Stormin

Finally got around to trying out the sickle bar this afternoon. I'm really pleased with it to be honest. Took it down the overgrown bridleway past my home. Long, heavy, thick damp grass. Did two passes. One down, then one back up. Result below.

Used the deck for the first time today since repairing the wheels. Pleased to say all well and good. Back to usual deck heights.

Look handy things to have.

I'm hoping to start on the side discharge deck soon, I brought up from Johns place last August. It's all stripped down and the shell is at a friends have a bit of welding done.

About time you got around to a build thread, Alan. I was begining to wonder if it was going to happen.

Most likely one he hasn't told Pam about. That's why it's so far from her.

Don't look Ethel!

All finished and ready to test. Took that in the morning and was going to see what it was like this afternoon after I'd done an oil change. Unfortunately I got a call from the farm and had to go and drive a big tractor.

That makes three I know of Iain?

No engine number, Iain? That my give a clue.

Stripped it down this morning and got it all painted. Put it all back together tonight and a problem rear it's head. The cutter was sticking. So off came the bar and I removed the blade. Soon saw the problem. Paint had got onto the slide. A clean off with emery clothe and back together I could pull the blade back and forth easily. Back on the machine and it ran fine. I gave it some oil and left it running for 15 minutes. Couldn't resist the temptation and tried some paper through it. Cut it without problem. Maybe get to try it on some grass tomorrow.

All the Best, Mark. Wishing you a good one.

There's no PTO on the other side.

This morning I sorted out the belt tensioner. I cut the end off the tensioner where the bearing had fitted. Turned a sleeve to fit the I.D. of the insert that goes in the pulley bearing. Then put it all together. I refitted the tensioner to tractor, same way as before and gave it a try. Now the flat of the belt was running in the V of the pulley. Not really an Ideal thing, plus the belt flapped a bit. So a bit of thinking and trying different positions, here is what I ended up with. Seems to work fine and as soon as I can I'll give it a trial.

I agree, Chris, but I couldn't find a pulley small enough. Those I could find would foul the brake pedal. But all is not lost. I hope! I remembered about an hour ago, that there was a box of Husqvarna bits tucked away under the far bench that I'd overlooked. Found a smaller diameter pulley in there that may do the job. I'll have to modify the tensioner shaft, but I've an idea how. I do have another bearing, Doug, but the end of the shaft was turned down from metric to accommodate the bearing that is imperial. Bit awkward to turn down now.

Got the belts this morning and fitted the PTO to mule one. A little longer than I'd wanted, but the closest I could get. So now it was time to make a belt tensioner. I'd had a bit of a think and a root round. I would have liked a small pulley, but I'd nothing about. I did find a nice new bearing. What it was for is any bodies guess. Might do I thought, so before long I had this knocked up. And it ended up here. Not ideal I know and a bit of a rethink will be thought. Another problem occurred when I gave it a try. The belt came off the tensioner. I think the bottom pulley may be a tad out of line.

I knew you'd have to say that and I didn't forget. I didn't take any. No point yet.

That's more your size. Take the deck off, one or two little mods and you'd have a mini dragster.