A Tumbleweeds View of Scrapping - Page 11

Originally Posted by miked

Thank you for your posts and particularly the photos, well done for an old man. I was thinking of one of your statements and was going to suggest your governor should visit your area of the state. I though again and no he would just want to change it. So stay hidden in your little bit of paradise and I will envy you.

Glad to see you've recovered from your medical issues to the point you can get back to work. 73 for now, Mike

Thank you and for the record, our governor is a female that struggled with keeping the family farm afloat after her parents died. She went into politics to correct the wrongs her family suffered. She would be welcome here because she would listen to concerns and make up her own mind. It is hard to agree with all of her positions, but if I was right 50% of the time I would be a millionaire. You have motivated me to invite her, but I am afraid she could not find it, although she knows most of the state.



I am celebrating a one year birthday from the third shoulder replacement surgery performed within 15 months from first to last. I am limited to lifting 25 lbs. because of the reverse shoulder surgery. That lasted about a month before it was time to live, not fade away into the woodwork. I asked the surgeon if I should carry a scale to find out if I could lift something, she laughed and said I would have to lift it on the scale to determine if I could lift it. She admitted defeat and I continue to pursue my challenges.

God loaned me this body so about two hours a day are dedicated to rehab and then eight hours a day are focused on how to live. It is off to the races for breaking things.

I've had my own medical issues as you may recall. A large part of my feeling better has revolved around changing my diet/way of eating.

I have been following a keto diet bordering on being a carnivore. Among all the other good these ways of eating cause reduction of inflammation is one of the most important. Youtube is a great source just don't buy anything from them as you don't need it and don't buy anything that is in the food store marked "keto".

I like Dr Ken Berry and if you like real brain busting Ivor Cummins both on youtube. Cummins is currently concentrating on the covid thing(also good info). Dr Eric Westman (Adapt Your Live) also on youtube, has been a practicing physician using keto to treat obesity and other related diseases at Duke Medical here in North Carolina. Unfortuately for me Duke it too far away for me to seriously consider going to his clinic. I recommend you look into it. 73, Mike

Originally Posted by Patriot76

So after day 2 this is the mess.

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Been there done that. No thanks lol

A better picture of day 2.

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Day 3.

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Day 4

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Day five - Everything was loaded into the tub trailer (converted stock trailer) and hauled to the scrap yard in two loads.

End result - 3 tons unprepared
- 2 tons prepared
- 3/4 ton cast
- 1/2 ton auto

Next challenge - 2nd combine

To provide perspective, the front tires are as tall as I am. Eight days ahead of schedule.

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Several partial days because of weather and machinery repairs resulted in most belts, wiring, and the header mount removed as a result.

Tackling a combine is like a giant jigsaw puzzle that you have to dismantle one piece at a time in the proper order. In addition to the possibility of it collapsing on itself, you have to deal with hydraulic fluid and diesel fuel. Both are flammable, but not explosive. They are not as challenging as the power plant, community water tanks, the dog food plant, or the waste water facility.

They are time consuming. You have to skin them to get to all the moving parts. The body is two layers of sheet metal with various angle iron, channel, and tubular supports. I usually start at the top and work down so I am above the piece being removed. The exception is the cab because you have to get access to the support beams.

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After two days work.

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Day 3.

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These threads are kind of a personal journal and this is where I document my adventures. It allows me to go back and revisit how things were dismantled in the past.

Day 4.

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A question from someone who has no experience in such projects so be gentle. Would it be possible to transport intact using say a trailers that are used for transporting a bulldozer? I do realize renting/buying a special trailer is expensive but you seem to do a lot of large items. Leasing?
I do see some similarity to my dismantling medical/lab equipment. This sort of material for me requires dismantling because of large amounts of higher value metals in quantities that were worth taking the time to dismantle them. So part that reminds me of your current project is figuring out just how to best take med/lab machines apart.
73, Mike

Originally Posted by miked

A question from someone who has no experience in such projects so be gentle. Would it be possible to transport intact using say a trailers that are used for transporting a bulldozer? I do realize renting/buying a special trailer is expensive but you seem to do a lot of large items. Leasing?
I do see some similarity to my dismantling medical/lab equipment. This sort of material for me requires dismantling because of large amounts of higher value metals in quantities that were worth taking the time to dismantle them. So part that reminds me of your current project is figuring out just how to best take med/lab machines apart.
73, Mike

You are correct that hauling in whole would be easier, quicker, and make for a better business strategy. I had the truck and trailer to do this, but with the low prices and medical issues decided to sell it. I also sold my loader. The reason these are being broken down include time to do it, good advertising as neighbors enjoy watching the process, interest in how they work, collecting material for scrap art, and most of all a love for a challenge. If money were the goal, another strategy would be used and I probably would not be scrapping as the main source of income.

The 3rd combine is smaller and within limits for my equipment. If I get tired of playing with combines, that might be the result.

This thread tickles me.. . Obviously I'm an urban scrapper/ewaste guy.....I deal with items the size of a quarter sometimes

Good point about the entertainment/advertising factor I would never have even thought of. Thanks for your answer. 73, Mike

Day 5

Weather and machinery issues continue to impact progress. Today is the day I should have started on this combine and this where it is at.

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Winter has finally arrived. Expected high today is -4 with a windchill of -32. It is days like this that a shop would be nice.

Winter here also, high of 50 F today. But its going to rain again so don't be too jealous. 73, Mike