Pictures of Miscellaneous Stuff & Things

[philco]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Been there, done that c. 1994.

[Colonel26]

Speaking of tools and transportation, I was down at the local John Deere dealer today. Came home with a z950m.

978F37F2-512D-46F8-993B-5AFCAC415A0C.jpeg

They even threw in two “free” hats.

CDE278A2-A3D1-48B1-8144-7CB9739255B1.jpeg

Kool Wade!!
John

Thanks John! I’m worse than a kid with a new toy!

[jerryd6818]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Been there, done that c. 1994.

Yep. Back in the '90s.

[bighomer]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Been there done that 2010. Also visited the corn palace on the same trip.

[jerryd6818]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Been there done that 2010. Also visited the corn palace on the same trip.

Saw the sign for the Corn Palace.

[dlr110]

My youngest son Matthew finally got his Farmall tractor running at top speed.

https://youtu.be/dMKpydAbgsg

[Ripster]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Dug Wall Drug in 06 I believe was the year .
It’s a neat place ,we may stop again this year if we go to meet friends in Rapid City this Summer .
Cool pic , brought back some memories. Do you know how long it’s been around ?

[Mumbleypeg]

Speaking of tools and transportation, I was down at the local John Deere dealer today. Came home with a z950m.

978F37F2-512D-46F8-993B-5AFCAC415A0C.jpeg

They even threw in two “free” hats.

CDE278A2-A3D1-48B1-8144-7CB9739255B1.jpeg

Nice ride Wade. If that’s your first zero turn, you’re gonna be kicking yourself for not getting one sooner. Good that you got it from the JD dealer and not from a big box store. Both are green but they’re not the same machines.

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

The wife and I took a trip out to Rapid City last weekend to see family. We made the obligatory stop at Wall Drug for the 5 cent coffee.
How many of you AAPKers have "Dug Wall Drug"?

20210514_125322.jpg

Dug Wall Drug in 06 I believe was the year .
It’s a neat place ,we may stop again this year if we go to meet friends in Rapid City this Summer .
Cool pic , brought back some memories. Do you know how long it’s been around ?

On their sign in the picture it says "Since 1931".

[Mumbleypeg]

My youngest son Matthew finally got his Farmall tractor running at top speed.

https://youtu.be/dMKpydAbgsg

Looks like he’s done a great job with it.

Ken

[Colonel26]

Speaking of tools and transportation, I was down at the local John Deere dealer today. Came home with a z950m.

978F37F2-512D-46F8-993B-5AFCAC415A0C.jpeg

They even threw in two “free” hats.

CDE278A2-A3D1-48B1-8144-7CB9739255B1.jpeg

Nice ride Wade. If that’s your first zero turn, you’re gonna be kicking yourself for not getting one sooner. Good that you got it from the JD dealer and not from a big box store. Both are green but they’re not the same machines.

Ken

This is my third zero turn. The first two were well used when I got them. This is my first brand new one.

When it comes to mowers there’s two things I’m pretty adamant about. First is always buy from a dealer. Even if you get a mower at the big box store the dealer will be who you go to for warranty work any way. Plus if you have a relationship with the dealer they’ll take care of you. And from my experience it’s cheaper to buy from the dealer.

I built them out on John Deere’s website and knew what msrp was for the mower I wanted. I went in and they didn’t have the one I was looking for, but they had the next size up for $2k less than the one I was looking at!

Second, I always buy the commercial grade mower, not the homeowner grade sold at the big box stores. They’re more expensive up front, but will hold up better with fewer repairs over the life of the mower in my experience. Plus when you get ready to sell it in a few years it’ll still have some value. Also, since it’s a commercial mower from a dealer, if it’s down for repairs, they give me a loaner. Lowe’s wouldn’t do that on a residential mower!

If any of y’all are in the market for a mower, and you find one you like, you’d better jump. The John Deere dealer told me that if y0u order one today it’ll be a 6 month minimum before you get it. They’re that far behind.

[Unk]

My youngest son Matthew finally got his Farmall tractor running at top speed.

https://youtu.be/dMKpydAbgsg

That's a nice old tractor, David. What year is it?

[dlr110]

My youngest son Matthew finally got his Farmall tractor running at top speed.

https://youtu.be/dMKpydAbgsg

That's a nice old tractor, David. What year is it?

October 1951

[Colonel26]

My youngest son Matthew finally got his Farmall tractor running at top speed.

https://youtu.be/dMKpydAbgsg

That's a nice old tractor, David. What year is it?

October 1951

That old Farmall is sounding real good!

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice ride Wade. If that’s your first zero turn, you’re gonna be kicking yourself for not getting one sooner. Good that you got it from the JD dealer and not from a big box store. Both are green but they’re not the same machines.

Ken

This is my third zero turn. The first two were well used when I got them. This is my first brand new one.

When it comes to mowers there’s two things I’m pretty adamant about. First is always buy from a dealer. Even if you get a mower at the big box store the dealer will be who you go to for warranty work any way. Plus if you have a relationship with the dealer they’ll take care of you. And from my experience it’s cheaper to buy from the dealer.

I built them out on John Deere’s website and knew what msrp was for the mower I wanted. I went in and they didn’t have the one I was looking for, but they had the next size up for $2k less than the one I was looking at!

Second, I always buy the commercial grade mower, not the homeowner grade sold at the big box stores. They’re more expensive up front, but will hold up better with fewer repairs over the life of the mower in my experience. Plus when you get ready to sell it in a few years it’ll still have some value. Also, since it’s a commercial mower from a dealer, if it’s down for repairs, they give me a loaner. Lowe’s wouldn’t do that on a residential mower!

If any of y’all are in the market for a mower, and you find one you like, you’d better jump. The John Deere dealer told me that if y0u order one today it’ll be a 6 month minimum before you get it. They’re that far behind.

I totally agree with everything you said. I always buy the commercial grade mowers too, for the same reasons you stated. Even the low end commercial grade equipment is better built than the retail grade, and cost little if any more. One of the biggest differences in mowers is the mower deck. The commercial grade decks are thick, welded construction (like I see on the pictures of yours, typically with a lifetime warranty. The retail grade decks are thin, one piece stamped metal. The blade spindles are heavier duty. Just some typical dufferences that most people don’t even think about.

I buy all my equipment, including things like Stihl edgers, chain saws, weeders, from the local JD dealership or the local New Holland dealership. I know everyone there in both sales and service departments. They know me and take good care of me, can’t tell you how many times they’ve either fixed something free, told me how to fix it, or given me parts at no charge. Customer service is the hallmark of a good dealership, and something you won’t likely find at the big box stores.

Ken

[Colonel26]

Nice ride Wade. If that’s your first zero turn, you’re gonna be kicking yourself for not getting one sooner. Good that you got it from the JD dealer and not from a big box store. Both are green but they’re not the same machines.

Ken

This is my third zero turn. The first two were well used when I got them. This is my first brand new one.

When it comes to mowers there’s two things I’m pretty adamant about. First is always buy from a dealer. Even if you get a mower at the big box store the dealer will be who you go to for warranty work any way. Plus if you have a relationship with the dealer they’ll take care of you. And from my experience it’s cheaper to buy from the dealer.

I built them out on John Deere’s website and knew what msrp was for the mower I wanted. I went in and they didn’t have the one I was looking for, but they had the next size up for $2k less than the one I was looking at!

Second, I always buy the commercial grade mower, not the homeowner grade sold at the big box stores. They’re more expensive up front, but will hold up better with fewer repairs over the life of the mower in my experience. Plus when you get ready to sell it in a few years it’ll still have some value. Also, since it’s a commercial mower from a dealer, if it’s down for repairs, they give me a loaner. Lowe’s wouldn’t do that on a residential mower!

If any of y’all are in the market for a mower, and you find one you like, you’d better jump. The John Deere dealer told me that if y0u order one today it’ll be a 6 month minimum before you get it. They’re that far behind.

I totally agree with everything you said. I always buy the commercial grade mowers too, for the same reasons you stated. Even the low end commercial grade equipment is better built than the retail grade, and cost little if any more. One of the biggest differences in mowers is the mower deck. The commercial grade decks are thick, welded construction (like I see on the pictures of yours, typically with a lifetime warranty. The retail grade decks are thin, one piece stamped metal. The blade spindles are heavier duty. Just some typical dufferences that most people don’t even think about.

I buy all my equipment, including things like Stihl edgers, chain saws, weeders, from the local JD dealership or the local New Holland dealership. I know everyone there in both sales and service departments. They know me and take good care of me, can’t tell you how many times they’ve either fixed something free, told me how to fix it, or given me parts at no charge. Customer service is the hallmark of a good dealership, and something you won’t likely find at the big box stores.

Ken

Absolutely right on all accounts. The better spindles are a big deal imo. The ones one mine, and the front forks, actually have alemites instead of the sealed bearings. I don’t know in actual performance how much a difference it makes, but I just hate a bearing you can’t grease.

[steve99f]

My brother and I took a trip to Philly yesterday to visit the USS Olympia, Commodore Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila during the Spanish American war. Classed as a protected cruiser. We were both disappointed that the engineering spaces were not open, both of us being snipes in the USN, but was worthwhile anyway. Only museum ship of this vintage, built in 1893, afloat in the US. Tour took about two hours. Would recommend taking a look if anyone finds themselves in Philly with some spare time. Open weekends only at this time.

[steve99f]

A few more shots of the interior.

[dlr110]

A few more shots of the interior.

Very nice, but what is that four masted ship next to the Olympia?

[steve99f]

David,

That is the Moshulu, a restaurant when its open. I'm not sure of its status these days.

[Mumbleypeg]

Wait - you went to Philadelphia on purpose?

JK, I don’t like big cities. (unless it’s New Orleans, San Antonio, or Boston).

Ken

[Colonel26]

Steve, that is awesome! I had no idea the Olympia was still afloat.

“You may fire when ready Gridley” - Admiral Dewey at Manilla Bay.

[steve99f]

Wait - you went to Philadelphia on purpose?

JK, I don’t like big cities. (unless it’s New Orleans, San Antonio, or Boston).

Ken

Ken,

There are a couple of reasons to go but only during daylight and on weekends. The Olympia is one reason. Your caution is noted as Philly seems to be on a tear to see how many funerals can be arranged through sudden impacts of small projectiles. Some lives matter, but not much it seems.

[steve99f]

Steve, that is awesome! I had no idea the Olympia was still afloat.

“You may fire when ready Gridley” - Admiral Dewey at Manilla Bay.

Colonel,

According to one of the docents on board, she rests in the mud for some periods of tide. She needs help as it hasn't seen a drydock in many decades. The volunteers do what they can to keep it decent to see. I contribute what I can to it, its a worthwhile cause. In my opinion, it has more historical value than the USS New Jersey, BB 62 or any of the Iowa's except USS Missouri.

The USS New Jersey, BB 62, is across the river from Olympia. Also worthwhile seeing an Iowa class battleship. It get some state support. Ken, if you think Philly is bad, well, Camden does try.

[mrwatch]

A freighter coming into the Michigan SOO Locks heading into Lake Superior. The other side is Canada. And a waterfall we happened across, west of Rogers City, Mich.