Comments Off on trailers are here

By Dave, August 14, 2004 10:34 pm

Ron called at 8 and was here by 20 after. Told me I needed to remove one tree from the gap and clear as much as I could around the point of woods that he was going to have to drive around to get them in place.

He left and I started clearing. Right off kicked a track off. Went and got the tractor and chain. Pulled it up and back after loosing the tensioner and managed to get it hooked on a tooth of the sprocket. Started the engine and put it in reverse and walked the track back in place. Tightened the tensioner as much as I could and then hooked the chain to the tractor and the end of the front track wheel and pulled it as far out as it would go. Tightened more and repeat till as tight as I can get it. Go at the clearing again. Tore the sweetgum tree out by the roots. Opened the entry up quite a bit and cleared the point of the woods and leveled a gully out. Leveled as much as I could. He called after moving another trailer and brought the 14 wide in and was gone to get the other one by 12. Pulled the 14 wide in the drive and one of the wheels fell off, brake hub and all. But it was here. Backed it into the prepared area. Sunk a bit more than I liked but is a temporary setup.

I went to the Qhut and ate a quick sandwich and talked to Bill and Rob via phone. Told Bill that one was here and another on the way if he wanted to watch it come in. Rob called to tell me he had fixed the car and driven it around a few blocks and it seems fine.

Back at the mess, I started clearing the woods next to Fairs fence. Got all the way to the fence without any trouble. Clear as far back toward the fence as is needed to be able to clear more after the 12 wide is in place. He got back a bit quicker than I had figrued on but said he would wait for 20 minutes or so if I wanted to try to finish enough to get it in place. So I go full tilt. Got it almost there when the dozer threw the track again. He pulled it in anyway. Then hooked up to and moved the other one to flatter land. I paid and he left.

Gonna go over to his place some sunday and look at the sawmills he has for sale. One round blade on a 40 foot trailer and a portable bandsaw mill that he had someone build for him. Gonna go and take some pix at the very least.

So I fixed the track again. Was easier and harder this time. I knew what to expect but was in the brush. Got it on a tooth and managed to walk it back on again. Fixed the retaining nut on the sprocket this time too and after it was adjusted is much better now. So started clearing again. Bill showed up and we looked at the trailers. Both are gonna need work but will work fine for us. Gonna take some getting used to but will do the job I think…

I worked till almost dark and am about done in. Decided to get it down before forgetting things. Got 11 hours on the dozer now. About 3 hours yesterday and I guess 5 or 6 today which with several breakdowns and maintenance stops for oil and fuel isn't too bad.

But its done. Now I got to clear the all the stuff from around the back of the qhut. Move the trim saw. And remove several trees. The pines are next. Gonna remove the island just east of the qhut. May try to do that tomorrow. Really want to get this done so we can start moving things in and setting up house keeping again. Closer and closer. And more to do to get there. But the circles seem to be getting smaller, just more energy intensive.

Say "Goodnight Gracie."
Goodnight gracie…