New Member with a question

[sstephans]

Hi, Im a new member with a question. I have a small kubota tractor I use to mow my lawn mostly. We have a mouse that keeps building a nest in the engine compartment. The evacuator valve on my kubota air filter was completely chewed off by the mouse, is it safe to run the tractor without it, or can I fashion a facsimile with duct tape?

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[Baby Grand]

Welcome aboard!
Build It Yourself with ductape - you are on the path to megastardom here.
Sorry i can't help you with your question, but a picture of said mouse damage will get you a lot more responses and suggestions.
-Jim

 

[vwnotrunning]

Welcome

 

[namesray]

Hi, Im a new member with a question. I have a small kubota tractor I use to mow my lawn mostly. We have a mouse that keeps building a nest in the engine compartment. The evacuator valve on my kubota air filter was completely chewed off by the mouse, is it safe to run the tractor without it, or can I fashion a facsimile with duct tape?

welcome to tbn. i for one hate mice. i once had one build a nest in my air filter housing compartment of my b7800. full of chewed up fabric, grass, and seeds. luckily nothing on the tractor was chewed. as far as can you run it with out the evacuator valve, i am not an expert. i have seen large diesel engines where i work at the state transportation dept run without the little rubber flapper "evacuator valve" on the air filter canister, but not sure if it should. i think air flow actually blows "out" that area so not super critical, but without it there it might disrupt the "proper" air flow and cause the system to not work correctly. if it were me, i would not run it until i got it fixed correctly. if it is just the flapper that clamps/fits on the air filter canister, then just go get another one from your dealer. should not be too expensive and you won't have to worry. the tractor cost how many thousands?!!!!! if you absolutely needed to run it, you probably could run it and/or "rig" something up until you get the part, but i wouldn't do it any more then necessary. make sure if you do, not to completely close off the hole.

also i would be raging war with the mouse and future mice that are/will be causing the problem in the first place. i leave multiple traps in my shed all year round and put moth balls in the corners and around the shed inside walls. if you have it parked outside, see if there is a place you can leave a trap in the engine compartment. make sure it will have enough clearence to work and make sure the engine is cooled down. i wish you luck.

 

[Dennis Petty]

MICE - I hates mices to pieces. I found that the new Victor traps that have the large yellow paddle are death to mice. I bait the paddle with a little peanut butter and put the traps along the edge of the way by the garage door. I put the traps perpendicular to the wall and the mice seem to run along the wall and this year I trapped over 40 field mice as they came in looking for a wintering place. Things got slow for about a month but just today I noticed that I have two more in the traps. Now, if I had as good a solution for squirrles.

 

[namesray]

MICE - I hates mices to pieces. I found that the new Victor traps that have the large yellow paddle are death to mice. I bait the paddle with a little peanut butter and put the traps along the edge of the way by the garage door. I put the traps perpendicular to the wall and the mice seem to run along the wall and this year I trapped over 40 field mice as they came in looking for a wintering place. Things got slow for about a month but just today I noticed that I have two more in the traps. Now, if I had as good a solution for squirrles.

dennis, you and me are the same when it comes to mice and squirrels. i love those victor traps with the large yellow paddles. i have some "tom cat" traps that look the same. i have actually caught quite a few mice without anybait left on them. just put them along the walls tight or in corners. sometimes you have to think how a mouse would.:laughing:

i have actually seen a few squirrels get caught in a feed barrel at my mom's garage. it is a plastic barrel with lid. and for whatever reason there is a square hole cut in the lid. (might have been an old game feeder at one time.) when the feed in the barrel got low, the squirrels (red squirrels) couldn't reach the top of the lid to get out. instant squirrel trap. they must go into the barrel for food as there was grain in them. also a small metal wire "box" trap with black oil sunflower bird seed will also work. works on chipmunks too. other then that, squirrels, especially red squirrels are a major pest. very destructive and hard to catch or get rid of.

 

[TripleR]

Welcome to the wonderful world of TBN. I like duct tape, but I think I would just get the proper part.

 

[creekbend]

Welcome to the wonderful world of TBN. I like duct tape, but I think I would just get the proper part.

I agree. Using a new and proper part would most certainly be more dependable and reliable. BTW, perhaps you may choose to research the various threads and posts here on TBN regarding pests and vermin such as rats and mice infestations?

 

[sstephans]

Thanks for all the advice! i managed to drop by a local dealer when they opened this morning and picked up an evacuator valve for $12.95. As far as the mouse, I will have to be at piece with him/her/them, my wife only believes in natural control, but luckily the local snakes are on the job!

IM glad I joined!