We have been trying to come up with ways to not be so dependent on things. We hated the fact that when the power goes out we are at the mercy of the electric company. With the big storms and long power outages in areas near us this winter, we bit the bullet and got a generator that is bigger than something to power a few lights. We are not able to afford the expensive generators, so for under $2000 we were able to get this one that is powered by our tractor. My husband has it hooked to the back of the tractor and can raise it to drive the tractor and move it to use it or to store it. It attaches by a drive shaft to the part of the tractor that you attach a mower to. When the power goes out, we just flip the house breaker off, plug the generator into the garage and turn the tractor on. It will be away from the house and backfeed electric to the house. It will operate the necessities with no problem: the hot water heater, sump pump, refridgerator, microwave, reptile lights, tv and lights. Hopefully we never have to use it, but we have piece of mind now that we have it.
When we buy steel for our metal products, we usually buy sheets that are 4 feet by 8 feet. We could use sheets as large as 5 feet by 10 feet, but they are difficult for one person to handle. We order steel from a company in Plattsburgh, NY. They are delivered on a big flatbed truck. My husband and the driver unload them onto our tractor and my husband places them on boards in the garage. He then moves each one by hand and places it in the upright steel rack that he built. He has the rack placed near our plasma cutting table which allows for easier placement of a sheet on the table when he is ready for it. I think it's really interesting how he can turn a blank piece of metal into so many interesting items! 
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