Damian Jones

Merry Christmas All,
A little background first.  We have a shallow well pump, 4 cows, a pig, chickens, ducks, etc.  We use about 50 gallons a day on average.  Like the title infers our pump is not producing from my research it may be a bad foot valve ( we ran the pump way too long trying back flush sediment from the filter).     I want to wait till spring to remove the foot valve and I don't to pay a pro to do it.  I tried using a pond pump to fill the pressure tank.  I was able  to get water to come out far bathroom sink but didn't see a rise in the gauge on the pressure tank.  It may be because I didn't give it enough time or that it is not powerful enough the handle the situation.  
My thought is to try a sump pump but wanted to see if I am on the right track.


TIA

After waiting years for an interested party, I decided to sell the land outright.

Damian Jones wrote:Hi Everyone,
I own two lots in Colorado:
144 Olympic Cir, 234
Hartsel, CO 80449, US
MLS # S386096
$3,999

and

2426 Arapahoe Trl, 232 & 234
Hartsel, CO 80449, US
MLS # S386097
$9,999

I purchased it as investment property years ago and now I want to get rid of it.  

If someone wants to least the land for 100 bucks a year for up to 20 years contact me.  You will be responsible for taxes and fees (about 300-400 bucks a year per property).  

I have the property I want and I'm not interested in making money off the land anymore.  The land is part of a recreational community.   http://wildwoodrec.org/

any questions you can post them here or send me a pm.

Thanks,
Damian

Mike Cantrell wrote:

Damian Jones wrote: Even if I disconnect the power from the pump the pressure tank will still spew water every where.

Well, sure. But only for a couple minutes.

So turn off the pump.

Open the faucets. Inside, outside, wherever. The pressure tank will push out all the water it has.

Now you're ready. Cut your pipe apart. It will dribble out whatever water is right there in that section of the pipe, but it won't be pumping since the pump is off, and it won't be spraying since the pressure tank is deflated.

Reconnect and repressurize.

It's been a while since my last visit.  I'd like to thank everyone for the good advice.  It gave me the confidence to tackle the job head on and got it done  

elle sagenev wrote:I'm curios as to why you do not fence and graze this 15 acres. Is there a reason?

I get the expense. I'd been feeding my birds for ages. Then I finally just decided to start letting them out. Feed costs dropped dramatically. Try it!

All my animals free range....Believe me when I tell you I'm one of the cheapest guys on the planet, but when the snow it 4ft deep I have to pay money to feed the lot of them  The cows are one an intensive grazing schedule where we move the electric fences about once a week.  We also provide hay in their stall at night.  In the morning we milk the cows and then stake out the calves in the fence off area.  Works pretty slick as I don't even have to turn on the electricity any more because the cows stay close to the calves.    It only takes an hour to re-fence and the cows are happy for the new lush grass.

The  chickens and ducks get a morning feeding and then they fend for the themselves...and it cuts down on the grasshoppers like crazy.


Onyx

Fred Fisher wrote:

Damian Jones wrote:Hi all,

I figure purchasing a tractor, cutter, rake and baler would be horribly expensive (let me know if I'm wrong on this).  So I'm looking for alternative.  Scything is out of the question as we are middle aged and the though of spending a week of cutting, raking and baling by hand makes me faint.  

Opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Onyx.

Hallo,
Is there a opportunity to rent these machines in your area?
Regards,
F.

I didn't think of that, but it makes sense.  I'll check around.  Thanks.

Sunny Aldrinos wrote:Try looking for someone who will hay the property for you. 10 acres is usually the point where someone will bother hauling the equipment over so if you have 15 decent acres, it's worth a shot. Every area has their own traditions but 60/40 (60% going to them) is a typical split of the hay. If you don't have any neighbors that you know or trust, try asking around at the local tractor place or looking around social media (lots of our local hay guys advertise on FB, including for cutting services). This can backfire sometimes - it's often easier said than done, and you can get caught up in the equipment problems of others, and their own fields take priority.

I will look into that.  Thanks

Bernard Welm wrote:I would say there are a few things to do/try befor purchasing all the hay making equipment.

1. Are there any farmers in the area that make hay? If so check what it would cost for them to make bales for you on your own land. Large bales are cheaper than small balles (this year I got small bales at $1 a bale)

2. What would it take to fence some or all of that land? I'm f you fence it you can have cattle in it later into the year decreasing your feed costs. I think it is Greg Judy that does a lot of this type of cattle raising. I would really look at it. I have also listened to a podcast where a person in Alberta was letting his cattle eat grass all winter long (and some large bales) so it should be possible for most people to figure out a way to do it.

Honestly I would look at a combination of these 2 methods to extend your grazing period reducing your cost of feed.

We're relatively new to the area and it will take a couple of generations to get to a status where I would feel comfortable even asking let along borrowing someone's equipment.  I'm paying 2.25 a small bale now and 35 for a large round bale.

We contain our cows with electrical fencing and it works great.  We do an intensive grazing method which has really kept the flies at bay.

I live is central Wisconsin and due to the amount of snow on the ground in winter hay is our only hope.

Thanks for the response.

Hi all,
Homesteading has been very good to us.  We've processed chickens, ducks, goats and pigs.  We've hatched chicks and helped birth a couple of heifers.  We feel we've learned a lot in the past few years.  Currently we have 4 cows (two of them are new heifers) a feeder pig ready to butcher this fall.  about 50 chickens for butcher this fall and close to 20 ducks...and a goat.  

I was hoping for a male calf to be born but that's life.  Anyways  I come to you with this:

I will spend close to 1k this year on hay for feed and bedding.   For me that is the tipping point to where I need to start making my own hay.  It is quite an investment but I have about 15 or so acres that I just grows big all summer long and dies in the winter and it makes me sick not utilizing it for hay.

I figure purchasing a tractor, cutter, rake and baler would be horribly expensive (let me know if I'm wrong on this).  So I'm looking for alternative.  Scything is out of the question as we are middle aged and the though of spending a week of cutting, raking and baling by hand makes me faint.  

Opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Onyx.

HI All,
I've got a problem with plumbing..my outside frost free faucet has a drip. My problem is the yahoo that owned the house before me put the main shut off valve AFTER the faucet. I've got a get a valve in before the faucet with no way to stop the water. Even if I disconnect the power from the pump the pressure tank will still spew water every where.
I planned on putting on one of the "sharkbite" quick connect valve and go form there. But the main line is a 3/4" pressure pipe 310077 and I'm unsure if that will fit.

Suggestions welcomed.
Thanks

Hi Harmony,
Yes, the property is still available.