Randy, your family is still in our prayers. Be sure to talk with loved ones to help. Thank you for keeping us updated.
I see the warm spell that is going to be near 90F will also reach Denver and get up to 70F.
The saga on the 5420 front tire (that I took on and off 3 times) appears to be at a stalemate thanks to some Slime sealer. I sure didn't want to use it, but caved and it seems to be doing a great job. I just know that over time, the stuff drys out internally and things go downhill.
I got the steering wheel tilt adjustment fixed, but need an oring to put the deere symbol center cap back on. I adjusted the main clutch cable, and the PTO clutch cable.
I got a lot of shredding done. But the blades were so dull, they were the prime reason for the PTO clutch and PTO shaft clutch having problems. I was going to pull the bushhog off and stand it up to grind/sharpen the blades, but had trouble getting the driveshaft off the PTO shaft. Had to remove the big spring that holds the ball retention collar, remove the balls, and still had to tap it off. Got a file on the tractor's shaft to debur the high spots caused by the balls. Then I lost a ball. So I went to the deere house to get a ball and one of my favorite parts guys offered me a $42 per blade price for new blades. So I bought 2 new blades, a new retention ball and headed home with a bit of worry in the back of my mind. Folks, if you haven't ever changed out Bush Hog blades on a 286 shredder, I would recommend you ask your dealer what they would charge to do it. It is NOT an easy task. This is my 3rd or 4th time to change theses and I keep telling myself that NEXT time, I'm going to pay to have it done. Well, next time was yesterday... To do it, you will need a large amount of brute strength, fair amount of tools, at least one, 5 lb sledge, and a bottle of Advil. It takes a 5 or 6 foot cheater, 3/4" breaking bar on the 1 11/16" socket to start. My 3/4" blue point Snap on impact wouldn't even come close to breaking the nuts loose. Maybe if I had a really big airline and about 175psi....But getting the nuts off isn't the hardest thing. Getting the keyed, pressed in, BushHog blade bolts out is a chore.... Once you have the bushhog raised on safe jack stands, you have to put something under the blade or adjacent stump jumper like a 4 x 4 cut to length, to shore it up from the bottom while you hammer the bolts downward. This is where the 5 lb sledge comes in handy. I also have a really large 3lb ball peen to place over the bolt to use as something to hammer on, holding it by the handle. This operation, will make you curse. Also, put on some ear protection to keep the Advil necessity to a minimum. Once you get the bolts driven out, clean them up with a wire wheel and I like to put some anti sieze on them (for next time
).
My daughter has her friend over and they are making pancakes for breakfast. A real comedy show. Hopefully they get fed. Coffee on the way. More shredding today after I adjust the Bush hog drive shaft clutch a bit tighter. Might be time for some new springs, clutch plates, and bolts. Another hunerd dollars...Why does everything hundred dollar one nearly to death or so it seems?
