Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

[beenthere]

Mark has a good channel too. And like The Eddie as well. 

[GRANITEstateMP]

Just gotta throw some money at the lawn tractor.

Nothing I hate more than throwing money at a lawn mower/tractor.  They really don't make those like they used to!

[caveman]

I did not see the Amazon truck arrive today, but my wife told me that there were packages in the house.  In about 15 minutes, my friend Brian and I had the new belt tensioner and belt installed.  I hate working on my own stuff that I rely on, but I'm glad to be back on the road with my 25-year-old truck that should be ready for my 90-mile commute next week.  

A couple of weeks ago I had a new clutch installed.  The new one slipped, and I had my mechanic friend order a new LuK clutch.  Now the new one is not slipping, but I think we'll probably still swap it.

Every time I consider a new coat of paint for the truck, something more pressing crops up (AC, belts and pulleys, injectors, etc.).  It may get a fresh coat one of these days.
 

[Magicman]

Paint the truck a different color and your neighbors will think that you got a new one. 

[rusticretreater]

A couple of weeks ago I had a new clutch installed.  The new one slipped, and I had my mechanic friend order a new LuK clutch.  Now the new one is not slipping, but I think we'll probably still swap it.

I replaced mine last year.  I ordered this really nice kevlar disc setup from Spec Clutches.  Apparently Spec makes out of spec clutches because it didn't work.  The pressure plate was misconfigured.  They then said since I had installed it they couldn't give me my money back but only replace it.  Jerks still owe me $400.  I ordered one from Centerforce and it worked no problem.

[Hilltop366]

Better use a brush or roller because all that noise with a rattle can will give it away.

[aigheadish]

My son's (mine) Camry is being a turd, so we'll be swapping out camshaft position sensors once they show up, and he's going to learn to fight an oil filter during his first oil change. The sensor looks like an easy fix, and replacement wasn't expensive, let's hope it works. It could also be a variable vale timing solenoid, which also look cheap and easy to fix. Here's to hoping either of those solve the problem. The sensor from O'Reilly's was 70 bucks and they were out of stock, I've got 2 of them coming from Cramazon for like 25 bucks. 

[TimW]

When it rains, it pours.  The telehandler's rear hub seal is seaming.  Yes, the same one I rebuilt last fall.  I just will keep watching it and adding 90 wt.

Now, I have noticed the Mahindra's right front wheel bearings making noise under heavy log loads.  That KMW loader lifts 3900 pounds.  Way more than the tractor can handle over the long term.  So I get to pull another planetary hub apart all over again, on a smaller scale.

My mistake on the noise from the front wheel bearings.  It was the loader just creakin' under all that weight. 

[TimW]

I spent a lot back in 2006 for a zero turn mower.  I got a good one.  A Hustler Fastrac.  I bought it because the deck front edge was 1/2" thick. The Honda engine is nice bonus too.  I was tired of rusted and bent decks.
After 19 years, the front wheel bearing decided to give up the ghost.  The pictured parts are actually suppose to be 3 parts.
The Honda's starter last 18 years.

[SwampDonkey]

My old 26 HP Kohler engine Craftsman 9000 is 17 years old now. 54" deck of 10 gauge steel, never rusted through yet and never replaced the deck belt yet either. The front rollers on the deck are getting a bit worn now. But it has been a great mower. It's actually a Husqvarna, says under the seat. I mow 1.2 acres here.

[TimW]

Back when the Craftsman name meant something.  I mow 4.5 acres here.

[doc henderson]

I am working on cleaning up the rust on the wheels, drums and backing plates for the front.  my brother has been having/recovering from surgeries for elbow and carpal tunnel.  I could do it myself but have only been slowed down long enough to feel like facilitating someone else.  I have a buddy/farm boy from hays, Ks who is a pharmacist at the hospital.  He has done a few older trucks and has good bending equipment.  we will see.  also refurbing a wood fired outdoor furnace to heat a firewood/heat treating box in the future.  pics later, if I feel like it.  (getting the hang of semi-retirement).

[rusticretreater]

Oh the usual.  Just about everything!  My daughters Subaru(hit a deer), my neighbors tractor(no start), my kubota(clogged fuel system-fixed!), lawn tractor(suddenly won't stay running unless full choke-still dies too), my pickup truck(new rack n pinion). But the sawmill is running fine!

[barbender]

Check your fuel line for flow on the lawn tractor. I just had to replace one last fall that was doing the same thing. Figured it needed a fuel filter, nope the line was shot.

[doc henderson]

When I walk into Lowes and I see all the red, I am excited for an instant thinking I am seeing Milwaukie tools, but nope, just all the junk they call craftsman now.  

[SwampDonkey]

We haven't had Craftsman or Sears here in Canada for 8 years now. But they were on shaky ground for a number of years before that.

[doc henderson]

Got more energy so working on the cosmetic stuff that makes an old truck go faster.  working on removing rust and grease and painting so it is all the same color.  might as well look nice when back together and be easier and cleaner to work on.



cleaned the backing plate.  note the blue creeper in the background.



4-inch masking tape.



throw it down loose



tuck it a bit



push it in and sheer it with a sharp object and now you can paint and not look like a kid did it.





primer and paint.  this is the backside of a front wheel.  the masking is hard to do, unless you find a way to mass produce.

[rusticretreater]

My man adding that cheap horsepower to his truck.

[TimW]

Looking faster already!

[barbender]

I always thought it added a lot of appeal when people have pictures of something for sale, and they couldn't bother to tape the tires when they do the Rustoleum rebuild. Even better if it is still parked where they painted it, and there is paint overspray on the ground😂

[Resonator]

I like to use the term: "Dupont Overhaul".

I've seen drywall finishers use a rigid plastic rectangle on a stick as a shield when painting around windows. Possibly make one with a cutout radius to hold against the rim as you spray. 
Or you could always dismount the tires off the rims...

[doc henderson]

for the right 2 duals, I did cut a thin piece of cardboard on the laser engraver and tucked it in, but it took more time.  this worked well.   I sprayed my first rim paint job at age 14 on my F100 ford truck.  I have owned this truck for over 30 years, and it was old but well cared for as a state truck and then owned by an individual who recorded all maintenance and repairs.  

[caveman]

Yesterday, the edger blades were ready to be changed after all of the dirty cypress we ran through the past week or so.  I need to order the split blades that CustomSawyer shared a link to.