Recent content by Skippydiesel

If you are serious about safety and capability on slopes, 4x4 is the only way to go. Here are a few Australian web site suggestions ( am sure most can be found in the USA): https://www.asmotor.com.au/ https://www.therazorback.com.au/...

Manufactures see oil change intervals as part of their marketing "spiel". They think (correctly?) that customers will be attracted by longer service intervals, lower cost(?). That such long intervals (300hrs) may end with higher maintenance/repair cost does not concern them - the engine now...

No matter what the manufacturer recommends, shorter oil change intervals, are better than long. This is especially true for the first oil change in a new engine. Assembly contamination (swarf, etc) does happen and can easily damage a new engine - for the modest cost of fresh oil/filter, its a no...

"Have you done as I asked? Lay your used filter 1/3rd full on its side and observe oil leaking out or not? It will leak slowly through the anti-drainback valve." Sorry Grumpy Cat - next servicing/oil change, probably several weeks away "Which is most appropriately an anti-backwash valve."...

Hi Grumpy Cat, Strikes me that efficacy of non return valve will depend on; Quality of filter Column of oil above/below filter, providing additional sealing pressure (absent when you remove filter & allow to drain on side) "Subaru Outback 2.5i filter is mounted open end down, with an...

Never done an Australian survey - My subjective observation - Lawn mulching is rarely done, even collecting (harvesting) clippings not so common. Why? Simple - the clippings on the surface will be quickly consumed/processed by the organisms (worms/beetles/fungi /etc) living within the sward...

News to me!!! - For the last 50 years plus, I have understood the "drain back" prevention valve is so that oil will be available immediately at start up ie not drain back into the sump. This is specifically to reduce the accelerated wear, that would otherwise occur, due to the delay in oil...

What is it with us humans? - We almost always prefer the costly $$$ solution to the cheap. Why purchase this single use item, in a glossy package, when you can get a small role of ductile aluminium flashing (probably for less $) that will do the job just as well & can be used for a host of...

"Metal was a material I tried, but found that it would not hold its form" Obviously you did not try aluminium flashing. Its designed to be easily formed by hand, no tools or heating required ( similar to the lead flashing it replaces) and hold its form 😈

All way too complicated - I use a piece of malleable aluminium flashing (replaced lead). Can be purchased from the hardware in a small role. Its thin enough to cut with scissors (best with metal shears/snips), soft enough to be easily fashioned into a trough, that will hold its shape. Can be...

Just being pedantic; Weight is but one factor in blade balance. The other factors are "tracking" & weight distribution (base to tip). Tracking means, are all the blase following exactly the same path? This could be effected by damage, blade security, etc Weight distribution - A blade can weigh...

Sir! You are both a gentleman & a scholar - you flatter me. "Is this because the Cub has three mowing blades, and the John Deere has just two? What do you think?" Speculation: Depends on what you mean by blades. Two cutting heads will have 4 blades (even if its a single part, each blade has...

Hi TMT, "Hold on a second there, Skippy! There are those of us in society who are not content to just settle for the basic explanations of life. Many want to know the mechanics of how things work, why a blade cuts, etc. I confess that I am one of those people!! I enjoy a challenge and an...

I check rpm, on a verity of engines, single to four cylinder, about once per annum. To reduce error, I usually use a couple of photo types and a wire in/spark plug lead digital tacho. If the machine also has its own tacho, I end up with up to four comparisons (usually just two) - go with the...

They are far from precision tools. If cheap enough, purchase two & compare the reading. 😈