Sprucehaven Farms

Assuming good design and proper manufacture, coupled with proper use by the operator, then yard ramps should last almost indefinitely without needing much attention. However, in the real world this ideal situation very rarely happens.

Occasionally some yard ramp manufacturers do come up with design modifications which have not been well engineered, or they skimp on areas of the construction to save costs. Unfortunately in the long term it is the user that usually picks up the bill for this, as it just reflects in a shorter working life and a greater maintenance cost and downtime for the user. In contrast there are many examples of ramps of traditional proven design from established manufacturers being in service for very long periods without requiring any attention at all.

Given the very high return on investment that using yard ramps for container unloading provides, then it probably makes little sense to make a purchase decision based merely on the lowest initial price, without considering if the lower price is the result of skimped design or manufacture. The economics of using container ramps is such that the consequential cost of not having a ramp available for use due to reliability issues can be more expensive than the initial cost of buying the ramp in the first place.

The hydraulically operated height adjustment systems used in some yard ramps introduce reliability issues of their own. In some cases this may not be a significant issue at all, but in others it is well known to be a major and costly problem.

Without a doubt the greatest impact on yard ramp reliability is the manner in which they are used. No matter how well designed on manufactured they are, an operator who is determined to test a ramp to destruction can usually do so. Operators should be educated not to see it as a personal challenge to see how fast they can tow a yard ramp over rough ground and how deep a pothole, or how high a kerb it can be bounced over at speed.

Yard ramps are built to a specified design capacity and it is important to always work well within the stated capacity. The shock impact loads resulting from an over enthusiastic forklift driver mounting a ramp at too high a speed can be much greater than expected. Equally it is necessary to consider that some porous loads can be a lot heavier than expected if they have been left outside in the rain for some time. For maximum reliability it is probably better to choose a standard 10T. capacity ramp rather than a light duty 7T. model, even if the expected loads are always expected to be within 7T. The cost difference between the ramps is very small, and yet the effect on improved reliability is very significant.

With ramps that experience a lot of heavy use there can be some deterioration in the decking surface after a long period of use. After a few years it cam sometimes be necessary to have the decking surface replaced, but fortunately this is a quick and easy job to do.

Depending upon the yard surface and how frequently or roughly a ramp is towed, there can eventually be some deterioration in the tyres used on the wheels. In Europe most use solid tyres, although in North America, some makers provide inflatable pneumatic tyres. Again these are easy an inexpensive to replace, should it even become necessary.

Trees can make a lovely addition to your yard. They add color and beauty, not to mention the environmental benefits. Trees produce oxygen, protect the soil against erosion and attract many beautiful birds. If you like wildlife, especially birds and squirrels, and you haven’t already done so, you should plant some trees in your yard. Even a nice bushy hedge works wonders.

Trees come with some downsides, though. If they are too big or too close to your house, you could have branches smashing your windows during a bad storm. Not to mention all the leaves you have to rake in the fall. That can be quite a tedious job. Many people have started using leave blowers. Leaf blowers produce a lot of pollution in the air as well as noise pollution, driving your neighbors crazy.

Lawnmowers make a lot of noise too, but that is something we have all become accustomed to and generally accept as part of summer. Besides, it is quite difficult to cut your grass without a lawnmower. Leaf blowers, on the other hand are unnecessary. If you are too lazy to rake your leaves, hire a neighborhood youngster. He will be more than happy to earn a few bucks. Plus, your neighbors will thank you for not using the noisy blower.

Some cities have leaf and yard waste pick up on certain days of the week, while in some cases, you might have to take the leaves and fallen branches to a leaf drop off zone. These are usually located in parks. A section of the park is dedicated for this purpose. An area out of the way of normal park use, or in ball parks that are not used too often in the fall.

The little bit of extra work trees might cause is far outweighed by the beauty and other benefits they will bring to your property.

You can make your landscape design sing in harmony with nature by using wind chimes that have been perfectly tuned to audible perfection. It doesn’t matter what type of unique home décor you have, or what your landscape and garden yard décor is — a wind chime will add charm, and can create a subtle sense of feng shui mystique.

A set of properly tuned wind chimes blends in with the forces of nature to create a sense of balance compatible to the feng shui philosophy. The rich notes and soul-stirring ambiance produced as wind greets the clapper or striker, sends a sweet, haunting melody vibrating through each pipe. A sense of calm and tranquility washes over every ear.

You can purchase wind chimes online. Available in a variety of styles and sizes, in price ranges to please every pocketbook. A wind chime is the perfect choice for anniversary gifts that will touch the heart and symbolize marital harmony, and bliss. They also make great personalized housewarming gifts, sure to delight the recipient.

Enhance your garden with their song. Though pleasing to the ear, the activity of wind chimes dancing in the breeze is a good deterrent for feather and fur marauders.

Tuned with precision, the different lengths and diameters of tubular pipes create a different set of tones, each of which harmonize with the other. Some wind chimes are reminiscent of church bells, while others carry tones that echo the spirit of nature and hint of the exotic.

Those knowledgeable in music are especially appreciative of precision tuned wind chimes. Place two smaller ones at opposite ends of a garden on fence posts, or a larger one centered in the middle, hanging from a shepherd’s crook. Select an area for the wind chime that will enhance the sense of peace and calm and mingle with the natural sounds of nature, helping to mute unwanted background noise that clutters the mind, such as traffic and barking dogs.

With May fast approaching, tuned wind chimes also make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day. It will enhance her garden, and bring tranquility to her yard. And she’ll have you to thank for it!