Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[farmer steve]

More "Farmer" cuts for @chipper1.

 

[sean donato]

World Engine Production Bases​

Honda produces small engines at 5 production facilities worldwide. Our production capacity is well over 7 million units. Engines for the U.S. market are primarily sourced from the U.S., Japan, and Thailand.
View attachment 1166507

I re-engined a Woods Zero turn with a Predator V after the second Briggs, (interesting motor, came from a failed mower company prototype, found the crank full of small plastic beads. Cleaned them out and it ran for several years before it died, my fault, they don't run long after the drain plug falls out )
Vanguard was a beast, more power than the Briggs and was running great when I bought a newer mower.

Last rumor I heard was Honda was going to start phasing out of small gas engines in favor of electric powered stuff. Haven't confirmed, but would be an interesting move for them.

 

[GrizG]

Really there isn't anywhere else around to get it. Tried getting a quote from everlast roofing, they don't deal with the public directly, my uncle was supposed to get me a quote from them. (His friend has a commercial account with them.) But that never happened.
Calico roofing is in Martin's old building and sells "seconds" at a decent price, but the trim, screws, calking etc makes up for any savings in the price of the tin, no guarantee for having the color you want in stock, and no warranty on the paint. Made them pretty unattractive.
Lowes, home depot, Lebanon building supply are just nuts on price and don't cut to order the lengths you need. Plus if you need something custom made Martin's will make it for you. If they weren't an hour drive I'd get more stuff from them, really nice hardware selection, indoor lumber yard, all kinds of tools. Great place to burn up money.

I'm not, but my father in law has 6 running and a few he keeps for parts. I know some parts are a real bugger to get for them anymore. I'd be happy to pick his brain on your behalf.

To gain access to supplies I set up a DBA back in '87 and got a business checking account. I had trade accounts with a local suppliers that I used frequently for side jobs and extended family needs. One of those early accounts is still active but all the other businesses shut down over time. Most places were willing to trade without a trade account based on the business checking account... A few months ago a plumbing supply set an account up for me as I was in there quite a bit buying parts to service and/or repair multiple oil burners for furnaces and boilers. They were making money and I was saving money... The DBA with the county was very inexpensive to acquire and business checking accounts can be had for free at many banks and credit unions. Try it, you'll like it!

 

[GrizG]

That's awesome! I've come across a lot of turtles, but never one laying eggs!

I came across one once. A snapping turtle was laying eggs in the middle of the single track path on an old rail right of way. I wasn't about to mess with that turtle at the time! Later, with the intention of moving the eggs, I couldn't find the spot again. I doubt they survived given the fact that people were riding bicycles and walking on that path...There were monster snappers in the drainage ditch and wet lands along the corridor and I'd sometimes see them walking down the path. Today... not a chance. Shortly there is going to be a grand opening for the recently completed paved rail trail project on that corridor. Me personally... I miss the old trail. I used to see all kinds of wildlife there... three varieties each of turtles and snakes, woodcock, green heron, fox, coyote, bear, whitetails, various varieties of ducks, humming birds, song birds, squirrels, rabbits, beaver, muskrat... It had excellent wildlife habitat because there were electric transmission and distribution lines there and the maintenance disruptions created a lot of grasses and high stem count brush which when combined with the wet lands and nearby forested lands was a great place for critters to live.

 

[sean donato]

To gain access to supplies I set up a DBA back in '87 and got a business checking account. I had trade accounts with a local suppliers that I used frequently for side jobs and extended family needs. One of those early accounts is still active but all the other businesses shut down over time. Most places were willing to trade without a trade account based on the business checking account... A few months ago a plumbing supply set an account up for me as I was in there quite a bit buying parts to service and/or repair multiple oil burners for furnaces and boilers. They were making money and I was saving money... The DBA with the county was very inexpensive to acquire and business checking accounts can be had for free at many banks and credit unions. Try it, you'll like it!

I've never thought about that, but it makes sense. Dad ran his business as a dba. May have to look into it. I'm not really a high volume buyer so it may nit be worth the effort.

 

[GrizG]

Last rumor I heard was Honda was going to start phasing out of small gas engines in favor of electric powered stuff. Haven't confirmed, but would be an interesting move for them.

As I understand it they are leaving/have left the consumer market but will maintain production of larger engines for commercial and industrial purposes. The Ferris FW15 commercial walk behind mower I got last fall has a Honda GXV390 engine... 390 CCs at 10.2 HP. It has caster front wheels, 32" fabricated welded deck, a differential and hydrostatic transmission with reverse.

When I spoke with Ferris about finding that particular model of mower they told me there was only one in NY. It was quite a distance away and it was a demo machine. Due to COVID they had only been receiving about 10% of the engines they ordered from Honda but they expected a shipment soon. Maybe 2-3 months later my dealer got 4 of those mowers after not being able to get any for almost 3 years. They were all sold that day... I got one of them. The dealer told me the Ferris district manager mentioned that someone really wanted one. I don't know if my contact with Ferris helped or if it was a coincidence.

I was motivated to get the Ferris for quite a number of technical reasons to meet the demands of the terrain and layout of the family properties I'm mowing. A HUGE motivator was I wanted something that would last the rest of my life so I would never have to own battery powered outdoor power equipment! With no doubt NY will follow CA and ban new gas powered equipment sales. I just saw the price of the soon to be available Stihl 25" battery powered commercial mower... with the charger and battery it's $5,200 and there is NO WAY it would last 20+ years nor will it handle my mowing conditions. It makes the Ferris, with the gasoline Honda engine, look like a bargain at $4,000 retail. I put a Ferris mulch kit on it which made it more compact and suits my mowing and leaf clean up needs...

I've got confidence in this engine. Particularly after the Briggs and Stratton on my new log splitter grenaded with maybe an 1/8 cord of wood split.

Current model with caster wheels.



Earlier model with fixed wheels and mulch kit.

 

[GrizG]

I've never thought about that, but it makes sense. Dad ran his business as a dba. May have to look into it. I'm not really a high volume buyer so it may nit be worth the effort.

For we guys who built and fix everything ourselves it makes sense... relying on others to get us deals isn't reliable and adds time!

 

[sean donato]

As I understand it they are leaving/have left the consumer market but will maintain production of larger engines for commercial and industrial purposes. The Ferris FW15 commercial walk behind mower I got last fall has a Honda GXV390 engine... 390 CCs at 10.2 HP. It has caster front wheels, 32" fabricated welded deck, a differential and hydrostatic transmission with reverse.

When I spoke with Ferris about finding that particular model of mower they told me there was only one in NY. It was quite a distance away and it was a demo machine. Due to COVID they had only been receiving about 10% of the engines they ordered from Honda but they expected a shipment soon. Maybe 2-3 months later my dealer got 4 of those mowers after not being able to get any for almost 3 years. They were all sold that day... I got one of them. The dealer told me the Ferris district manager mentioned that someone really wanted one. I don't know if my contact with Ferris helped or if it was a coincidence.

I was motivated to get the Ferris for quite a number of technical reasons to meet the demands of the terrain and layout of the family properties I'm mowing. A HUGE motivator was I wanted something that would last the rest of my life so I would never have to own battery powered outdoor power equipment! With no doubt NY will follow CA and ban new gas powered equipment sales. I just saw the price of the soon to be available Stihl 25" battery powered commercial mower... with the charger and battery it's $5,200 and there is NO WAY it would last 20+ years nor will it handle my mowing conditions. It makes the Ferris, with the gasoline Honda engine, look like a bargain at $4,000 retail. I put a Ferris mulch kit on it which made it more compact and suits my mowing and leaf clean up needs...

I've got confidence in this engine. Particularly after the Briggs and Stratton on my new log splitter grenaded with maybe an 1/8 cord of wood split.

Current model with caster wheels.
View attachment 1166545


Earlier model with fixed wheels and mulch kit.
View attachment 1166547

I'm surprised it didn't have a Briggs on it. Last ferris (zero turn) we got at the township had the dry sump big block Briggs. It was honestly the only thing on that mower that didn't give us issues. I firmly believe we got a lemon. They had ferris for years before that. Messicks couldn't make it right under warranty, so it got sold off at auction and replaced with an exmark.
Good to hear honda is sticking with gas for a little while longer. I wonder what they mean by "won't be producing consumer engines"? I've had very good luck even with the little gc/gcv engines. Think I have 3 or 4 of them now. Mower, pressure washer, tiller, and I think the edger may have a Honda too. (It's a troubuilt edger. Darn sure know they didn't make the engine.) Interesting either way.

 

[sean donato]

For we guys who built and fix everything ourselves it makes sense... relying on others to get us deals isn't reliable and adds time!

A-men, I usually don't have issues getting discounts, building supplies is one of those things I've either just paid retail for, got stuff others didn't want(market place, auctions etc.) or relied on others. I'll look into it and see what it entails. Thanks for the tip.

 

[GrizG]

I'm surprised it didn't have a Briggs on it. Last ferris (zero turn) we got at the township had the dry sump big block Briggs. It was honestly the only thing on that mower that didn't give us issues. I firmly believe we got a lemon. They had ferris for years before that. Messicks couldn't make it right under warranty, so it got sold off at auction and replaced with an exmark.
Good to hear honda is sticking with gas for a little while longer. I wonder what they mean by "won't be producing consumer engines"? I've had very good luck even with the little gc/gcv engines. Think I have 3 or 4 of them now. Mower, pressure washer, tiller, and I think the edger may have a Honda too. (It's a troubuilt edger. Darn sure know they didn't make the engine.) Interesting either way.

Honda has discontinued their lawn mowers and snow blowers... and apparently the small engines that went with them. Meeting the growing emissions standards in the face of the state mandates is economically problematic on such inexpensive engines. It also isn't worth the effort when the sale of gas powered engines will no longer be allowed in big markets like CA.

The Honda on my Ferris has a pressurized, sump based, oiling system and a filter. I personally haven't had experience with dry sump systems... only splash and pressurized sump systems. Dry sump would make sense for use on hilly terrain. A friend of mine gets 2-3 years tops out of splash engines due to the hills on his property. Property that does not lend itself to anything bigger than a 30" walk behind or push mower.

 

[bob kern]

Really there isn't anywhere else around to get it. Tried getting a quote from everlast roofing, they don't deal with the public directly, my uncle was supposed to get me a quote from them. (His friend has a commercial account with them.) But that never happened.
Calico roofing is in Martin's old building and sells "seconds" at a decent price, but the trim, screws, calking etc makes up for any savings in the price of the tin, no guarantee for having the color you want in stock, and no warranty on the paint. Made them pretty unattractive.
Lowes, home depot, Lebanon building supply are just nuts on price and don't cut to order the lengths you need. Plus if you need something custom made Martin's will make it for you. If they weren't an hour drive I'd get more stuff from them, really nice hardware selection, indoor lumber yard, all kinds of tools. Great place to burn up money.

I'm not, but my father in law has 6 running and a few he keeps for parts. I know some parts are a real bugger to get for them anymore. I'd be happy to pick his brain on your behalf.

I'm looking for a running unit or a Kohler 181 that runs. Also had some questions on implements fitting certain models, or not.

 

[bob kern]

On AS or locally to you? There's one for $400 not too far from me.

I haven't had much luck buying running saws from people. When I ask them to remove the muffler cover for piston pics people get weirded out for some reason.

So I stick to buying parts and build my own.

It's on market place. Somewhat close to me.

 

[bob kern]

 

[GrizG]

View attachment 1166614

Looks like it already lived a lifetime.

 

[MechanicMatt]

Sadly, this shell was empty….

Curious what would have eaten it

 

[bob kern]

Sadly, this shell was empty….

Curious what would have eaten it

Coons and possums get most of the eggs. I think this year I may stake down milk crates over the nests.

 

[Lee192233]

Coons and possums get most of the eggs. I think this year I may stake down milk crates over the nests.

It's a bummer that fur prices aren't high enough to keep trappers interested. There's a clear correlation between ground nesting animal populations and the population of nest robbers.

I'm going to start trapping coons and opossum on our property to give the turkeys a little leg up.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

View attachment 1166614

I found the listing. That a base 038, not a Magnum. Considerably less power and not as desirable as the Magnum/II. Still a bulletproof saw nonetheless.

 

[bob kern]

I found the listing. That a base 038, not a Magnum. Considerably less power and not as desirable as the Magnum/II. Still a bulletproof saw nonetheless.

Hadn't really looked. Just saw 038.

 

[GrizG]

Sadly, this shell was empty….

Curious what would have eaten it

I've got an empty and weathered shell around here somewhere too. With the house in disarray due to my renovation work I have no idea where to look at the moment...