Snow - YIKES!!!
Another couple hours mowing, but before that I spent some quality time working on the mower. Gearbox had worked loose so I got that tightened down with my recently acquired Ryobi 18v impact wrench. Worked well. Also took apart the slip clutch, could adjust any more. I could be wrong, but I highly suspect it never had 2 clutch discs as shown in manual, just one. Absolutely no evidence that there had been another that I wore out, not even a bit of dust. Cleaned up and put back together. I suspect springs are getting old and need replacing, the rusted bolts sure do. But I added 2 heavy duty washers, 1 each side and got tension. Also ordered new discs.
I’ve had this mower 15 years, but suspect it was never set up right, although dealer said it was. A week after I bought (with my Kioti) I put everything in a 20ft container and shipped off to Hawaii. Been self educational ever since. For years, I’d go thru shear bolts. I think my record was 6 in a day. I figured I was just being too aggressive. Then I read something about adjusting the slip clutch and it’s been amazing. I put in new shear bolt today, but it was only slightly distorted, not broken. Last time I tried to adjust clutch tension there was no more bolt adjustment. Very pleased with the way it worked today, but looking forward to getting the new discs, springs, bolts and nuts. The metal surfaces weren’t scored or burned so likely won’t get them milled. I really need to rebuild the mower, but that’s another story and deserving on own thread once I start.