Yet another snowblower

I bought the snowblower that I mentioned in the last post yesterday.  It runs good, kind of a pain to start without the electric start though.  It is a bit of a monster though.  The 8HP engine is not lacking for power.  Which makes it odd that it doesn't throw the snow that far.  At the end of the driveway it struggles to reach the edge.  It doesn't really throw any further than the 5HP worn out one I used last year.  It is also geared kind of funny.  First gear is a very brisk walk.  It is too fast.  Reverse however is kind of poky, even R2.  I might consider getting chains for it.  It would make it easier to use, the wheels struggled with bite going uphill.




I did a chunk of the top of the driveway.  My truck turned around a lot easier this morning. 


I tried to do between the ruts.  It didn't do so great.  The underside of my truck has packed it down so much that it had trouble digging in.  It is better, but the truck still scrapes in a few spots.


I started doing the end of the driveway.  It is mostly done.


I didn't quite finish everything though.


I also did over by the mailbox so my postal guy doesn't whine. 


I think I found out why it was still hanging around.  The snowblower was $250 online, but the slip on it was for $400.  At $400 I wouldn't have even looked at it.  I only paid the $250.


As I mentioned yesterday, snow removal isn't on the checklist, so no movement there.  Stay tuned, there might be another update tonight, this was actually yesterday's update.

I am beginning to dislike the snow.

I almost lost the tractor in PA (the ratchet strap came loose and it was sitting on the cinch strap at the end of the trailer) but everything made it home OK.  The ramps came loose, but I just tossed them in the bed of the truck.  I pretty much just came home and crashed.

Everything on Monday was supposed to be rain.  That didn't turn out to be the case.  It was rain when I got home from work, so I started unpacking (I don't have enough space to just let things sit around) and when I finished that up, I was intending to go out and finish working on the snowblower.  This is what I was met with:


Grumbling, I unloaded the tractor, and found that the arm Dad noticed was loose (the one with the chute controls) had actually come off.  One of the bolts was sheared completely off.  Dismayed, and not wanting to drive in that I at least decided to do something productive and got my washing machine set up.  I intend to test it tonight.


I went out today and got a new bolt and shear pins and put them in at lunch.  Fired it up, and it got about 2 feet before the belt started smoking.  It is too loose somewhere.  I am guessing it is the top belt (the one directly connected to the PTO) but haven't confirmed it.  Dismayed, I returned to work.


It snowed all night last night and the bank at the end of my driveway is at the bumper, so I need to do something about it.  I still think I should get this working, but I need something now so I am looking at snowblowers on Craigslist.  These would replace the little 5HP that I never got around to fixing, but will work in a pinch.  This is the current leading candidate:
https://nh.craigslist.org/grq/d/yard-machine-snowblower-8hp/6757210776.html

It is supposed to be above freezing during the days for the rest of the week, so the hose idea is looking more and more tempting...  The truck goes in tomorrow for new tires and its annual servicing, so I can't go to the quarry tomorrow, but might pick up that snowblower tomorrow. 

Snow isn't on the checklist, so no movement.

Long day. Short post.

I got up early to work with my European counterparts, coming in at 5, and am just finishing up now just after 630.  Ugh.  I am tired.

I did end up moving the trailer last night.  My truck didn't like it, but it dragged it down the hill.  I discovered something unnerving about the trailer too; the ball doesn't lock.  I towed it from Tilton (hour and a half) at interstate speeds without trouble, but I might have just gotten lucky.  If I decide to go forward taking it down, I will have to do something to make sure the trailer doesn't come off the ball.  I raised it right up off the truck without unlatching it.


On the bright side, I did get an email from the town saying that they signed off on my occupancy permit.  Everything is now legit.

Occupancy in progress

They came up and looked around for the occupancy permit today.  They said they found everything they were looking for and it is on the agenda for tonight.  I also asked and they said I didn't need to show up to the selectman meeting tonight; it was already on the agenda, which is nice. 

The last couple of days I have been doing more moving stuff.  I now have a more or less complete kitchen setup now.  I was even able to run the hot plate and the microwave at the same time.


No movement on the checklist.  We got more snow (and are getting another 3-5 tonight) so I am considering loading up the trailer and getting it down the hill tonight, since I can't clear it.  If this doesn't melt off I might have to have to park all the way down at the bottom all winter, which would suck.

1. Install bathroom fixtures.
2. Get hot water heater installed.
3. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
4. Install kitchen sink.
5. Install kitchen appliances.
6. Get propane installed.
7. Build bed frame.
8. Build closets.
9. Install table.
10. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
11. Fix snowblower.  
12. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
13. Clear slab
14. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings

Clearing snow and odds and ends.

I spent a good chunk of the day clearing snow.  Since I haven't cleared the driveway, I really really hope that it melts off soon.  I didn't even try to hide the fact that I am staying there last night.


Even though we only got about 4-5 inches up there, the truck was dragging on the way up.  I need to fix the driveway.


I spent a good chunk of the morning shoveling.


The storm naturally brought wind, and the skirting blew across the yard.  Thankfully it was partially still on the slab, so I was able to locate it.


I then fired up the tractor and did the slab.  It did a surprisingly good job considering there were no chains on it or anything.


This stuff is kind of in the way.  I moved it back a bit.


I didn't need to do anything with the roof.  It took care of itself.


After that I went inside and made a bunch of little livable updates.  The first thing I did was fix enough of the plumbing under the sink to make the sink usable.  It still leaks a little if you pour a lot of water in all at once, but it is generally usable.


I also installed the water filter.


The water looks much better.  I took a swig and it tasted fine.


I also did a bunch of other little things, cleaned up the kitchen a little, put up some hooks to hang things.  I also hooked up my computer.  I can now watch movies, play music and stuff again.  I haven't hooked up the receiver yet though.


I checked my badge on the way in and they haven't turned it back on yet for the gym, which is annoying.  With the water filter in now though, I can drink and use the water a

Most of these things were just moving in type things, so no movement on the checklist.  I hope to pick up the

1. Install bathroom fixtures.
2. Get hot water heater installed.
3. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
4. Install kitchen sink.
5. Install kitchen appliances.
6. Get propane installed.
7. Build bed frame.
8. Build closets.
9. Install table.
10. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
11. Fix snowblower.  
12. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
13. Clear slab
14. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings

Not a lot of progress the last couple of days.

I am still waiting to hear back from the town on the occupancy permit.  Not sure what is taking them so long, but given their track record I can't say that I am surprised.

My current sink drain, and showering mechanism.  Courtesy of Taco Bell.


I started to install the sink drain and all that, but it leaks like a sieve.  I also didn't realize that sink drains were only 1 and a quarter inches, so I need like four adapters to get it to 2 inches, which is what the plumbing is.  All those adapters get in the way of the pex, so I need to figure something out.  Unfortunately I appear to have forgotten to get a picture of it. 

I picked up a few light covers today.  They were on closeout, and I know why now.  They stink.  They block almost a third of the light coming out, and they don't like to sit all the way up against the ceiling. 


It isn't big enough to cover up the oopsy I made installing the light either.


I also picked up a whole house filter today too.  I got it assembled, but not installed.  At the current moment I can't even get into the laundry room. 


Unfortunately we are supposed to get half a foot of snow tonight.  Since my driveway isn't currently clearable even if I had the snowblower working and it would be impossible to hide the tire tracks as well, so I decided to stay in a hotel in town tonight.  It will be nice to have a real shower too.

No movement on the checklist.  I did talk to Rymes, and they won't touch the gas lines either.  I have Greg talking to his guy, but it is looking more and more like I will have to do all the gas work, which is unfortunate.  I might call discount oil back since they only get axed because of the time frame.

1. Install bathroom fixtures.
2. Get hot water heater installed.
3. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
4. Install kitchen sink.
5. Install kitchen appliances.
6. Get propane installed.
7. Build bed frame.
8. Build closets.
9. Install table.
10. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
11. Fix snowblower.  
12. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
13. Clear slab
14. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings

Move more or less complete.

It is messy, but I have moved.  All my stuff, except for some basic cleaning supplies are in the new place.  The old place looks pretty empty.  The new tenants were not pleased that he decided to chop out a chunk of the ceiling when they are supposed to be moving in Wednesday.


I ended up using my car as a portable storage unit...


Here is the walkthrough of the new place.  It is very hectic inside at the moment, but I slept there last night, and actually slept fairly well despite waking up a few times.  One of the concerns I had was that the fridge took a while to pull down.  Normally fridges take a few hours, but after three hours, the fridge was still just starting to cool down.  When I woke up this morning though, the fridge was 32, so it made it and I moved my stuff in. 

I will have to go back tonight to clean the place, though courtesy of the drywall guy, I will only have to do the kitchen and bathroom, since I am not dealing with the plaster everywhere.

Moving wasn't on the checklist, so no movement. 

Getting close enough to live in.

Today was chillier than I expected, but I still made good progress.  I started off bringing another load up.  The apartment I am squatting in is looking empty.  I didn't quite get through all of them, but I did eliminate a whole suitcase of clothes, basically just by tossing that I hadn't worn in over two years or had holes in it.  I also moved my computer today.


I decided to build the steps today.  Next time I think I will cut my own stringers.  I didn't notice when I bought them that one was split (which is why there is an extra chunk of 2x6 on the bottom step) and one was cut slightly differently than the other 2, which led to the boards not lining up perfectly.

Here is the underside.


Upside


It isn't a quality one, but I also installed a handrail.  I don't really ever use one, but just in case the town looks for it, I installed one.  The cinder blocks were much steeper and didn't have one, and I have been using those for a year and a half.


I also came across this in my bucket of screws.  It looks like the quality control isn't too tight on the manufacturing process.


All in all, they are still a major upgrade over the cinder blocks.  Next up I got Tim to help me with moving some stuff around.  The stove and fridge are now in the house.


The critters really made a disaster of the stove.


It cleaned up fairly well, though I ran out of clorox wipes.


It is still really muddy up the hill.  My truck managed it though.  I really need to put gravel down up here.  Maybe next year though.


Even though I replaced a bunch of the stuff in the shed with other stuff, since I removed all the tools from the house, the shed still looks neater.


The front porch is done.  I have to move tomorrow, so I am glad I at least have the minimum needed to live there.  I also emailed the town; the office doesn't technically reopen until Tuesday, but I might get lucky and one of the selectmen decide to check the email, it has happened before.

I also merged the two lists, since I am technically going to move in tomorrow, whether I have the occupancy permit or not (which I won't).  I have to be out by the 13th, so I figured I will move out tomorrow and then finish up any cleaning on Tuesday.

To Do:

1. Install bathroom fixtures.
2. Get hot water heater installed.
3. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
4. Install kitchen sink.
5. Install kitchen appliances.
6. Get propane installed.
7. Build bed frame.
8. Build closets.
9. Install table.
10. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
11. Fix snowblower.  
12. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
13. Clear slab
14. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings

I can now not be full of crap.

Today was bitterly cold.  Barely made it above freezing, a 30+ mph wind all day.  And it was raining in the morning even though it was all supposed to move out last night.  So I decided to work inside today. 


So it turned out I wasn't gipped, the bolts were in the wax ring, which of course I discovered after I went and bought another set.  Grrrr.  So I got toilet in.


When I turned the water on it was kind of crummy.  I don't remember it being that bad when I looked at it when the well was drilled.  That being said, there were no leaks inside or underneath the house which I also checked.


I then installed the sink. 


I apparently mismeasured the pex for the hot water line.  Doh!


The water is all hooked up now, except for the drain.  I put a towel down and tested the cold and it worked good. 




I also installed my smoke detector.


I flushed the toilet dozens of times today, it looked like it started to clear up a tiny bit.  It looks like it was sediment.  Once I get one of the sinks finished I will just let it run for a while to hopefully clear everything out.


The bathroom fixtures are nearly complete.  I scouted out the cabinets at Home Depot, they have everything I need except the sink base.  I am debating what to do tomorrow.  I think I am going to get the sink and fridge out of the shed.  I came across a squirrel in the shed today, but I will need at least a fridge and a microwave, since I have to move out of the apartment Monday.

Before Occupancy:

1. Install paneling on interior walls.
2. Build floor pan for the bathroom
3. Install bathroom fixtures.
4. Install electric.
5. Complete interior plumbing and test it.
6. Finish running the waste PVC line.
7. Well prep work.
8. Get well installed.
9. Get hot water heater installed.
10. Install flooring.
11. Install skirting.
12. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
13. Install kitchen sink.
14. Install kitchen appliances.
15. Install enough driveway to satisfy the apron requirements.
16. Get propane installed.

Before Winter:

1. Build bed frame.
2. Build closets.
3. Install table.
4. Install heat tapes.
5. Build some sort of porch.
6. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
7. Fix snowblower.  
8. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
9. Clear slab
10. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings

Gipped.

Last night I went and picked up some lumber for the porch and the fixtures for the bathroom. 




I went to install the toilet tonight, and it appears that I got gipped.  The two screws that attach to the base are missing.  So no toilet tonight.


I wouldn't have been able to finish it anyways, it looks like this is not a standard connection.


Ugh, so no movement on the checklist.  Tomorrow hopes to be nice. 
Before Occupancy:

1. Install paneling on interior walls.
2. Build floor pan for the bathroom
3. Install bathroom fixtures.
4. Install electric.
5. Complete interior plumbing and test it.
6. Finish running the waste PVC line.
7. Well prep work.
8. Get well installed.
9. Get hot water heater installed.
10. Install flooring.
11. Install skirting.
12. Install some form of cabinets in the kitchen.
13. Install kitchen sink.
14. Install kitchen appliances.
15. Install enough driveway to satisfy the apron requirements.
16. Get propane installed.

Before Winter:

1. Build bed frame.
2. Build closets.
3. Install table.
4. Install heat tapes.
5. Build some sort of porch.
6. Smooth driveway enough to plow/clear
7. Fix snowblower.  
8. Winterize equipment (mower, undercoat the truck, etc).
9. Clear slab
10. Shed work
1. Extend roof to prevent snow pushing on the side.
2. Fix pilings