Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I picked up some older OPE today:

1. Homelite/Jacobsen Tractor, 12hp K301 Kohler, hydro trans, attached to it is a funky vacuum attachment with a brand new 5hp Briggs Stratton. Collection box is a "coffin-like" steel unit. I'll get the vacuum name off it Thursday. Tractor had to be jump started, but runs pretty good. Hydro is a bit noisy & needs pedal adjustments, starter drags & is noisy/squeaky, needs battery, has electric PTO, hourmeter, 42"(?) deck with two new quills & belts, 2 new rear tires/tubes, needs a seat (badly!) & headlights (burned out).

2. Roto-Hoe model 990-5 rototiller with a model 809 chipper/shredder attachment. Has an 8hp Kohler on it, 5 fwd speeds, 1 reverse. Runs fantastic, needs one belt & is VERY clean!

I loaded up the tractor solo - what a mistake. It was pouring here in NJ earlier Wed am. Moved it up the ramps under power - ok so far, but then fuel ran out & it stalled. So now I have it barely on the tailgate, I'm holding it from rolling backward, and now I have to supply the power to move this behemoth the rest of the way up the ramps! I start pushing HARD & have my hand operating the brake - but while pushing it forward, my hand slipped off the brake & down the ramps she went. It almost rolled over me until my thigh stopped it. Needless to say, I had to ice my leg all afternoon due to the swelling. Man, that Homelite is far from it (light that is!). If that weren't bad enough, while unloading it, I failed to keep the tractor's front wheels straight & she fell off the ramps. Now, I had backed up my truck so the rear wheels were at the EOD at the curb apron - to minimize the angle of the ramps to the tailgate. I had my street blocked totally. I couldn't lift the tractor, so I had no choice - I moved the truck forward & let the ramps slide off the tailgate. WHAM/BANG!! - down crashed the poor Homelite HARD onto the pavement (POOR HOMELITE??? MY FOOT!!! I had called this confounded thing every name under the sun earlier, and I was NOT kind!!!). I then had to jump it again to get it started because there was NO WAY I pushing this thing all the way to the shed in the mud! Well, it ran for 15 seconds or so & stalled - out of gas Marty, remember? I walk into the shed & my 5 gallon gas can is EMPTY. So I begin pushing it thru the yard on its journey to the shed. Did I say it was pouring? Thats an understatement. I get it to the shed's front - pushed it an easy 250-300 feet in the mud. I get it over the step & guess what - IT WON'T FIT IN THERE! Made up some MORE new names for the poor Homelite. Out she comes - threw a tarp over it. Called it a day...

Marty

AJace wrote:

The rear part of the vacuum was on the ground. The rear wheels were barely on the ramps, the front were not. I could not get the front tires back on the ramps since the tractor fell to the right of the ramps. The front axle was on the ramps however, but I just could not lift the tractor. By blocking the road, I had to do something quickly - so away we went...

Marty

Down the road all these little adventures will make  time spent with your grandson interesting for him. The stories you will tell........

Ah hell, it builds character. 

Marty, we want pics after your get her fixed up and looking new, which I know you'll do.

Glad your OK Marty!

Sounds like "One of those kinds of days".........but at least you found a couple of nice pieces.

Slippery wet ramps, machines that quit while loading, narrowly escaping death and serious injury, creating brand new never before spoken vulgarisms as the swelling starts .... yep a lot of us have been there, done that. I'm glad to hear that you were not hurt and the equipment got where it needed to go.

Your lucky you didn't bust a nut, and I'm not talking about the Homelite!

                                                                                              Kevin

it really brightens up my day when i find out that im not the only one. that has those days.

thanks for being there...

later chris

I've had days like that only the OPE was an M60A3 RISE PASSIVE TTS - main battle tank of 60 tons or so......

Thanks ALL for your concern!!!   We're doing fine in the healing up department!

I actually went back & re-read my original post. I'm no kid anymore, but I yet I still persist in pulling stoopid stunts like this. I guess it keeps my life interesting. My wife & I are, and will always be childless, so I have no one to share my OPE stories with except my buds here. Being childless is another reason I why I will go to lengths for "new" OPE - its my hobby, I dig it, & it keeps me from being tempted with other possibly destructive behavior (like my tractor stunt wasn't possibly destructive? ) My OPE sickness also keeps my mind busy instead of thinking/worrying about the loss of my 6 month, pre-born son 2 years ago. My OPE hobby is helping me move on.

Anyways, I got the tiller/shredder all squared away. Some touch up & cleaning will be on tap for Friday. The 8hp Kohler performs flawlessly after a carb cleaning/adjusting, but I erred on the main power unit belt size. I actually needed a slightly longer belt & there isn't enough adjustment anywhere to obtain any more slack. It will have to do for now unless I can move the engine rearward to gain another 1/2" or so. Hopefully I can have some pics up during the afternoon...

Marty

Marty--Glad you are okay and didn,t  hurt yourself seriously.  It can happen so easily and quickly---Keep us posted and we will talk later----Will