wallfish 15,923 #1 Posted January 2, 2016 The winter duty tractors had their normal maintenance this year. I even spent some time going over things AFTER procrastinating to have everything in working order so I didn't have to do anything when it gets cold. Well so much for that! We got a couple inches of snow, ice and a little rain mixed in last week but I wasn't worried. BUT, then found out quickly where the weak spots were on my equipment. First thing to go wrong was the belt shredded on the 2 stage blower. No big deal since I had a spare. After changing the belt, 30 seconds later the chain from the gear box to the shaft came off. ( this could've also been the cause for the belt shredding) The master link's clip must have came off because that's where it let go. No big deal I thought because the little 654 plow tractor was ready to go. At least that's what I thought until the battery died trying to start it. Engine starts right up within a few revolutions WHEN IT"S WARM OUT so I thought nothing about the battery condition. Turns out that battery is crap in the cold. So then I used a jump box to get her going and less then 2 minutes later, the spring for the lift handle button broke. So now it was a PITA because I had to hold the weight of the plow when needed, not to mention there's quite a bit of extra weight added on it. No big deal I thought since it wouldn't take too long to get it done anyway and then while pushing a heavy pile, it spun a rear tire off the rim bead. Tire must've had a slow leak and I didn't notice it was flat since these little tractors don't have enough weight to flatten the bottom of a 4 ply tire. Oh well, I'll just use the walk behind blower. Less then 2 minutes of using that, the cable for the auger engage handle broke! Did a quick temp fix with some wire just so I could finish up. Needless to say I must've looked like a monkey screwing a football out there! Kind of funny now but it wasn't while it was happening! Anyway, I had to spend the day out in the cold getting all my crap together even though we had spring like temps until last week. New #40 chain and new Kevlar belt for the 2 stage. Resurfaced the PTO bell and clutch plate while I was at it too. Sealed the beads on both rear tires, replaced the broken lift handle spring and a new battery for the 654. Ordered a new auger control cable for the Toro walk behind. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 10,737 #2 Posted January 2, 2016 Sorry to hear of your woes but momma told us there'd be days like this 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,476 #3 Posted January 2, 2016 Well , you went through three pieces of equipment , did you at least finish ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil854 130 #4 Posted January 2, 2016 With that kind of luck it's a good thing you didn't get the shovel out. Might of hit a seam in the driveway and hurt yourself where it really counts!!!!! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,936 #5 Posted January 2, 2016 Better start working on the mower now! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,551 #6 Posted January 2, 2016 I kept waiting for..."and after 2 minutes it was out of gas ".... Mike........ 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #7 Posted January 2, 2016 Sounds awesome... hopefully now, it won't snow the rest of the season. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040 #8 Posted January 2, 2016 John- I wish I were a fly on the barn watching that 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,923 #9 Posted January 2, 2016 Thought you guys might get a chuckle and add some wise crack comments! Thanks 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 10,737 #10 Posted January 2, 2016 I bet we've all had a day or two like that! I know I have 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 859 #11 Posted January 2, 2016 THAT IS NOT AS BAD AS ME. I HAVE 2 PLOW TRACTORS THAT ARE NOT SET UP YET BUT I CANT GO OUTSIDE TO PLOW ANY WAY. SO FAR NO SNOW SO FAR GOOD. JOHN YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO PLAY OUTSIDE IN THE COLD. RUSS 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,936 #12 Posted January 3, 2016 AND STAY AWAY FROM THE VAN!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikekot3 92 #13 Posted January 3, 2016 I worked a bunch on my 1028 snow blower to get it ready for last weeks storm. I still had to use an ice scraper to get under the ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,230 #14 Posted January 3, 2016 John, I know it is not funny, but that was hysterical to anyone who has gone through the same thing. I've had so many days like that, that I now know when to quit and have a large Rock & Rye. Opps, the day just got a lot better. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,793 #15 Posted January 3, 2016 Are you saying that you have alot of days like that Steva?!?! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russellmc301 600 #16 Posted January 3, 2016 next thing is out of gas drove to the gas station and they were out of gas. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #17 Posted January 3, 2016 Thought maybe I was the only one that had days like that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,051 #18 Posted January 4, 2016 Been there done that! When it rains it pours! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 4,984 #19 Posted January 4, 2016 When I was blowing snow with my Ford LGT 165 and a 2 stage blower, it broke something every single time. That gets old fast. The tractor itself was bulletproof, the blower not so much. I have only used the Wheel Horse 2 stage blower once but besides a noise from the auger hitting a bolt it was uneventful. YAY. Next snow fall I will try out the Wheel Horse single stage. All blowers are mounted on a 520. Cleat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites