Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Driveway Erosion Control, ETC.

Not even 5 years old and apart for repairs -- workers are hard on equipment.
Although I assume this is a paid job so not so bad for you I guess.

 

I believe that has the KT-17 engine, Series 1 was not full pressure lube and could damage itself on hills, Series 2 was full pressure lube.
The worth goes up when the snow is deeper.

 

Weights and chains make a huge difference.

I have plowed with two 70's Fords (Jacobensen built), one had both, the other only the chains. My driveway is on both a hill and a slope and gets little sun -- s-o-b to plow. The tractor having both was far superior, especially at reversing.

 

It is a paid job, and YES, as glamorous as driving a Zamboni may seem, it’s essentially mowing the ice every hour or so for 15min, the normal operator has no care, just make it happen, “it’s not mine” attitude prevails. This rink has 2 sheets to cut, so the machine is (ab)used heavily.
Back in late Sept I showed up early in the AM to do a valve adjustment (regular maintenance) has to be done cold, Duder was just coming off the ice, bumped up to dump tank, raised the bin, and shut it down at 2700rpm. Exhaust manifold glowing cherry red….. wanna guess what the valves likely looked like ?
I had been warning this was going to happen for many months, and here we are.
I suspect the damage started when the fuel system leaned out end of ‘19, then things got shutdown early ‘20 into late ‘20 and I wasn’t able to effect a proper repair until almost Feb of ‘21 (no cash flow makes it tough). It’s been running rough since May/June, and really got bad last week. I can only do what they let me do.
Friday they didn’t have much choice, I ran the valves again, then started it and ran and it really sounded like crap, the laptop wasn’t showing anything unusual, but it takes a lot for it to set a code most times.
Did a compression test, 30, 170, 160, 180. Yeah, it’s not good. Time to dig deeper.
Was delivered to shop today, I jumped on it about 1pm, and had the head off by 3pm.
You see what I found.

 

Weights and chains are a game changer. My 318 doesn’t push snow well at all until I chain up and then it’s no big deal

 

Well... I'll slap some chains on it then. I figure I'll do that and then put weights on if necessary.

At least this little rig has a locker on it. It was pretty helpful today.

 

Operators can break a good anvil with a plastic hammer it seems...
Even if you give them something nice they treat it badly.

So glad I retired.

 

It’s my daily thrive, not much surprises me anymore.

 

Not much surprised me as the years went on. Disappointed me -- well that is another story.

I had operators bring in electric tools so hot that you could not touch the metal case of the tool and say "it was working fine and then just quit", the disappointing part is when it is a 45 - 50 year old male with 15+ years with the company.

 

I used to repair power tools for Morton Buildings ( the guy I worked for was friends with owners of MB and had started doing as a side gig, it became a business) MB “if it’s in the way, run it over, cost more to move it than replace/repair” we got crates of what was left, made one out of many, Skil saws, nail guns, air compressors, screw guns, name it.
Old Bostich N80 framing nailer, internals splattered to pieces because they were boosting the air to 175psi and driving resin coated spikes into treated timber “no renailing allowed”
And then there was just the regular guy using a worm drive 77 on a 50’ 14ga cord crying because it was smoking

 

I'm guessing this deck spindle gave all it could give.

Lol. This is my own leaf vac/mower for my '74 big wheel Case.

I've felt it vibrating the last 3 years. I just didn't realize it was this bad.

No biggie. I've been wanting to go through this deck for some time.

 

Got your moneys worth out of that one!

 

I compare it to split CV boots on our Toyotas.

I ain't repairing it until it fails.

The "pain in the ass factor" of the job outweighs the cost of the entire new part.

 

Check out this turd that I got talked into trying to fix.

Some sort of Cushman mower.

Needs the differential housing repaired. Not to mention about every movable point on the thing is wore out.

I'm really thinking this needs to go straight to the scrap yard. Looking it over, it will take a huge amount of labor to bring back to life. It will never be reliable and parts are rare.

I'll put it on the hoist next week...if I feel like it.

 

Probably a jewel in it's time. Probably can't kill the engine or hydro. Everything else wore out around it.

 

Picked up this 1954 Ford 800 series a few weeks ago. Not exactly sure which model it is yet as I haven't checked the serial number. I believe its an 860 though based on the live PTO. Grabbed a brush hog at the same time so I can clear some of the property to prep for building a new shop. First tractor for me and loving every minute of it.
Thats my pops taking her for a test drive.

 

Looks like a nice old Ford. Congrats

 

How bad is that hoe to get on and off?
Mine uses the 3pt arms to lift it up and pins to lock it in. That one looks like more of a pain.

 

That is the kind of stuff I optimistically drag home...
My "hey, that is cool" response frequently suppresses my practical side.