Repair/mechanic tricks and or tips?

[Bret4207]

Bret, Thanks so much for the tip. I have been trying to get by with just my Leatherman but thanks to your suggestion I will be putting a rock in the tractor. Any size recommendations or other rock selection tips?

Pat

Sometimes you can get by with a fist sized rock, sort of the 16oz. ball pein equivalent. Other times it takes the 3 lb drilling hammer equivalent, otherwise known as "A big mutha rock!" Make sure you have the warranty address to Leatherman before applying either!

 

[BTDT]

Here is a tip given by JerryG, requested to be moved here by woodchuckie. It concerns driving tractor with loader and a flat front tire.

How to get back to the house with a front flat?
If you have a loader you won't need to take the tire off out in the sticks.
Raise the front of the tractor off of the ground.
Push the tire that IS NOT flat down.
Put a piece of wood between the axle and the frame. Some tractors have a pad at the right place for an axle stop.
When you let the front down, the flat tire should still be off of the ground. If it isn't, it will at least have taken the pressure off of the flat tire so that you can drive it home. I don't recommend driving fast because you are now essentially driving a three wheel tractor but it will get you home.
My farm is a mile from my house. I have driven different tractors home this way several times.

 

[patrick_g]

Put a piece of wood between the axle and the frame.

Great... I have to carry my leatherman, 2 rocks, and NOW a board.

OK, what size board?

I suppose carryting a small inexpensive aerosol can of "INSTANT SPARE" or maybe "FIX-A-FLAT" is out of the question. IT is smaller than a board...

Pat

 

[scott_vt]

OK, what size board?


Pat

Mornin Pat,
Each tractor will probablly slightly different as far as distance from top of axle housing to frame or stop, but I would think a short length of hardwood oak etc about the same physical dimensions as a 2x4 should probablly do the trick ! you could always let the air out of one tire and experiment !

 

[patrick_g]

Mornin Pat,
Each tractor will probablly slightly different as far as distance from top of axle housing to frame or stop, but I would think a short length of hardwood oak etc about the same physical dimensions as a 2x4 should probablly do the trick ! you could always let the air out of one tire and experiment !

Thanks, Scotty, I needed that! As soon as I get off of "light duty" that will be one of the first few hundred things I do. I hope letting the air out at the valve stem will work OK instead of actually running the tire over something to make it go flat.

While a can of instant spare won't do much for a rear tire, a CUT typically has tires in front small enough so that it would work. Of course if the flat tire is a ruined tire with a huge gash in it then the 3 wheel approach would be a real handy thing to have heard about.

Thanks to Jerry for the good suggestion. Since I added slime about 5 years ago I have not had a flat tire but a really badly gashed tire is still possible.

Pat

 

[woodchuckie]

I've never had a hole causing a flat on my tractor. I just roll the tire off the rim by running it with too little air. That little trick will come in handy for me.

 

[Rara Avis]

A DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!
whenever I start to work on a project with more than one step...
I TAKE PICTURES!!!
very helpful if I get interrupted and don't get back to a project for a week or so...

For Eample: Small Engine Carburetor rebuilds...Pictures make it possible...
especially trying to remember where all the external rods connect...

 

[patrick_g]

A DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!
whenever I start to work on a project with more than one step...
I TAKE PICTURES!!!
very helpful if I get interrupted and don't get back to a project for a week or so...

For Eample: Small Engine Carburetor rebuilds...Pictures make it possible...
especially trying to remember where all the external rods connect...

Excellent, Paul. Why didn't I think of mentioning that??? I have photo documented take down and rebuild activities before.

Unfortunately I have often told myself that a particular task will be too easy and completed too quickly and that taking pix is overkill only to get interrupted or discover too late that things are a tad more complicated than anticipated and wish I had taken pix.

Like gee, what is the actual cost? Maybe a charge cycle for the camera and a couple pennies in amortized wear.

Thanks again for bringing it up, Paul. I need to be a little more inclined to photo document mechanical teardowns.

Patrick

 

[Richard]

one thing I'll do when I open a new can of bar oil (chain saw)

I'll take the lid off and find the seal over the mouth of the jug. Instead of taking the seal off, I'll take a screwdriver and simply impale a hole in it, probably smaller than a pencil. I'll make the hole near what would be the lower lip rather than in the middle.

When I "pour" the oil out into my saw it comes out in a very nice, relatively thin stream and can be VERY controlled. Every now & then I'll stop filling the oil so I can burp some air back INTO the jug then fill again. You can also give the jug a gentle squeeze to help expel the oil. Also...if you are like me and accidently knock the jug over it'll give you a chance to minimize the mess.

I've also had enough experiences with it coming out and overfilling the tank leaving oil everywhere.

 

[patrick_g]

one thing I'll do when I open a new can of bar oil (chain saw)

I'll take the lid off and find the seal over the mouth of the jug. Instead of taking the seal off, I'll take a screwdriver and simply impale a hole in it, probably smaller than a pencil. I'll make the hole near what would be the lower lip rather than in the middle.

When I "pour" the oil out into my saw it comes out in a very nice, relatively thin stream and can be VERY controlled. Every now & then I'll stop filling the oil so I can burp some air back INTO the jug then fill again. You can also give the jug a gentle squeeze to help expel the oil. Also...if you are like me and accidently knock the jug over it'll give you a chance to minimize the mess.

I've also had enough experiences with it coming out and overfilling the tank leaving oil everywhere.

There are small plastic pumps which will fit the hole on a gallon size bar oil and dispense the goo very neatly. I haven't tried it (YET) but I suspect that the pump that comes on a gallon jug of Slime would work fine with bar oil.

Even less spillage if you overturn the container and great control. When pouring I find by the time I see the level is up to the top it is over the top. Not a problem with a pump as it quits as soon as you stop shoving on it.

Pat