What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[fuzzi]

Interesting! Why is that? Is there a high water table?

Water table is high, or too much clay soil. The link I added gives some reasons.

 

[Sally PB]

• Midwest & Northern U.S. – Cold winters and deep frost lines make basements practical.
• Tornado-prone areas – Basements provide shelter during storms.
• Older homes in the Northeast – Many historic homes were built with basements for storage and heating systems.

That all makes sense. Thanks! I've lived in Michigan all my life, so I just assumed that basements were the norm.

 

[Sally PB]

Water table is high, or too much clay soil. The link I added gives some reasons.

Thanks!

When I was 10, we took a trip south that included New Orleans. I was surprised by the cemeteries. My mom said they can't bury dead people because if you dig down 6 feet, you hit water. No basements there!

 

[Molpet]

I always wondered why the catacombs in Rome don't flood

Thanks!

When I was 10, we took a trip south that included New Orleans. I was surprised by the cemeteries. My mom said they can't bury dead people because if you dig down 6 feet, you hit water. No basements there!

 

[gtaus]

Garden Cart Handle Considerations

I bought my first 4-wheeled garden cart maybe 8 years ago. It is just so much better than my old one-wheeled wheelbarrow I used for 30+ years. I can move more stuff, more safely, than I could ever do with my old wheelbarrow.

Now is the time of year when you will see lots of those garden carts on sale. Before you buy one, I would suggest you consider the type of handle on the cart. There are two basic types: 1) manual handle only for pulling the wagon, and 2) a handle that converts between manual pull and tow behind latched to a riding mower.

Here is an example of the manual handle only that is usually found on less expensive carts...

If you only will ever use your cart by manually pulling it, that's fine.

However, if you have a riding mower, like I do, you probably want to consider getting a cart with the convertible handle that can be hitched to your riding mower. That works great for really heavy loads, or if you have a big property, to tow it from one side of farm to another. Here is an example of what that type of handle looks like...

Gorilla carts have changed the handle design on their newer carts. It looks like this...

The handle slides down the handle bar, so you can hitch it to your riding mower...

The carts with the convertible handle are usually found on a more expensive upgraded cart model, but IMHO, that dual purpose handle alone makes my carts much more valuable to me. I probably use my carts as tow behind, as much, if not more, than manual pulling. Certainly, for heavy loads, I hitch it to my riding mower and let the machine do the work.

If you are getting on in age, like me, then you will really appreciate the benefits of a 4-wheeled cart over a wheelbarrow. They are much safer to use and can carry a heavier load with less effort. As much as I like my 4-wheeled carts, Dear Wife loves it even more. She did not have the strength to use my old wheelbarrow safely, but she can load up a 4-wheeled cart with bags of heavy mulch and pull it around the yard without any problem.

 

[Sally PB]

Continuing the cart theme...

Two of the tires on our 4-wheeled cart weren't just flat, the tread had finally shredded. We replaced all of the tires with solid tires. Yes, they were $30 each, but they are never going to need air, and should last a long, long time. If/when the cart needs to be replaced -- it's 20+ years old -- we are saving the tires.

 

[NanaK]

Continuing the cart theme...

Two of the tires on our 4-wheeled cart weren't just flat, the tread had finally shredded. We replaced all of the tires with solid tires. Yes, they were $30 each, but they are never going to need air, and should last a long, long time. If/when the cart needs to be replaced -- it's 20+ years old -- we are saving the tires.

I have a small trailer I pull with my golf cart. When the tires needed replacing we put those solid tires on it. One of the rims must have had faulty welds. The welds rusted and broke loose, separating the rim into 2 pieces. I don't haul anything heavy in the trailer and it is parked under a shelter when not in use. We did replace it with another solid tire but this time I intend to check them more often and keep those welds covered with paint.

I was so happy not to have to add air to the tires each time I used it that I didn't notice the welds until one broke.

 

[gtaus]

Continuing the cart theme...

Two of the tires on our 4-wheeled cart weren't just flat, the tread had finally shredded. We replaced all of the tires with solid tires. Yes, they were $30 each, but they are never going to need air, and should last a long, long time. If/when the cart needs to be replaced -- it's 20+ years old -- we are saving the tires.

Yes. I think those pneumatic tires are the weak link in the carts. I live in northern Minnesota, and our cold winters are hard on the air tires. When my tires go flat, or age and leak, and they cannot be pumped up again, I replace them with solid filled tires as well. The solid filled tires may cost a bit more up front, but certainly cheaper than replacing air filled tires every ~3 years.

One can also buy inner tubes for air tires, but I have not had very good luck with inner tubes. The inner tubes I bought lasted a few years but then started leaking. Again, I found it more cost effective to replace my air tires, or inner tubes, with the solid tires which saved me money in about 4 years. But you do have to pay a bit more money up front.

 

[Smokerbill]

I was thinking about making my own wheels for a couple of chicken tractors but I'm not sure what I'd use for the tread. I have some 1.5 inch flexible black poly water main line that I scrounged for free. Maybe I could split it in half and screw it on and have a more rounded tread profile. I could use 1/2" or 3/4" pex as bushings. I have both.

 

[gtaus]

I was so happy not to have to add air to the tires each time I used it that I didn't notice the welds until one broke.

Yes, it's no fun to have to pump air into the tires every time before you use it. There are a number of advantages of getting the solid filled tires over the air tires, but there are also a few things to consider when using solid filled tires to help them last longer. Here is a good summary of things you need to know if you plan on getting solid filled tires to replace your air-filled tires...

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Solid-filled tires generally support less weight than air-filled tires because they lack the flexibility to distribute pressure evenly. Additionally, flat spots can develop if a heavy load sits on them for an extended period, especially in cold temperatures or if the tires are made from a softer rubber compound.

Why Flat Spots Happen on Solid Tires​

Compression Over Time – Unlike air-filled tires, solid tires don’t "bounce back" as easily, so prolonged pressure can cause deformation.
Temperature Sensitivity – Cold weather can make the rubber less elastic, increasing the risk of flat spots.
Heavy Loads Without Movement – If the cart stays stationary with a heavy load, the weight presses into the tire, creating a flattened area.

How to Prevent Flat Spots​

Avoid Long-Term Stationary Loads – If possible, store the cart unloaded or rotate the wheels occasionally.
Use Harder Rubber Tires – Some solid tires are more resistant to compression than others.
Keep Tires Off Cold Surfaces – If storing outdoors in winter, placing the cart on wood or rubber mats can help reduce flat spots.

If you notice flat spots, sometimes rolling the cart around or exposing the tires to warmer temperatures can help them regain shape.

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As I said, I live in northern Minnesota. I always empty the carts before winter and tip the tub up so that snow cannot fill in it. Or I suppose you could just turn the cart over upside down, so the wheels are off the ground.

Everything considered, I have saved a lot of money by using solid filled tires to replace my air-filled tires, but there are a few things to be aware of with solid filled tires to ensure you get your money's worth out of them.