Archive through July 12, 2017

[mgwin]

Jason Wiggins,

Where are you?
I got to thinking about what you said a while back about your 23x10.50-12 tires being short.

Since mine are mounted now, I measured them.
Stood them up and laid a level across the top and used a yard stick.

Guess what, they are 23.5" tall!!
Did you measure yours half flat?

 

[digger]

Jason hasn't logged in about a month.

 

[wshytle]

Thanks (I guess) to all of the replies about my summer 2017 cub refurbish. I finished everything up today and it is one sweet unit now. The temps were so enjoyable especially if you like sweat. I'd go out and work for an hour or so then have to come in and dry out while drinking fluids.

I did find the lift arm button to be aggravating. I think I should have removed the rod and checked it out for proper size/wear. It acts like some PO did the welding trick using 3/8" rod instead of 5/16" for the ratchet as was done from the factory. We had this discussion a few years back and it hasn't been proven but a lot WAS said. The 5/16" works so much better in the 3/8" ratchet slots.

I did a little mowing with the 128 and it cut just fine. The blades are close to new plus I sharpened them of course. I have the throttle set at around 34-3500 rpms mainly because the engine has some age with a standard piston.

I just hope it last my friend for a good while. I left a few things for him to do like leveling the deck to his liking, etc. I'm looking forward to other things like mowing my grass and tending the garden.

I still have my trac vac to build too.

.

 

[wshytle]

George L.-

I quit counting after 25 hours.

.

 

[klorenz]

Marty Gwin,

Jason had his tires mounted on widened wheels. That made the tread lay flatter across which then made the tire shorter in height.

I only remember all this because I asked him if he could widen a set of wheels for me. I think his measured 9.5 inches wide instead of the usual 8.5 inch wide wheel.

Since I couldn't talk Jason into it, I just got done widening a set of 8.5 inch wheels to 11 inches wide for a set of Firestone 26-12-12's.

 

[hydroharry]

Hooray for Wayne

 

[wshytle]

Thanks Hydro but not yet...

I decided to remove the deck, put the tractor at about 45* and fix whatever is going on with the ratchet system part of the lift arm. I'm willing to bet a 3/8" piece of rod has been welded to the end and probably at an improper angle to boot. I've found most of them welded at a right angle or 90* to the rod. This allows the end to rotate away from the ratchet and not align plus the button usually stays down. The 5/16" rod has an angle bent on the end less than 90* which keeps the end in between a guide slot and 90* to the ratchet. When it's right it works "like butta" but when it's wrong like this one it's a constant pita. I can't see giving this issue to my friend to deal with. I understand what's going where he'd probably scratch a hole in his head trying to figure it out.

I'll post a pic Hydro after I'm completely done.

.

 

[wshytle]

What did I tell everyone???

My little Cybershot camera is showing it's age.

Well the PO did do a fair job welding the piece of 3/8" rod to the tip and the angle isn't that bad either. I can grind this down to work well I believe. The tube is full of rust and I had to gently work the button to unscrew. The inner rod didn't just fall out but had to be pulled/coaxed.

Just another chapter in my crazy saga.

.

 

[kmcconaughey]

Wayne,

 

[hydroharry]

Hey Wayne - your camera is working fine. Hopefully you can show us a pic of the rod after you re-work it, before you re-install.

And by the way, what's your trick for unscrewing the button. I only ever had one that I could unscrew. Others broke off and had to find another complete arm.

 

[wshytle]

Hydro-

To work the button I get the vise grips then take a rag and fold it to triple or forple. I wrap the rag around the button and get a good grip with the v g. I then just work it back and forth. If it's going to come out you will feel it start moving. They are easy to break so care should always be given here. Once it breaks the fun begins. It can be fixed by cutting off the bottom bend and pushing the rod out of the top. Once it's out it can be dealt with rather easily. I keep 5/16" cold rolled stock here and have made a couple.

The first pic is my friends (primed) and what I call an OEM inner rod...5/16" all of the way. The second pic is what you will usually find.

.

 

[sblunier]

1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" CRS round should be staples in every shop.......it's just way to useful!!!!

 

[mgwin]

Wayne,

Your friend is a lucky/blessed man!

 

[hydroharry]

Wayne - thanks for the tips on how you remove the button. Hopefully I'll remember that. Your friends rod looks nice (hmm, I mean in the pic).

Steve - fully agree, and since I don't have a shop, only a garage, I have to visit my friends shop a lot.

 

[mhomrighausen]

Any suggestions on getting the curved exhaust pipe threads to hold when they are worn down on both the engine and the pipe? I've a nice 104 engine with this problem? TIA!

 

[mgwin]

Marlin,

Good morning!

A new exhaust pipe, or a real nice used one may give you enough to hold, along with a locking nut.

If it does hold, and you can position it where you want it, you could put some high temp Loctite on it too.

If nothing else works, you could always fill the threads on the pipe and in the block with JB Weld and screw it in and let it set up.
This would be my last resort though, because I don't know if it would hold up to the heat.

 

[wshytle]

I'm finally getting ready to load the 128 and deliver it back to my friend which is about 40 minutes away. BTW, his name is Darrell and he's looking forward to using his tractor. Another friend of mine is going along plus we're using his trailer since mine is taking a break.

The lift rod works so much better now. I used a rifle cleaning rod to clear out some of the rust in the tube then greased everything well. The threads were only 1/2" or so so I cut them further for a better bite. I also installed him a set of the small side panels and they do look nice. He doesn't know the difference but the seat he bought/installed is about 4-5" too high.

I'll take a last pic and post it in a while. It's in works clothes but is still a nice unit.

.

 

[dschwandt]

Marlin, I have a pipe tap you could use in the block if you think it will gain you any threads.
I had to use it on the 104 and it seemed to help.
Let me know, I can send t down to you.

 

[wshytle]

Here it is down by my mud hole of a pond.

I've enjoyed it as always but, like last year, it was HOT! I could have done it in a more timely fashion had the weather cooperated. I estimate it took about 6 gallons of iced tea.

.

 

[hydroharry]

Wayne - that's a nice looking 128. Glad you were able to come up with a couple side panels. The dash tower is a little weak without them. I know your friend is gonna enjoy.