Pictures: this moment

[Eugen]

That's great @MattA ! Our 5 and a 1/2 still doesn't want to try.

[JSinMO]

@MattA Tell Lily congratulations
That’s a big accomplishment! I’m sure she’s excited.

@Eugen those nests look similar to the ones bald eagles build. I wonder why they pick the top of a pole to build it on. And how often does that cause problems

[Eugen]

@Eugen those nests look similar to the ones bald eagles build. I wonder why they pick the top of a pole to build it on. And how often does that cause problems

I don't know, but I noticed that many poles have a sort of steel cradle right on top and that seems to have been done on purpose. Perhaps the storks will make their nests on top of the utility poles anyway, but with the cradle at least the potential for problems is reduced.

[DavidBarkey]

@Eugen those nests look similar to the ones bald eagles build. I wonder why they pick the top of a pole to build it on. And how often does that cause problems

I don't know, but I noticed that many poles have a sort of steel cradle right on top and that seems to have been done on purpose. Perhaps the storks will make their nests on top of the utility poles anyway, but with the cradle at least the potential for problems is reduced.

Before settlements and deforestation world wide . Birds like that built nest in the top of old growth trees . Since those trees are mostly gone , but there instinct isn't they go for top of poles . The frames keep them away from the wires . We have the same thing in areas in Ontairo for the Osprey.

[MattA]

I'm getting ready to order some loam to fix the grading around my house and fill in some low areas in the yard. My tractor went from this:

To this:

In an hour. First job was to transport some rocks which it did with ease. The Johnny bucket is supposed to lift 200lbs and has a 2.5 cubic foot capacity. It will lift me as long as I'm not on the front edge of the bucket.

Rough estimate based on measuring and estimating is that I need about 35 yards of loam to cover what I'd like to accomplish this fall. 35 yards is 945 cubic feet... 378 trips with the Johnny bucket I'm planning to get 8-10 yards delivered at a time. We'll see how much I actually get done this fall.

[JSinMO]

Adding that bucket was a good idea. Sounds like your about to get a lot of seat time!

[MattA]

I put 126lbs of suitcase weights on my hydravac bracket after spreading a yard or so of loam. The bungee cord is to help with the weights banging back and forth. Certainly added some traction.

I got probably 6 yards of loam spread and graded yesterday. Low range will plow into the loam pile enough to fill the bucket before the tires spin but it's very slow to transport across the yard. For longer runs I used high range and eased the bucket into the pile and finished loading manually. Its quicker when you factor in the transport time. The pressure relief will squeal if I try pushing too hard into the pile in high range.

[DavidBarkey]

I put 126lbs of suitcase weights on my hydravac bracket after spreading a yard or so of loam. The bungee cord is to help with the weights banging back and forth. Certainly added some traction.
20250912_195236.jpg
I got probably 6 yards of loam spread and graded yesterday. Low range will plow into the loam pile enough to fill the bucket before the tires spin but it's very slow to transport across the yard. For longer runs I used high range and eased the bucket into the pile and finished loading manually. Its quicker when you factor in the transport time. The pressure relief will squeal if I try pushing too hard into the pile in high range.

put your chains on for more gription.

[MattA]

I put 126lbs of suitcase weights on my hydravac bracket after spreading a yard or so of loam. The bungee cord is to help with the weights banging back and forth. Certainly added some traction.
20250912_195236.jpg
I got probably 6 yards of loam spread and graded yesterday. Low range will plow into the loam pile enough to fill the bucket before the tires spin but it's very slow to transport across the yard. For longer runs I used high range and eased the bucket into the pile and finished loading manually. Its quicker when you factor in the transport time. The pressure relief will squeal if I try pushing too hard into the pile in high range.

put your chains on for more gription.

Good idea however the loam pile is on the driveway.

[JSinMO]

I put 126lbs of suitcase weights on my hydravac bracket after spreading a yard or so of loam. The bungee cord is to help with the weights banging back and forth. Certainly added some traction.
20250912_195236.jpg
I got probably 6 yards of loam spread and graded yesterday. Low range will plow into the loam pile enough to fill the bucket before the tires spin but it's very slow to transport across the yard. For longer runs I used high range and eased the bucket into the pile and finished loading manually. Its quicker when you factor in the transport time. The pressure relief will squeal if I try pushing too hard into the pile in high range.

put your chains on for more gription.

Good idea however the loam pile is on the driveway.

I’m running chains and no weights on my 446. The difference in traction is huge with just chains, but your right Matt you really have to watch it on paved areas.