It took me a bit to figure out how best to deal with the output snorkel. I had been looking at attaching it to the side by laying it down on top of the gas tank on one end and wrap it around the back end but it just didn't seem like it would be solid enough. I finally found that the bolt holes on it were almost perfect to line up with the holes for the battery box.
I had to get a drill bit and wallow out the slot a bit to line up the holes but once I did the snorkel fit just right. A pair of 3/8" bolts, washers, and double nuts mounted it nice and solid. The direction of the snorkel is perfect since it points back and there is very little flex in the mounting. On the square handle I ran some heavy wire between it and the trailer to give the third point of attachment.
It was a good hour of work to get the wire on the various parts and the 4 ratchet straps tight. I have a bucket over the output port that the snorkel attaches to to keep snow and moisture out of the flywheel. Everything is nice and tight and I have some super strong wire holding a couple of the corners of the chute so that the straps aren't the only things holding it. They are just webbing and would likely be pretty easily cut. A 1000 miles of driving needs the thing to be rock solid. I highly doubt it is meant for that kind of road distance but I will be finding out soon enough.
This is the nice new tractor seat I installed. It is a FAR cry from what was in it and will likely last for many years to come.
For those of us in the Washington state who drink or use liquor we are forced to pay through the nose if we buy it in state. The taxes are insane and that means whenever we go to California or North Dakota we have stocked up. Just an example is the 1.75L Jim Beam cost $32 here and is $50+ at home. Many of the items can be double the cost at home that they are here. I use liquor to make my own kahlua so need the larger volumes as each batch takes a pint or more.
Once we get home I have my work cut out for me to get the batches started amongst the rest of the farm work. I need to get them made though because it takes a minimum of a month rest for each batch to be ready.
It is starting to snow again but it isn't supposed to be much. The worst part is going to be the bitter cold temps that we will be having with the weather. Bozeman MT is supposed to be -2F Saturday night, the mid point of our trip home.
For more information about our farm:
Fleming Family Farm
FLEMING FAMILY FARM, LLC
Sustainable & Organic Methods | Heirloom Produce
