[AJD] More FlyWheel Stories-County Fair

[wjohnson]

Greg,
I had a flywheel come off an "A".  I had just bought the tractor and
unloaded it at the house.  Figured I'd start it to see what it sounded
like.  It fired up the first turn and the fly wheel hit the ground running
and is still in the bottom of my pond where it ended up.  Of course,now I
always check things over a little before I get carried away.  I'm glad I
wasn't in that line.  with my luck I'd have been before the dozer.
Merle

-----Original Message-----
From: greg at theoldtractorcompany.com
To: "Antique John Deere mailing list"
<antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:04:47 -0600
Subject: RE: [AJD] More FlyWheel Stories-County Fair

> Don't recall if I have told this flywheel story, excuse me if I have,
> too many Xmas cookies no doubt.
> At a local fair years ago we had some engines and tractors set up.
> Snaking through the engine and tractor display was the long long line
> to the barbeque. Imagine a long line of people patiently waiting with
> running putt putts on one side and a line of tractors on the other
> side. Nearest the line was a nice little McCormick LA engine that had
> been running along contentedly all day. We heard a change in the pitch
> of the engine and looked over in horror just in time to see the
> flywheel wobble off and take off like a shot straight for the line of
> people. The Gods of Iron were smiling on everyone that day as that
> flywheel went right between two people and ran smack dab into the blade
> of a Cat 15 dozer that was sitting there. A loud sound resulted. We all
> shakily realized what had nearly happened. Imagine what that flywheel
> would have done to someone's legs or ankles if it had hit them. As it
> was,and this is the truth, it moved that dozer blade a half inch.
> A sobering event to say the least.
> Greg
> 
> Greg Stephen
> The Old Tractor Company
> Stephen Equipment Company
> Box 709
> 7460 E Hiway 86
> Franktown, CO 80116
> 303-663-5246
> 303-468-0377 FAX<<--A GREAT WAY TO REACH ME!
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------
> On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:22:50 -0500, Troy Bogdan
> <tbogdan1 at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> > Yes, that loose flywheel story is funny and serious at the same time.
>  Mine
> > has never actually fallen off, because I watch it like a hawk when I
> am
> > running it, but I can actually see the clearance move between the
> flywheel
> > and the inside of the tractor along the crank.  I know when to shut
> it off
> > and tighten it.
> > 
> > A similar funny story that actually happened to me, but it wasn't a
> runaway
> > flywheel, but a runaway clutch cover, you know, the round green
> "paint can
> > like" cover that goes over the clutch?  I was driving along doing my
> > business, and that thing took off and rolled all the way down the
> road.  I
> > found it and put it back on.  Then a few years ago, it happened
> again, and
> > rolled into the woods, and I never did get it back.  I suppose I
> should buy
> > a new one, but leaving it off, it is easier to adjust the clutch when
> the
> > time comes.  I have to adjust the clutch at least once or twice a
> season.
> > 
> > So, my JD70 tractor doesn't have a flywheel cover, doesn't have a
> clutch
> > cover, I might as well just take off the hood and grill too, so then
> I can
> > call it a "Hot Rod Roadster," or even better, a "Farmster!"  What do
> you
> > guys think?
> > 
> > By the way, Thanks Duane, I probably will give Allen Machine Works a
> call
> > sometime after the silly season winds down.  Do you know Dave
> personally?
> > Is he an alright guy?
> > 
> > By the way guys, "Happy Winter, today is the Solstice!!"
> > 
> > Troy in Pennsylvania
> > 
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> > 
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