TheOldNorwegian

Life in the Big Woods, up nort' - God's Northwoods which we call Guds Nordtre.

Name:
Location: Crystal Falls, Michigan, United States

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Grease monkey

October 2, 2007 (5:16am)
58º F, Cloudy, ESE Wind, 3 mph.

Good morning,

The rains pretty much ended before noon yesterday and are to return today again. At present there is a dense fog advisory out until a bit before noon. The temperature is unseasonable warm for this time of year. Most of the lows for the days should be the highs. We’ll take it - for now.

Yesterday was bill paying and correspondence day, at least for the morning. Did get caught up on some things which should have been done in the past, but got sidetracked on one thing or another. Wasn’t in too much of a hurry since everything was wet outside from the day before. Did manage to teach Margriet how to apply the finish to the eating kitchen cabinet and she got one coat on. Should get a second on today.

After lunch I went over to Eli’s to work on the tractor. Managed to knock a knuckle off and totally dirty with grease. Kind of fun. Haven’t done that kind of thing for a very long time. Enjoyed myself greatly and intend to continue for a time to come. He and I think much alike and have similar attitudes on many things. He also has a wealth of knowledge of many things, mostly mechanical that I have discovered at least. I am sure there is a deep well of other knowledge there too, but haven’t gotten to that part of him yet. His son, who works with him, is presently with the National Guard as an advanced unit in Arizona preparing for his unit’s deployment there in February or March. Eli was the only one working, so the shop was rather quiet, but he was busy.

The Fjord started at the first crack of the starter and I drove it into the shop without too many problems. At least the walls are still standing. The first project is the steering gearbox which is causing great resistance to right turns. Apparently a bearing is shot in it. To get at it the hood and “dash board” need to be removed, along with the air cleaner and battery, among other miscellaneous parts. Of course given the age of the tractor, nothing really comes off easily. Lots of grunting and grumpiness. There isn’t too many bolts holding things together, but some are inside places you can’t get to from here. Much easier than automobiles however. I can see there are many things I need to learn how this machine is put together and works.

The most difficult part to remove was the steering wheel. After some pulling, pounding, grunting, pushing, &c., we finally got out the heat wrench (torch) and it still would not come. I suggested to use a gear puller, but Eli didn’t think it would work, but got one anyway. As soon as we started to apply pressure, the steering wheel slid off! That’s where we ended for the day.

There is a pile of parts under Fjord and there probably will be more before we are done. Much to do after the steering box is rebuilt. The rear wheels need to be turned around to provide more clearance for the front end loader to be attached. While they are off, and a newer tire put on one side, the brakes and wheel bearings will be redone too. The wiring system is in terrible shape and Eli is talking of a new wiring harness for it. The battery box and hold down are rusted through and parts missing. The air cleaner and connections to the carburetor are also in serious need of work, as are the various controls connected to the engine. I am surprised the engine really runs as well as it does. It really idles smoothly at very low rpms. Sure do look like a Model A Ford engine though. Lots to be done before we can even think about putting on the front end loader.

Eli had a horizontal milling machine running all day, making some spacers for a logging machine of some kind from 1"x4"X 32" bar stock. About an hour before we left, the hose from the coolant let go, dumping all of the machine’s coolant on the floor. He was a bit grumpy and couldn’t understand why after all these years it had to let go at that moment. It got cleaned up and the mill continued to do it’s work.

He was also putting a new Honda engine on a wood splitter replacing a worn out Briggs & Stratton. In drilling new mounting holes for the engine, the forth hole went right into the center of the axle. He really was grumpy then, as he had to relocate the four holes and drill re-drill them. Finally decided he was tired of working at ankle level and thought it would have been better to put the machine up on a workbench, which he did, using a power chain hoist. As it was going up, he commented that 30 years ago, he would have just grabbed the machine and put it on the bench! I know the feeling! The bench he put it on I really could find use for in my shop. It is about 2½’x4' made of 2" or better piece of steel with T-slots cut into it about every 4" or so across the top for fastening various fixtures to. It ain’t gonna’ move very much and is pretty sturdy. Also liked the big vise he has attached to one corner of it.

The plan is to go to Eli’s again today and work more on Fjord. It is to be wet most of the day, so will be a good choice to do. Besides, it will be more “fun.” Want to go to Kewaunee this week, but just might put it off until Thursday, depending on the weather and activities.

Margriet would not even give me a hug when I came home yesterday. Guess she doesn’t care for the aroma of grease on my clothes or some such. Anywho, she did have a very good chicken and rice dinner waiting for me as I walked in the door. Almost as good as a hug!

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris <><

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