Raptor Ridge, the build.

[JR]

BTW, I got 23.9mpg coming home per DIC. DIC is normally a tad high, filled just as left.

[Flyin6]

BTW, I got 23.9mpg coming home per DIC. DIC is normally a tad high, filled just as left.

Beats my 10.1 all to heck and back!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JR]

Was 15 going up, can't complain. 60-65mph up, same coming back but lots of downhill. I will take all I can get with prices well over $4 here, and mid $3's up there.

Dmax gets warm towing the TH, not the flatbed (happened before)? Edge said I was getting into the 225 range, pulled one high temp code but cooled right down. No limp mods at anytime with the new lift pump. Tranny only got warm going up the little dirt hill at the prop, 220.

[Sammconn]

I started getting hot towing my trailer out.

Turns out I was plugged solid with bulldogs.
Think horsefly on steroids.

Washed out bug guard, rads and all was good again
I suspect your stack is needing a cleaning.

[JR]

New (open box) pump came in. Its a Franklin unit, 4in, 1hp, 230v (2 wire) no control box. 10gal min down to 400ft so this should do the trick. Rated for less GPM even lower.

Now to pull the old one and start over. Best deal I have found so far on wire is $440 for 400ft. Will go with flat stranded wire this time vs the solid twisted.

[Flyin6]

Ouch
All these deep wells you folks need out west...
Not used to that here in the foothills of the Appalachians.
I think Kentucky is in a sweet spot. Always plenty of water on the surface or just below it.
Good until your field sinks one day while you're plowing it and becomes a deep pond!

[JR]

About 2 ridges over there are artesian wells. Some small creeks too but not close to me.

I am 500ft above the valley floor, well is 435ft. Guy east and down the hill is 600ft and some in the valley are 1000ft. NV is the dryest state, but has some huge lakes!

[JR]

Spent almost 3 days up there this weekend. The trailer changes the whole feel, just nice to have a place to "live" and retreat too.

Bladder worked great but need a rack for it. Fits in the tahoe fine, but needs to be higher. Filled the trailer up to max (75gal?). Oh, and everything works in the trailer but heater. It was 40f this trip and staying warm was easy. I have a buddy heater for when it gets colder (rated for indoor use). Also had a small leak after some rain, but addressed it.

Retaped all the foam around the trailer. Duct didn't last 2 weeks. Used window/door tape.

Had to run to town for the tape and hit wally too. What a show, burning man weekend and all the unprepared where there getting things. Found it runs about $1500 or more to attend this.

Had some swall issues around the pad I addressed. Have to do a couple more trenches around the pad walls.

I spent a few hours on the road in. It had been getting bad and overgrown. Mian spot is just above the turn around where the runoff flows down the road center. I crowned it best I could. Forgot to take pictures but will cover it next trip.

19mpg on the trip, fuel is no cheaper in Nv now than Kali. In fact its much cheaper here in many places.

[JR]

Dug just started right up and ran great. It is getting a little warm. Looks like the radiator is still plugged dome. I pored water on it and dirt just flows out. I need to spray it good but water is not setup that way yet. May hit a neighbor up. Still has a tire that goes down, but not not a big deal.

Kubota still having stall issues after 15 minutes of running. Replaced all the fuel lines, new filters and fuel pump. Really hope its not the injection pump.

Excavator need to get up here too. That blade with tracks will help with so much. Door, run the valves, arm cyclinder and RR the blade and finish the 3 buckets. Will be my only unit with a cab.

I think a road drag would be nice too. Nothing more than 6ft so the quad and SxS can pull easy.

Now looking for wood for the foundation.

[JR]

Heading up this weekend. A huge issue on my mind was the permit running out. Was just notified the renewal is $400 and good for another 18 months, perfect!

Hopefully I get the manlift from my neighbor this weekend. It will come in very nice to coat the top of the trailer without getting on it.

[JR]

Good weekend, wish I had got more done but it is what it is.

Seemed to take forever to get there. Last stop it was starting to rain off and on. Came out of winco and a lightning strike fire was going good just over the hwy. Air drops and both local and USDF working it well. Lots of houses around and it was dry.

When I got there I got a pic of the road I had reworked last trip. This whole section was rutted down the center with water flowing everywhere. Filled what I could adding a crown with digging out the right side which is the natural runoff to the land below me.

[JR]

Kubota is still giving me fits but I got the ditch dug out to the conduit. Conduit is still filled some so may have to drag that out. Got about 12ft cleared to about 6in below the conduit. Cleaned up what I could wish a shovel.

[JR]

Dug has another leak. Looks like a sensor for the fuel system. Not just a solid dribble but enough for a trail and it makes a mess.

[JR]

Got the ram apart for the stick, what a pain. No good on the bench vise, ended up remounting on the exc and using a 6ft pipe.

Little rust inside the cap, tube needs cleaning up some too. Biggest thing are the chatter marks on the ram. Going to try epoxy as they are not deep. Been in contact with a guy I follow on YT who has done it and has had good results. "Farmcraft101 is the channel, I like his style.

[Flyin6]

That's an interesting repair technique. Anyone who has owned heavy equipment knows cylinders all eventually seep, leak, and fail.

[stlaser]

JR should move all of these repairs into its own thread. Call it “JR’s Buy, Repair & Repeat” ……


In all seriousness it looks good, hoping you can get the repairs out of the way to make some real progress on your build though. 

[JR]

I have a thread on the cat, just was easier here. CAT looks small in that picture, thats a 11k machine. Not huge but twice the breakout as my kubota.

Are you saying I get too many projects and little jobs? GUILTY!!!!

[stlaser]

Maybe, I get the kids cars etc and your own. But…… maintaining a large swath of equipment is expensive and time consuming especially for the average Joe. With that said I wonder at what point you couldn’t just rent equipment, get job done and move forward? I know Ashley when Don bought farm had that mind set for Don versus buying large equipment. This advice coming from someone who owned a considerable amount of it at the time meaning Ashley. Of course Don did what he wanted as will you. However, part of all my project budgets is rental equipment, I’m one guy with X hours.

[JR]

When I get the exc up there the Kubota may go. Its great as a forklift but has front aux power, the skid does. And the backhoe is a pain most of the time, but it works.

I can see a need for a skid and the ecx in the long run, skid for sure. For the time I need them and my time up there, then add in transport having on site is the way for now.

thx

[JR]

Heading up this Friday probably until Sunday. What a game changer having the trailer up there.

Should have the manlift back from the neighbor which will make sealing the trailer roof way easier.

Made a medicine cabinet up for the trailer too. Just had a mirror on the wall with NO storage at all. Just ripped some 1/2 ply I had, made a couple poly shelfs and sealed it up. Used the mirror that was there. Only cost was a piano hinge and a couple #8, 3.5 inch CS screws.

[JR]

For those of you who still camp or trailer around I would highly recommend a portable power unit.

I got the Ecoflow Delta 2, 1024 capacity and would not be without something similar again. Yes the trailer has a 3k gen, with internal start that is really quiet.

This unit though powers pretty anything I need up to 2000 watts, 1200 is normal. Last time it ran my countertop icemaker all day. It only drew 200 watts the whole time.

I keep it plugged into the 12v solar setup, but it can charge on 120ac too. Uses Lithium phosphate type batteries good for 1000s of charges.

Shows charge %, time to charge and load with est run time. I got mine for a little less than shown, wish it was a little bigger now. I can just add another battery through.

https://us.ecoflow.com/products/delta-2-portable-power-station

[stlaser]

Nice job on the medicine cabinet, price was right.

I’ve been considering a battery back up style unit for our cabin since we don’t power our well. It’s shared and on neighbors so the power we need here is minimal.

[JR]

My unit goes at about 35lbs, I would double that if I did again, but got it more for portability at the time. Plus the next size up is more is more than double the price.

It won't start my 1.5hp compressor, but I have 2 gens for that if really needed (and I have).

I did research and see them weld with the bigger ones. Lots of units out there.

[Flyin6]

Duane uses an eco-flo battery for his camper with the accompanying eco-flo gas gen. When we were camping in Wyoming this past July, the gen went on the blink, and the battery drained. I remember a day of pulling the carb apart and cleaning...IN MY CLEAN DRINKING WATER!!!!!!!!!

Figure he had been running that genset in the Kentuckee which is around 800 MSL. Pinedale campground was 7,300 I think. So I think the altitude difference accounted for the generator's problems

Regardless (Irregardless is not a word!) I may purchase one for myself when my rich uncle dies in the poor house ;-)

[JR]

My 3k built in gen gets hot up there and shuts down. Seems to do fine with the access door open.

I moved the little 12v camping fridge into the trailer this weekend. I had an open circut on the 12v service and ran right to that. Think it needs a little bigger wire though being a 12ft run (23ft trailer) (the wall behind that was the water damage from 10 years ago)

[JR]

I then moved the lithium phosfate batteries from the container to under the trailer. I can now store paint and other flammables in there!

Made a tray for the batteries and placed that on a layer of foam. Lithiums don't like cold, so the trailer base being foam skirted and the batteries off the dirt should be good.

Then used the same jumpers to keep them in parralel for now, giving me a 900 AH reserve. That should keep me going for a week or 2 as the solar rechargers them, the trailer batteries and the Ecoflow (which was at 100% when I got there). Right now I only have 200watts solar, but I have 2 more panels to add. I am also going to get a new charge controller to charge and monitor better.

I wired the old 6v batteries in but think they may be going bad, so they may go to just use the 800ah pack and the ecoflow. Some of my wiring is a little small, so looking to upgrade that too. The old 12v AGM went back into the cont so I still have lights in there.

[JR]

It was such a nice weekend up there. I almost feel like I am on a small vacation just being there.

Trailer is doing great and a HUGE part of this. About 80 during the day, 50 at night.

Dug was leaking fuel again and I thought it was a temp sending unit. Ending up being a fuel return line just above it, easy once I looked,,,,,,,,,,,,

[JR]

While I was up there I picked up a 100lb propane tank. Not sure how much is in it but the TH 20lb is there next to it.

Was going to get filled, but still need and adapter for the 100lb. Plus the only place I could get filled up there wanted $4.25 a gallon. I can get it local here for 3.29, just have to haul it. There is a local service up there I may try later.

[Flyin6]

Coming right along, and having that camper there is the game changer.

[JR]

Epoxy may or not work on the rod for the cat. Big ding filled nice but can still just feel the little notches. Filed off the epoxy with a good file and dresses it all with a diamond stone.

Filling that hard chrome is not easy, but need to get this going. A new rod is $500 and a few weeks out.

[Flyin6]

Ya know, that stuff is pretty hard/good. I recall back in the day, we would fill Cleveland 4V intake ports with the stuff raising the floor about half an inch to improve flow. It worked well and I do not recall any of those chunks dislodging and damaging anything.
You may have solved your problem there young man!

[JR]

I cleaned the nicks again but with a stiffer brush. More epoxy and trying to get it into the nicks better.

You can't feel the big nick and barely the small ones. Files (good old ones I find at garage/estate sales) don't touch this HC and the diamond stone just takes the edges off.

[JR]

So after a second run with the epoxy, I still wasn't sure about the rod. It was "OK" by my standards. I called a local hydraulic shop in Woodland and they said bring it in and they could look at it and give me a quote once they see it.

Tech was cool and said it was not bad at all. He said the big issue would be if the nicks were along its length. He offered to polish it up in their big lathe and charged me 20mins ($40).

Was gone less than 2 hours and now can put it together. Best news I've had in months on something.

Also renewed the permit, $400 but good for another 18 months. Should be plenty of time and I see myself spending more time there with the trailer too.

[stlaser]

Good deal on the cylinder, what’s the updated time line on getting the foundation in?

[TexasRedNeck]

Jr making progress.  Keep it up and stay focused.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JR]

Hope to get the Exc up there in the next month or so. Just so much going on with this and the house. Hoping to get a good start before the weather, then pour next year. It is now budget and the time I spend up there. The latter is getting better with trailer on site.

The Ecoflow is working great, I leave it plugged into the 12v system, was fully charged when I got there and stays close to it. Ran a little craftsman shop vac with no issues for a JR moment of opening the cordless vacuum in the wrong place

I redid some of the solar setup adding a new controller for lithiums and more input. I am adding more panels too but never got to it this weekend. Right now the trailer with the 800 AH storage is charging off 200watts and doing well. It runs the little 12v cooler when Im not there keeping esentials cold, then I fire up the main fridge when Im on site.

I got a couple 12v ceiling fans for trailer, they do great at moving air for what they are. One in the sleeping area is remote, this one is just plug in.

Container has its own 12v AGM battery just for lights and a single 100watt panel. It also houses the both charge controllers as the main panels are on the container roof, but will get an upgrade to 4-500watts soon. Plus I ran new 12g wire to the trailer in a buried conduit for charging the lithium's. I didn't get to running new 8g wire to the trailer from the battery pack, just got late and the 12g is holding its own for now.

[JR]

Got there late Thursday this week. Batteries were all good so I simply made diner, watched a movie and crashed.

First thing Friday I used up all my water cleaning the radiator on DUG. That flood last year left so much crud in the cooling area it was heating up a little. TH has an outdoor sprayer so it was not real hard and it really needed it. Even had a lizard come get water at my feet as I worked. It was messy so I forgot pics.

I had to get water from a neighbor, bladder did its duty again and way easier in the truck. Got to get the well going soon. Bladder fills it, but actually the 5gal jugs will keep me going for normal use.

[Flyin6]

Man, you certainly are thrifty. With you, JR, we see a modern-day example of the pioneering spirit that pushed us into the western reaches of our nation. This thing you are building is a good lesson for all who might review this thread!

[JR]

Thx Don, funny how little things work so well sometimes.

Oh, the foam skirt is holding its own very well. Had some winds Friday and nothing came apart. I also think it helps keep the trailer stable but you could feel it at times.

Had to retarp a couple things before I left. Still need to coat the roof before real weather gets here.

Also put a new dash cam in the truck, works on wifi too so I can see when Im in the trailer!

Even had a little incident with a semi on the way up, he didn't like my high beams after he cut me off, then tried to stop me from passing him but the Dmax was fast enough.

[JR]

Well, with the storage yard going away in about a month looks like the 22ft PJ will be left here now. Not the end Of the world, but not as easy as 5 minutes away when needed.

So with the yard going I am pushing to get the Cat Exc in service now. I have eveything but been sitting on my but to much. Biggest thing may be the swing valve, it may stick and will need to address that before it goes up. Also need it get my buckets loaded up (still to finish) and I may get a few RR ties from the storage yard when they close.

So besides cleaning thing up a tad I got the small bucket ground down after my 1st attempt cutting the old ears off. I really didn't get into the parent material much. Welding the new ears on will fill most of it.

Got the ears laid out and making a jig to weld em up. Cutting 4x4 up to space them, then weld straps on to keep em flat when I weld to the 2 buckets.

[JR]

Used one of those little air bevels on the new ears. Worked pretty good once I put the blades on 

Used a couple 4x4ish to space the ears out, clamped and checked square. Tacted some straps and fit it to the coupler. A tad snug (welding fix) and the pin fit fine too.

[JR]

Used a strap to hold the ears to the small bucket (tack welded to big bucket) and tacked in place. Ears sit right on the edge which should give a great weld area. Will have to make fill plates as I am trying get close to the big buckets geometry which should help wish using the thumb too.

Got it pretty close and will make a fill plate (orange) that will give it the same structure as the big bucket.

Big bucket is 24in with factory Kubota ears, this is 12in and the smooth bucket is 52in I think. Both the small and smooth bucket will get wear strips on them

[JR]

Then I welded the other ears together for the smooth bucket. They came out a tad wide (spaced about .020) so may address that.

I am leaning towards making the smooth bucket tilt. Pretty easy. I have a few rams that could work already and the old ears from a few mounts.

[JR]

So went to rebuild the stick ram last night and found my fleabay seal kit only had about 1/2 the seals I needed. Called Cat and they wanted $400 for the seal kit !!!!!!

Called the Hydraulic shop I used in Woodland, aftermarket kit is $107. So keeping it local and saving $$$ too.


Local ma/pop metal welding shop had changed hands, but still not bad pricing for today. Got some .5 x 6in plate for the ears on the coupler and filler on the bucket. Was still $45 for the scrap pieces I found laying around the their shop, but I did get some cut to size. Also got a HF sand blasting setup they were going to junk free.

[oklawall]

Our local steel shop only sells full sheets /sticks and won't cut it. I'm on the hunt for some place else to buy metal from

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[JR]

This little place is good. I try to deal cash and they treat me fair I think. Just remember the days when they almost gave it away.

My kit is in, hopefully its right. Might not get for a few days as its 30miles away.

[JR]

Nice weekend at the Ridge. Getting cold at night and the little propane buddy heater works great. RV heater does not seem to work but it heats the entire trailer from the center.

On a standard propane tank it is supposed to run for around 200 hours. Kept the sleeping bedroom at 65 all night. Plus it is rated for indoor use with tipover safety.


Kubota is getting worse. Starts and runs fine, but now it seems to shut down when I press the F/R peddle. I think its in the HST drive as I hear a click when I try, then it shuts down. Think its the fuel shutoff, need to do research. I do not like the local kubota dealer.

Dug is solid but the tire is leaking again, not a huge issue.

Upgrading the solar setup. Installed the controller with a shutoff. I am also getting new panels vs just adding to old setup. They are well over 10 years old and old tech. Controller says I am using 130 watts just sitting there. So about breaking even with the old 200 watt panels (never full 200 watt output) With 4 new matched panels (4x100w) I should be way better with new panels and am mounting tilted some (old just taped down flat. 

Still haven't got the lift back. Neighbor promised this week for sure. Was going to drive it back, but doubt it would make it. Its wieghs 2600 and both my tractors are rater for 1600? Might have the trailer next rip so I could even load it up if need be. Weather is changing and need to do some RR on the trailer.

[JR]

The new controller is MPPT, has dual cooling fans and can take wire up to 6awg (I'm using 10). LCD panels could be bigger too but it had good reviews and price was fair. That is the "hot wall" but its mounted on osb for now.

[JR]

Spent almost 3 days up there this weekend. Was productive but cold really slows me down. Not bad when your working, but hands get numb. (OLD?)

The little buddy heater keeps the trailer nice around 65 and I just run when needed. Solar is struggling some as the sun is low and barely up half the day. Gen got a few runs to top it off. With the current system I make about 160 watts, but use 130 so just 30 watts is charging the 800 AH lithiums. By the way under the trailer they stay at right around 55f all the time even when is in the 30-40 outside. The Ecoflow Delta 2 is working great and does anything I need.

I did upgrade the table in the trailer, needed to be bigger. Made a new top from 3/4 ply, poly seal and switch the mounts, easy. Could still be a little bigger,,,,,,,,,

[JR]

Darn Gehl has another fuel leak, it is 20+ years old but I filled it last week and it has less than 1/2 a tank. Looks hard to get to but running great. It jumped my truck twice this weekend, think the Alt is bad and add the cold weather. Kubota stared great, then the HST short kicked in again. I think its simple, just need to track it down. There is a sensor on the HST peddle, maybe?

Finally got the man lift back, really nice but so sensitive to angles. You have to park it on ply or you get a code.

Got the back half of the trailer roof sealed, got to cold after that. Had rain that night so just got it in time plus I found several more little holes. Think the birds are doing some, hear them up there in the AM sometimes.