At Home In The Woods

[PhysAssist]

We couldn't figure out why pur nicely sharpened mower blades were doing such a bad job cutting the grass last summer.

I mean I had just sharpened them myself.

Then the nice folks at Bentley Brothers came to pick the tractor up for our broken headlight unit to be replaced under the Kubota Protsction Plan (don't ask how the bungee accidentally got hooked to the hook protector and then snapped back when the bucket was uncurled, busting said lens) and noticed that the blades were mounted UPSIDE DOWN.

While I was able to sharpen the blades despite being on crutches and nonweightbearing due to my knee replacement infection, I could not get into a position to take off and put on the mower blades, so my nephew who was just turning 20, but had never ever even used a wrench prior to coming to help us was elected to be my hands.

Unfortunately neither of us remembered which way the blades had been facing when he removed them because of the same kind of dramatic process Obed just went through, but with 2 people involved- one (a left hander-me) directing a noob righthander in how to use unacustomed power and hand tools, a torch, and whatever else we could come up with to help.

For future reference, Darryl, our local Kubota dealership's manager, gave me a tip when we stopped by to pay the $250 deductible for our repairs (he threw in oil and lube, new blades, mounted and adjusting the mower, and new air and fuel filters). The tip is to remember "thumbs up", meaning that the turned up corners of the blade should point up towards the deck.

Nicely done Obed!

 

[gharms]

I kept my former home as rental income property, but I decided to pay the monthly maintenance fee to have a management company deal with the renters. Works so far very fine, and I have been doing this for 2 years now. However, this house is in a city, and the management company is near by.

 

[breadtrk]

Great read Obed, I feel as if we were brothers after this Saga. Took me the last 3 weeks reading to read it all. I was there and done that 20 years ago but without a tractor. I even framed my own walls and roof, subbed everything else out. Had to check every last item every sub did to make sure it was all good enough for me. I'm glad you were able to get mostly satisfied during your build. Also very glad to see you enjoying it now.

I have 4 rental homes and after 10 years of it I finally have all of them rented to good families who take care of them. I'm considering to sell 2 of them to the tenants who have been in the longest, one 9yrs and the other 6. They have made these their homes and it is only right to offer to them before putting them on the market. The other 2 I'm going to give one year notice of my intent to sell so they can find other places or some kind of financing to buy themselves.

I think my key to getting good results were really checking their references, a good lease agreement, and at first, frequent home checks until I had a feel for them. Never, ever, never, ever rent to family or co workers.

I have really enjoyed watching you become self sufficient with mechanical things.

I'm over here in Middle TN, if you are ever in Nashville, look me up.

 

[breadtrk]

Duplicate

 

[MotorSeven]

I really do hope you find a decent renter. Been there done that...won't do it again. I only buy re-furb and flip properties now....we lived those horror stories you have read about.

Btw...you need a bigger air compressor

 

[Obed]

I used the angle grinder to sharpen the mower blades. That angle grinder certainly has been useful. Thanks for the suggestion guys!

 

[Obed]

Great read Obed, I feel as if we were brothers after this Saga. Took me the last 3 weeks reading to read it all. I was there and done that 20 years ago but without a tractor. I even framed my own walls and roof, subbed everything else out. Had to check every last item every sub did to make sure it was all good enough for me. I'm glad you were able to get mostly satisfied during your build. Also very glad to see you enjoying it now.

breadtrk, wow, that's some perseverance to read through all this. Welcome to the thread.

I have 4 rental homes and after 10 years of it I finally have all of them rented to good families who take care of them. I'm considering to sell 2 of them to the tenants who have been in the longest, one 9yrs and the other 6. They have made these their homes and it is only right to offer to them before putting them on the market. The other 2 I'm going to give one year notice of my intent to sell so they can find other places or some kind of financing to buy themselves.

I think my key to getting good results were really checking their references, a good lease agreement, and at first, frequent home checks until I had a feel for them. Never, ever, never, ever rent to family or co workers.

I still haven't rented the place. The neighbor next door to the rental house has asked me if would sell it to his elderly mother. I would consider it. The mother looked at the house two days ago but I haven't heard if she is interested.

I have really enjoyed watching you become self sufficient with mechanical things.

Well, I'm still far from self-sufficient.

 

[Coyote machine]

I used the angle grinder to sharpen the mower blades. That angle grinder certainly has been useful. Thanks for the suggestion guys!

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Obed, Though one can sharpen blades on the mower it is best to remove them and sharpen them in a vise, then balance each blade on the little balance tool found in any hardware store. When you sharpen freehand there is much greater likelihood of being out of balance. Also while the blades are removed you should be checking each blade for straightness by laying one on top of another to start, and then if one seems bent check all closely. Also check for cracks in the metal or excessive gouges/cracks in the cutting edges. Do NOT attempt to straighten a bent blade, toss it/them and get new ones.:thumbsup:

 

[Jesse masterson]

Very thorough coyote! You forgot to tell one important detail!!!! Turn the motor off!!! Today you can't be too careful! Lol

 

[Jesse masterson]

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