A Tumbleweeds View of Scrapping - Page 4

That looks suspiciously like Sunbelt Rentals green on that Bobcat.

Originally Posted by bullion

That looks suspiciously like Sunbelt Rentals green on that Bobcat.

Guilty as charged. Up to this purchase, all farm scrap was loaded by hand. All profits were dedicated to expansion. It was cold and lonely loading trailers by hand so when this came up for sale I offered the amount that had been saved and a deal was done. Bought it with 2,000 hrs. on it and hope to replace it with a larger/newer one within a year. Until then, no front door, no side windows, no heater, no radio, but better than two years ago. At that time there was nothing to block the wind and I was doing all the lifting.

Reason for the desire to upgrade, hope the wife will be interested in helping when she retires. She would not appreciate what it use to be like without a skid steer, only that she is cold.

For your skid steer, You could try putting Plexiglas on the side of the cab to reduce wind as a scrapper you may find it for free. Should have a back window if not replace it or cover with Plexiglas. How about a battery heated jacket I think Dewalt or Milwaukee makes one. Just a suggestion for more comfort, David

Originally Posted by davidarlen

For your skid steer, You could try putting Plexiglas on the side of the cab to reduce wind as a scrapper you may find it for free. Should have a back window if not replace it or cover with Plexiglas. How about a battery heated jacket I think Dewalt or Milwaukee makes one. Just a suggestion for more comfort, David

Good ideas and greatly appreciated. Have been looking for Plexiglas, but no luck. The good part is when the back end of the skid steer is pointed into the wind, it is more comfortable than standing in the wind cutting. As far as electric jackets, this is something that cannot be comprehended. Dealing with propane and gasoline to cut iron. Adding the possibility of electrocuting myself is just to much of a stretch for this neophyte.

Been very busy over the last three weeks. None of it made money, but many memories. Drove from Wyoming to Baltimore Maryland in 24 hrs. Stranded in Baltimore (ice storm), then in Minneapolis (blizzard), and then Sioux Falls (blizzard). Furnace went out at the ranch and major broken water lines upon the return. Spent eight hours trying to get the furnace working and finally called a contractor after starting the fire place. When he was working on the furnace he asked if I would be interested in their inventory of old furnaces and air conditioners. He said they pay to haul them to the dump. He said they have 15 - 20 per month and would give them to me. When I told him I would give him 1/3 of the scrap price, he smiled and said he might have more business for me.

So this means e-scraping might be in the cards. At least these items can be hauled indoors to be separated, unlike the farm machinery. - 15 today and spent the day repairing a trailer. During the next blizzard, the furnaces and air conditioners will be prepared. On top of all of this, a remodel of the ranch house is a priority. Already created a cedar shower and want to build a cedar sauna. The cedar is compliments of the water tank project.

Life is good. Head up, tail down, and good luck. It only gets better with age.

Cool (for your attitude)!! Bummer you had a whirlwind of a few weeks with some bad breaks but then in the end, perhaps not with the new scrap stuff coming towards you. We're supposed to have a "thaw" this weekend of maybe above freezing. Good, there's more critters a need a getting...

Been very busy lately, but have not made any money since October. Still sitting on piles of iron, sorted and prepared # 1, #2, and unprepared iron. Have not taken the time to down load numerous pictures of the farm scraping, but added two more small farms since the last post.

Last week the retired manager of the water district called and asked if their was interest in a new project. For new members you can search the water tanks. No details were provided and he said a phone call should be expected. Long story short, the new challenge is an old potato plant sold to a dog food manufacturer facility that wants to clean up the plant. The initial offer was for iron, evolved into to include all the stainless steel, and ended with they might be interested in an additional arrangement. Best guess is this a test, depending on work ethic and honesty the opportunity could expand. The owner is a turn and burn individual that does not have time for details and owns manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest.

This is posted for perspective. The message I have tried to express since being a member is that hard work, honesty, and this forum can make a person a success in this business.

I wanted to refer members to my first post (search Patriot new member) to show how I was treated when I first joined to show my resilience. But when I just did a search the negative responses were all deleted. That was disappointing because it would have demonstrated the learning curve, the desire to succeed, and the opportunity that is available to many on this forum. The critiques included misspelling scraper, not reading previous threads, and there was no way I was going to make a living doing this.

Thank you to those that read these threads and a desire to reinforce the values, morals, and ethics that made America great are still alive.

Patriot,

Good luck! You've got all the skills and the knowledge to deal with this new challenge. Might have to hire a guy or two to help, but that shouldn't be a big deal. As I have said to others, I hope you make a sockful of money on this!

I smell another very interesting thread coming up!!

Jon.

I never put much serious thought to the business and occupation of scraping until the last four years. Here at SMF one of the many advantages, is the perspective and the experiences of scraper's not just here in this country, but literally around the world. It was here, that I was reminded of my life on a ranch and a farm. How hard of a life it is, but also how rewarding, honorable and decent life it is. I also remember every ranch and farm I have ever been on has a large scrap pile. The American family farm is never going to be as it once was, but like our cities there's piles of scrap on those old farms and ranch's.

P76- How things do change. I remember when your county was an outlier in the state because it had more than a farm or two that grew spuds. AT least the old plant will be used again. I still like Dakota Style chips. I hope that family doesn't give on potatoes in the area. I hope your coon hunt is successful. If I was closer, I'd finished them for you. More coin than selling them on the round...

Make sure you put your ear plugs in....I can't imagine shooting a 12 gauge inside an empty warehouse. Watch out for ricochets!!!

Saw ur post about remodeling. Checkout the idea where people instead of putting in a shower, build a whole bAthrrom and that's the shower, floor boards out of cedar with a small gap and drainage and it would be awesome. Good luck

Originally Posted by spinroch

Patriot: I wasn't on SMF when you first signed up. Did you receive lots of negative responses back then? Are those people on SMF anymore? I, for one, always seek out your posts and derive much enjoyment and education from reading them (not to mention the photos!)

Thank you and sorry for the delayed response. Based on memory, there were three negative responses. One about spelling asking if I was a scraper or a paint scrapper, one telling me to read old posts before asking questions, and a third stating that if I have to ask these questions survival in this lifestyle is out of the question.

Other forums that I visited prior to this experience were very helpful answering questions and welcoming new members. I was starting a new adventure without any knowledge and dependent on information. Some of the responses on this site were positive, but the negative ones demoralize me to the point that I created a new identity to learn as much as I could. I almost quit the forum, but was not going to let someone hiding behind their computer screen ruin the dream. The difference between this forum and others I have visited is that other forums are educationally based and this forum is used for financial benefits by some members. We see newcomers as competition, lazy and not worthy of our insight.

Two out of the three negative responses are still members and it is assumed they removed their response as they got to know my drive. I do not remember the third member so I do not know if they are still posting.

Now you know the rest of the story, why I respond to new members the way I do. The Scrapers Dream posts became a reality because of the response I gave to the new individual. Others attacked when he sought information it is assumed because he sought knowledge and became competition. Prior to writing this his introduction was revisited and the negative post has been removed. That member is still active.

Lessons learned, first of many: If you post it on the internet, it will be yours for a lifetime.

Originally Posted by DakotaRog

P76- How things do change. I remember when your county was an outlier in the state because it had more than a farm or two that grew spuds. AT least the old plant will be used again. I still like Dakota Style chips. I hope that family doesn't give on potatoes in the area. I hope your coon hunt is successful. If I was closer, I'd finished them for you. More coin than selling them on the round...

I am always looking for an excuse for a road trip. The best guess is that 12 make the facility their home. If that many are found, we might have to make a deal.

Originally Posted by scrappinlife

Make sure you put your ear plugs in....I can't imagine shooting a 12 gauge inside an empty warehouse. Watch out for ricochets!!!

According to the wife, I am already deaf so wearing ear plugs would only limit the noise I could hear. By the way, the only way a 12 gauge shell would be wasted on a raccoon is if it was shot while pheasant hunting. Other wise it is a single shot .22. Good advice about ricochets. When I was younger we use to shoot at the primer of a shot gun shell with our bb guns. FYI, not a good idea. Will not go into details here, but the memories will last a life time.