Newsletter #314 2025 Jul 03 Wednesday
The Rancher 460 is back in operation, as is the Log Splitter; Timothy is on a tear with the Firewood project; Farmhouse basement rehab in process; happy Pigs and Oxen
Primal Woods
Sawmill Services
As planned last week, the Husqvarna Rancher 460 chainsaw got a major tune-up.
The new clutch and drive gear are installed; the new carb and fuel system, too. One thing of interest was the spark plug.
The plug, especially the center and side electrodes, should be a light tan in color; the black of the old plug indicates that a very rich mixture was entering the carb. Perhaps not coincidentally, the hardest part of the job was adusting the high and low speed mixture screws on the new carburetor. Still, it is running well now, with a new chain, and cutting like it should.
The low speed mixture adjustment screw and the high speed mixture adjustment screw are the siamesed holes near the tip of the required special tool.
Timothy has afforded me the time to be a bit more Germanic in my maintenance of the property.
Before:
After:
If you or someone you know are interested in our Sawmill Services, check out our Primal Woods page on the subject.
Pure Maple Syrup
Our friend Lisa sent in this great photo! Thank you Lisa!
Homestead Rebel
I published a post on the “new” brush mower this week …
Roof Manufacturing Brush Mower Model VP 75
So. What is this all about? Well, it is to be used primarily for mowing paths through tall grass for portable electric fencing; fencing specifically intended to manage the sheep in paddocks, or out and about on the farm. A string trimmer just won’t get the job done, and a brush cutter (kind like a string trimmer, but with cutting blades instead of strin…
A brief update to that post:
The vertical section from the blade drive pulley (top) to the blade (bottom) is what Roof called the Head Assembly.
I’m having a helluva time getting the 1-1/8 in. nut off the bottom of the Head Shaft, so that I can sharpen or replace the blade. I’ve tried penetrating oil and using my pneumatic impact driver, but it will not budge, not a millimeter. I just consulted with my dear friend and brother Richard about how to remove it, and he said I needed to go “full Neanderthal” on the nut. Ha! Full Neanderthat will include a 4 lb sledge hammer and a torch, just so we are clear. I may get to it this afternoon, and may not. we shall see, but the cause is not lost either way; the problem will be solved.
Sheep
The Sheep Pasture fencing project is on hold as we await some necessary tools and materials. The first two items came in, and are shown above. Below is a picture of the to-be assembled spinning jenny.
The jenny is for managing the wire, which can be a real problem without the right equipment. These items, and those on the way, are necessary for the corner and gate braces, which will be the next order of fencing business. When we have the bracing finished, the woven wire fencing will be next on the list; which prompts me to thinking, we are going to need a lot more fence staples than I have on hand. Anyway, I’m confident we will have this project checked off the list before mid-August.
Oxen
The Oxen are in Paddock #4, and moving to #2 tomorrow, according to Timothy.
I went out to see how they were doing this afternoon, have a look.
Pigs
On my way to the Oxen, I stopped by the Pigs. Happy campers.
Found him.
Broiler Chickens (aka Meat Birds)
Ship date for 30 Cornish Cross is not until July 21.
Firewood
We gave the Log Splitter the same sort of treatment we gave the Rancher 460, less the new carb. The splitter would start, but it would die after 3-10 minutes of operation. We replaced the fuel line from tank to carb, the coil, energizing wire to the coil, and the plug wire; and the low oil level sensor. I had replaced the carb last December. I reckon the problem was either the coil energizing wire, which was not in good shape, or the low oil level sensor.
Timothy has almost a cord of firewood stacked, and at least another cord staged for splitting. The Log Splitter is now splitting as it should.
Farmhouse Airbnb
This weekend’s guests have begun to arrive. Timothy says the grounds are in 5-Star condition. Emily and Geri always ensure that the inside is 5-Start.
News and Notes
The so-called Federal Reserve, which is not, and has none.
I’ll go next with this note from G. Edward Griffin, simply because he is the author of the classic text on the subject of the creation of the Federal Reserve; The Creature From Jekyll Island.
Speaking of creatures, Fauci and Collins come to mind; the long-term consequences of the jab(s) might now be arriving on our shores. But I am mixing my metaphors…
And, just in case you have been living on another planet and were not so informed, #russiagate was a hoax, and now we are getting the receipts.
Books & Such
I’m in the next book that my Mom recommended, The Viking Heart: How Scandinavians Conquered the World. So far, so good; the history of the Vikings and their violent forays into the British isles and western Europe.
And here is a good one, The Interlinear Bible:
Check this out! For the Old Testament we have the literal English translation at left, the Hebrew to its right, read right to left, with the English words below, and the Strong’s Concordance number above! Awesome. Similarly for the New Testament; the literal English translation at left, the Greek to its right, with the English words below, and the Strong’s Concordance number above. This is now my go-to reference.
For every translation of the Bible there comes an interpretation of the Bible, and to understand what the Word actually is, it is necessary to begin with the original Hebrew and Greek. In my opinion.
Finally, I want to wish all of you a very happy Independence Day! We will start our celebration by visiting the Hartford Speedway for some Modified action tonight, and for the fireworks; we will also celebrate at home tomorrow, again with fireworks.
All the best to you and yours. and may God bless you all.
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All the best, and may God bless you and yours,
John & Geri
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