MadModder

So the next job is to set up for log splitting. Fortunately I recently acquired five IBC caged 1 cubic metre tanks which will produce ten log storage stillages when I've removed the plastic tank and drilled loads of ventilation holes in them.

 . . at least we now have fuel in store for several years to come 

Yeah already figured that would probably be a bad idea but there is a bit of safety in the barrel switch

It is not so much a safety issue, more it is not recommended from an electrical point of view ever to switch a VFD downstream of its output. On older VFD's this could lead to them being damaged. I think it is a lot less of a problem on current generation ones, but you have to ask yourself if you feel lucky today.

The radio-controlled switching might be less of a worry if you had two E-stop buttons hard wired in series between the two machines.

For simple switching, one radio-switched channel per item being switched is easy, but the potentiometer is more difficult. Something like this would do, assuming the pot value is suitable, but it is only a single switched channel so you could not do reverse:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/perfk-Infrared-Potentiometer-Integrated-Circuits/dp/B07LB2WXQX

Put a plug and socket on the existing machine so the control box is removable. Run wires to the new machine with a duplicate socket. Then you can carry the control box between machines.

The final front ear! That old startrek chestnut, but apart from the fact that it is not charging, everything else is fine!   After all that hassle with the electrics, bloody ungratefull I call it! It will be something simple, and probably to do with the cut out setting being done at different revs to actually being on the tractor or else a wire off on the cut out, it is very tight in there, I will sort it! Then on to the topper, and that gets finished all bar the shouting!, All in all, a good week!
Phil, it is HOT again in East Yorkshire!

Our Klargester private sewage plant had roots coming out of it's clean water discharge pipe. It was installed over 20 years ago prior to our ownership, and we had had an attempt at clearing it 12 years ago when we dredged the stream that it discharges into. Not easy requiring 'volunteer' to sit in digger bucket suspended over the stream from the opposite side. But although the pumped discharge water still flowed it obviously needed clearing.

It had been installed with no provision for rodding the pipe, which was about 10 metres of 50 mm plastic, transitioning into 110 underground brown pipe for an unknown length with no indication where the joint was.

Time to take the bull by the horns and this week I've had a young and fit chap trenching the lot out from the stream to the sewage plant - quite deep - loads of spoil.

Yesterday we got to the 'root' of the problem - the bodging installers had just slipped about 30" of 110 mm brown pipe over the end of the 50 mm plastic WITH NO COUPLER. Add in the fact that the stream bank is awash with willow and alder and of course their roots just took up residence until it was jam pack full. I've never seen a pipe so blocked.

The fix, run 110mm underground sewer pipe all the way from the Klargester pump outlet to the stream and incorporate a rodding eye, and a little inspection chamber for access to the rodding and and the 50 / 110 mm transition so in the future not only can the pipe be rodded but the transition joint can be inspected.

I am amazed that water was still getting through that clogged pipe - though it is a powerful pump.

Same as Ironman Tom, 8% Bentonite, 4% water. No coal dust in the regular sand, but I've used both sawdust and coal dust in the facing sand: 2-1/2% finely sifted sawdust or 4% coal dust.

I don't have much sand -- I've never worked with more than 100 lbs. I just keep re-using it. So I just need a cup or two of water to re-hydrate, and I often use a spray bottle, as it spreads it out better between turnings with the trowel. My aluminum sand has worked for at least a decade. Iron sand probably will need replacing more frequently, but I'm still working with my first batch.