4016 Muffler repair and new deck belt tension spring

[Spike188]

The 4016 with Onan was getting very noisy at the end of last mowing season.

Getting ready for the first mowing of the season today the muffler was removed.

and welded back together

Bob sent a box of belts, blades, and tension springs to Oklahoma which were picked up a month ago. That was and expensive way to beat customs and duty. 2300 miles, 2 motel bills, and a few meals. At least gas was cheaper back then.

While putting the new tension spring on the RM60 deck, a crack in the mule was found. While the welder was out the mule got a quick repair

before the spring was installed.

Wow, what a difference the proper spring and belt makes in grass discharge.

Spike

[Dave180]

Probably alot quieter now

[Eugen]

Must be nice to whip up that welder and fix up stuff! Nicely done!

[Spike188]

That weld is commonly known as chicken crap. The metal was thin, rusty, and the breeze was blowing the mig gas away. I considered using oxy/acetylene and steel wire filler. It would have made a prettier bead. The problem I would have had with the tourch method would have been burn back. It would have required a very small tourch tip and flame.

Spike.

[Harry]

That weld is commonly known as chicken crap. The metal was thin, rusty, and the breeze was blowing the mig gas away. I considered using oxy/acetylene and steel wire filler. It would have made a prettier bead. The problem I would have had with the tourch method would have been burn back. It would have required a very small tourch tip and flame.

Spike.

Hit it with a grinder Spike and all's well!

Keep the Peace
Harry

[JSinMO]

That weld is commonly known as chicken crap. The metal was thin, rusty, and the breeze was blowing the mig gas away. I considered using oxy/acetylene and steel wire filler. It would have made a prettier bead. The problem I would have had with the tourch method would have been burn back. It would have required a very small tourch tip and flame.

Spike.

Chicken crap weld or not, the muffler will go back to work. If I would have tried to weld that it would have more holes in it when I was done than before I started! Good catch finding that crack.

[Spike188]

Putting the new blades on this evening and found this.

This has to be fixed Now. The mig gas bottle is empty so this is the end of this project until tomorrow.

The plan is, back the drive pulley nut is off a few turns and push the shaft toward the blade mount. Rest the drive side of the shaft on a steel block to push the shaft through the bearings a bit. Then the blade bracket can be timed and leveled on the loose shaft. Tack welding the bracket to the shaft and stich welding should keep things cool enough to complete without pulling the bearing assembly. When everything is cooled tighten the drive pulley nut and go back to mowing.

Another reason the 646bh is not finished.

Spike

[Timj]

Anybody else having trouble getting welding gas and oxygen?

[DavidBarkey]

That weld is commonly known as chicken crap. The metal was thin, rusty, and the breeze was blowing the mig gas away. I considered using oxy/acetylene and steel wire filler. It would have made a prettier bead. The problem I would have had with the tourch method would have been burn back. It would have required a very small tourch tip and flame.

Spike.

That is a perfect example why I use flux core a lot on that stuff . Gas is great for pretty welds on clean stuff but can't beat flux core for dirty stuff . My welder buddy calls it farmers wire LOL.
And ya welding gasses are in short supply all over . @Timj

Dave

[Eugen]

@Timj you can have my bottles as I'm deathly afraid to use them.