Turbo Twister

Unfortunately I left the bike in the horse field for a few minutes one day and one of our horses decided she wanted a piece of my seat, so that's why there's duck tape on the seat🤣

The pic below shows you that I had to create an indent in the box infront of the hour clock, but I have made the box cover as much of the rack as possible without overhanging the width of the bike. It's fastened to the rack using 4x gutter bolts and some galvanised band (flexible steel strap full of holes every ½ inch).

I'll try get some close ups of it in a few days when im back on the farm.

On 12/9/2023 at 6:32 PM, _Wilson_™ said:

@bigcountry78 I believe @Turbo Twister built one i think, its been a while but ill see if i can locate the post, i went with military amo boxes.... but they are not low profile.... used those for a chainsaw box... files, chains, wedges.... a few specialty hand tools... it would be more handy to have a low profile box. 

Sorry for the very late reply to this thread! Yes, I made a laminated red deal box for my 300 about 4 years ago. The edges are routered to a bullnose finish to avoid any sharp edges and I deliberately made the internal dimensions so that a steel Jerry can fits on both sides of the box without rattling around. I can also fit my saw chainsaw in between the cans.

I recently added a ratchet and strap around the box as it is getting a lot of abuse from fencing equipment being carried lately, but it's still holding up good!

4 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

Both of those buildings..... (To me) are beautiful ...... Rustic .... n, Like fish ....i Like that track splitter! Turbo.... Good to have you back with us.. And Waving a hand at @Bluezulu49 hope all of yaw are doing good. 

I priced a new splitter from Italy ag about €800 delivered ($1000 approx) but then I figured, since I only want to split wood a few weeks in the year, it would be pointless having one gathering dust in the shed thr rest of the year. So then I came up with the bolt on solution of an RSJ where I can use the tipping ram to push the wood through the axe head. It's easy to fit and remove using my digger and it stores away compact in the workshop.

All in, parts cost about $150 and it took about 4 hours to make everything. Also, because the dumper is a high tip, I can raise or lower the splitter to suit different work heights, depending on the person loading it.

8 hours ago, walhonding300 said:

Well now you're making my wood shed look bad turbo lol.  It's 3 10x10 bays.  Each holds about 4 cords and the last is enclosed.  I keep the log splitter and other junk I don't want in the garage in that bay.

I made the pickeroon.  It has a 16" hatchet handle on it.  I like the shorter one because I'm tall and can reach most piece in the bed of my truck with it.  But because its short, I can stick it in a round, grab another with my 1 hand log tongs and carry 2 rounds at once.  

The carry-all is made from a scraped 5' blade (the blade was all mangled but the bracket was fine).  It doubles as a log skidder.  I have been impressed with what my little Massey GC tractor can pull. 

My property is pretty steep so the tractor struggles in the winter and the wet.  That's where the 300 is going to come in.  I have plans to make front and rear boxes for the honda.

I'm not here to out-do someone elses log store🤣 I'm a carpenter and I just like a nice store.

I'm not all caught up on those picks, probably because I use a lot of machinery to do the dead work and save my back (previous injury doesn't help).

I'll take a photo of the saw horse I started using last year, it can hold logs from 1 to 16 inch diameter and anything from 1ft to 12ft long.

I'll also snap a photo of the box I made for the front of my 300, it's so handy to have as I use the 300 for run arounds since buying a 450 to do the dog work.

I like the box on the back of your tractor, what is the bar down the middle of it for? Is that a towball attachment at the very rear?

9 hours ago, Fishfiles said:

I like the tracked splitter , you can walk it right to the wood 

Correct! It also fits in the back of my van so I can bring it to any job I'm doing with ease!

I finally have a decent log store! It'll hold about 4.5 cords of wood when full, which is enough for 2 seasons for us (maybe even more as we've had a lot of unusually hot weather lately).

I also modified my track dumper into a log splitter, so I didn't have to build one from scratch or buy one. It also means I can reinstate the dumper when I'm finished splitting. No more hand splitting🥳 I just have to change the axe head on it so it splits 4 ways for more efficieny. 

On 7/21/2023 at 1:59 AM, Fishfiles said:

My first try at stitches   

 

@Fishfiles new to me, but what is that long black bar on the left side? Is it an extension of the gear change pedal?

On 6/17/2023 at 4:45 PM, Fishfiles said:

There is a table similar to this in a castle in County Limerick, Ireland that was used by servants of the past to eat and drink from. It isn't a half round like the above, it's a plank that was cut from a single tree and its approximately 8 inches thick x 30 inches wife x 40ft long. Very impressive size of timber to say the least. 

On 6/2/2023 at 5:33 PM, jeepwm69 said:

I think you'll be fine using any 450 Regulator.  One from a 350 Rancher will also work.

Appreciate the feedback😄I will order a new voltage regulator in a few days time. I'll let you all know of the update on it, I do at least have the 300 to fall back on for the smaller jobs until the 450 is running again

On 5/31/2023 at 11:17 AM, Fishfiles said:

Now we just got to figure out if the voltage regulator, the stator or the wiring is bad causing it not to charge --- I was just on Powersportsnation last week  looking for a regulator for a 300 project , they sell used regulators for $24.99 used , but  I know your on the other side the ditch --- I would take my chances and change the regulator and see what happens , but I wouldn't want to buy one new , don't know what a 450 regulator cost , but a 300 regulator is $303 US , ouch 

A regulator over here is €131 plus €10 postage, which equates to 140$. My only concern is that there seems to be 2 types of regulator for the 450, a square one or a rounded shaped one, both of which are the same price but one is for 2002 onwards, the other is up to 2002, my bike is a 2002 so I'm confused as to which one to get. The one currently on the bike is the rounded shaped one and it looks relatively new, which causes my concern over it being another electrical issue causing the regulator to fry.

On 5/28/2023 at 1:44 PM, Fishfiles said:

If you suspect the voltage regulator is bad , get the motor running and attach a voltage meter to the battery terminals , you should be between 13.5 and 14.5 with the motor running ----- are you sure the  clicking is not coming from the solenoid ---- I have never heard of a voltage regulator clicking 

We ran the engine and sure enough, it didn't jump above 12.5v while revving, in fact, it didn't rise at all. It is the solenoid that is clicking, does that mean it's a bad solenoid too?

On 5/28/2023 at 1:44 PM, Fishfiles said:

If you suspect the voltage regulator is bad , get the motor running and attach a voltage meter to the battery terminals , you should be between 13.5 and 14.5 with the motor running ----- are you sure the  clicking is not coming from the solenoid ---- I have never heard of a voltage regulator clicking 

Hi Fish,

Where is the solenoid located on it? I will check the voltage this evening when I'm back. I'm afraid to use the bike incase I fry something, but I also need it for mowing and spreading ASAP.

Hi all,

Been a while since I've been out using the 450, but I went to start it the other day and it would not, no lights showing on the dash. I fully charged the battery and still no lights on the dash. So I went to the backup pull starter and it fired straight away. This leads me to suspect that the voltage regulator above the rear right wheel is fried as I hear a click coming from it when I attempt to start it on the key.

Any opinions welcome before I order a new voltage regulator?

Edit: The rare time I go to start it, the dash lights come up and it fires, but the lights flicker when it's running.

16 hours ago, jeepwm69 said:

 

I had to look that one up.  Looks like it was replaced with the 357XP around 2002.  Someone in the below thread mentioned another saw killed by the EPA.🤬

 

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/husqvarna-254xp-what-years-did-they-produce.82759/

What I loved about that saw was how light it was and we'll balanced with a 14 inch bar. It was around the weight of an Ms230 but more powerful than an MS260. I find the huskys tend to cut quicker than a Stihl (new chain comparison) but they also run out of fuel a little sooner. I've tried many saws over the years but have always come back to Stihl, mainly because of dealership handiness and availability of parts.

On 3/28/2023 at 11:39 PM, Fishfiles said:

 

This 450 is my first Husqvarna , it was doing great till the pull starter drive broke ----

 

I have a 350 that needs some work , needs all new fuel hoses ,  the tank and carb  cleaned , a new bar and chain ----  one day it might run again 

 

 

My first owned saw was a Stihl 026, the oil pump gave a lot of trouble early on (it was a second hand purchase) so I traded it in for a new MS260. That was a fantastic saw but I eventually gave it to a good friend of mine who was very badly stuck for a saw. He still has it and uses it.

Then i bought an MS390 which was a nice medium powered saw. It was later upgraded to an MS661 which I still have and use for milling and big timber cutting 25 inch plus. I have a 42 inch bar for it.

Last year I was given 3 saws by a friend who moved to Paris, an MS261, a Tanaka (not certain of model) and a Chinese top handle saw that is only good for filling a gap in a wall🤣

My pride and joy though is my MS201T top handle saw. It's my go to saw as its light enough to use daily, but strong enough to cut decent size timber without struggle.

6 hours ago, jeepwm69 said:

 

I have a Husky 346XP, which is now discontinued in the US, but still available in most of the world.  It's a screaming little saw.  I had an ATV builder who also happens to be really into chainsaws offer to mod it for me to make it scream even more.  I told him that at my age stock was all I need, anything more I'd probably hurt myself LOL

 

But yeah, most people I see running saws around here are down in the dirt with them, abused, and with my 346 no longer being replaceable, it doesn't get loaned out.

Did you guys ever have a Husky 254xp over there? I learned to cut with one of those and it was an animal of a saw considering the size of it. As much as I'm an all Stihl guy, I wish I had one of those old Huskys.

On 3/24/2023 at 2:22 PM, jeepwm69 said:

I had the guy that owns the land next to us give me a Stihl MS180 with that easy start crap on it.  He'd loaned it out and the borrower ran it with the brake on, melted the plastic crankcase,

As a rule of thumb for me, since I started using saws about 14 years ago, I NEVER loan my saws to anyone, if they want something cut, I go with the saw and cut it for them. It's rated one of the most dangerous handheld tools in Ireland and giving one to somebody who hasn't a lot of experience can open up a can of worms.

They're also expensive pieces of kit so the last thing you want is it coming back with a chain ready to fall off and destroyed by someone cutting stones and soil with it!🤦‍♂️🤣 or in you guys cases, melted cases and much worse.

I once had a saw given to me that wouldn't start, I took the sprocket cpver off and the whole clutch assembly fell apart infront of me. It was an ms261 that my friend left with me when he moved to France. He said he couldn't get it to start at all. New clutch and sprocket was all that it required in the end and now it's my backup saw.

18 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

My friend..... I wish i could say what i think will happen, but we're just along for this ride..... I'll say this if crap like that does happen... There will be numerous people that will speak up, whether that will do any good ? I couldn't say, but I'm like most... They will have pry my old school vehicles from my cold dead hands.... Lol!.... Hang tough my friend! Oh! N waving a hand at @Bluezulu49,hope y'all are doing good! 

It won't be a major issue to own a fuel powered vehicle, but I would assume they will skyrocket the price of petrol and diesel (already did it last year) to make it difficult for us all.

Like you, I won't go without a fight to give up all my petrol and diesel toys🤣

19 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

Oh that's laughable!  pavement prowlers ? Haha! That's what we call those stupid looking wanna be diesel trucks...... Here in the states can't even burn REAL hardcore diesel fuel.... And I'll agree burning that watered down diesel MIGHT ?' be less of a poluter, but not by very (if any) much.... Everytime i smell French frys I'm reminded what a joke the EPA is..... Lol! 

Pretty much yep! And most of them think they're driving a bus too!🤦‍♂️ The van I drive is diesel, but it's somewhat economical considering what I carry most days. I just read an article that says the EU is banning all sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. You'll still be able to drive them and buy second hand ones, but only be able to buy electric, hybrid or possibly hydrogen cars by then. What a load of crap!

13 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

No.... It's more of a booster heat.... To assist the main water heater, but it can be tweaked ...... Up hot enough to give one a good 2nd degree burn, that's with both the water and boiler running .. The key to this type is species of wood, plus whether its green midium , or dry.... Osage orange (bodark) aka hedge apple tree is by far the best I've used..... Greener the better... When i see that stainlesss stack start glowing. In sub temps ? She's right... Lol, hmmm. The EU sounds like the EPA over here.... But as useless as ! on a boar.... They're doing the same to people in cities... Who operate outside boilers for heat... No pollution ..... And hardey has complied as much as they can, and still make a good operating boiler, thing is .. ALL the new models are NOT 100% mechanical... Which is a mistake... And it's hurt the company, because with  these new models they are plagued with electronic issues, n they get much wose as the machine ages.... That's why all the ooriginal mechanical models have headed skywards in price, mine is now doubled in price... But i have no Desire to sell.... You and i think. The same on that fact.... Wood smoke doesn't harm the environment in the least! The only t hing I've ever heard that might could happen is a certain danger from breathing smoke that originates when burning certain plants poison ivy, or oak....have been said to make one more susceptible to catching it.... I couldn't very well say it's true or not because I'm immune to them both.... Always have been, even after breathing in smoke from burning both of those species ..... But i do my best to clear all vines from wood destined for the furness. 

 

Thank you, i had to learn that ballast trick.... You live on a farm, that's a requirement .... Comes in real handy when hauling partial loads of grain... Most would just put the load in the center ( mistake ) i did mine over the drives, and over top of the trailor tandems..... So.... I just followed that belief when loading anything on a single axle trailor.. Where tongue weight might help or Hender the job. 

Agreed! City folk are the ones moaning about pollution, and yet 90% of them drive 4x4s and heavy fuel guzzlers for show, they never see dirt or go off road, they are simply luxuries. But they'll argue that a log burner is more polluting🤷‍♂️

I'll burn timber until I'm forced to stop, I enjoy cutting it, milling it, burning it and working with it. As do a lot of you guys on here I'm sure!

4 minutes ago, Fishfiles said:

How does one see where they're going🤣

On 2/26/2023 at 8:56 PM, _Wilson_™ said:

Ya...... Good eye, that's the fire breathing dragon aka hardy.... Heats water for home heat, and domestic water use.... Yeah i kinda push  the weight limits ..... But i balance the load over the trailor axle.... With just enough traikor tongue weight to have (close to) equal weight over all four bike wheels....i don't like putting too much weight on those open station rear 300 axles, although over certain areas I've had  the back end just come up off the ground, not often but some, if i was going to add more front trailor weight, n the bike was JUST for doing firewood, I'd add fluid ballast to the rear tires, and not on the frame / racks of the bike.... That's a mistake i see people make all the time, with the understanding.... Some things have to be hauled like that, but if it cn be done without putting weight over the entire bike... It equals less ware n tear on the machine, the tires take it all. 

 

Boogity boogity ...... LETS GO RACING!!! Awk! Cheers 😎🏁❗

Does it take much wood daily to keep your water needs hot? We have a Rayburn multifuel stove that we only burn firewood in, it heats 1 radiator really well aswell as all our water for washing, sinks etc. We do want to upgrade in the future but the EU is causing havoc over here and they are trying to phase out wood burning stoves, saying its damaging to the environment 🤷‍♂️ I personally think the governments are talking absolutely garbage, trying to screw to tax payer so they can keep the bigger investors running.

Interesting idea on the fluid balance in rear tyres, not something I thought of.i will be using the 450 from now on to pull firewood and retiring the 300 to lighter duties like checking on animals or spraying etc, plus the occasional wheelie bin run down the drive!

3 minutes ago, _Wilson_™ said:

 

Oh i understand .... Problem i had was where the cattle were fed round bales...eve tho they're fed on soil that's over the top of bed rock... (Smart way) it still gets super slick.... So i kinda get what your talking about, I've had my wood splitter try and pass me... Along with trailer loads of wood... I've had my 97. 4wd loose traction in some sketchy places, n had to back or be dragged backwards... It's not easy to jack around a loaded trailor  while being dragged backwards, whats even worse is being dragged back in that sloppy top soil ....I've not had a an accident yet, but i have many deferent ways back up to my home... 

Thats a fair load you have on that trailer for the bike towing! Is that an outdoor wood boiler in background of first picture?

We tend to keep the smaller trailer on the bigger bike,(450) not for towing capacity but for traction reasons. One of our fields has a small corner of woodland at the very bottom, the hill is roughly 40° decline and its no problem going down with an empty trailer, but to come back up you have to Zig Zag if you want any chance of getting back up😅 The top layer of ground is peat and is very soft in the winter/spring. No problem in the summer time when it dries out.

I used it for about 4 hours today, mainly splitting Alder and Willow, but a little bit of Birch and some very knotty Ash which it did not like at all. I had to repeatedly knock bits of Ash back off the axe head, which makes me wonder should I have a wider splitting head to reduce it getting stuck, like a maul head or 2 of them, one on top of the other. From lots of hand splitting experience, I have always found a maul to be less likely to get stuck than an axe. I split about 1 cord on my own in the time I played around with it. I will make an extended handle for the lever that drives the ram, so I don't have to be back and forth as much (can split and load from the same place without moving).

50 minutes ago, _Wilson_™ said:

Slickness !! I would have never thought of a track type mobile wood spitter...

Where we live is quite uneven ground. I did play with the idea of one on wheels, but with tracks, I can get across softer ground straight to the rings of wood.

I do need to add a few spiked ridges to the push plate to stop the rings pushing up as they meet the axe head, but I'll do that in time.