The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: pikilily on November 30, 2010, 04:45:32 pm
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whats your best piece of equipement at the moment, share it with us - it might help us too.
The water pipes down to the stables are totally frozen at the moment, and this is where I usually get all the water for all the animals.
So my best purchace this year, and my most favourite piece of kit, is my 'H2O carrier'. It sits in a small wheelbarrow and carries a LOT of water. All i have to do is defrost the tap at the top of the house and wheel it all down the lane. Two trips and there is enough water for all the horses and other animals....its great. You can carry loads more water than in buckets and it is a lot easier on the arms. And I dont spill a drop!!!
I do also have a big blue container, bowser thing but that it OK for slight frosts. the tap is frozen solid on that too!
Emma T
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Thanks pikilily, I've been meaning to order one of these for a while and your recommendation nudged me into it. I could really do with it at the moment, my arms are stretching!
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My snow shovel ;) ;D
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Has anyone come across a practical sledge - at present I'm using a plastic boot liner with string and it fits a small bale of hay fine to drag up to the sheep but I don't think it's going to last long (crack in the corner)..Guess it would have to be plastic or would dig into the heavy snow too much - idea's much appreciated
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wellies
cheers
Russ
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Cotton traders snow boots.
Worth every penny.
Beth
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you could use an old car bonnet as a sledge !! or any suitably sized bit of metal , just be careful of sharp edges...I have used an old sheet of corrugate iron , bent up at the front end . I tried this last winter when the snow was here ,it worked fine , but I was unable to pull it, as I had ripped a ligament off in my knee ...not a good idea ....
cheers
Russ
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I have had my most useful gadget since getting engaged in 1965! It is made by brabantia and it is a tool for opening absolutely anything - bottles, jars, tins, and I can't even remember what else it has opened - when anything is stuck fast I look for it. My Aunt and Uncle gave it to me and my husband as an engagement present and it is most treasured. So whereever you are Sandy and Bunty - thanks ever so much! :love:
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A pink rampant rabbit
My latest hombrew was a bit of a disaster & not very gassy, so it's extremely handy to put a head on my pint :D :D
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Bailing twine: Came in extremely useful for pulling buckets of road salt along the lane today when the gritter didn't come (nothing new there!) especially as the nearest salt bin is several hundred yards up from the house and the worst part of the lane (uphill from main road) is another two hundred yards in the opposite direction. ??? I'm feeling very fit at the moment!!
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my OH he is worth his weight in gold at the moment helping with the animals in this weather
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My 4x4 - I'd never have made it up the track without it!
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Has anyone come across a practical sledge - at present I'm using a plastic boot liner with string and it fits a small bale of hay fine to drag up to the sheep but I don't think it's going to last long (crack in the corner)..Guess it would have to be plastic or would dig into the heavy snow too much - idea's much appreciated
If you can get youself to Costco in Aberdeen, buy a 'boogie board' (I think they're about a tenner) it's a bit like a surf board but for snow, very lightweight and glides across snow with ease - it should easily carry a bale and when you're not using it for that it's the best sledge I've ever had ! But be warned - they go fast ! So fast, it's got brakes to slow you down :o :o :o
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Sound really fun HappyHippy - effort up to the sheep and fun on the way back - now that sounds fine to me!!
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Clickable handwarmers - my gloves & pockets are full of them!!
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I found last winter that a "dumpy" bag, the sort you get sand and gravel in made a servicable sledge, it held two bales and the handles fitted on the tow-bar of the Landy.
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Ive nicked my grandsons sledge for water and fodder carrying :)
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Just wanted to mention my favourite and most useful People too ...
the lovely strong, fearless chaps from my local feed place - who have driven up with our animal food delivery in thick snow & carried it to the door.
(ok, so I pay them, and I know them, but still ) Thanks guys, we love I.C.S !
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Inormation Technolodgy in all forms and shapes, without I.T. I would not be able to communitate with my family or so many nice people :wave: :wave:
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Lovely to read about the diverse range of things that keep us sane!!!...... whether animal, mineral, or vegetable
Emma T
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oh.. and welly socks!!
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and 'thermal base layers' as they are called nowadays!
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The vest I bought years ago when I was young and trendy and it was old and grannyfied!!!! Just right for me now then?
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a plastic collander for fishing the huge blocks of ice out of the troughs rather than getting freezing hands!
My electric blanket ... I might actually die without it!! ;D
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My hydraulic tipping trailer. The muck heap is 500m away and it takes a whole weeks horse poo from three horses.
Sheep are easier...
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I have just aquired a set of crampons!!! got them from ebay for 12 squid new, and delivered. They are the bees knees, i can walk with confidence on our lane and in the fields which are solid sheet ice. Makes it a lot safer carrying hay, leading horses up to the stables, taking the wheelbarrow full of water (H2o carrier) down from the house....and walking the dogs. LOVE THEM! No more tension headaches and aching back from walking like a constipated duck, LOL. ...I am so impressed I have got some for my sister and mum who are just north of aberdeen and iced over too.
I opted for the cheap ones in case I didnt like using them, cant reccomend them strongly enough...although if you do go get some, check the links are all tightly closed before using them (a few worked loose). a good bit of fencing wire works for repairs too
Emma T - anchored firmly to the ground!
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Pikilily, I use large, men's socks over my wellies, they do the same. Stop me from falling on my bum :)
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I love my buff. It is a piece of headwear like a short stocking and it can be manipulated into a number of shapes to keep your neck and head warm. It also works as a handy carrier when you are out and about and spot some food for free. Just tie a knot in one end. They also make thermal buff, reflective buffs and buff's for dogs!!
Check out how to wear a buff bloopers for a giggle.
http://www.buffshop.co.uk/?gclid=CJv46pD67qUCFc0e4Qodwwsupw
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a little kid for putting through boot of car when side door lock is frozen shut
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not farm related but a candyfloss maker - how cool is that :love:
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mmm! Candy floss!
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resembles the cobwebs in my house actually :yum:
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resembles the cobwebs in my house actually :yum:
Pink cobwebs? Cool!