[AT] Remembering the basics

[Mike Sloane]

Because I don't trust ANY of the float valves on ANY of my tractors, I 
make it a practice to close the tank valve whenever I shut down the 
machines (assuming that they will not be started a few minutes later). 
So my starting procedure includes all of your activities, plus opening 
the valve.

You get considerably more use out of your Super M than I do - mine 
hasn't been started in at least a couple years. It needs a new battery, 
and the last time I used it the alternator refused to charge. I keep 
meaning to fix the old monster up, but I never seem to get a round tuit. 
Every time I pass the shed and see it, I think about it, but then "out 
of sight, out of mind" takes over and some other project becomes more 
urgent.

I guess I am probably the only one with that situation.

Mike

On 6/2/2012 4:19 PM, Dean Vinson wrote:
> Last weekend I thought I might get the Super M out and take it down to the
> corner gas station to refill my two-gallon lawnmower gas can, which is the
> Super M's only official productive work assignment.  Not exactly a strenuous
> workout, but creativity is required when living in the suburbs.  The battery
> had been a little low last time I'd started the tractor, which was last
> October or November or something, so I added some distilled water and put
> the charger on it.  But then the day got late and I got busy with other
> things, and never did get the tractor out.
>
> So today was the day.  Nice warm sunny afternoon, so after I finished mowing
> the lawn I bungee-corded the gas can onto the U-shaped drawbar of the
> tractor, where it fits snugly between the drawbar support and the PTO cover.
> I was confident the tractor would start, so I rolled it by hand out of the
> garage, put the muffler on, and climbed up on the seat.  Clutch in, switch
> on, just a touch of throttle, rattle the gearshift to make sure it's in
> neutral, pull the starter rod... and listened to it crank without so much as
> a pop.  Cycled the ignition switch off and then on again and then re-tried
> the starter, and then again, and each time it had all kinds of cranking
> speed but just no fire at all.  What the heck?  Something wrong with the
> ignition circuit, I thought, while remembering Farmer's old mantra of "check
> the grounds, check the grounds, check the grounds."
>
> Then, of course, it hit me:  When I put the tractor away last fall, I'd
> closed the fuel valve and let the tractor run until it used up all the gas
> in the carburetor and fuel line, and today I'd forgotten to re-open the
> valve.  I furtively looked around to see if any of the neighbors had been
> watching me test the starter motor, then hopped down, opened the fuel valve,
> and tried again.  Works *much* better with that valve open.  :)
>
> Dean Vinson
> Dayton, Ohio
> www.vinsonfarm.net