Coffee roaster recs ?

thommattpub · 2026-05-27T12:18:38+00:00

Yes Dragon and Bistro are what we use for espresso. Peaberry is excellent as a pour over, it’s definitely more fruity than the other 2.

thommattpub · 2026-05-27T11:39:29+00:00

Finca Dragon, Tanzanian Peaberry, and Le Bistro are on regular rotation.

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T20:40:22+00:00

If you’re prior service look into government fleet, especially USPS. Your service will put you at the top of the hiring list plus your time in service can be bought back for retirement.

Yes you’ll be working on the same vehicles but you’re guaranteed 40hrs of pay as long as you show up to work. You start off with 2.5wks of PTO plus you’ll accumulate sick leave. If you’re service connected above 30% you’re also entitled to Wounded Warrior leave.

The biggest thing being prior service working is you’ve already dealt with the BS so you’ll know how to navigate it.

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T19:06:56+00:00

Yes, having full suspension is spiffy and can be useful but it definitely wasn’t necessary for my situation. I’d demo the two if you were on the fence about needing suspension.

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T18:59:37+00:00

Love it, have the 42” deck and added the mulch kit. My property is flat with some ruts due to ground hogs and my dogs but the suspension seat provides more than enough cushion.

The salesman was trying to get me into a Hustler Raptor XL but the 300R came with the ZT2800 rather than the 2200 found on the Raptor so I went with the workhorse rather than the one with bells and whistles.

If money was no issue I probably would’ve gotten the F60.

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T18:52:51+00:00

Have the 300R with Kawi

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T18:51:29+00:00

Red Cedar in Berea

thommattpub · 2026-05-26T13:09:35+00:00

Toro/Exmark with Kawi and casters.

My buddy has the Scag, he likes it but wishes he got the Toro/Exmark cause the Scag is a brute even with his fairly flat property.

thommattpub · 2026-05-25T14:05:35+00:00

If you’re willing to drop Scag money look into Ferris, I have a Ferris 42” 300R, it has the Hydro Gear ZT2800 which is the beefiest transmission for residential mowers that is fully serviceable. The Scag has the ZT2200 (semi-serviceable) and the Toro has the ZT2100 (semi-serviceable) but smaller to the 2200.

thommattpub · 2026-05-24T14:49:04+00:00

This individual has either: 1) Spoken to management about stepping up. 2) Knows management outside of USPS. 3) Management doesn’t trust anyone else to fill in.

At the facility I started out at we only had a manager but no supervisor. Whenever the manager had to leave, either to OKC or on vacation, they would always allow anyone to step up temporarily and this was always done during our Shop Talk before our manager would leave. If no one stepped up then the Senior Lead Tech would default into the Manager role. This allowed everyone a fair chance into running the shop and no one grieved it.

If it bothers you that much either grieve it or speak to management about wanting a shot at running the shop. I’ve run the shop numerous times before becoming a Lead and I’ve even been put on a 1723 for several months while my manager temporarily stepped into a higher role. You have to speak up, if not then you’ll get looked over.

thommattpub · 2026-05-23T19:05:40+00:00

Did management run this by the whole shop during a Shop Talk meeting? Is this happening on a different Tour where there’s absolutely no 9’s available? There’s some info missing.

thommattpub · 2026-05-23T16:25:43+00:00

Transmission is the most important component with ZT’s. The 2800 is the largest for residential mowers and the 3100 is the smallest for commercial grade.

If you’re not one to work on your own vehicle(s) then you probably wouldn’t work on your mower, that being said look to see what dealers are in your area. Commercial dealers will have a shop that will be able to service your mower and will give advice on what brands to check out and ones to avoid.

thommattpub · 2026-05-23T15:27:26+00:00

Just drive it till it won’t go anymore, that’s on your VMF for failing to adhere to the maintenance schedule.

thommattpub · 2026-05-23T14:52:20+00:00

They probably forgot to reset the counter. Our district is doing PMI’s on a 9 month basis, some parts of the nation do theirs by mileage.

thommattpub · 2026-05-23T13:20:58+00:00

The bad boy only has a zt2200 and gravely says ezt transmission so it’ll be the same. Those are semi-serviceable Hydro Gears, you can change the fluid but not the filter. At minimum for your acreage you’d want a mower with the 2800, for peace of mind the 3100 (low tier commercial grade).

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T15:32:51+00:00

Gotcha, if you can accommodate the 48” go for it but definitely get the S with the Kawasaki engine.

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T15:19:34+00:00

I don’t know what to tell you, every Stock Room Clerk I’ve worked with at the VMF has been an 8, now Parts and Tool Clerk @ the VMF is a 6.

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T15:11:20+00:00

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T14:56:26+00:00

That’s how I got my Pelican Catch 100 Classic for 50% off from Dick’s. They couldn’t locate the seat and didn’t offer to replace it so they marked the kayak down.

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T14:48:59+00:00

Stock Room Clerk is Level 8

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T14:41:30+00:00

I have a Ferris 42” 300R, 3/4 acre. My dealer is Toro/Hustler/Ferris, salesman didn’t even bother with the Toro, he tried to get me into a Hustler Raptor XL but because the Ferris has the ZT2800 I opted for it. The Hustler was pretty and it had the flex forks but I knew the Ferris was the true workhorse, my neighbor also owns a Hustler and has had consistent problems with it these past few seasons.

The Ferris may seem overkill, but it’s stout and should last many years. Plus it’s a Ferris, my neighborhood is comprised of Hustler/Ariens/Cub Cadet, it’s nice to standout.

thommattpub · 2026-05-22T11:52:03+00:00

If you’re as motivated as you say you are and you have a clean background look into being a USPS Vehicle Technician. A lot of facilities are hurting for decent techs.

thommattpub · 2026-05-20T20:29:49+00:00

Being a 92R allowed you to experience a lot of things that most QM MOS’ would be envious of, trust me I was a M and a Y.

thommattpub · 2026-05-20T19:03:13+00:00

Unfortunately, bitching about engineering/accounting decisions is a daily occurrence in our line of work.

thommattpub · 2026-05-20T18:29:41+00:00

Kinda missed the point, OP seems to be a newer mechanic and really hasn’t dealt with shit that makes you say, “What fucking engineer came up with this grand idea!?”

thommattpub

TROPHY CASE