Above 1200 Sq/FT The Warthog Hidey Hole

[oldironfarmer]

Congratulations on 4,000 posts!

Looked like a great trip!!!

Around here we'd just crimp that brake line. Three wheelers stop don't they?

 

[jbmatth]

Nice to see you Andy, and thank you for stopping by.

That is the feed line to the rear brakes, if I were further from home that would have been what I'd have done, but being a manual trans it was pretty easy to knock out.

Hope all has been well in your area and hope to catch up again soon.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I remembered to grab a couple photos from recent work, first is the winch control box on lever action. It didn't come with a cover and the control cable connection was just hanging loose so I designed a new cover in CAD and this is the result:

I still haven't pulled the bed, the 4010 has been in the pasture digging holes after work and I didn't want to have to stop what I was doing to move it all the way back. Well last night I finished the last hole and got the post buried and some framework attached to stabilize it for now:

I try to go out deer hunting a few times a year and this is one of my preferred locations so I decided to build a blind/stand. As if I don't have enough else to do, but hope to finish it in the next couple weeks while also fixing the brake line, building some fence, and putting up a tractor/hay shed. On my way back to the house I noticed I had a much worse hydraulic leak and had really messed up a hose. I have it pulled now and plan to have another made today if all goes well.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Why do you need the tractor to pull the bed when you have a lift?

 

[Grizz1963]

PS. Grass needs cutting too.

 

[jbmatth]

Why do you need the tractor to pull the bed when you have a lift?

Truck is on the lift, that way I can pull the bed, then use the lift to lift the truck to get access to another part of the line. I'll post a photo when (if) I remember to take one. I have the bed off now, didn't realize how easy that would be, 8 bolts, two wiring connections, and the two screws at the filler neck. Cool!

PS. Grass needs cutting too.

Grass is good for another couple days.

JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

Is there grass in them there weeds?

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Truck is on the lift, that way I can pull the bed, then use the lift to lift the truck to get access to another part of the line. I'll post a photo when (if) I remember to take one. I have the bed off now, didn't realize how easy that would be, 8 bolts, two wiring connections, and the two screws at the filler neck. Cool!



Grass is good for another couple days.

JB

The trucks are easy. My Suburban on the other hand is always hard. 44 gallon tank and it is always full when you have to pull it. I usually pull up the carpet in the back and make an access door. Makes life easier.

We had a pump go out while on vacation a couple of years ago. I had it hauled to a shop. The mechanic called me the next day and said it would be several hundred dollars in labor to pull the tank. I told him to pull up the carpet and remove the panel. $50 in labor.

 

[jbmatth]

Is there grass in them there weeds?

Nah, they ate it all already. I need to get a spray rig but keep finding them with new tires, no need to waste money on that, they just want to charge too much for new tires.

The trucks are easy. My Suburban on the other hand is always hard. 44 gallon tank and it is always full when you have to pull it. I usually pull up the carpet in the back and make an access door. Makes life easier.

We had a pump go out while on vacation a couple of years ago. I had it hauled to a shop. The mechanic called me the next day and said it would be several hundred dollars in labor to pull the tank. I told him to pull up the carpet and remove the panel. $50 in labor.

Good call, I've seen were people will ask on FB where to cut the floor to get to the fuel pump access on whatever car and then will cut in the complete wrong location or cut a brake line. Always get a kick out of that.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I couldn't easily find the brake line I needed without purchasing them all so I opted instead to just replace the bad part of this one. I flared the end after installing the tube nut, so it is possible. The failure came from where the line was hitting the goose neck plate so the rest of the line was in pretty good shape, new is wrapped in old fuel line either way:

Bed going back on pretty easy:

I also finely got a decent photo of Brandy the girls new horse and what will cause me to do a lot of work coming up:

JB

 

[OutlawDrifter]

JB....your life just got really really really expensive!!!! I know from experience

With that being said, there are a lot worse ways to spend money!

 

[jbmatth]

JB....your life just got really really really expensive!!!! I know from experience

With that being said, there are a lot worse ways to spend money!

You know exactly why I waited as long as I could possibly wait then don't you. It turns out buying a horse is the cheap part. The girls bought her and are supposed to pay for everything she needs and take care of her, but I'll be building fence, hay/tractor barn, etc. to make it easier on them. I'm sure I'll donate a bit of time and money as well. Heck at this point I might as well get my own cattle as well. Then a couple pigs, chickens...

JB

 

[OutlawDrifter]

You know exactly why I waited as long as I could possibly wait then don't you. It turns out buying a horse is the cheap part. The girls bought her and are supposed to pay for everything she needs and take care of her, but I'll be building fence, hay/tractor barn, etc. to make it easier on them. I'm sure I'll donate a bit of time and money as well. Heck at this point I might as well get my own cattle as well. Then a couple pigs, chickens...

JB

You'll make a fine cowboy in no time! I suggest watching Dale Brisby videos so you know the do's and don'ts of being a hand/top hand/super puncher/etc.

 

[jbmatth]

You'll make a fine cowboy in no time! I suggest watching Dale Brisby videos so you know the do's and don'ts of being a hand/top hand/super puncher/etc.

No need to be a cowboy, I just don't think the hat suits me. I can play the redneck role just fine though, I have it down pat. It has been a while since I've ridden a horse and longer still since I've helped break one. In the past few years I've been exposed to just how little I knew and how wrong I was doing it back then. Maybe this one will be better.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

The trucks are easy. My Suburban on the other hand is always hard. 44 gallon tank and it is always full when you have to pull it. I usually pull up the carpet in the back and make an access door. Makes life easier.

We had a pump go out while on vacation a couple of years ago. I had it hauled to a shop. The mechanic called me the next day and said it would be several hundred dollars in labor to pull the tank. I told him to pull up the carpet and remove the panel. $50 in labor.

If you cut too deeply on a burb you go through fuel lines!

 

[jbmatth]

Break out the 6" wheel of death!

 

[Grizz1963]

Sally says thats a nice horse.

Keep in mind, she has ridden since age 5 and kinda knows a horse.

Probably why she loves me, being that I am hung like a horse.

Ok, she puts up with me.

 

[jbmatth]

Labor Day weekend was just that for me, very labor intensive. It all started Friday picking up these:

That is a total of 6 used power poles that were cut down to 16' (5m) for the base end and the remainder left long. The power COOP I'm a part of here gives them to customers and even will help load them with a forklift so not a bad way to get some free building material. Before I started I had to refill the hydraulic fluid in the 4010 and decided to change the fuel filter as well, it was new this spring:

Well I got a little side tracked and a buddy was around for the weekend and wanted to BBQ on Saturday so I decided to make him a hot dog roaster. Sadly I forgot it at the house and didn't end up giving it to him:

The auger I have been using is only 9" (.225m) and some of these poles are 12" (.3m) in diameter so I have to do a bit of hand digging. Also the way the auger torques over when drilling really means this is a 2 person job and getting caught up in it would make a really bad day. My wife helped get the first 5 started and I continued planing the poles:

This was Monday morning and I lost my help for the day so I couldn't drill the other 5 holes so I was done for the day, now they are calling for rain the next few days, but looks good so far:

The dimensions I settled on are 48'w x 18'd x 12't (14.6m x 5.5m x 3.7m) then will go to closer to 9' (3m) on the low end, that's why the poles aren't the same length, it won't matter as they will all get cut shorter later on once I put the rafter beams on. Lots of work to go and not many free weekends until cold weather so I'm sure I'll be taking a bit of time off to get more accomplished. Hope ya'll had a great weekend as well.

JB

 

[XJSuperman]

Oh boy, horse ownership. I know a guy who knows a guy who likes to share his life motto any chance he gets: "If it weren't fer horses an divorces, Id be a whole lot better off." Lucky for you, you've only got half that problem. Keep it that way. And I take it you informed the girls what a single bale of hay costs since horses like to eat all winter the same as we do. (Im making the assumption you get snow and the grass stops growing in your part of the state. Im probably wrong.)

The shed will be a great addition. Im wondering if you ran any numbers on haybale dimensions before deciding the shed size?

Im being annoying but those were the first thoughts that crossed my mind reading your last entry.

 

[jbmatth]

Oh boy, horse ownership. I know a guy who knows a guy who likes to share his life motto any chance he gets: "If it weren't fer horses an divorces, Id be a whole lot better off." Lucky for you, you've only got half that problem. Keep it that way. And I take it you informed the girls what a single bale of hay costs since horses like to eat all winter the same as we do. (Im making the assumption you get snow and the grass stops growing in your part of the state. Im probably wrong.)

The shed will be a great addition. Im wondering if you ran any numbers on haybale dimensions before deciding the shed size?

Im being annoying but those were the first thoughts that crossed my mind reading your last entry.

Haha, I like that line XJ, luckily I've put off owning a horse until now but this appears to be a very long term deal. Before I would agree on letting them have a horse I made sure they were aware of all of the concerns I had as well as all of the costs I could come up with, hay, feed, farrier, tack, vet, etc. as well as how much work it would be no matter what else if going on. School is first and if it slips the horse has to go, the horse is second, then after that any chores and eating. I don't want to get stuck being the only one doing the work to keep it.

The hay we store in this barn will just be square bales of alfalfa, as they cost so much in comparison to the round bales it'll eat mostly. They will still stay outside unless I get a wild hair to build something to store them in as well. Yes the grass does stop growing here in the winter except for very few types, but not enough for the animals to survive off of.

Lots of work to go, and I'm getting them to help where they can, but don't want to chance a 16' (5m) pole falling on them for this part of the job.

In other news the deer stand is "usable" but I ran out of 3" screws so I called it there for the day on Monday.

JB

 

[CNC_RICK]

Hi, CNC_Rick here... I've been a member for a few years and have been following your post all along. There are so many great poeple on this board This is my first post. I am a lot like you (but you get more done than I do...) ha. I follow Andy's (OIF) antics, too. He reminds of my Dad so much. You two are like peas in a pod... Tell Andy that I have 7 John Deere tractors, an Allis Chalmers B and a Farmall M. A dozer or two... I am a journeyman machinist, but work as a CNC Programmer these days. (hence the name) and work from home these days, (the world conditions being what they are)

 

[jbmatth]

CNC_RICK,
Thank you for joining the party here, it has been a bit quite this year it seems but something is always brewing behind the scenes. I would like to be closer to Andy and get to say hi in person more often but life has a way of getting in the way. If you have a few start a thread to show us your stuff and what you have been doing. I along with others I'm sure would like to see some of it.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I did make it back from Mo Gambler 500 and did survive, but have been working 14 hour days this week and running around like crazy keeping up. I'll try to post up some of the photos but as always I didn't get enough. All loaded up and ready to go Friday morning for the 6 hour trip:

I made it and unloaded plenty early before the park got too crazy, here I'm parked beside the motocross track:

Speaking of the motocross track, the little car behind me made a lap:

It didn't end well for the only other Festiva at the event, he broke both front seat belts on one of the landings. Luckily all were okay but the car had seen better days. Well that was before this but it was one hugely popular car and owner at the event. Here are a few of the other vehicles I saw:

I only have a few more photos for the next post so I'll type some more hear. Saturday morning I unlocked my truck with the key and set a few things down before closing the door...with the keys in it. No big deal, I already unlocked the door... Nope the door locked back. Long story short the door opened but not until after the window broke. That was just the tip of the spear hurling toward me.

To be continued...

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I ended up being the first to leave for the rally and pulled over to follow someone as I didn't have any cell service and only later realized how to download maps for use offline. Well the first turn was wrong, we turned around, the next was right but the next was really wrong. We went 2 miles down a dead end road at the bottom of a steep rocky hill. On the way back up I got caught up on a few rocks.

After fighting either no power, no wheel speed, or a slipping clutch the tie rod end bolt broke on the drivers side. Here is a photo of it when I first made the drop brackets:

We tried to use a small C clamp, screw driver, and finely a 10mm allen wrench with a lot of electrical tape. I got a tow to the top of the hill and continued on to the entrance where I left the car until I could get either a replacement bolt or my truck and trailer. I found a bolt later in the day but didn't get back to the car until later that afternoon.

I ended up riding with the group as a passenger in the Tank-go-van he was a member of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot:

The Subaru was the one who pulled me out, and the Grand Am dubbed the Gran-dambler was the star of the show for making the entire trip on street tires:

This was the last stretch before returning to my car:

I replace the bolt, drove it back to the trailer and loaded it for the trip home the next day. The trip home was uneventful, I stopped at a junk yard and replaced the window in my truck for $30. Can't argue with that and much cheaper than an emergency call to the lock smith.

That is all for now, ya'll have a good one.

JB

 

[Grizz1963]

.


brilliant !!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Well, all things considered, sounds like there was SOME fun had!

 

[jbmatth]

.


brilliant !!

Haha thanks Griz, I sure wish I'd have gotten a photo of the allen key in use, it worked much better than expected.

Well, all things considered, sounds like there was SOME fun had!

I did have a blast, I need to do another redesign on the tie rod end, but still fun to tootle around in.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

As long as you had fun it was all worth it.

 

[2lt1chevy]

That's wht you have the other set of keys in your left hand pocket!

Ken

 

[Bob Heine]

JB, been there, done that. In 1980 four of us went to the 12-hour race at Sebring. I had recently worked on the pit crew for a friend at an SCCA race at Daytona. He gave me a Course Worker pass for the Sebring race so I was super excited. Drove up to Sebring the day before the race and set up a tent.

The morning of the race I walked to the starting grid and took a bunch of great pictures, including Bruce Jenner standing next to the BMW M1 he co-drove. Turned out I neglected to put a roll of film in the camera. Had to settle for photographing the race from behind the barriers (still real close to the action). At lunch time one of my friends needed something from my Corvette so I gave him my keys. When he got his stuff he tossed the keys on the driver seat and closed the passenger door. I had locked the door while it was open.

Drank a cold beer to help make the right decision. I didn't think it was wise to leave the keys (visible on the front seat) and go watch the rest of the race. I could 1) pay a locksmith the admission fee plus the call or 2) break a window. I chose the back window because it is removable on a '72 Corvette and is just a flat sheet of glass. A new piece of glass ended up costing me $30 (probably $1,200 in today's money). A clear plastic garbage bag filled the void for the ride home.

 

[jbmatth]

As long as you had fun it was all worth it.

I did do that, I plan to attend the Oklahoma Gambler in mid October, I should have everything in much better shape by then.

That's wht you have the other set of keys in your left hand pocket!

Ken

Ken,
I don't remember you commenting before, welcome aboard the crazy train. Funny story on the spare keys, when I bought the truck and car there was only one key for each. I saw this as a problem and actually stopped at a Wal-Mart in Kansas on my way out at 6:30 am planning to get spares made and get my food for the weekend. Because of "things" they didn't open until 7 so I went on down the road and got groceries at a small grocery store, hence no spare keys. $4 for keys would be cheaper than a $30 window, but either way I can't complain too much for my ignorance. Now to go get spares made sometime still.

JB, been there, done that. In 1980 four of us went to the 12-hour race at Sebring. I had recently worked on the pit crew for a friend at an SCCA race at Daytona. He gave me a Course Worker pass for the Sebring race so I was super excited. Drove up to Sebring the day before the race and set up a tent.

The morning of the race I walked to the starting grid and took a bunch of great pictures, including Bruce Jenner standing next to the BMW M1 he co-drove. Turned out I neglected to put a roll of film in the camera. Had to settle for photographing the race from behind the barriers (still real close to the action). At lunch time one of my friends needed something from my Corvette so I gave him my keys. When he got his stuff he tossed the keys on the driver seat and closed the passenger door. I had locked the door while it was open.

Drank a cold beer to help make the right decision. I didn't think it was wise to leave the keys (visible on the front seat) and go watch the rest of the race. I could 1) pay a locksmith the admission fee plus the call or 2) break a window. I chose the back window because it is removable on a '72 Corvette and is just a flat sheet of glass. A new piece of glass ended up costing me $30 (probably $1,200 in today's money). A clear plastic garbage bag filled the void for the ride home.

Even with the window incident that is one heck of a cool story Bob, you have some great ones! I have never been to a big race like that, only small autocross races and drag races. I wish I could say that was the first time I've locked keys in my car, but that is not true, I have done it probably a dozen times which is why most of them all have spare keys in a hide-a-key.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

My oldest son used to go out and sit in his truck on his work break. About twice a week he would lock his keys in it, and call me to come unlock it. I finally told him it would cost him $20 up front for me to even start my truck, and I accept paypal. He never did it again.

 

[jbmatth]

That would be one way to help solve the issue, well I did have to pay for it, so maybe not. Oh well live and learn or if you are like me just make the same mistake over and over.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

That would be one way to help solve the issue, well I did have to pay for it, so maybe not. Oh well live and learn or if you are like me just make the same mistake over and over.

JB

When it started costing him money it suddenly became a good idea to check for his keys when he got out.


Funny story time.

I have a friend whose family does tile work. His dad is one of the most put together people I have ever met. In the 30 years I have known him I have only seen him make one mistake. He is just that careful. And that one mistake....

I went to Lowe's one day to get something, I saw his dad out in the parking lot looking through his truck. I yelled hello, and went in. My friend was running all over the tile aisle looking for something. As I got closer I saw the store manager, and several employees looking around too. I asked what was going on and my friend said his dad lost the truck keys. So I helped look around, then I asked if they had checked the parking lot, he said no, and we walked outside to look.

As soon as we got close to the truck, his dad told him to get in the truck, and they left. It was really odd because he is the nicest guy I know and is never rude. About 15 minutes later I got a text. Then keys had been in the door lock on the drivers side of the truck. His dad was embarrassed. Every now and again I ask him if he has his keys. One day I will get slapped.

 

[jbmatth]

That's pretty funny, we have all had those oops moments but it is even more embarrassing when so many people see it.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

Another weekend in the books and I'm beat from everything. I was asked to drive a co-workers daughter onto the football field for her to accept the crown as queen. I was in some pretty good company as well:

Another view after the drive:

And of course a photo with the new queen:

Saturday the day started off with a bang when a pole slipped and hit a tee on the hydraulics and broke it off. Luckily this was only minutes after starting so the fluid was still pretty cool. It covered the tractor, me, and my new truck in oil. New hard line couldn't be sourced so I had a soft line made:

Sadly it also damaged the hood when the pole and bucket fell but no critical damage. I ended up setting 6 more poles which means only 4 more to go but I ran out of usable poles so I'll head out this week to get more at some point. I'll also try to remember to get photos of the progress.

In other news when I went outside this morning I was surprised by this guy:

No clue who he is or who he belongs to, but he is nice and was really happy to see me, he got a bowl of food and we will figure more out later today when I get back home. May have a new friend, we shall see.

JB

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad the Cobra got put to good use!

Bummer on the hood, but that is the nature of the beast unfortunately...you use them long enough and "it" happens.

Looks like the dog already marked his territory on your deck , I'm sure he appreciated the meal by the looks of things!

 

[XJSuperman]

Always a sad day when the tractor hood is crushed. Unfortunately so many of those beautifully distinct New Generation hoods got dented up front. Since yours is wearing its work clothes, the damage just adds more character I guess.

Glad you fixed the line. Hopefully everything got a bath after that, or at least the new truck.

 

[jbmatth]

Glad the Cobra got put to good use!

Bummer on the hood, but that is the nature of the beast unfortunately...you use them long enough and "it" happens.

Looks like the dog already marked his territory on your deck , I'm sure he appreciated the meal by the looks of things!

Outlaw,
It was a good time and I got plenty of attention, well maybe it was the car, or maybe the girl. Yeah probably not me at all.

I'm just glad there wasn't more damage, it could have been much worse, I still need to fix the rain cover too. (That reminded me to order one, I'll have it here Wednesday if Amazon Prime works like they say.

After it said hi to Max and me he proceeded to have a marking contest with Max, now all of our vehicles are marked multiple times. Silly boys, but I think I won that battle, I marked them back.

Always a sad day when the tractor hood is crushed. Unfortunately so many of those beautifully distinct New Generation hoods got dented up front. Since yours is wearing its work clothes, the damage just adds more character I guess.

Glad you fixed the line. Hopefully everything got a bath after that, or at least the new truck.

The hood wasn't in great shape to start with, and this didn't do it any favors. This winter when it is done working so much I'll pull it off and straiten it a bit, or not if I really don't need to.

I pressure washed the new truck, then took it to a car wash for a foam bath, sadly neither was enough. I will schedule a detail and a few other things this week to make it look good as new. I planned on it anyway before winter but this will speed up that timeline.

JB

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I had the hood on Gertie mostly straighted out and we were using it to load scrap metal. I had an oven in the bucket, and lifted it all the way u to put it in the dump trailer, and dropped a front tire in a hole. The oven bounced and the door came off, and crashed in to the hood. Now Gertie looks permanently pissed.