry plus the tensioner was fluttering. I could wiggle the fan blade a little too which means waterpump bearings worn. Don’t see a brand name on the belt so it’s getting a Gates belt.
A pair of British Berkfeld ceramic water filters came in yesterday. Ordered a spigot last night for 5 gallon bucket filter system. I’ll be able to filter spring fed creek water that will be good enough for coffee and boiling pasta, soups/stews even. I’ve used unfiltered creek water for coffee a few times but it wasn’t great. There’s one brand of coffee, 1881 brand I think, that hid the creek flavor pretty well. I’ll have to buy or make some sort of pre-filter to make the ceramic ones last longer. Maybe some sort of under sink filter.
Ok, looked at under sink type. GAC type granular activated charcoal is the most basic thing Lowes has but is mainly for removing chlorine taste/odor. Now I’m looking at dripdepot and their disc filters. (Disc filters perform more efficiently than screen filters when it comes to algae, moss and other organic materials.) I already have a fine mesh filter for particles but algae is the enemy of ceramic filters. At $9.13 for complete disc filter with washable discs vs $70 for under sink with $25 for 6 month replacement GAC filter(1 month for creek water?), I know what I’m going with. I’ll get two so I can quick swap and clean discs at my leisure, under the faucet.
My three days off starts today and all three will be 70 and sunny. Heading out now to pick up my Stihl saw from the shop. Will see what the damage to the wallet is on that before checkout at bootstrapfarmer.
Then it’s on to any number of things on the To Do List(s), including cutting up trees I cut down a while back. Time for raking/burning so I can see the driveway again. Got five post holes to dig for the tunnel shed. Water run(s). Probably time to tear down the tractor and get that cooling system right and take my time narrowing the front rims for the new tri rib tires.
You’ve got a busy three days ahead! Check in when you can.
Right now I am helping Beau get packed for his Mule Deer hunt in CO. They’re leaving sometime this afternoon, will stay over in NE then on through northern CO, almost to the Utah border.
Friend Jeff has waited 22 years to get this tag, so they are staying for as long as it takes to get him the Mule Deer of a Lifetime - because this is more than likely his one and only chance! ‘Mule Deer’ is the western term for what we call ‘Whitetail Deer’ here in the Midwest. They grow a LOT bigger out there, though. A. LOT.
I will be in charge of ELEVEN hunting dogs, ‘Dolly’ (Beagle) two cats, the steer (’Stew’ is in the barn now), ‘Jennifer Cooniston’ (raccoon), the chickens and everything and anything else that moves and poops around here! ‘Ithaca’ (mule) is in the lower pasture where he can still graze and Beau left the water tank on for him.
Other than that, I’ve got nothing to do, LOL! Well, more mulching - going to have three very nice weather days ahead of me, too. Loving the sound of leaves crunching underfoot!
Veteran’s Day Sale (10% off for Vets!) at Farm & Fleet starting Friday, so I’m going to do some Christmas shopping. :)