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

Marty---I am so sorry to hear of your loss of a child.  Marshall made a statement  that is so true--that child is in the glories of heaven right now.   I know it must have tore your heart out.   As one stated, keeping busy is probably the best therapy you can have. .  Wish you the best and May The Almighty God, be with you and your wife, now and always--Will

THANK YOU Marshall, Paula, Geno, Joe & Will!!!  All your thoughts & words are most appreciated. Although its been 2 years already, I still have bouts with my thoughts. Staying busy & focusing on positive activities really helps. I figure now, I do what makes me happy & enjoy whatever I can. My wife & I are actually closer because of this (not that we weren't close before!). I try not to dwell on it, but I have my bad moments at certain times of the year - day he was taken (Feb) & the calculated birthday (July).

My wife loves my OPE addiction - I have some nice extra money to buy her fine jewelry! So I get NO complaints from her...

Regards!
Marty

PS - Tiller went for $455, The "$10 Toro" I sold locally for $400. Guess my wife is due for some new "bling-bling"...