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Re: (ET) Fall into winter
We have already had a couple of snowfalls here, and both ETs have been
out to play in the snow now (E12 with plow, E15 with snowthrower).
Shed a tire chain on the last run with the snowthrower. Looks like a
few middle links had worn down over the years, and a run-in with a
spinning wheel on a piece of frozen metal debris (embedded in ice sheet)
on the road had unfortunate results. Have temporarily mended with nuts
and bolts until my spare chains resurface in the annual seasonal shuffle
of stuff.
The first snow was very wet, what we call 'heart attack snow' here, and
the ETs don't do well in it. Plowing makes an instant ice wall wherever
you stop. Using the snowthrower makes an industrial size slushie
machine and fills the throat of the chute. But once the temperature
drops a bit, I love how the snowthrower eats up the municipal plow
droppings, which inevitably cover the road drains, so have to be cleared
for the melts. Enjoying a melt right now, as the next one may not come
until March or April.
Two ETs may seem overkill for a city lot. I typically do 3 double
driveways and about 150-200 yards of street before the municipal plow
shows up, and then another pass after the plow goes by, when I may end
up doing 5-6 driveway ends. I also tend to plow the lawn along the road
frontage for the first few storms so neighbours can use the space as a
small snow dump. Otherwise the roadway narrows over the winter so that
it's hard for 2 trucks to pass each other.
Regarding leaf vacuuming, I was lent a corded carry leaf vacuum this
year, and spent several hours over 3 days vacuuming. Nice rig, mulches
to about confetti size. Surprisingly quiet, even without ear
protectors. This is the first year I can remember where our big maple
dropped its leaves before the first snow. (Not the first strange thing
in 2020.) Also, the vacuum picks up pine needles, which raking can't
touch. I'm wondering about the practicality of ganging one or two of
those with some sort of duct-work with casters or big lawn-mower wheels
with battery and inverter. Probably a push-along unit rather than
attaching to an ET given the small yard and lots of obstructions.
Especially for around the pine trees.
Always nice to read the ET stories, and connecting seems more important
this year than ever.
Darryl
On 11/28/2020 4:26 PM, Chris Zach via Elec-trak wrote:
Well today I did the last leaf pickup in the yard with the elec trak
vacuum, bag, and trailer. I realized I was done when I broke the adapter
that connects the deck to the vacuum hose and figured I was done.
So off came the blower, I think I will POR15 the thing or at least the
intake adapter to prevent rust, and off came the mower deck. The cotter
pins on the lift which hold the springs were rusted on (again) so I need
to grind them off, pull the axle, and re-drill out the cotter pins.
Again. Seriously I think I'll just get stainless steel cotter pins for
it, this rust and corrosion stinks.
Deck will go in the shed and I'll probably POR15 the underside in the
spring. It's been holding up pretty well.
Also put the E15 motor back together and it's ready to go in the
Elec-Trak E15 hulk. I went in the back and checked it out, it's still
rusted but solid so as soon as I can find a tow strap I'll drag it out
up to the house, wash all the mouse nests out (again) think about
stripping the rust and POR15ing the frame (again), and build a 60 cell
BB600 pack for it over the winter. Oddly enough the welds I put in years
ago to repair the back of the frame with angle iron are still holding up
pretty well....
And re-mount the motor of course :-) With new brushes, bearings, and a
good cleaning it will spin nicely at 3 volts....
Soon though it will be snow time, and I'll hitch up the snowblower and
chains.....
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--
Check out the laundry microfibre catcher at:
https://contest.techbriefs.com/2020/entries/sustainable-technologies-future-energy/10412
Darryl McMahon
Freelance Project Manager (sustainable systems)
COVID-19 blog: https://www.econogics.com/blog.htm