HusqyStihl
ArboristSite Guru
Took this on as a charity project in an attempt to fire-up a MTD Tard Machine with a B&S 11.5HP motor. Low income family but very very nice people and have been pricing parts (thanks to Jacks Small Engine exapanded IPL's (click and add to cart).
History behind the mower: The neighbor purchased it 3rd hand and run it either one or two summers and then the third summer is under a no-start situation. I love to do people favors or charity work because the word spreads and brings in other customers. Things been under a lean-to for the past two years and covered with a tarp. Thats all the info i could get from the lady. EDIT: besides "the alternator doesnt charge the battery"~neighbor (they don't have a clue how to work on these things but said they'de love to learn how). I myself is not what you'd call a ride-on mechanic but ive fixed everything from chainsaws to Heavy Equipment and Tri-Axle Rigs.
First thing was to check the battery, which was damn near empty so i filled with distilled and set it on my smart charger/jumper over night and 3 times it read bad battery, i usually give it 4 or 5 chances while unhooking it and re-applying the cables and starting over. 3rd time failure and i'm losing hope. The neighbors dont have alot of money so i'm doing it on the cheap as i can before digging deeper. If its a no go what-so-ever, the machine is mine anyway but i dont plan on dropping a couple hundred bucks so they can go from 3/4's of an acre with a push job to full ride-on.
Checked gas tank, bone dry. Added some fuel and discovered crazked open (dry-rot) fuel line between the fuel filter and carb. cut as much line off as i could and threw in an upgraded see thru larger fuel filter in replacement of the old "flying saucer" or "disk filter" which in my opinion such. Also allowed me to extend the fuel line because it was longer than the stock filter so good for no more leaks.
Air filter looks in great shape. Starter top gear that engages is mangled but entire top kit comes from Jacks at $21 and change, not too bad.
If the battery won't hold or is declared dead completely, is there another way to try to crank it over? My "smart charger" has the option to jump also but seems to do nothing when applied. Its the kind that has to sense it's hooked up prior to doing anything on its own. Will a 12v jump aid in trying to get it to at least turn over? as i do not wish to spend on another new battery just to find out that the internals are fried on a charity case and end up with a scrapper and nothing else to do with thenew 6v.
Can't check for spark until i get it turning (unfortunately its an electric start only) until i get crankin. I've got an assortment of plugs if needed so i'm not worried about that. Also have a chainsaw comp tester and an Automotive comp tester. Which to use? It's a 4-stroke. but again, i gotta get it to crank to proceed.
Carburator cleaner used the best i could throughout the carb and down the throat, i'm hoping its an "ethanol over the winter thing"..
Throwing parts at it is not the way i wanna go, and if it was, i'm keeping it. Also needs tires, at least on the front and prob the back from dryrot and sitting in the same place for years. And will need a good pressure washing.
I feel bad with them struggling (usually the wife cause the husdband works) but it would be much easier for him to push mow once a week instead of once a month.
I guess the question is, how far would you get into a project like this (as a charity job for a neighbor) before calling it quits.
Any other cheapo stuff i can attempt or check over to rule out any internal damage without full disassembly? Next couple steps from here?
Or pull it and hold it for a decent splitter motor? My fathers got a splitter with 12hp motor, could work on a 27 ton no?
History behind the mower: The neighbor purchased it 3rd hand and run it either one or two summers and then the third summer is under a no-start situation. I love to do people favors or charity work because the word spreads and brings in other customers. Things been under a lean-to for the past two years and covered with a tarp. Thats all the info i could get from the lady. EDIT: besides "the alternator doesnt charge the battery"~neighbor (they don't have a clue how to work on these things but said they'de love to learn how). I myself is not what you'd call a ride-on mechanic but ive fixed everything from chainsaws to Heavy Equipment and Tri-Axle Rigs.
First thing was to check the battery, which was damn near empty so i filled with distilled and set it on my smart charger/jumper over night and 3 times it read bad battery, i usually give it 4 or 5 chances while unhooking it and re-applying the cables and starting over. 3rd time failure and i'm losing hope. The neighbors dont have alot of money so i'm doing it on the cheap as i can before digging deeper. If its a no go what-so-ever, the machine is mine anyway but i dont plan on dropping a couple hundred bucks so they can go from 3/4's of an acre with a push job to full ride-on.
Checked gas tank, bone dry. Added some fuel and discovered crazked open (dry-rot) fuel line between the fuel filter and carb. cut as much line off as i could and threw in an upgraded see thru larger fuel filter in replacement of the old "flying saucer" or "disk filter" which in my opinion such. Also allowed me to extend the fuel line because it was longer than the stock filter so good for no more leaks.
Air filter looks in great shape. Starter top gear that engages is mangled but entire top kit comes from Jacks at $21 and change, not too bad.
If the battery won't hold or is declared dead completely, is there another way to try to crank it over? My "smart charger" has the option to jump also but seems to do nothing when applied. Its the kind that has to sense it's hooked up prior to doing anything on its own. Will a 12v jump aid in trying to get it to at least turn over? as i do not wish to spend on another new battery just to find out that the internals are fried on a charity case and end up with a scrapper and nothing else to do with thenew 6v.
Can't check for spark until i get it turning (unfortunately its an electric start only) until i get crankin. I've got an assortment of plugs if needed so i'm not worried about that. Also have a chainsaw comp tester and an Automotive comp tester. Which to use? It's a 4-stroke. but again, i gotta get it to crank to proceed.
Carburator cleaner used the best i could throughout the carb and down the throat, i'm hoping its an "ethanol over the winter thing"..
Throwing parts at it is not the way i wanna go, and if it was, i'm keeping it. Also needs tires, at least on the front and prob the back from dryrot and sitting in the same place for years. And will need a good pressure washing.
I feel bad with them struggling (usually the wife cause the husdband works) but it would be much easier for him to push mow once a week instead of once a month.
I guess the question is, how far would you get into a project like this (as a charity job for a neighbor) before calling it quits.
Any other cheapo stuff i can attempt or check over to rule out any internal damage without full disassembly? Next couple steps from here?
Or pull it and hold it for a decent splitter motor? My fathers got a splitter with 12hp motor, could work on a 27 ton no?
