[AT] Cleaning out Tractor cooling system

[Larry D. Goss]

Hey, Cecil, Farmer, et al.  How about using one of the old design
"semi-pits?"  It's not a pit for a semi-, it's only partially
underground.  These were very common back in the 30's.  Generally, it
was a frame of channel iron built about two feet off the ground that you
could drive the car or truck up on to, and the pit was only about three
feet deep.  It looses some of the flexibility of a pit that's completely
below floor line and that you can cover with 2X stock when you're not
using it, but it's an option that garages used to consider justifiable. 

Larry

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Cecil E
Monson
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 6:24 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Cleaning out Tractor cooling system

> We have discussed pits several times over the years here. Some guys
are 
> terrified of them and some love them. I understand some places have
banned 
> them. I had one in my shop out on the highway when I was doing
automotive work 
> and I loved it.


	I'm usually not one to bring up scare tactics to others other
than to advise being careful. In the case of pits, it is a different
story. I have a lot of experience with my men going into manholes in
streets and can tell you a hole in the ground like a grease pit can
be a deadly thing. I have yet to ever allow a man to go into one without
first blowing out the manhole with fresh air. It is a known fact that
the air in a manhole can be deadly as well as odorless and tasteless
and gives no indication of danger. It can kill the man who goes in
there and can kill the man who goes in to try to help him. It happened
here in New York State and can happen anywhere.

	Grease pits, if left for long periods of time can be the same.
All it would take is to direct a fan into it for a few minutes with
the door open and it should be all right and safe. The only way to
tell is to use a "sniffer" like we did, of course, but air moves vapors
out and should be enough.

	There are other dangers involved too. One is spilling gasoline
or anything else that can be explosive or a fire danger while you are
in the pit. We almost lost one of our Highway Department guys this fall
- around Thanksgiving - when something he was doing caught fire and blew
while he was in the grease pit. The Highway Department is right next
door
to us and I saw all the fire equipment going there so went and checked.
They saved his life but he was badly burned and was in the hospital for
some time. I don't know as he is back to work or not yet.

	I've often wished I had a way to get under a truck or tractor
without having to lay on my back on a creeper as I hate working that
way but have never been tempted to dig a grease pit. I have to admit
that I have wondered if one could be built into a hillside outside so
you could drive onto it from the top and walk into it from the bottom.

Cecil
-- 
The nicest thing about telling the truth is you never have to wonder
what you said.

Cecil E Monson
Lucille Hand-Monson
Mountainville, New York   Just a little east of the North Pole

Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment

Free advice

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