pfrederi 17,028 #1 Posted July 16, 2018 (edited) Went to start one of the C-175s this morning down in the barn. Turned over twice then stopped. Solenoid clicked but no crank. Jumped it off the D200 no success. Realized I couldn't turn the engine by hand. Also noticed some of the oil drip pads had been munched on. Saw some white stuff inside the blower housing Had to drag her up to the shop (too hot to work in the barn..really need to get a tow set up on the 3pt. I had to pick her up with straps frond the front axle to the FEL bucket...Then back all the way from the barn to the shop. Reminded AG tires are darn near worthless backing up hill even with the york rake hanging off the 3 pt as a counterweight. Took the shields off and found the stuff wrapped around the starter pinion jamming the fly wheel. Part of that mess is some dryer sheets pieces and they are really tough when you try to pull them off.... Guess mice appreciate me providing nice smelling dryer sheet for their construction projects. Edited July 16, 2018 by pfrederi 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 8,943 #2 Posted July 16, 2018 Mice can spoil seat time. Last year tried starting my 416-8 and starter was dragging. Turned out a mouse lost its tail in the gears and left a big mess under the tins. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractor boy 238 #3 Posted July 16, 2018 13 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: Mice can spoil seat time. Last year tried starting my 416-8 and starter was dragging. Turned out a mouse lost its tail in the gears and left a big mess under the tins. That must’ve been nasty. Fingers crossed on mine yet. Haven’t discovered any mice problems during this rewiring project. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,338 #4 Posted July 16, 2018 37 minutes ago, pfrederi said: Guess mice appreciate me providing nice smelling dryer sheet for their construction projects. You have to admit that is mighty nice of you 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #5 Posted July 16, 2018 Picked up a 312-8 last week...No spark...mouse condo in the shroud and they had been having coil wire for lunch! New coil on the way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,331 #6 Posted July 16, 2018 Might want to try what helps me in my shed to get rid of bugs and mice. Go buy a box of Gain detergent and sprinkle it around the area. I find they don't like the smell and it does help the area smelling better ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth R Cluley 464 #7 Posted July 16, 2018 So i guess that blows the theory about dryer sheets repelling mice? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ztnoo 2,297 #8 Posted July 16, 2018 Mouse and rat poison liberally distributed in the storage area might prove helpful, as well..... Finding them dead outside the confines of the tractors make it much more efficient to contain or inhibit their non-permitted building activities..... I'd much rather shovel up a bunch of deceased carcasses than go through your tractor starting expedition routine. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #9 Posted July 16, 2018 I put down mouse poison in my garage last winter. In the spring I found most of it in a large mouse nest under the shroud of one of my tractors in a separate shed. They stored it up in their nest for snacking during the winter. Barn cats work much better than poison, dryer sheets, peppermint oil or anything else I've tried. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,354 #10 Posted July 16, 2018 The traps stay locked and loaded at all times, especially when you see no activity. One day there's no mice, next thing you know there's too many mice. Kill them all!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,617 #11 Posted July 16, 2018 The best reason for seat time.If you start an engine on a regular basis you won't find this mess. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chev0545 231 #12 Posted July 17, 2018 moth balls work for me 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 8,943 #13 Posted July 17, 2018 @JAinVA Looks like the furry tailed rodents think your horses are good places to store their food supply. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 8,943 #14 Posted July 17, 2018 @KC9KAS Where did you purchase your coil ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,936 #15 Posted July 17, 2018 They do seem to really like nesting... in them C-175 blower housings. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cvans 1,009 #17 Posted July 17, 2018 Mothballs still seem to work for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RubyCon1 62 #18 Posted July 17, 2018 (edited) a few good trap ideas https://www.youtube.com/user/historichunter Edited July 17, 2018 by RubyCon1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #19 Posted July 17, 2018 5 hours ago, oldredrider said: I put down mouse poison in my garage last winter. In the spring I found most of it in a large mouse nest under the shroud of one of my tractors in a separate shed. They stored it up in their nest for snacking during the winter. Barn cats work much better than poison, dryer sheets, peppermint oil or anything else I've tried. Poison bait contains yummy "bait" and a poison that will kill in a few days. Obviously the mice died or the bait would be gone. It did what it was supposed to do but not instantaneously like a trap. Baits serve a purpose but not for everyone. Some folks need to see a dead body. Others don't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #20 Posted July 17, 2018 8 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: @KC9KAS Where did you purchase your coil ? TEW Inc from AMAZON $35 delivered. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #21 Posted July 17, 2018 In the fall season, I could always count on extra hours when I worked at the truck shop. Farmers would wait until the last moment to bring their trucks in for repairs (despite it being broken all summer) and mice would add about 30% more work cleaning out heaters, air cleaners, wiring, and gauges. Spring was the same way - equipment stored with ethanol-laced fuels would cause a slew of problems and the mice would make the whole thing worse. Dryer sheets, poison, cats, and traps had little effect - we even tried installing stainless screen wire over any openings where they could damage things only to have them chew holes in parts that are very tough to replace, especially plastic heater housings buried deep inside the dash. Mice and ethanol rank equal in my hatred range - both should be eliminated. 3 of my tractors acquired over the years were from mice damage - the rest were from ethanol - maybe not so bad after all? I'm currently working on a towing rig for a 3pt hitch, hope to have it done soon. I'm done with trying to use straps, chains or whatever to tow dead tractors. Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #22 Posted July 17, 2018 I use to use Fresh Cab. It worked well - when I used it. A few things that I found were: don't use a tractor cover if stored outside, replace the repellent every two-three months, and run them occasionally. According to my exterminator that we used, bait stations actually draw the mice to you as it is "tasty." 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites