[AT] Cleaning out Tractor cooling system

[two4ac at earthlink.net]

If you were willing to build a building around it maybe you could do 
something like these quick lube places and have a hole in the floor alowing 
access from a basement.

David D. Gibson
1941 Allis Chalmers B
1942 Allis Chalmers C
1947 Allis Chalmers C
1948 Allis Chalmers C
1972 Allis Chalmers Homesteader
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cecil E Monson" <cmonson at hvc.rr.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 7:24 AM
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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