Recent content by Old_Paint

Another suggestion is don't overtighten threaded PVC. I put THOUSANDS of Schedule 40 fittings in swimming pools back in the 70's and early 80's. The secret is a good thread sealer that also helps lubricate the threads as they're tightened so that the plastic threads don't gall and stick...

I was just digging on the tires. That’s a pretty neat looking tread that shouldn’t be too hard on turf, but aggressive enough for most tractor work (besides mowing).

The ‘ 83 Tecumseh was pretty tired, I’m already a step ahead of you. The original engine used as much oil as it did gasoline, if I could get it started. I think the rings are seized, but can’t find a source for parts, so didn’t open it up. I happened to catch the 6.5 HP Predator on sale for $89...

That’s how my brother taught me to swim.

Why did that remind me of “The Gods Must Be Crazy”?

I actually have all the original literature for it too. Even the Bill of sale from TroyBilt and the BOL from the trucking company (Floyd & Beasley). I know where I get my packrat mentality from now. The owners manual and parts manuals are like brand new. My mother never took them out of the...

Thanks for the correction and the info. I had to go back and dig out the invoice to make sure I was wrong. Dunno where I got '76 from because I just looked at the invoice and it was ordered 10/03/83. It's definitely a PTO because I've taken the tiller diff off it. My folks were still...

I have a ‘76 model that my mom bought after I graduated high school and left home. It’s the model that was designed to allow other attachments such as a generator, but I think TroyBilt elected to not get into the attachment biz. I’m thinking it probably had something to do with the changing...

Yeah, she might even get away with justifiable homicide.

I owe WR Long an apology. I did not buy the 3FV kit from them, but instead bought the Summit kit. Now that I know what I know, words of wisdom are the retainer “nuts” for the solenoids on the Summit kit valve are plastic (non-ferrous/non-magnetic) so they don’t get magnetized and stuff sticks to...

Had an intermittent problem opening the grapple this morning. Hmm, what now? At first I thought it was the control switch because the closing switch went wonky a couple years after I got the 3FV kit from Long. Just a minor issue then that it wasn’t securely fastened to the support, easy fix. I...

I wish I could let my girls free range. Too many predators, mostly uncontrolled domestic animals that are probably fed chicken flavored feed. I’d hate to have to leave a collar in someone’s mailbox, but wouldn’t hesitate to protect the girls. The best protection is a coop with a large run. We...

I thought you just had some chickens that were hard to move. Is that a BB1248? Didn't notice at the time, but I got a BB1248 with my tractor package. It probably would have been OK if I had standard size R1 Ag tires on it, but I've got oversize R-14's which make the tractor have a 54" track...

Makes me kinda glad that I don't have bolts in my wheels other than the lugs. Not saying what I have is better in any sense, though. I'd surely have missed those too, and my luck isn't nearly as good as yours. With my luck, that bolt would have found a way to stand on end and go through a...

I had a very similar incident with two boys who showed up on my doorstep in Kentucky. They were soaked, muddy, and had two dogs with them and it was just getting dark out. Hmm, what’s this about? I asked the older one if they were lost, and he confirmed. But also said he knew where he live...