Sometimes I wonder how I even get out of the bed! I went up to the food plot to see how it is growing and to mow an access path to the stand locations. My enabler (friend who is allowing me to use his land and equipment) was not around so I was on my own! The old McCormick tractor he has has a bad stater so we need to 'roll start' it. So that means when you park you need to be pointing down hill. This alone is not an issue but add to it the fact that the fuel tank is degrading inside and you need to change the fuel filter every time you wan to use it.
I can handle the roll start I've been doing that for years with my vehicles so I have a good idea how to do it I can even do it in reverse! And the fuel filter swap..not a prob Bob!! There is after all a shut off valve to stop the gravity feed from the fuel tank so it is nearly pain less to swap out.
So here I go lalalalala on my way....up on the tractor roll start, change from the spreader the mowing deck...lalalalala....down the hill mowing all the way. Up the other side tralalala...(Ok so now we teleport back in time to me on the tractor as I describe to you what is happening)
Wow it sure is hot out here! Hmmm I guess I should have brought some water with me! No worries it will only be a few minutes the weeds aren't that bad, heck I could have waited another week to do this! But oh well I'm here...Hey that rain sure did help this stuff I planted grow! I am an awesome farmer!!!!!! It sure looks nice and green, I should have brought the camera! Tralalalala..... Ok around this tree and down the hill we go..this is going well I'll be done in no time! Just twice around then maybe I'll even mow up by the house! HUH!?! what?!? aww come on tractor what's with the chugga luggin?? Oh that's right I forgot to change the filter!!!!! Ok let's get pointed downhill so we can restart! No no no I'm still pointed up hill.....
And the tractor dies!
But I am on a hill! So I can hopefully roll backwards enough to start! I forgot to tell you it was HOT and as I mentioned I had no water and the house was locked! So I trudged up the hill to the garage to get a fuel filter, found it! Back down to the tractor. Ok shut of the fuel valve, check. Fill new filter with gas, check. Remove old filter with one hand while other hand is holding new filter full of gas....ummm chec...nope...now i got it nope...eerrrggghhh this is so much easier with two people! Wait ok now I got it whew glad we don't use clamps. Ok remove old filter, check. Install new filter on carburetor side first...dang it why won't you slide in...whew got it...man it is hot (sweating like a farmer in the sun trying to replace a fuel filter now, I mean I am drenched sweat running in my eyes my jeans are soaked and sticking to me. I mean I was sooo wet with sweat on the ride home I had to cover my truck seat with plastic for fear of it getting uber nasty!). Where was I? Oh yeah.. carb side hooked up check fuel tank side hooked up, check. Back into the seat! I decided I would try to use the key to start the tractor...so I reach down turn the key and SHAZAM! the starter turns and the tractor crnks up!! Woo Hoo no backwards roll start! So I put that puppy in gear and up the hill I go....not so much! I FORGOT TO TURN THE FUEL VALVE BACK ON!!! Just that quick it stalls. But I knew what it was immediately. I reach around and turn the valve on and think one bump of the key and I am golden.....Hey Jack..not so fast! Starter does not respond! Hey that's ok I made it farther up the hill now I can roll start backwards easier..
Now for those of you following that do not know much about tractors and 3-point accessories (especially mowing decks) let me let you in on a couple facts. 1) mowing decks do not lift up off of the ground all the way and 2) if you try to go backwards down a short steep incline with a mowing deck raised you will most likely get into a bind. So now that you know that let us continue...
Here we go: tractor in reverse, clutch disengaged, brake on, throttle set, fuel valve open! Release brakes, roll, engage clutch.....nothing! Aww man! Now the mowing deck is in a bind and the tractor won't roll any farther! Man its hot out here, wish I had some water. What to do what to do. I got it let me rap on the solenoid with my knife! Tap, tap ,rap! Try the key, nothing. Rap tap tap on the starter...nothing! Hmmm..ok I need some thing bigger than my knife. Up the hill again. Man it is super hot out today! Wish I had some water!
My enabler has just recently refilled his garage with his tools thankfully! They were in a storage building but good fortune is with me today..sort of. Man I need a drink! Maybe I can get one up in the apartment if it is open! Cool its open..no cups guess I'll drink from the faucet. Man that was refreshing! Ok hammer, where is a hammer? Got it! Back down to the tractor. Rap tap tap on the starter (while turning the key) VAROOM!!! Woo hoo!!!!
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