tractor work

My Huskvarna chain saw is still at the small engine repair place. They could not "figure it out" whatever that means. Does not sound good.

This afternoon I bought a new battery for my 8N Ford tractor while trying to charge the old battery. It finally charged before I got the new one installed so I installed the new one anyway. I changed the ignition switch earlier in the already hot day so was ready to replace the chipper with the boom and tackle fence removal. I was thinking I could use the PTO hydraulics and lift the fence, but most of all remove the steel posts which have been in the ground since almost 23 years. The little Ford was up to removing fence. It got exciting at times as I had the front end lifting so I could not steer. I conquered that and pulled all the fence on one side of the house.

Next came post removal. I had purchased a high quality bit of chain and some clevis hooks from Tractor supply so I rigged that to the end of a boom and wrapped chain around the first post. I was unable to pull hard enough to get the post to lift from the ground. Eventually I just put it in first gear and pulled forward. The front end lifted clear from the ground. I slowed and backed a bit. Usually it took just two tries and some times just one to bend the post and pull it free. So now I have thirteen bent steel posts lying in a pile. I did manage to pull two free by lifting. The little tractor just had too little power to lift the posts free of the ground, but I am sure glad I had a tractor to use or I would still be working on about number four post and not writing this. This was the most I had used the tractor. The second most was when I used the PTO to power my chipper and cut up some trees that had been cut.

Bill, I had two flat front tires although the tires and tubes were new this past year. I added 52 pounds of air to each and they did the job. Sure is a lot easier to steer when there is air in the front tires. It doesn't tear up the ground either like it did when they were flat. Oh one other thing. The tractor started immediately with choke on. I do need to work on the throttle as I can not throttle down, just up. It works its way down to lower speed if I lower the throttle, but not any where near as well as the 640 Ford does.

The tractor building is coming along. A small outside door was hung today, but the big sliding doors have not yet been hung. I selected location (again) for windows and air conditioner. If the weather cooperates maybe another week. The steel "I" beam will not get here until Thursday and it needs to be cut and welded for the over head lift I am creating. I have a 2 tin sliding dolly for the over head and a 2 ton chain lift. I decided to go with that instead of an electric lift that could pick up 880 pounds. Maybe later I will change my mind and get an electric lift. I can store two tractors and all my scooters and mowers, chain saws, gas weed eaters in the new tractor building and will be equipped to trickle charge all batteries. It is going to be nice.

Pictures to follow when I I get them out of the Sony camera (since the Minolta Z-10 was stolen).

Tractor Boy