Just to recap, the tractor is about 12 years old. I replaced the blades on it about five years ago and other than changing the oil every spring, that is the only maintenance I've done to it.
Two weeks ago I was thatching my lawn and the tractor suddenly stopped moving. Turns out a spring that provides a return on the drive clutchborke and prevented the clutch from engaging. I had to go into my bag of tricks and mickey-mouse a repair so I could finish the job I was doing.
Once I had the machine in the garage, I dropped the mowing deck, pulled it out and flipped it over.
One item I discovered that needed to be replaced was the cable that controls the blades because it was frayed. I noticed it was frayed because as I reached to disconnect it from the deck, the steel wires that make up the cable stabbed deeply into my fingers tips. It hurt like hell and bled like I had nicked an artery.
I also noticed I needed new blades and I saw a worn spot on the blade drive belt. I was really hoping the worn spot might explain the vibration I was feeling when I started the mower.
So I made a list of parts and set about hunting them down. Since I am one of those guys who finds and downloads the schematics for every machine I own, I have the full parts list along with all the part numbers.
This meant all I had to do was give the part numbers to Amazon and it returned at least 10 vendors for each part.
I ordered everything and the final part (blade clutch cable) arrived today. I had the part in hand by 1:00, I took three pre-emptive ibuprofens and by 2:30, the tractor was fully reassembled.
I fired it up and started the blades. I am pleased to report that there was no vibration and everything worked as it should.
I had an uncle named Ted who once told me, "If you own a piece of equipment, you should know how to fix it. If you don't know how to fix it, don't buy it."
My uncle Ted was a pretty bright guy.
The Red Sox and the White Sox started playing tonights baseball game at 7:05 and it is now 7:45. The score is currently 3-0 after two innings.
This is the first game of a four-game series and I would really like to see them sweep the White Sox.
Here are some links:
- I'm not entirely sure this is a good thing...
- Key line in this story: "I swear to Allah I did not lick the goat’s genitals."
- What are the signs you've been abducted by the Loch Ness monster or Bigfoot?
- What did they think it was?
- Staten Island and The Flaming Sex Toys would be a great name for a 1980's punk rock band.
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