Dodged a bullet today

[pfrederi 18,660]

No snow from this storm but I was out clearing up some drifting from the last few light storms.  (Wind blows across several hundred feet of pasture drops it in the road down the barn.. drifted snow is hard and heavy. Plow was having a hard time so I brought out the blower. (Electro with K341) Did her job parked her to go back an cleanup with a plow. Went to start her up and big bang and she stopped cranking and locked up. This was down at the barn several hundred feet from the shop. (and an up hill drag).  Took some tools down pulled the grass screen and tried to turn her with a wrench..nada.  Figured engine did something really bad.  Facing the wrong way to be dragged up the hill.  Had to get the other half to steer her.  Being a hydro couldn't raise the blower. Tractor has 150lbs on the rear hitch 50 lb weights on each rear wheel and front wheel weights.  Took the main plow 12 hp charger and dragged it backwards up the hill.  Charger 12 never spun out (she has lots of weight) but the engine was dragged down to the point I wasn't sure we would make it... but we did.  Got her in the shop pulled the blower and pushed her into the heated part.  Turn out the stare motor failed. Nuts, washers and spring in the blower housing pinon gear wedged in fly wheel.  I have a spare starter an later his week it will go on...

[ebinmaine 72,601]

Good catch. Glad it wasn't disastrous!

[Ed Kennell 41,931]

Glad it was only a starter.   I assume you were able to opoen the tow valve on the Sundstrand.

[roadapples 6,983]

Exact same thing happened to my brother's 73 16 no name about 3 weeks ago. It would push the starter gear into the flywheel teeth so tight it would jamb...

[Greentored 3,220]

Been there, and its a scary sound!