When things go wrong, they go wrong.

[JimR]

What started out as a very simple easy repair turned into a day of work. I didn't feel like working much on Sunday. I figured it would be a good day to adjust the valves on my 27 horse Cub Cadet. Mind you the dealer I bought this used tractor from told me that he had just done them when I bought it, HA. Never believe them unless you see them do it. I have put 250 hours on this machine in the last two years. Upon opening the hood I found that my oil cooler has sprung a leak. I cleaned it all up and found a the leak. It is not repairable of course and I will have to replace this. The valves were way the heck off. I want to say that they haven't been adjusted in many many moons. A few of them took a whole turn to tighten them up. No wonder my motor was clacking. Of course the valve cover gasket broke and I needed to make another as the dealers are closed on Sunday. The tractor runs like a quiet machine now. I go to drive away and lift up my MMM only to find the 3ph is not working now. Now I'm scratching my head wondering what the heck did I do to deserve this. There is a 1/4" rod that goes from the right side lift arm to a lever that controls the lift mechanism. This rod had broken way up under the tractor. The swivel on the other end had frozen up. Now I need to figure out a way to get the drift pin out of this lever that is 14 inches inside the underneath of my tractor. Viola, a thought comes to mind to use a pin punch, a steel tube and a foot long brass rod all taped together. This works out great. I get it all apart, weld up the rod and re-install it al. It works nice and smooth once again. While I'm at it, I figure I might as well make sure the adjustable side link gets taken apart and greased up. I should have thrown it away and just installed a new one. Again, it is Sunday, nobody's open. Two hours later, my largest pipe wrench, a pipe, tons of penetrating oil and I'm back in business. What did I do to deserve this torture on a hot summer day? At least it is all fixed now except for the slighlty seeping oil cooler. I don't even want to think about the price for one of them.

 

[Farwell]

I have days like that. Some days its just better to stay in bed.
Farwell

 

[knute_m]

Uhmmm! Isn't that how all projects are supposed to go?

Knute

 

[scott_vt]

Uhmmm! Isn't that how all projects are supposed to go?

Knute

Yep, of course only the ones that need to get done by yesterday

 

[JimR]

"I have days like that. Some days its just better to stay in bed.
Farwell"


Staying in bed is a great idea if you plan on never getting anything done. Plus I would stil have to fix it. Oh the pain of it all. Now I have a front hub weeping too. Hmm, I fixed that almost two years ago on the other side. It's a never ending things to do life I guess.

 

[EddieWalker]

You got it all done in one day!!!!

I've had them last all week, and on really bad repairs, it's taken me months to fix the problem. One day keeps it fun.

Eddie

 

[JimR]

EddieWalker]You got it all done in one day!!!!

I needed the tractor to screen some loam. I had no choice but to get the job done. Now I'm looking for a cheap replacement for that oil cooler. I noticed that it vibrates on the lower end as it is not fastened to anything. More than likely this is the reason for it failing. Once I figure out the pipe fitting size I'll try and locate something online for it.

 

[goaliedad]

I think it may be time for a NEW tractor! more seat tiem, less fix time.

 

[JimR]

"I think it may be time for a NEW tractor! more seat tiem, less fix time."

No new toys till I get the old farm fixed up and back to work making real money again. I'm on a long work list and short pay. I took today off. It is one of the most miserable days I have seen in quite some time. No extra funds right now for large toys. My tractor has tons of life left in it. I think she's saved me more than a few grand just hauling trees for and rebuilding the barn. Plus quite a few more grand doing work around the farm, moving bushes, pulling brush out, clearing land, splitting wood, mowing and rebuilding my access road and culvert pipe. Dang, when I think about it. I think she has already paid for herself in the last two years. She owes me nothing now.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Jim,

I know what you are talking about. Some days are just hit after a kick. When I was using sears 42 inch lawn tractor to mow our land it broke down almost every week.

I hate fire drills like that - always trying to have a backup and prefer maintenance to fixing stuff, but sometimes it just happens.