Movin' on Up!

4/26
Time to get busy and plant the columns for the shed roof. First order of business, cut 1/3 off each of the two pieces of stock.

Movin' on Up!


This chop saw with metal cutting blade belonged to my late Brother-In-Law, Vince. He used to buy all sorts of equipment at auction. Works okay, but one brush cap kept popping open, causing the saw to stop turning. Anyway, got the two cuts done by cutting the top half, then rotating the columns and cutting the bottom half. A new blade would have done the cut in one pass.

Movin' on Up!


The two leftover bits that will soon be one...

Movin' on Up!
 
4/26
2 out of 3 ain't bad. The usual hassle of pulling out the cement mixer, hauling water in a tub, pouring the bases, then the cleanup.

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Hung two light fixtures in the carport before my time ran out and I had to head home. I seem to be having a "2 out of 3 ain't bad" day...

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Sally gave me a reprieve right as I hit Liberty Hill so I stopped and got 4 blue rain barrels. I turned around and installed the 3rd light and wired them in. Yep, they work! Barrels will need gutter adapters and flex downspouts-

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Tuesday was rain barrel & downspout day. (I think I had the wrong date on the last couple of posts)

Movin' on Up!


4 downspouts with square to round adapters done in just under 2 hours, including washing the barrels.

Movin' on Up!


These barrels & downspouts are SO much cleaner and neater than the old place. (embarrassing how messy I let the old place get, sorry) Those collapsible barrels were rubbish...

Movin' on Up!
 
4/27
Wednesday was electrical day. This 00 cable is really tough to bend, so I put some leverage on it! Connected the stub up to the main entrance panel with 2" weathertight flex.

Movin' on Up!


Drove the ground rod in just after this photo. Job done.

Movin' on Up!


Got the building panel done as well (flex conduit from the stub-up in concrete). Wired in the carport lights to a breaker rather than have to have a switch with a box, etc.

Movin' on Up!


Main electrical entrance done and ready for the local utility to connect. I have somewhere around 4-5 weeks wait till my turn comes up, so I'll be on the generator 'till then.
 
4/28
THE LAST ROOF SHEET FINALLY ARRIVED! Today is the big day for the erectors to finish the remaining details.

Movin' on Up!


I was eating my sandwich, and began to be shut in, in real time! (finally, hangar DOORS)

Movin' on Up!


Hooked up the tractor box blade and started smoothing out the dozer work. It is AMAZING what one pass with a box blade will do...

Movin' on Up!
 
4/28
VOILA! the hangar is finally enclosed. These LED lights are AMAZING, at under one amp each (88 watts). 5 year warranty, too.

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Angle bracing for the motor mounts is hard to see; that took care of the slight side-to-side movement during operation. This end of the building is finally done! "Dried In" as of 4/28, less than 90 days from signing the closing papers.

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Clear shot of a hangar door fully open, and you can see the angled door operator motor mount bracket.

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Short, but productive day yesterday 4/29 - Planted the 3rd (center) column for the shed roof. Should be starting on the receivers and purlins on Monday or Tuesday. the time crunch is over with. Too bad the Skytrack & scissor lift are gone!

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Working on the East/West property line at the North end of the lot, didn't have much time but ONE PASS with the box blade made a HUGE difference. Also started grading out the area where the septic holding tank will go. That REALLY needs a front loader, or a helper with a shovel and all day to get it done.

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I did dive in to my small box trailer to find my large tote full of small parts bins, to find a pair of lock washers and nuts to re-attach the tractor's air filter with (as seen above, at lower left)

That's it, all caught up!
 
I still have a bit of a worry in my brain regarding the door operator motors. I might double up the cables and employ pulleys at the door eye bolts (the motors came with them), to halve the workload for the motors. It's recommended in the User Manual which, strangely, I decided to read and follow! I went so far as to use ALL FOUR BOLTS on BOTH motors, when I mounted them! That meant drilling four extra holes, but I think it was worth it...
 
Rented a Bobcat loader for a week. First order of business is to set the septic holding tank.

Movin' on Up!


I'll get busy fixing the hangar ramp, pond, and the runways next...

Easy to carry the tank across the compound with the loader!

Movin' on Up!


That looks about right, according to my toes...

Movin' on Up!


Yep, just right!

Movin' on Up!


The service door is on the downhill side (ever so slightly tipped).

Movin' on Up!
 
Bobcats are the best!! I rescued this one from the farm about 12 years ago, and fixed it up. So handy! Building attachments for it has become a bit of an obsession - LOL!!

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Bobcats are the best!! I rescued this one from the farm about 12 years ago, and fixed it up. So handy! Building attachments for it has become a bit of an obsession - LOL!!
I'd LOVE to own one, but they cost more than trucks and I'm getting the sinking feeling I'm going to need a replacement truck sooner rather than later...

"Plan B" is to get a front loader for my tractor, but they are rare, expensive, and involve adding power steering which is even more expensive. Then, the early 60s D4000s have an inadequate front suspension setup which I've been advised is highly prone to failure under that kind of duty.
 
I'd LOVE to own one, but they cost more than trucks and I'm getting the sinking feeling I'm going to need a replacement truck sooner rather than later...

"Plan B" is to get a front loader for my tractor, but they are rare, expensive, and involve adding power steering which is even more expensive. Then, the early 60s D4000s have an inadequate front suspension setup which I've been advised is highly prone to failure under that kind of duty.
Have a look around for a Bobcat 743 - they are a super simple machine and very capable. All mechanical and good parts availability. Seem to be going for reasonable prices right now. Kubota engine - say no more!! lol.

Second choice would be a 753/763/773 series - a little more complicated, but still great machines.
 
Does your new hangar have some form of wind resistance rating or some strength chart to let you know what you can expect when the big weather comes through?
 
Does your new hangar have some form of wind resistance rating or some strength chart to let you know what you can expect when the big weather comes through?
The steel structure and entire package were designed by a company that has specialized in these types of steel buildings all over Texas for over 30 years.

This part of central Texas is kinda like Kansas, but to a lesser degree; we experience tornados at least yearly, and quite high winds regularly. Mueller, Inc. OF COURSE take this into consideration, or they'd be out of business.

Basically, what I can expect is zero damage short of maybe EF4 or 5, and then only trim or maybe windows. EF6, all bets are off.
 
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Looking Good GP,
Tractors, Bobcats, Dozer, Skylift, Scissor jack, augers and more.
Come on now, you're having way too much fun...;)

Keep the pics coming.......:cool::cool:
 
May the Fourth be with you (literally, on 5/4)

Pedernales Electric Coop trucks were here this morning when I arrived (actually, it was almost noon and they were on their lunch break). 3 trucks and 6 guys!

Movin' on Up!


They plant their poles in 2-part quick-set expanding composite material that cures like hard plastic, not foam. Once it expands up to the top of the stick, they push their dirt back in the hole and they start climbing up the pole immediately.

Movin' on Up!


TWO guys on that pole! The foam had only set 5 minutes before this photo.

Movin' on Up!
 
Voila! The generator has earned a well-deserved break.

Movin' on Up!


5/5
Got a late start, had to buy new saw blades and got after the first of the three 4x4 columns for the shed roof. Not too fun working from the top of an 8' ladder with sparks shooting everywhere near your face and chest. Then it started to drizzle...

Movin' on Up!


WHAM! within 5 minutes, all 4 barrels were up-chucking. Too much hassle to drag out the pump, and I'd probably be one hose short to do the transfer. Plus, the main water tank isn't in it's final position yet. Plus, the clock is ticking on the bobcat...

Movin' on Up!
 
That's one nasty-looking storm. I REALLY hope it fills up the pond!

Movin' on Up!


I did get SOME work done before the rain, knocked two more steppes where they cross the north property line, and used that spoil to fill the two swales on the uphill sides. Hard to make out from this photo... When I started seeing lightning, I headed for the barn!

Movin' on Up!


I did finally manage to get the drone working right on the 3rd, but it took me several hours over two days to pull frames from the video, then overlay them to create this composite. What a mess!

Movin' on Up!


Now I know where to focus today, which is probably the last chance I get (maybe Sunday afternoon, too). The Bobcat goes back first thing Monday morning, involving a back-and-forth-and back-and forth to pick up the trailer, get to the ranch, load the 'cat, take it all back, then get back to the ranch, then TRY to get anything done before dark.
 
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