Stormin

A year and a half ago, contractors were working in the field opposite me. They cut down some trees and just pushed them to the field edge. So today I fitted the tote box to the Sears/Roper, hitched up the trailer and went firewood gathering. Tomorrow I'll go for some more.

Been a nice sunny day here. SWMBO got the washing done this morning and hung out to dry. I'm pottering about in the garden and workshop. So what happens? Ignorant, thoughtless neighbours, who just happen to be eldest daughters in-laws, light a bonfire. At a guess not just burning garden rubbish, not at first anyway, as there was a strong smell of plastic. Smoke blowing over into our yard, across another neighbours garden, into my workshop and Carols studio. So washing was brought in. Around 4pm Carol went for a walk and spoke to Lisa's m-i-l on her return. Told her she could have let us know. She said the wind had changed, which was nothing but a down right lie, and kept saying sorry. All the while throwing MORE rubbish on the fire. Carol let her know she was angry and not happy about it. I was going to go round with a bucket of water, but Carol stopped me. Next time it happens as it will, I will, daughters inlaws or not. I'll also report them for antisocial behaviour. BTW Yesterday their daughter, who lives in a nearby town, visited with two of her children all afternoon. No social distancing and a great grandmother of 95 next door. Talk about a law unto themselves. Irresponsible idiots. Our daughters families follow the rules and stay away, except to leave something at the gate. Which has only happened twice.

Well done. You've not been hanging about.

All the Best, Phil.

(1) Didn't think of it. (2) And if I had, no access to oxy/acet equipment.

Ducks all disappeared after a couple of days. Most likely mother duck took them elsewhere.

The steering on the C-121 Black Horse, was a little heavy. Yesterday I did a bit of investigating. I found that the track rod ends were just fouling the steering arms. The track rods slope downwards and the steering arms tilt inwards. So I knocked up a couple of spacers this morning. Just 1/4" thick and really need to be thicker, but I'd no bolts long enough to fit through thicker ones. Another future mod one day. If you look closely at the photo, you can see the top of the spacer is slightly chamfered. Not done a proper road test yet. I'll do that tomorrow. The rest of the day was spent getting the C-125 running better and made a towing attachment for the Sears/Roper.

Apart from a pheasant and various other birds and a farm dog that visits everyday. Yes!

Just so my tractors don't feel to neglected, with what's going on, I decided to have a little photoshoot on the green. '78 C-121 (The Black Horse) '82 C-125 '79 C-81. '78 Sears/Roper

All the Best, Ian. Have a good day.

A grand collection there. I'm thinking you need a bigger garden, Dave.

Started up with just a little juggling. Though that could be put down to me. Each tractor I have has a slightly different starting technic. Anyway I'm happy with it now.

Bit like a mate of mine. Says he's got a list, but every time he gets something off, two more appear at the bottom.

Very smart. Lucky to have a neighbour like that. Now how about the pair of you doing reproductions? Could be a nice little earner. Only make when ordered.

Thanks for that Chris. Well the valve clearances were ok. Also after lifting the head, I could see on inspection of the valve seats and valve heads, all was ok there. No sign of burn or damage. With the carb' being removed to check the valve clearances, I spun the engine to see how the fuel pump performed. A good spurt of fuel shot out at each revolution. So that was ok. Nailed everything back together and tried starting. Engine eventually fired up but was surging. Though on low rev's was smoother. Bit of trying different positions of the governor spring and then it hit me. Earlier I'd checked the governor arm position on the spindle. Guess what? When setting it yesterday, I'd turned the spindle the wrong way. Clockwise instead of anticlockwise. Rectified that and the surging decreased. Well it would' wouldn't it! Played around with the mixture settings, till eventually I was more or less happyish with things. Had a run around and all seemed well. Tomorrow I'll see how it starts again. I still think the original trouble was the original carb. My boo! boo! with the governor didn't help things. But as my father used to say, "The man who never made a mistake, never made anything".

If the valve clearances are ok, Angus, I'll lift the head. The seats were in good condition and the valve heads were re skimmed before lapping in.

Ever since I rebuilt my Wheel Horse C-125's engine, I could never get it to run as I'd like it. Idling was the main issue. I've been working on it of and on, but just lately it's been hard to start. Today I decided to swap the carb for a reconditioned one I got off Richard. (Anglo Traction). Getting it going and warmed up, I played around with the mixture screws, until I got it running something like. Still wouldn't start like it should and I found the spark plug dry. It has a primer bulb fitted BTW and usually three squeezes and away it would go. I was having to juggle the throttle and choke till it would fire up. I'm going to try another pump. I also checked the points gap. That was ok. 18-19 thou. The starter motor had started sticking as well and seem a tad lazy. That was removed and I found the gears on the Benndix a bit worse for wear. Also the bearing on the Bedix end, has some play. Motor is now on the bench and if/when I can, I'll see if I can rebuild it. I had a spare starter motor somewhere. Now found and fitted. After fitting it I tried starting the engine. Usual thing. No change. Juggle! Jiggle! Ay up! What's that spark doing there? Where you ask? Engine end of the P.T.O. operating rod. Best check engine to chassis earth. Broken cable found. Tucked away at the back of the engine, below the starter motor. The eye on one end had broken off. New cable now fitted and also more accessible. That's as far as I got. Tomorrow I'll see how things go. If starting is not any better, I'll fit another pump and maybe check valve clearances.

If you were to do an engine change, I'd go for a Honda. They tend to be good and reliable.

FREE?? That explains it.

Looks longer.

I can visualise that becoming a two seater.

Must have been dirt cheap then, Tyke. Looks nice and tidy.

Beech, Ewan. Not only easier than a splitting axe, but a darn site quicker. Get Dad to buy you one. Machine Mart.

Where's Ian's Volvo engine?

Decided to split the remainder today. Should last a while.