Phew! Easy fix!

[Frozen Assets]

Greetings gearheads! Well after a zillion years, my ancient L295DT started acting up. The tranny locked up solid when in reverse. And it shifted "funny". Not an amusing funny either. I had dire visions of big trouble. But since this old beast is a nice simple toploader gear machine, I yanked off the plate with the shifters and such and found out that it was just a case of worn fingers. The tops of the fingers that engage the shift levers had worn to the point that it was allowing the transmission to be in reverse and forwards at the same time. Kinda sorta explains the lockup, eh? So being in the wilds of Alaska, and a cheapskate to boot, I got out the suitcase wire welder, turned it down to the bottom and built up the fingers with some flux core E71T. Then I just ground and filed everything back into shape and she shifts like new. I was amazed at the condition of the gearbox after all the years of hard work this little critter has delivered. The gears all look like they just came from the factory. I don't know what they made them out of but it sure is some tough metal. Well, it is something to file away in your list of do this when that happens stuff!

 

[Tommy V]

It is always nice to hear of someone fixing their equipment without just R&Ring parts. More power to the shade tree mechanic!

 

[BotaBigot]

Great story! I've been a gearhead for over 50 years, so I can relate. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you can't just replace parts...you actually "fix" something. Plus, self reliance is most likely a pre-requisite for living in Alaska...

 

[rbcsaver]

What a great story. As I like to say, If I can't fix it, then it's truly broken!"
In the same theme, and not trying to hijack the thread, perhaps my experience can help all.
All of us motorheads know and love PB-Blaster. Recently, at either Tractor Supply or Lowes, I saw a can of Blaster 50, LT (Lawn Mower Tune-Up). I bought a can because of the name and it sounded good, because I have a 10 yr WeedEater brand blower/vac that has not been started in 6 yrs or so, and I did the worst, during moves, kept 2 cycle gas in the machine. I also have a 35 yr old Snapper hand mower, V210 model, that has always been a bear to start.

I pulled on the 2 cycle WeedEater for a week, without so much as a "cough." I pulled the plug and used the PB50-LT as instructed. 2nd pull it started, and has run fine in the last 2 wks.

I took the 35 yr old Snapper mower (V-210), with a Briggs & Stratton motor out of the top of my shed. I was always a bear to start, but has set idle for a at least 6+ years. I drained the coal like oil. The small amount of orange juice-like gas and old grass fragments where removed after dilution with starter fluid and suctioned. I followed Blaster-50 instructions, plus shot some of it, plus some starter fluid into the carb. It started on the first pull!

They still start on the first pull, more than a week later. I can't tell enough ppl how great this American Product is!!!!!!!!!

I then put it into my 27 yr old Gravely garden tractor and turned it over by hand before auto cranking with a starter. Remember. liquids are NOT compressible.
regards, Steve

Again, no connection, other than a very happy customer.
regards,
Steve

 

[Frozen Assets]

Thanks for the kind remarks folks! I suppose it does help to be kind of independant to live here, and you don't have to be nuts but it helps a lot! There are compensations though. A bull moose tromped right past the screen porch during supper tonight! Cute little fella! Only about eight hundred pounds or so. I like to fix stuff because it is rewarding, but also because I am a cheap chisler. I just wish the Challenger was as easy to work on as the Kubota!