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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:35:12 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 12:53 PM Nothing will stand in the way of my neighbor Chuck and his man sized Tonka Toy.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:36:23 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 01:00 PM Nothing stands in the way of the proper tool. These "jumping cholla" are really nasty and it is best to have something between us and them.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:37:55 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 01:02 PM They will get back at whatever does them in.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:39:14 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 01:05 PM The road is in, at least the first part, and we can now get to the building site.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:39:48 GMT -7
Posted by: Ken Miller Jan 26 2012, 01:25 PM QUOTE(Ron Walker @ Jan 26 2012, 12:02 PM) * They will get back at whatever does them in.
I will attest that those cute "Teddy Bear" Chollas are the nastiest plant that I have ever encountered. I was with a friend of mine who decided to test the needles for sharpness (BIG MISTAKE!). They are so sharp that they instantly burrow into skin or even shoe leather, and they have miniscule reverse spikes that keep them from pulling back out. The knob with all the needles then de-attaches from the main plant and stays with you. So the second dumb mistake my friend made was trying to fling it off of his hand. It simply rolled onto the back of his hand and dug in with about 6 more needles. It was a bloody mess trying to get that thing off of him.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:40:15 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Jan 26 2012, 01:29 PM Nice to have neighbor help, especially one with a tractor, bucket and boxblade. The progress is evident on a daily basis. Thanks again for posting pixs.
Those "sticky-prickley" things look mean. (sticking to a rubber tire...good grief) mm
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:40:53 GMT -7
Posted by: Ken Miller Jan 26 2012, 01:33 PM I'm loving these pictures and wishing I were there!
I'm on a critical project now, working long hours and extra days. I'm not going to be able to make any fun trips for the forseeable future. So I at least have these pictures as a substitute for now.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:41:22 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 03:47 PM QUOTE(Ken Miller @ Jan 26 2012, 01:25 PM) * I will attest that those cute "Teddy Bear" Chollas are the nastiest plant that I have ever encountered. I was with a friend of mine who decided to test the needles for sharpness (BIG MISTAKE!). They are so sharp that they instantly burrow into skin or even shoe leather, and they have miniscule reverse spikes that keep them from pulling back out. The knob with all the needles then de-attaches from the main plant and stays with you. So the second dumb mistake my friend made was trying to fling it off of his hand. It simply rolled onto the back of his hand and dug in with about 6 more needles. It was a bloody mess trying to get that thing off of him.
If you ever get another one in your body, put a drop of gasoline on the back of the spine. It will cause the barb to retract and pull out much easier. At least without tearing the skin and body apart.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:43:26 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:12 PM Now that we have reached the actual building location the area must be scraped clean of all the scrub brush and other debris. My "make shift" transit will make due for the first few days work as there is a substantial amount of dirt that must be removed to make a level building pad. I much prefer to cut down to undisturbed ground to build on as the foundation is more stable and won't settle and crack. Also considering the height of the building and the fact that it is measured from the lowest point, it would be to high if I built on any fill.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:48:02 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:25 PM What would take me all day by hand and then put me out of commission for about a week with a bad back, is accomplished in about ten minutes with the tractor.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:49:37 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:31 PM The existing fence posts are removed and placed against the back temporary fence. Later the cement bottoms will be cleaned off to allow their reuse. Again the tractor made easy work of removing these polls.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:50:44 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:36 PM The end pole, which is the center of the dome, is left in place as a guide for excavation.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:53:09 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:40 PM The work now begins in earnest. The back leveling blade on the tractor has large claw like pieces which can be lowered and allow for breaking the dirt up with no problem at all. What would take me ten minutes with a pick and shovel is accomplished in a second or less with this device.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:54:31 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:45 PM Round and round we go, first breaking up the soil.....
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 16:58:25 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 26 2012, 05:48 PM ...and then shoveling it out. Anybody need any clean fill dirt???
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