Messing around in the shop

[Harry]

Terrific job Jeff. Very useful and like you said made with repurposed materials. Harry

[JSinMO]

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the comments!

That’s a good idea using tire chains for a tail net Mr. Dave. Not sure what I’m going to do yet. I think I still have the hinges off my grandparents old barn. Kinda thought about make some type of drop down end gate like a pickup.
Tim I get “talked too” about saving all these odds and ends quite a bit. Every time I use something from the old empire of dirt I always make sure my knows about it! I say see that why we save this stuff!

If my shenanigans in some way inspired anyone to take on a project I’d say that about the nicest compliment a fella could get, thanks Eugen!

[JSinMO]

Well fellas we ended up with the “C” sickness again. Thankfully this time hasn’t been as bad as before. No long illness this time. We’re getting back on our feet after a week of being pretty sick. I’m still tired but today was so nice I made myself get moving. I would have felt guilty to do nothing.

I decided to work on the brush cutter. The blades are stuck and pretty worn so the job is to break the seized bolts loose and change the blades out.
First order of business is to go get the 648 and flip the mower over.

I know you’re sick of hearing me say it, but I just can’t help it. Dang this thing is sure handy to have around!
The bolts that hold the blades on are really stuck. Out came the air hammer, rail road bar, big hammers, etc. I ended up with the 3/4 breaker bar and a big cheater pipe and they finally broke loose!

I cleaned everything up and went over the threads it all went back together smoothly! These aren’t new blades, but they have a lot more meat on them than the stuck ones that came off it.

All that’s left is to flip it back over and check the oil in the gearbox. But that will wait I’m ready to go in and relax for a bit!

[DavidBarkey]

@JSinMO Glad you are back on your feet again . Hardest thing for doers is not being able to do things . I am surprised you got it apart with out the use of the blue-flame spanner .

[Eugen]

Wish you a speedy recovery, Jeff. Looks like Spring there, no wonder you're getting the brush cutter ready.

[JSinMO]

Thanks guys. I thought I would need the torch as well but luckily I was able to get enough pressure on the bolts to get them to pop loose. I wish it was spring instead of just going into winter! There are still some holes in the deck I should patch but it’ll be ready when the grass starts growing again!

[JSinMO]

Well the rain stopped for awhile today and I just couldn’t sit in the house anymore. Didn’t really feel like starting any projects but Herbie the truck has been sitting awhile, good day to wake him up and run for a bit.

He was slow to come alive but eventually started. I think the battery is just about done.

We went for about a 5 mile drive it hummed right along! Not much of a trip, but, its the longest one this old truck has made in 36 years!

That was so much fun I hopped on the 446 and just putted around for awhile!

Kinda nice to just play around a bit with no need to get the tools out!

[Eugen]

Haha, I'm like that too, at some point I just need to get out and do something. Taking Herbie for a drive is something I'd enjoy for sure!

[JSinMO]

Well the weathers turned cold almost like it’s winter or something! Still pretty muddy around here but I had a little time this afternoon so I thought I’d stage some projects close to the shop to be pulled in and worked on soon.

The 446 got the call to be today’s tow motor. Since I don’t have a selector valve I did the quick and dirty. I raised the blade and ran a strap around it and unhooked the lift bar. Now I can use the 3 point without the blade digging into the ground. Redneck solution for sure but it works!

My crappy rewelded hitch it working just fine. Pulled the #37 mower around and couldn’t even tell it was back there.

Next I went and got the old David Bradly mower that’s been sitting in the weeds for quite awhile now.

The 446 has plenty of power to yank stuff around but those turf tires suck. Did a lot of spinning trying to pull the old mower out of the holes the tires sunk in. Had to sit on the fender to get traction and eventually it came out. At some point I’ll come across some weights or make some concrete ones.

This mower is old and not in great shape. I’m just not sure what I’ll do with it. Figured I’d pull it in the shop and go over it to see if I want to keep it or not.

That’s enough for today, time to go down to the house and get a cup of coffee!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all have a great start to the new year!

[Eugen]

You had some fun there. I did the same chain trick to my blade when I was using it on the 446.