The Daily Yardman Thread

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Goomba ...I don't know how you do it !!!
I am at that point in MY life where ALL I think about is TRYING to catch-up and finish all these projects that have
been on the back burners for years !! I evaluate almost everything to figure if it's worth the time I guess I have left.
After all I am supposed to be retired ... ya know ...like sit on my arse and do zip..NOTHING !!!! My BIL and I talk quite
a bit now about the "candle going out" .Guess we KNOW we are no longer "bullett -proof".. we talk about sellin off everything before hand but we realize we have so much "stuff" and you cant get a decent price for anything cause everbody else has what we have !! ( LOL ) We wonder what will become of our "prized possessions" I fantasize in horror that the wifey will dump my $8,000.00 tool-box I've had forever, at a yard-sale for $25.00 ...EEEYYYAAAAHHHH !!!! ( LOL ) Finally, I have come to realize that I need to get rid of MOST of the time consuming obsessions ... taking care of my NEEDS, and NOT my WANTS !! so I can have more time with that lady I share my world with ...gettin old N tired ... Boo....:smile:

Boo,

I live with the idea that as long as I have a project to finish, I can't kick the bucket! Therefore I just keep piling up stuff to do, figuring that as long as I keep at it, I won't have time to cash in my chips. I suspect that as soon as you are back on-line 100%, the world will look brighter and you'll be your normal old bubbly self again, full of piss and vinegar and ready to kick arse and take names..

We gotta get this 'thread' up to 50K before we quit! We're bumping 40K right now, so we're well on our way..

I studied my electrical schematic last night and discovered that there are several ways that "ground" (that's "earth" to Bert) could short out the ignition coil on the GS-25, if something was wrong. But my chief suspect is a diode that is supposed to block the coil from ground. After I go see all the pretty flowers today at the Botanical gardens, (gotta keep the Mrs happy) maybe I'll have time to do some more troubleshooting..

Don't worry about all your tools and stuff.. After you're 'gone', you won't really give a schitt.. Maybe if you live so long that you can't even pick up a 'Crescent Hammer' anymore, you could donate the entire works to some needy school that taught mechanics. Or sell 'em all on Craig's List and buy some more 'Depends' with the profits.. Whatever you decide will be the right choice..

Rog

 

[Roger B]

Troy Bilt Tillers

I'd put this on the Troy Bilt forum, but I have better luck with you guys.

Here's the straight poop on the two Troy Bilt Tillers I picked up yesterday.

One has a Kohler 7 HP Mod. K-161 T engine. It is supposed to be pooched, as in NFG, belly-up, Dead in the Water, busted...

The other has a 6 HP Tecumseh Mod. HH60-105101F.. Supposedly this engine runs fine until you put a load on it and then it dies.. I can see problems with the throttle cable and springs already.

I can buy a brand new Kohler 6.5 HP engine for less than $300 from Northern Tool, just have to find out if it would fit.. I have found the same engine on ebay for $195.. and they say they will fit Troy Bilts..

More research is needed..

Roger

 

[Boobala]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Boo,

I live with the idea that as long as I have a project to finish, I can't kick the bucket! Therefore I just keep piling up stuff to do, figuring that as long as I keep at it, I won't have time to cash in my chips. I suspect that as soon as you are back on-line 100%, the world will look brighter and you'll be your normal old bubbly self again, full of piss and vinegar and ready to kick arse and take names..

We gotta get this 'thread' up to 50K before we quit! We're bumping 40K right now, so we're well on our way..

I studied my electrical schematic last night and discovered that there are several ways that "ground" (that's "earth" to Bert) could short out the ignition coil on the GS-25, if something was wrong. But my chief suspect is a diode that is supposed to block the coil from ground. After I go see all the pretty flowers today at the Botanical gardens, (gotta keep the Mrs happy) maybe I'll have time to do some more troubleshooting..

Don't worry about all your tools and stuff.. After you're 'gone', you won't really give a schitt.. Maybe if you live so long that you can't even pick up a 'Crescent Hammer' anymore, you could donate the entire works to some needy school that taught mechanics. Or sell 'em all on Craig's List and buy some more 'Depends' with the profits.. Whatever you decide will be the right choice..

Rog

I'm good Goomba, ... just depressed about NOT bein able to do things and schitt keeps piling up !!!
gettin the staples out tomorrow but right now its just as tender as a freshly circumsized Johnson rod !!
SOOooo much shitt to do !!! Now I really really like the depends idea ..( LOL )
Beginning to look like your JD machine is "OVER-ENGINEERED" (sorta like Mercury Marine products) Engineers
worried about their jobs so they sit around thinking of A-hole things to convince upper management
this "new" idea ( like using a torx head screw here... will be better than an allen head ) is essential to Co. survival !! More bells & whistles to charge extra for !! Don't get me wrong... I LOVE a quality product but over-building it and complicating matters is detrimental . I firmly believe in K.I.S.S. ( keep it simple stupid)
Minor improvements are very acceptable but lets not get carried away with interlocks and dilly-dally schitt
lets get back to the old reliable BASICS !!! ...:thumbsup:

 

[Roger B]

Forum down??

Well, the Lawn World Forum has gotten back on it's feet!! Every time I tried to sign in for the last couple of days I got a "Bad Pathway" message.. I don't know what a 'Bad Pathway' is, but I do know that it doesn't lead to LWF!!

Much has gone on here at El Rogo's hacienda! Lobstering picked up for a couple days and then fell flat this morning with only one keeper! We're still catching several dozen a day, but most are 'shorts' or females with eggs and have to be thrown back.

Then there is the John Deere GS-25. I have been able to run the Kawasaki engine, which seems strong and runs well, but only if I keep a continuous drip of fuel running into the carburetor. Once again, I am faced with a carb that must be rebuilt..

On to the two Troy-Bilt tillers. I removed the Kohler 7 HP engine from one and tried to bench test it.. No spark. The plug looks good and the points seem fine, but I wasn't getting much of a 'kick' out of the condenser. It was reported to have piston problems, but it seems to turn over smoothly and has at least some compression.

If you go on YouTube there are several videos of guys repowering their Troy-Bilts with everything from Honda engines to expensive Italian diesel engines!! I decided to try one of Harbor freight's Predator 212's. A Chinese knock-off of the 6.5 HP Honda. Wicked cheap! $119.99 right now and even cheaper when on sale. I bought one, put gas and oil in it and it started up first pull! I'm going to mount it tomorrow. I'll try to take some pictures.

More to come...

Roger

 

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

I'm good Goomba, ... just depressed about NOT bein able to do things and schitt keeps piling up !!!
gettin the staples out tomorrow but right now its just as tender as a freshly circumsized Johnson rod !!
SOOooo much shitt to do !!! Now I really really like the depends idea ..( LOL )
Beginning to look like your JD machine is "OVER-ENGINEERED" (sorta like Mercury Marine products) Engineers
worried about their jobs so they sit around thinking of A-hole things to convince upper management
this "new" idea ( like using a torx head screw here... will be better than an allen head ) is essential to Co. survival !! More bells & whistles to charge extra for !! Don't get me wrong... I LOVE a quality product but over-building it and complicating matters is detrimental . I firmly believe in K.I.S.S. ( keep it simple stupid)
Minor improvements are very acceptable but lets not get carried away with interlocks and dilly-dally schitt
lets get back to the old reliable BASICS !!! ...:thumbsup:

Boo!!! Calm down my friend... Remember YOU are the Captain of your destiny! Didn't I copy and paste the Desiderata on here for your perusal and study? Here is a reminder to read and take to heart:

By: Max Ehrmann


Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

 

[Boobala]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Boo!!! Calm down my friend... Remember YOU are the Captain of your destiny! Didn't I copy and paste the Desiderata on here for your perusal and study? Here is a reminder to read and take to heart:

By: Max Ehrmann


Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Got it Rog ,
I'm gonna go to Mc Donalds and get a Happy-Meal !! .. ( LOL )

 

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Got it Rog ,
I'm gonna go to Mc Donalds and get a Happy-Meal !! .. ( LOL )

That-a-boy! Now you've got the idea! Kick back and relax. "It is a beautiful world", so "Strive to be happy"...

I think a road trip to Aunt Fannies for biscuits and gravy would make you a lot happier than MacDonalds.. Jus' sayin'...

Maybe even better, sleep in, leave late and hit the Mojo Grill for a Cuban sandwich for brunch..

OR... Cruise way on down to the Blue Gator, grab a sweet ice tea and a 'real burger' with fries and watch the river traffic...

Take care of yourself and all things will fall into place on their own..

Rog

 

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Boo,

I think we may be in real trouble here! When I screwed up and called NoBaMa - "Boo-Boo", he has never forgiven me.. Nary a squeak out of him ever since! I apologized and everything, but when you screw up that bad it's hard to take it back... Know what I mean??

And Tom! He was planning a road trip all the way from Texas to Maine, (I've even been saving him an extra large lobster!) and he's disappeared too!

And Chuck... Bert... Senior.. It seems as though all hands may have jumped ship here!

Nobody left but two old fools - namely you and me! We gotta spice things up on here or we're gonna die on the vine.. Our lofty goal of 50,000 posts will never be recognized and we'll never make it into the Guinness Book of the most posts on the Lawn World Forum.. Fame and fortune will never be ours! Oh, woe is us......

Rog

 

[Boobala]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Boo,

I think we may be in real trouble here! When I screwed up and called NoBaMa - "Boo-Boo", he has never forgiven me.. Nary a squeak out of him ever since! I apologized and everything, but when you screw up that bad it's hard to take it back... Know what I mean??

And Tom! He was planning a road trip all the way from Texas to Maine, (I've even been saving him an extra large lobster!) and he's disappeared too!

And Chuck... Bert... Senior.. It seems as though all hands may have jumped ship here!

Nobody left but two old fools - namely you and me! We gotta spice things up on here or we're gonna die on the vine.. Our lofty goal of 50,000 posts will never be recognized and we'll never make it into the Guinness Book of the most posts on the Lawn World Forum.. Fame and fortune will never be ours! Oh, woe is us......

Rog

YOU telling ME to hang in there ... Hah !! Now you have to hang tight, just cause the "gang" has not told us of their actions lately , does not mean they are not in the background covering our backs..! Forget not .. it's that time of year as we just moved into changing weather patterns, our guys have other obligations ( like mine)
that have been shoved onto the "back-burner" ! They are probably juggling time in several areas and right now the Forum is NOT high on their PRIORITY-LIST . As they try to catch-up on those other items to take care of
ESPECIALLY those , .."Honey-Do's" .. give em little time ... 15 or 20 minutes , should be sufficient !!..:laughing:..:laughing:..:laughing:

 

[BlazNT]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

I know most people overlook signatures but read mine. I really do live by it.