stuart
01-15-2011, 09:32 PM
There was a thread a while back about shop 'moments' but this is strictly tractor related.
Finally got some snow this week, but it ended up being very wet and heavy, slushy ice underneath. We have an uphill driveway, with one spot on a bit of a side slope. Everybody here knows that if you lose traction there driving a front wheel drive, STOP. Any movement will get the front end to slide sideways and down onto the grass. So my daughter properly left the car there when she came in from work, 10 pm.
I was a bit pleased - finally able to play in the snow, and a real job to do as well. I hooked up the portable winch cable, figuring to use the tractor as an anchor, but it easily pulled a car more twice its weight up the hill & to the flat area. That was the good part.
Problem 1 - There was this black lump on the driveway - the remains of my flashlight. Oops.
Problem 2 - Tractor stopped running and did not restart. Maybe the summer fuel had gelled. Oops - forgot to check the fuel level. At least it stopped right under my yard light. Add some more fuel - less than a quart in the jerry can. Get the wrenches & bleed the lines. Easy job, but not in the dark in the snow and rain. I am supposed to have the driveway clear for 8:00 am, people coming early.
Problem 3 - Hands a bit numb, crank it over, that doesn't feel right. Key broken off in the ignition.
At that point it was about midnight, so I gave up and went inside to thaw out in a nice warm bath.
Got it working fine in the morning, no permanent harm done. Must try to be less careless next time.
Finally got some snow this week, but it ended up being very wet and heavy, slushy ice underneath. We have an uphill driveway, with one spot on a bit of a side slope. Everybody here knows that if you lose traction there driving a front wheel drive, STOP. Any movement will get the front end to slide sideways and down onto the grass. So my daughter properly left the car there when she came in from work, 10 pm.
I was a bit pleased - finally able to play in the snow, and a real job to do as well. I hooked up the portable winch cable, figuring to use the tractor as an anchor, but it easily pulled a car more twice its weight up the hill & to the flat area. That was the good part.
Problem 1 - There was this black lump on the driveway - the remains of my flashlight. Oops.
Problem 2 - Tractor stopped running and did not restart. Maybe the summer fuel had gelled. Oops - forgot to check the fuel level. At least it stopped right under my yard light. Add some more fuel - less than a quart in the jerry can. Get the wrenches & bleed the lines. Easy job, but not in the dark in the snow and rain. I am supposed to have the driveway clear for 8:00 am, people coming early.
Problem 3 - Hands a bit numb, crank it over, that doesn't feel right. Key broken off in the ignition.
At that point it was about midnight, so I gave up and went inside to thaw out in a nice warm bath.
Got it working fine in the morning, no permanent harm done. Must try to be less careless next time.