Recent content by Gym123

I didn't see the previous post when I wrote the same info- when I got my Ariens and had questions, I found that the charging system doesn't have much headroom for loads, so just charge it if it's dead.

Charge it fully and disconnect the wires- if it loses charge, it's bad, if it stays at the full voltage, you need to do a test for current without starting the engine. If the test shows more than about .15Amperes, the stator or rectifier is a likely culprit. Also, measure voltage while the...

I used to work as a boat mechanic and one day, a ski boat came in for an oil change. I asked when it was changed the last time and the customer said "Well, that's the thing....". Three years. Then, when his son tried to remove the Fram filter with a screwdriver, he shredded it. To be fair, the...

Are you saying that tightening an oil filter ISN'T a contest?

I use this type- I have two sizes. If you only want to buy one for all sizes, the yellow one works.

I was watching some videos showing a variety of dethaching attachments, ranging from home-made to commercially available. Any opinions? Doesn't look like rocket surgery. My mower doesn't have any provision for attaching accessories, other than some holes on the back and the small draw bar the...

Anything 'Lithium' has become a buzzword- it's more for extended storage, solar and deep cycle applications and a lawnmower isn't any of those, unless decreased charge level due to sitting is included. Charging is different, the weak electrical systems in mowers doesn't make them compatible and...

A few things come into play for a situation like this- weight & height of the person and track width of the wheels. If the center of gravity is outside of the wheels, it's easy to tip- I found that my Ariens wants to tip on lightly sloped ground because I'm a Clydesdale but siting lower on a ZT...

Was this submerged? If not, why would you make the leap to replacing the wiring? And what kinds of terminals & connectors would you use that wouldn't corrode? Have you done point to point resistance/continuity/voltage tests on all of the wires? My riding mower's headlights didn't work when I...

Absolutely true- I got into my pickup one morning and as usual, the dome light came on but when I turned the key, EVERYTHING went dark. I grabbed a wrench, to check/tighten the cable ends and the positive lug came right out of the battery.

TEST, don't just replace. If you don't have a test light with incandescent bulb, buy one. It shows more or less current by illuminating brightly, or more dim. You should be able to jump from the battery to the starter, as a test- make sure to disconnect everything from the starter and use jumper...

Mine lost the flex plate as I was driving to work and I made the mistake of shutting off the engine because it was 20°F and I would be waiting 45 minutes for the flatbed and without the flex plate, it can't be started. I sold something on FB Marketplace yesterday and the buyer looked familiar...

I was more concerned with getting it together before the next snowfall and it needs an end bushing for the auger, too. Then, the rear brakes on my van decided to go yesterday, so I now have more to do than before, when I already had too much on my plate. Also, money is short and I need to buy...

Well, Rustoleum Ford red ISN'T MTD red and the paint doesn't match the color of the cap, but it looks OK. If it annoys me, I'll buy some paint that's closer- the main goal was to protect the metal. It does look EXACTLY like the paint on a '66 Mustang, though. Crappy nozzle, though.

Rustoleum shows Ace Hardware as a dealer, but the store close to me only has Ford Red. Does this link help? https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/farm-and-implement-paint