Robb
04-11-2005, 09:24 PM
............or Garden Tractor, depending on how you look at such things. :D
And okay, I started a thread, basically, in the Body Work forum, but for whatever reason, I decided to start another thread, simply because it goes farther than just body work, and I am bored right now and feel like e-talking.
And I know that most people won't care, "so what Robb, you got a POS mower?" But I look at this differently. I see this as a milestone!! :) Getting your first tractor IS a big deal! I didn't even notice this until I took my first ride on mine. I have spent many an hour on my parent's Wheel Horses, and friend's Ford 9Ns and 2Ns, but having your own is COMPLETELY different!! That there is MY ride!! :thumbsup: Remember, after age 21, milestones get fewer and farther apart. There is getting married, having kids (and witnessing the wonderful things they do), getting that hopeful promotion, and then retirement................like I said, few and far, so this a big deal to me. :p
My tractor "appeared" to me early Saturday morning. A neighbor of mine was selling it (he is getting a newer, bigger mower from his uncle). I saw it, and didn't think much of it................but then it kept sticking in my mind throughout the day. I decided later that I had to go check it out. After realizing that I could get it for $200, I didn't care about its exact condition, I had to have it. I headed to the ATM, picked up the dough, and drove her home.
This is her:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24528&stc=1
She does need some TLC, and my plan is to give it to her. The cosmetic work needed is obvious, she needs a "makeover." The mechanical problems are what I am working on now. The main problems are on the deck. If you engage the PTO (belt driven), the deck wobbles like mad!!! the previous owner thought the blades were out of balance or the belt tensioner was bad. Well, he was wrong on both accounts. The blades are like new, although worn, there is only about 1/8" 'cut' from them and they will sharpen/balance just fine. The tensioner pulley has a slight wobble, but it main problem is in it's mounting plate, which needs a shim or two. The real deck problem is that one of the three blade pulleys/shafts simply doesn't want to turn at all. The other two are a hair rough, but this one REALLY doesn't want to move. I plan to remove all of them, clean them up, regrease them, and reinstall them........with the hope of that there is no real damage to the locked up one. With that, and a little grinding/sanding/painting to the rest of the deck, it should be good to go. The PTO and deck belts need replacing, and I need to come up with the "generic" sizes to them, because the MTD brand belts are $$$$, and that is what is actually installed on there.
Getting the deck right is priority #1. The engine, although strong, does "hunt" pretty much constantly. I plan to stick an air filter on it, replace the plugs, and hope for the best. The carb was, supposedly, rebuilt recently, although I don't quite believe this, so I may go ahead and do that. If anyone is familair with small twin cylinders, and knows about a common "hunting rpm" fix, PLEASE let me know.
HEHE, that is a LOT of typing......................that is all until I make some progress! :D
And okay, I started a thread, basically, in the Body Work forum, but for whatever reason, I decided to start another thread, simply because it goes farther than just body work, and I am bored right now and feel like e-talking.
And I know that most people won't care, "so what Robb, you got a POS mower?" But I look at this differently. I see this as a milestone!! :) Getting your first tractor IS a big deal! I didn't even notice this until I took my first ride on mine. I have spent many an hour on my parent's Wheel Horses, and friend's Ford 9Ns and 2Ns, but having your own is COMPLETELY different!! That there is MY ride!! :thumbsup: Remember, after age 21, milestones get fewer and farther apart. There is getting married, having kids (and witnessing the wonderful things they do), getting that hopeful promotion, and then retirement................like I said, few and far, so this a big deal to me. :p
My tractor "appeared" to me early Saturday morning. A neighbor of mine was selling it (he is getting a newer, bigger mower from his uncle). I saw it, and didn't think much of it................but then it kept sticking in my mind throughout the day. I decided later that I had to go check it out. After realizing that I could get it for $200, I didn't care about its exact condition, I had to have it. I headed to the ATM, picked up the dough, and drove her home.
This is her:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24528&stc=1
She does need some TLC, and my plan is to give it to her. The cosmetic work needed is obvious, she needs a "makeover." The mechanical problems are what I am working on now. The main problems are on the deck. If you engage the PTO (belt driven), the deck wobbles like mad!!! the previous owner thought the blades were out of balance or the belt tensioner was bad. Well, he was wrong on both accounts. The blades are like new, although worn, there is only about 1/8" 'cut' from them and they will sharpen/balance just fine. The tensioner pulley has a slight wobble, but it main problem is in it's mounting plate, which needs a shim or two. The real deck problem is that one of the three blade pulleys/shafts simply doesn't want to turn at all. The other two are a hair rough, but this one REALLY doesn't want to move. I plan to remove all of them, clean them up, regrease them, and reinstall them........with the hope of that there is no real damage to the locked up one. With that, and a little grinding/sanding/painting to the rest of the deck, it should be good to go. The PTO and deck belts need replacing, and I need to come up with the "generic" sizes to them, because the MTD brand belts are $$$$, and that is what is actually installed on there.
Getting the deck right is priority #1. The engine, although strong, does "hunt" pretty much constantly. I plan to stick an air filter on it, replace the plugs, and hope for the best. The carb was, supposedly, rebuilt recently, although I don't quite believe this, so I may go ahead and do that. If anyone is familair with small twin cylinders, and knows about a common "hunting rpm" fix, PLEASE let me know.
HEHE, that is a LOT of typing......................that is all until I make some progress! :D