Back to Jr John Deere

Having been given some solid input on the oil plug I went back to it. A few times the last week I've attempted to turn it but quickly get frustrated and walk away. Then, being a typical ADHDer I began looking at the trees and bushes around the house. HM, bet I can trim EVERYTHING. And also being a typical ADHDer...I'll get back to telling about that later. Because while slaying wood and repairing chain~saw, on one of my forays over for yet another try at the oil plug, I got it closed. I had finally sat down next to the Jr JD after a few successful turns and noticed I could see through the drain hole...but only partially Could that be significant? So reaching in and getting a hold of the knob I turned and saw a rod move inside the drain hole. AH HA! Keeping an eye on the hole I turned the knob, of course opening it further. OK, turning it the other way I saw the rod move past the hole until all I saw was rod....NO HOLE. Could it be closed? Only one way to find out......

I stood up and twisted off the oil cap and then took the cap off the gallon of oil-or what remained of it after pouring it in/out/in/out/in......of the Jr JD days ago. I poured and it didn't come out. After a bit of happy dancing I got enough oil in to register on the dip stick and then slowly got it to the 'full' spot. Score: Susan 2. Battery and Oil. Turned the key and cranking away but didn't start.

Next step was the spark plug. A friend visited that day who had happened to just change her spark plug on a mulcher. And said she had to purchase the tool to do the job. Now, my Dad-in my view-had enough tools to repair Boston. So in we went to search. But it seems as I recall that my brother had taken a large portion of the ratchet side of the wrench world. Gobel and I searched a while but no spark plug piece, although some handles which would fit in the tight space. When she went home that night she called and told me she would run her tool over the next morning in case it fit.

Going up to the house the next morning I hunted again. And I found a circular fitting about 2 inches long-so it would fit far enough into the spark plug shaft and when I looked at it, it actually said 'SPARK PLUG'. Duh!!!! Then I selected a handle which I could slide the fitting end to end in the tiny space. Popped it on and....step back Fred!!....it fit! Within seconds I had the spark plug sitting in my greasy hand. Cleaned it, went in and read the manual which told me how to test it. Out I go. Hm, maybe I should stick the end of it back in that little rubber cover before I hold it again a bolt attached to the engine and turn the key. YA THINK? Got a spark, reinstalled, turned the key, cranked away and didn't start.

Next the manual said to change the fuel filter. A bit more challenging got it off but somehow the fuel knob is exactly opposite what it said in the manual. After spilling quite a bit of fuel while fumbling about I turned the knob back onto the 'ON' position per the manual....closed. After I looked at all the fuel filters in Walmart and seeing none 'exactly' but 'looks like that MIGHT fit' picked up a Fram G12. Wrestled it on, knob to 'OFF' per book but on for my Jr JD.....turned key, cranked away but didn't start.

Next the manual told me to go to a John Deere repairman. Wanna bet???? Next I'm going to the carburetor!!!!

In My Effort to Get HELP Regarding Jr. JD

Blog Owner Disclaimer::: Yes I know I bounce around and yes I know I swear I'll post the 'next chapter' in Jr. JD, Pool Filter, my never ending stupidity in my attempts to 'fix or maintain'. But I've come to a hitch in my Jr JD. And as I haven't really STARTED that ordeal as in posting about it.......never the less......

On step 2 of my 'fixing the Jr JD-changing the oil-I managed to find-I think, well I hope-the little piece I turn to drain the oil out. And I did, I drained the oil out. And let me state for the record----as a smaller female with smaller hands it was possible to get my hand to the little piece. It was ALMOST impossible to manuever my digits once there. I tried my hand in numerous positions, I tried several different tools in numerous positions throughout this skit. But in retrospect getting the little piece turned and draining the oil went fairly well.

Then I turned it back the way I came and poured the new clean oil in~~~~and it also drained out quite nicely. &^%$%  I spent the next 2 hours moving that little piece both ways and tried to put oil in a few more times...and it also drained out very nicely. SO

I hunted about on the internet to see if I could find a place where, being anonymous I could asking 'Idiot Question #2365'. I did and waited. The 1st poster kindly offered some advice and 'if I wanted to post a photo it might help with giving an accurate answer'. The next poster gave me a link. The 3rd poster provided lots of chuckles basically calling me a mechanical illiterate and telling me to go buy a new mower. As a polite little 'unknown' I responded to the 'feedback'. The first poster responding to the 3rd poster told me I could look at it as passing the wimp test since I still wanted to tackle the Jr JD.

So since I'm uncertain as to how and if I can post photos into the forum itself, I've provided a link on my post and hopefully the 1st poster will take the time to click on my link and view the 'area'. And if he does, HEY I'LL BE POSTING ABOUT IT.

{Fred: "Heard that before"~~Alice:"Anybody want to bet?"}

From the top looking down 

1. The knob I turned to drain and turned multiple times in attempt to close

2. The exit point of the oil.

From the right side tire looking in.



And Now a Brief Message from our...

OK, just joking. Sort of. My Jr. John Deere has been elevated to 'no longer can do that tomorrow' status. And since I haven't updated or frankly even BEGUN that absorbing tale, I'll just explain why the alteration in status.

While the step by step toward repair of the Jr John Deere is progressing- it went on life support last October-I have been mowing the lawn with a Briggs & Stratton. Which no doubt has also not been serviced in the last 5 years. My Father was diligent about such things but the last few years it obviously was not done. I've been using the B&S and for the 3rd summer its hanging in there. Well, OK, its running. Fine...

It cuts the grass.....

 

Two of the covers on the engine have dropped off, I STILL HAVE THEM.

And that nifty little safety guard over where the grass blows out, its with the other 2 covers resting nicely in the Little House. Yea yea yea, covers are there for a reason, like maybe safety? But honestly the grass blows out much nicer without that little raise-able piece and I no longer have to take care driving around things. Somehow I was always getting stuck and having to pull it back, no doubt its why it fell off. Now I can make nice close runs right next to everything from trees to wheelbarrows.

Anyway, last week when I mowed the grass and went to refill the gas tank, as I turned the corner to the Little House where the gas can was, it seemed to be a bit difficult to steer. So when I released the bar and it stopped I inspected to see if anything was strange. Any guesses? Took me a moment also. The Briggs & Stratton is a sleek, classy, all black, mean machine, so had to look closely. Ahhhhh.....

My eagle eye detected the problem, METAL STRESS. The left side of the U shaped steering mechanism, otherwise known as the HANDLE broke. Now if I were able to weld and IF I hadn't already bartered away the welder in exchange for moving heavy items and a week keeping my dog-I could weld it. Moving past the obviously impossible, I reviewed my options. Jr John Deere-yea yea should have put more work on that already. Duct Tape? Used the last of it on the 1968 Pool Filter {upcoming post}. Then I landed on the answer. EPOXY. I still had some left from the above mentioned filter so I would epoxy it together. But that took 24 hours to cure and I was half way through the lawn. So, in my best 'if car won't go into reverse always park the car so you can pull forward' method.....I wrestled it back into the bracket and went on mowing. Initially I had to hold the lever down while I 1-armed it back in place a half dozen times. But then I realized it was popping out when I pulled it backwards. Piece of cake, I won't pull it backwards That worked pretty well but sharp turns and at times careful backing still would make it flip out of the bracket. But I got the yard finished. And without once yelling at the mower or threatening it with the sledgehammer. Cool. Before I left that night I epoxied it right good! Next time?

Long Stressful Week

Where to start? Last post I was gearing up to tackle the Junior John Deere and......summer. So over the weekend I called the gentlemen who assisted with the first load of metal. He volunteered to take items to the dump/landfill and would 'get' the Senior John Deere for metal. He stopped by Monday, we set up a time of 0900 Wednesday morning.

All points covered and plans rolling? The story of my life is 'if you think you have everything covered, OBVIOUSLY you have overlooked something'. Ya see, 2 weeks prior when he took the first load he mentioned his 'girlfriend' was looking for a rental as her lease expired 1 June. At that point the evening of the first metal day, our doorbell rang. Gentleman and girlfriend. Asked to look at the property, I handed over a key, they came back later, she handed me back the key, "it is a beautiful place", and left. No problem, guess renting issue was closed.

Now on Monday, after appointment for Wednesday is set, while I'm up 'working' at the house, my Mom calls. Says the gentleman and girlfriend stopped by and 'she' wishes to speak about renting. I come home, they come by, we talk.

Ya know, I have been stressed and alone the last 2+ years with everything from lawn/landscape, pool-an unending source of humor for OTHERS as I'm still at the bottom point of the learning curve {adventures will follow}, clearing, sorting, cleaning, organizing.......bet you get the BIG PICTURE. This summer I was just this side of anxiety attacks over how I would do all the lawn care and daily maintenance of the pool with no potential buyer in sight. THINKING, the rental would assist with those 2 specific tasks as well as people occupying therefore maintaining house the rental seemed the solution. She wanted short term, we offered excellent monthly terms. But although I didn't have a specific reason for the feeling, renting to her didn't seem to be alleviating my stress. Too many 'tells' during our conversation, in which the gentleman seemed to be signing up for all the work while she seemed to want the house completely empty of all our property. Out, not set aside, worked around or even gradually removed.

Well, between Monday at 1600 and Thursday at 1400 she demanded and fussed her way from--yes, I can rent you to NO, you won't be renting. I really must thank them both as my gut told me at the git go something wasn't according to Hoyle. And I would really enjoy thanking them both for Self Destructing in under 3 days. And the Senior John Deere is gone. And despite the gentleman being 3 hours late for the Wednesday appointment, arriving with 'she' and not announcing their arrival and steamrolling the 'dump' evolution on Wednesday that stuff is gone.

Oh, and the stress I was feeling Sunday over me~myself~I handling lawn/pool again all summer-buyer? sale? Who knows!-On Thursday at 1400 when I informed the parties of 'its off!'- it felt great. Now that is stress I can live with and frankly.....although I still don't know how I will manage....compared to the stress of those 72- hours. NO COMPARISON.

So now I'll be back about the Senior John Deere, Junior John Deere, Pool Stupidity 101 and the continuing struggle of all my Dad left my Mom and therefore ME to juggle. I just know I can hear him chuckling in my ear. But I also know he is still watching and directing the show.

Right now I have to go buy a battery for the Jr. John Deere, pick up parts to repair leaks in 2 places on the 43 year old pool filter, and mow the yard. I did get the unit to work and recirculate so that was a major win yesterday.

{Yea, Yea, Dad I'M WORKING ON THINGS}

The John Deere's

This one? I am insane but I'm not STUPID. This one I won't and can't fix. My recollection is that this was one we had in Maine. The one my Dad fixed....again....and again......again for the 27th time.......again for the~well, you get the idea. It was a nice tractor. If memory serves me correctly this is the one my brother drove into a tree while reading a book as he was mowing the yard. NOW THAT IS A FUNNY STORY and I'll tell it shortly. 

 After we had established ourselves in the old house on a former dairy farm, the John Deere became a requirement. This house? My parents bought as their retirement home after 25 years of Naval service. My Dad loved it my Mom hated it. The house that is not the lawn.  The lawn had bit by bit, been extended via mowing a bit more as time went on. I was in college and then in the Navy and my brother in grade school through the first year of college. I mowed when home and my Dad did most of the mowing, that little 'I can do it myself personality trait'.

This tough tractor had come to Pennsylvania when my parents moved from Maine back to the area where they were born. And for over 20 years it mowed the much smaller lawn, which was a good thing as the frequency of repair was quickly overtaking the frequency of it working. So now over 2 years since Dad passed plus the year before that when he just didn't have the energy to work on it, the John Deere had been sitting in the corner of the cement slab at the back of the house.

,

What was the problem that needed repair 3+ years ago. No Clue. And that question provided one of the few genuine non stop laughs for me last summer. The man we had living at the house last summer asked that question, "What is the problem?"

Hm, you can pick a picture and select any of the available OBVIOUS ONES. But the man asking me that question last summer, as we stood beside the tractor, he didn't need a photo. And what he earned with his question my well honed look of 'Were you born that genetically stupid or is this level of stupidity something you worked very hard to achieve?' So I gamely pointed out a few of the more OBVIOUS ISSUES.

1. Flat Tire

2. That belt hanging on the cement under it

3. The fact that the front wheel seems to have 'set free' the rods which help it steer

4. Mower deck sitting over against the wall

5. Same mower deck a bucket of rust

6. Blades need cleaning and sharpening as their only ability at this point would be to whirl, make noise and bend a blade of grass but not CUT IT

6. The seat? Yes, its there but its facing backwards no doubt due to the fact that its not actually attached to the tractor. Piece of information here:Riding Mower=Sitting to Mow

7. Been 3 years + so without turning the key suspect the battery is DEAD.

8. OH, but can't check to see because doesn't seem to be a key anywhere

Guess the man thought I didn't understand the question so he clarified it for me. "No, what was the initial problem?"

That is when I started to laugh. And I couldn't stop laughing. But did manage, between guffaws, to list 1-8 again. At that point I think my Father began using the man to channel himself from the other side, as the man barked "FORGET IT, JUST FORGET IT!" And went inside. Me? I stayed outside and laughed for the next hour. And when I managed to stop laughing,  I'd walk by the tractor or just flash on the look on the man's face during the little comedy sketch we just played out... and start laughing all over again.

I know what the man was asking because his question reflected how my Dad's mind worked. IF it could be determined what 'original' issue had caused the tractor to need repair was identified......then that would be the starting point to troubleshoot and fix it first. Then on to the next issue until the problem was fixed. BUT, My mind was working like this. Duh, really beyond worrying about any ONE PROBLEM so better to expend my time on ANYTHING else semi productive. So now here we are next summer.

Oh, but there is more to the John Deere saga. A few years back a neighbors brother was selling his John Deere and my Dad bought his.

A second John Deere. One the man, in partial payment for the roof over his head, fixed last year and I used to maintain the lawn. But, something needed repair? I know, I was shocked also, NOT. The 'man' claimed as he was using it when it went belly up, thus he know what THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS, he would fix it. By the end of October my quick brain gave in and pushed it onto the porch and covered it with a tarp. So now, lawn season had returned...John Deere not working....man now living with his son after emergency ulcer surgery in January. {Ulcer perforated, no doubt due to my laughing at him} So I get out the ramps, upon which I'd pushed it once last summer to remove the rope I'd run over which sort of interfered with the mower blades actually MOVING.

OK, now....HM BET I CAN FIX IT. {This could be fun}  Now if it would just stop raining so the grass would stop growing I'd have time to get started. Meanwhile, found the manual, actually read....well skimmed....through the things to tackle. Tomorrow, ignition~countdown~BLASTOFF!

Oh, the brother, book, and tractor story. Back to Maine....My Dad had several mowers in the barn when this occurred. And I think there were 3 involved in this comedy. My brother started mowing with the John Deere.....it broke. So while my father was fixing it my brother went on to use another mower. While my father was still working on the John Deere the 2rd mower crapped out. My brother went on to use the 3rd. And just as that one crapped out the John Deere was fixed so my brother hopped back on it and went back to the lawn. My father had 2 mowers left to fix but apparently at some point he looked out to see my brother mowing with the John Deere down by the bottom of the yard with a book in front of his face reading......as he drove the John Deere into a big tree. Makes me glad I was in the Navy by then.