Pt5
September 8, 2013
When I
got my tractor back from John Pibb, it had a flat
tire on the right rear. I wasn’t prepared for the expense.
I bought a compressor to inflate tires, and to drive the
impact wrench I was compelled to buy. I needed impact
sockets, and, of course I needed a jack, so I bought a 4 ton
bottle jack. I got the wheel off, and I broke my fiberglass
shovel handle trying to lift the wheel and tire into the truck
bed.
I took it to Les Schwab for an estimate, and they found
that the sidewall was damaged. They wouldn’t work on it,
but
they sold me a tube.
Next I went to Big O on Watt Ave and they didn’t have
equipment large enough to break the tire off the wheel.
I came home and called my neighbor, Dan Humble. He told me
about Capital Radial.
I went there (West Sac.), and they broke the tire down, and
sold me a boot.
I came home and ground and sanded at the rust on the wheel.
I installed the boot, and reassembled the wheel.
I inflated it, and walked away. And sometime between then
and today, the sidewall tore the rest of the way out,
and
popped the new tube. I was so discouraged, because I wanted to start moving
this hill of dirt that has been
here forever. I went ahead and took three large scoops off the hill before
the tire unbeaded from the rim again.
I came in the house, and got online, and I found
“Rusty Acres” in woodland, that specializes in old tractor parts.
I arranged to pick up two used tires tomorrow. I will take
some photos, and write some more tomorrow.
The
cheapest new tire I could find was 300 dollars. I looked online and found used
tires at “Rusty Acres” Ranch in Woodland.
I made the trip and got two used tires
and a tube for 50 dollars. I came home and made the tire repair.
http://www.petesmemories.com/Woodland
Trip.html
Check it out. Lots of neat “OLD” stuff.
Two
tires and a tube.
The tube was shaky, so I
bought a new one.
Had
to buy a lot of stuff.
Impact
wrench with sockets.
Air
compressor.
The
repaired tire.
YOUTUBE
After a few hours on the
tractor………….
If you run the youtube clips of our
last big storm, you’ll see
why I’m building this area up.
I finally loosened up the dog
house. I plan to take it out, fence
off a forty foot square to
increase my garden space next year.
The hill gets smaller and smaller. I
will move the rest of the
dirt into the new garden area, then I
will start on my final deck.
I’m starting on the garden
fence, tomorrow. (9-16-13)
Woke up Friday morning (9-20) and checked my emails.
There was one from Steve. He warned us that they were “showing up
tomorrow”.
This was my chance to work on the fence, and take a
break Saturday. After I had worked my butt off, Denise came out and told me
that
the email was from Thursday night, and they would be
here in a couple hours. They had been on a trip to Yosemite, and had pictures
of the
devastating “Rim” fire that scorched four
hundred square miles, over a quarter million acres.
Tried to catch Kimberly unawares. No such luck.
We had a nice visit,as usual, and we got to see
pictures of the devastation of the fire.
9-29
Just when I broke through the hill, I had another flat
tire. This time, it was the left front. The sidewall was ripped, so I removed
it.
The completed fence.
Flattened
doghouse.
9-30
I took the wheel to Les Schwab. A new tube and tire-$112.
I stopped at the post office on the way home. Mckenna had mailed a thank-
you note. She just had a birthday on the 19th
of september. My tire won’t be ready until tomorrow, so will take a break the rest of the
day.
I have so much to do, but am having some back pain,
and am lucky to get a couple hours in every day.
10 2 2013
Morning.
Old tire.
New tire.
Half the hill is gone. Dog house is gone.
10-3-13
After another flat
tire…………………
This much hill is
left……………………
10-4-13
Denise has daughter duty today, so I will let the
tractor rest today. It needs hydraulic oil, probably some diesel, and a battery
charge.
I’ll spend the day picking grapes, and working
on the tractor.
There are so many grapes, I’ll nprobably spend
the day harvesting.
My cup runneth over!
10-5-13
One more hour on the tractor.
Hill is gone!!!!
That made the yard bigger!
Thanks, old friend!
10-6-13
Spent the day making wine. Had a
beautiful sunset.
5 Gallons of my grape juice.
Starting the deck tomorrow.
Added some dirt to prevent flooding.
Out of gas for today!
I added three quarts of juice that I had prepared
earlier. Now that’s about five gallons.
Denise talked me into taking the weekend off, so this morning, I started
again.
That is the support posts, ready to erect.
My work table. J
Support
posts erected.
Out
with the old, and in with the new!
I
didn’t want to quit until I could open the door and step outside.
Had to stop for the day. I hurt all over, more than
anywhere else. J
Looking down the new steps. I have some fill work to
do.
The lock stopped popping, and the first inch started to clear.
10-19-2013
It’s Saturday. I got up with no energy this morning.
I spent yesterday clearing the scrap wood out of the back yard so I could bring
the chipper
around. As soon as I finished that, I started on the
next three uprights for the porch. I want to get my materials out of the dirt,
but it will have to
wait until I have another burst of energy. As I sat,
drinking my coffee, the dogs decided to sit on my lap, together.
The solids are settling out of my wine.
Got the splitter in the back yard.
Filled in around the steps……
Started second half of deck.
This is the almond branch that Mike and I cleaned out
of John’s yard.
Made a beef stew. Turned out good. Hope I have some
energy tomorrow!
10-20
Sunday was another wasted day. I went outside, and
fiddled with the final uprights.
10-21
Had a hard time getting started, but I got the last of
the uprights set, and used up the rest of my materials. Looked like this a
little after noon.
This part needs to be closed due to size.
To be continued. See http://www.petesmemories.com/biopt6.html