The cabin is a “climate controlled” space only in that the weather outside controls what it feels like inside, especially during the shoulder seasons. There’s no central thermostat — chilly or toasty, spring and fall, sometimes it makes more sense to tolerate less-than-ideal temps than to light the woodstove or rely on high-wattage devices like air conditioners or heaters.
Yesterday morning’s low was 56°F. Inside the cabin, the thermometer in the kitchen read 62°F. My nose was cold, but with sunshine and a high near 80°F in the forecast, I didn’t plug-in a space heater and I didn’t burn cordwood.
I simply dealt with it. No complaints.
Take note — September 6th was the first time this season that I put on a hoodie. Indoors.
My bias against procrastinating motivated me to haul the rest of the firewood down to the wood yard on Saturday as opposed to Sunday. I figured if I hitched the utility cart to the Ranger, I could finish in one trip.
And so that’s what I did.
I parked on the trail near the first clearing and walked up to check on a small, untarped stack I set aside for future campfires. Judging it to be in good shape, I made my way downslope to what remained after Thursday’s work and carried it (two armloads) over to the bed of the Ranger.
Turning the rig around with the cart hooked up would’ve been more trouble than it was worth. I unhitched the lightweight cart and moved it off to the side, then turned the Ranger around and hooked up again next to the woodpiles I intended to move.
A light rain began to fall. I smiled.
Loading went quickly. I managed to fit it all in the cart and the bed — one trip, just the way I’d planned. As before, I didn’t break out the ratchet straps, and everything stayed put during the run down to the wood yard.
So that’s done. My next target in these woods is a substantial wind-downed oak on the east slope. I’ll either need to cut a trail to reach it with the Ranger, or find a way to skid the bucked wood out to the roadside. If I had to guess, I’ll probably do the latter.
The Ranger is capable of pulling a lot more than that tiny Agri-Fab utility cart, certainly. But the way I use it and where I take it, the smaller size is just right.
By the numbers, its payload capacity (650 pounds) is 30% greater than that of the Ranger’s bed (500 pounds). It also has 12% more volume (10 cubic feet vs. 8.9).
I basically double my carrying capacity whenever I hook it up.
Ground clearance is high enough to be acceptable. About the only thing I wish for is stouter, off-road-capable tires. In due course, maybe I’ll upgrade them.
I’m sure that the little cart must look like a toy behind the beefy, fat-tired Ranger, but it definitely pulls its weight. Easing several hundred pounds of oak and hickory back down the steep and narrow cut yesterday made me glad it’s the size it is.
The first of the “moves” I hinted I’d be making at the end of my last post actually kicked off yesterday, two days ahead of plan. I’m feeling good about this. Stay tuned.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable