Farm Update 26-Jul-2019

Subbu was upbeat yesterday. After few days of trying to reach him, I finally did yesterday. He hurriedly submitted that his JIO phone was not recharged and the other one is still limping with its hardware problem. He needs to change his phone. But that is not the point. He off-late feels very much guilty to attend my calls.

He was having some pleasant news for me.

a)  The two of the wings removed from the tower had been re-fixed.  All the work on the windmill is over. It is yet to be released for rotation just as a matter of adequate precaution till all the work under the tower is over.

An illustration to show how it should be.
This way i communicated to Subbu over whatsup.
Final what he did  will be known only after he send picture.

b) Besides the ladder that is completed and fixed, the foot rest stand that I designed for him is also done. I am not sure about what is the final. But this is what I told him to do (Diagram). With this small platform, one can stand and approach the rotor of the windpump should you want to oil that or paint or even remove it (with the safety harness ON ofcourse).

Initially i wanted a small foot rest to be clippable and hung from steel wire and hook. but there is no space atop tower. Only 2 feet .  Therefore advised Subbu to make one supported from under using two angles.

c)  He has employed two ladies to clean the entire area (I had earlier mentioned that someone will visit the farm).  I want to put some gravel and keep a board giving technical details of the windpump. But that is later.....

d) Today the boring pipes will be removed out and foot valve be cleaned.

e) The windpump amplifier that I sent last year will be connected properly

Hopefully the entire windpump will start working as usual giving more water.  He is determined to focus on this only.  Let me see....... I have no photos as his camera phone is damaged. But he said he will manage to send....

Ladder to Heaven at Farm

It has become important and a routine to climb atop the windpump tower.  Presently Subbu and others are using their palm tree climbing skills.  They are not complaining about the fatigue but I can sense that.  I want the basic infra to be in place.  I always wanted to make this ladder to climb the windpump tower.  I also brought a pair of PPE through online and got it delivered  (Personal protection equipment which is nothing but belts and hooking fastners to be worn while working atop the tower).

For several weeks now I had been asking Subbu to take quotes from various workshops. They charge a cool 20K. I donot want to spend that much. Discussed with him various ways of doing that. But they have a fix or a hang on that. Perhaps at the ground level, they are bound by resources that is practically available.  Subbu spend several days disappointing me.   I thought he was good at negotiating. But he was not. He was so innocent on certain matters that he accepts on face value without questioning. Even a bit of technology will make him surrender.

Finally I gave an idea. Let us buy iron patti (flat strips) and give to a welder and get this cut and welded. My point was strength is not important. Because it is going to lean and be fitted on the existing tower only. Tower will provide the necessary support. Subbu accepted with hesistation.

He went about and finally purchased 1" x 2" square pipe conduit. Same material for the sides and the rungs.  Total 8 pipe of 20 feet length.  Some welding sticks, cutting disks and work started. The material was purchased from Valliyoor and welder from Parappadi. We need to give labour cost to the workshop man. It took 2 weeks to make because the welder this in part time.  It will work out under 10K for making a 50 feet long ladder and fit it on tower.   They also tried to hang a welding machine from tower and tried to weld in air. But seems did not work out.

Here it goes. As I am writing the ladder is finished, fixed and painted. I was surprised and annoyed to hear the ladder was tide with rope !.  I chided the team and asked them to fasten with patti, nuts and bolts.  Such is the followup required.

Kandan with his PPE worn

People atop the tower fixing blades. Without the ladder

Welder is cutting the pipe

Delivery of square pipe. The material was done at site.

The ladders half done. Total 50 feet.