Covid19 Spare time

[Grumpy Bear]

I use to do the snow chore myself with the blower. Then just a snow shovel to help me stay in better shape. Back went south. On a good day I could still be useful but the wife had taken it over for the most part. Have the blower but the last two winter snows have not been really blower friendly at all. Too wet and they, at least mine, is not slush friendly at all. Chute freezes. Late last year she bought us two ergonomic manual snow shovels of 'old people and children' size and what a difference that made. I also quit using the tractor on the lawn and use a self-propelled 20" on the lawn. A bit of manual has really helped my back and general condition. The Almanac is saying we will be a bit warmer but allot more snow this year. GREAT LOL. 

[RyanbabZ71]

Climbing a ladder and snow clearing are also my two challenges and I am talking a much smaller scale than diyer2.  The ladder is forbidden by the Mrs. as she once had to deal with  me, along with paramedics, when I took the fast way on my descent.  This also ties into why I don't shovel snow.  Our last home had a very large driveway, patio, parking areas and several walkways.  I had a large self propelled snowblower with power steering and reverse.   It wasn't physically demanding if used properly.  I sold it when we moved to this house because it was not practical to store or use with such a small property.  Now, my wife does her best to keep our walkway clear, and neighbors are quick to give a hand with the driveway.  A few days ago my wife asked if an electric shovel could be our answer.  Great!  Now I had a new research project and the possibility of a new tool to fill up my precious little man space!  I immersed myself  into the land of snow removal devices and last night I went to Home Depot to order a single stage, 18" gas snow thrower (Toro).  It looks simple to use and require little physical effort.  The novelty will keep us motivated for at least a couple of snowfalls.  When we get bored, we have a 12yr old neighbor who loves controlling anything gas powered! Brain vs brawn! [emoji846] 

I have one of those [emoji23]he turned 11 yesterday




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[aseibel]

I just bought a brand new Ariens SHO snowblower (built in WI) with the 369cc engine. I can't wait to use it on my 3 car wide driveway. I've formerly had two much older Ariens models, both did the job, but this new one has more bells & whistles than my truck.

Had to downsize from the plow when we moved into a subdivision last winter. I still have the push plate for a Western HTS if anybody wants to buy it.

[Colossus]

Ariens makes the best, behind some of the Hondas.  That being said, Ariens is trying out EFI which is where all the manufacturers are going to be forced to go to due to emissions standards that have to be met.  Lots of teething issues with the EFI system, so if you do go EFI just make sure you keep the battery charged.  I had a Deluxe-28 SHO and the thing was amazing.  I sold it the next year as I needed quick cash.  I currently have an Ariens compact 24 and it does great.  There is an Ariens Platinum 24 SHO which would be even better, but for my needs the regular 24 209cc does just fine.  I work on a lot of John Deere, (JD built, and also Ariens and Murray built, as JD started outsourcing their snowblower construction back in the late 80s/early 90s) Ariens, and a few Toros.  Ariens are my favorite followed by the JD built 826 and 1032s of the 1980s. 

[diyer2]

I have a 2016 Toro Power Max Heavy Duty 928. It has a specialy designed clog free chute. It works well. Wet snow is a problem for all snow blowers. 

[Donstar]

23 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 A bit of manual has really helped my back and general condition. 

Use it or lose it.  I've always liked the snow. I remember fondly living in a very northern community and driving my Ski-doo brand snow machine to work and my kids to school!  Snow provides countless recreational activities to keep us in shape!  However, watching people hurling shovelfuls of packed snow while cursing and clutching their backs makes me cringe.  I am looking forward to wheeling my 56 lb. gas powered "shovel" over my and my neighbors driveways.  The walking and fresh air are great for the mind and body.  I do hope we have a snowy winter.  I also love driving in snow and helping those who can't!    However, this will be my fourth winter on my Michelin all seasons.   With a 4X4, and fresh all seasons,  I manage fine.  However, my tires are showing wear and I'm considering a new set of Michelins or an auto-store brand set of dedicated winter tires.  The fun is in the research/shopping!  It looks like we'll be getting more time "on our own" before things get better so no excuse not to be well researched!  Some locals decided they needed to "get away" and returned with the gift that we are all trying to avoid.  

[Grumpy Bear]

World Covid case numbers now are adding a million cases every 1.88 days (1 day, 21 hours, 54 minutes) with a 14 day average rate increase of 8,470 cases per day increasing at an acceleration of a little over 300 cases per day per day. March 1 of 2020 the rate was a million cases every 577 days.

 

This reminded me of 'fingerprinting' a camshaft.  

Something to do. 

Edited November 15, 2020 by Grumpy Bear

[The Zip]

On 11/13/2020 at 8:19 AM, RyanbabZ71 said:

 

I have one of those he turned 11 yesterday




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

Born and raised in the deep south, never lived above the Mason-Dixon.  Dealing with this stuff would be totally Greek to me.  Don't know the first thing about managing in the snow.  Now a heavy rain, thunderstorm, hurricane, bring it on.  Pretty set with my schedule and routine, other than less visits to the hardware and auto parts store, covid 19 didn't really spare me any time.  I have a couple of pit bulls that are benefitting from more time at the house, but there are a ton of things about the house that keep me busy.  Right now, I live in an area in which we would be unlucky if temps fell below 35 and rose above 65, year 'round.  No snow, ice, or rain, 365 sun.  Therefore things like plumbing, electrical, painting, landscaping, auto work, are continuously in the schedule, regardless of what's going on.  

[Likarok]

All you young guys with snow blowers??????

 

I still do it the old way. But then I have a size 2 hat and a size 48 shirt!

[Bash74]

I just go with a plow on the ATV for the main part of the drive. Then just drive on the rest of it multiple times with the truck and flatten out as much as possible.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[OnTheReel]

Watched the SpaceX launch. All the while Elon ruminates over his 4 identical Covid tests that didn't give the same result.

 

Very cool. Looked to be cruising around 27000 KM/H right before, and during orbit.

[Bash74]

I usually watch most of the launches. Find it kind of interesting.
The Covid test stuff is not a surprise. They are not 100% accurate. Ontop of that you can test positive for 90 days after getting it but only contagious for 14days. So a positive case now might really be a case 90 days ago. So is there a massive increase in cases now, or is it because the amount of testing has increased by 10X and catching people that have already had it.
Its just going to become part of life just like the flu. A vaccine will be created but will have to get it every year like the flu shot. It won't be 100% and people will still get it. Over time our bodies will build up some immunity to help deal with it if you get it.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[Bash74]

So the CDC update the mask wearing guidance and its something I have been saying the whole time. Wearing a mask doesn't just protect others it also protects the wearer.
So fear not if someone is accepting risk and not wearing one, but you are.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[RyanbabZ71]

I usually watch most of the launches. Find it kind of interesting.

The Covid test stuff is not a surprise. They are not 100% accurate. Ontop of that you can test positive for 90 days after getting it but only contagious for 14days. So a positive case now might really be a case 90 days ago. So is there a massive increase in cases now, or is it because the amount of testing has increased by 10X and catching people that have already had it.

Its just going to become part of life just like the flu. A vaccine will be created but will have to get it every year like the flu shot. It won't be 100% and people will still get it. Over time our bodies will build up some immunity to help deal with it if you get it.

 

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

There was a case of someone having two nasal swabs one nostril was + the other - [emoji44]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[RyanbabZ71]

All you young guys with snow blowers??????
 
I still do it the old way. But then I have a size 2 hat and a size 48 shirt!

Work smarter not harder [emoji23]. Depending on the snowfall amount I also shovel. Last year I used the snowblower twice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro