[AT] MM RTU - good tractor day

[Kyle Sands]

   Old tractors are fun!  Especially when a problem gets cleared up.  My Minnie-Mo RTU had been running poorly last fall.  It started up great, but had no power.  It was so gutless, that it would barely pull a trailer loaded with firewood up a relatively small hill in first gear.  It lugged down so low I was afraid it was going to stall.  It sat over the winter and last Friday turned out to be a gorgeous nearly 60-degree day.  I decided to play around with it for a bit.  I removed the valve covers and checked the action of the valves and rocker arms.  Everything checked out, though I know the camshaft has significant wear.  I cranked it over and it started up with no problems - as usual.  I decided to mess with the carb, though adjustments in the past had shown little improvement in how it ran.  Yes, it needs carb work too!  I first fiddled with the low speed adjustment which produced no results.  Next, I cracked open the throttle and messed around with the high speed needle.
   I proceded to close the jet and consequently kill the motor.  Restarted the engine and went the other direction.  The engine accelerated smoothly from idle almost to full throttle.  The last bit of throttle movement produced an uneven firing pattern.  So I open the needle some more and she smooths out.  Acceleration is still smooth.  Now it's time for the test.  First, I take a spin on some trails through the woods.  This is basically for my benefit and to get some mud on the tires - I don't know about you, but I like getting mud on my tires and there was plenty of mud this day.  The first test is to climb the steep grade up out of the woods.  I try it first in second gear.  She chugs up no problem.  Test number two is the same hill in 3rd gear.  She loads up a tad, but I give her a bit more throttle and she responds beautifully.  Next, lets hop on the gravel road and start throwing mud off the tires.  I shift into 4th gear, give some throttle and engage the clutch.  There
 's the initial hesitation and then we're off!  Down the road we go at about 3/4 throttle, mud flying everywhere, the engine beating happily.  Now this is how she's supposed to run!  One last test; up the hill on the road, 4th gear, at about half throttle.  This would normally lugged the motor down before I barely started climbing.  This time, it went straight up without complaint.  I love it when the fix is simple.  Being as old and out of repair as this machine is, I suspect I'll have the same syptoms creek back in down the road, but for now I can enjoy it!  Thanks for listening!

Kyle Sands <>< Huntley, MN
-- 
___________________________________________________________
Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com
http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm