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16

'round the pot-bellied stove / Be As Careful As You Know How To Be

« on: August 10, 2009, 08:29:29 AM »

West Bloomfield: Suddenly, August 7, 2009 at age 62. Survived by his wife--------------------------------------Sadly, another tractor fatality in our local area approx. seven miles south of my home.  The gentleman was working with a Massey Ferguson and a bush hog. For whatever reason the tractor wheels came too close to the bank of a small stream that passes through the property allowing the tractor wheels to drop , rolling the tractor.  The operator was later found in the stream, pinned under the tractor by a family member. I could speculate the stream bank may have been soft and gave way due to our large amounts of rain lately, but that is only speculation.

I know most of us are aware of these tragedies and may not need reminding, but I simply want to say "be careful" one more time.

Thanks for looking.

Charlie V.

17

John Deere / NYS Expo

« on: July 16, 2009, 10:55:12 PM »

We spent two nice days last week at the NYS 2 Cylinder Expo 2009.  Thanks to the Club Car recently purchased, I was able to get around the 100 acre show sight with ease. It almost makes six new deep cycle batteries worth the cost. I found a couple of badly needed JD parts at affordable pieces.  I have looked for these items for a long time and am pleased to finally have them.  I have the purchased XH 1026 mag cleaned and sparking well, on and running.  It will take a little longer to install my fan drive gears on the other tractor but at least I now have it's mag available for its use.  I did not take a hundred pictures of the usual tractors, but took a few of other machines that I do not have a computer full of already.  Some are posted in a new album on my page.  More to come as time permits.  I especially like the Waterloo boy and the JD/Lindeman crawler that are not up yet but will be soon.

Charlie V.

18

John Deere / Carburator cleaning and repair

« on: April 30, 2009, 09:40:21 PM »

Unzipped the carburator off the newly acquired L today.  This tractor had not been started in eight years prior to coming home with me.  I had it running, but the carb seemed somewhat irregular.  

I found a little rust and gum in the bottom of the bowl, but not bad for eight years of standing.  Cleaned that all up.  The interesting discovery was one of the two pods of the float was loaded full of gas.  A very small crack in the brass was allowing it to leak.  After a considerable period of warming and cooling all of the gas was expelled from the inside.  I created expansion and contraction to pump this gas out of a leak so tiny the fuel would not run out.  

Now for the solder job.  The trick would be to seal the leak with minimal weight of solder on the brass.  I used a touch of paste, a pencil iron, and flat strip low temperature solder.  For a task which I have only done once or twice prior, I was pleased with the results.  Tested the repair by submerging the float approx. eight inches deep in a container of gasoline for 45 minutes. Upon removal I could detect no liquid inside when given a good shake by my ear.  Looks like it is sealed up alright.

Back together and back on the motor.  For 70+ years old, it runs quite nicely now. Next task will be two new spark plugs and cleaning the magneto points. I will post a picture or two to show repair to the float in my interesting stuff album if you wish to look.

Charlie V.

19

John Deere / John Deere Model H

« on: March 08, 2009, 08:34:26 AM »

The JD H I posted the picture of here last year is a good little tractor, but has turned out to be a major head ache.  I soon found out the PO restore did not include fan drive gears and they are in sad condition.  New sets are available from JD, but very expensive.  I have picked up a decent gear for the fan shaft, but am still searching for a good mate to go on the governor shaft.  

I now have acquired another H which still needs a ride home. (this week perhaps)  This tractor has not been run in some number of years but shift forks, fan gears, etc seem tight and in good condition. It will need some time, work, and a lot of WD-40, but hopefully will be a runner.  Based on that presumption, it will not solve my fan drive gear shortage for H  #1.  I will add a picture or two  of H  #2 to my albums on this web site if anyone wants a look.

Charlie V.

20

'round the pot-bellied stove / Tasks Around Home with old iron

« on: January 27, 2009, 05:58:29 PM »

I have posted an album of some wood cutting done last fall.  Take a look if you wish.  We all have many home work and yard work tasks.  I would be interested to see what other members do and how you do it.  Which of your old or new tractors get utilized in these projects?  

Charlie V.

21

Truly Antique / Real Oldies

« on: December 01, 2008, 08:44:55 AM »

This will be an attempt to share a few pictures from the '08 Pageant of steam near Canandaigua NY this past summer.  It was interesting for me to see several large old machines that I had never seen before.  Enjoy.

Charlie V.