[AT] Vicon rake - penetrating oil test

[Steve W.]

Larry Goss wrote:
> I ran into an interesting problem in this regard yesterday afternoon.
> I went over to our church with my trailer so I could pick up a
> Snapper Comet and bring it home for service, but the padlock on the
> yard barn was rust-welded.  The cylinder would turn, but the hasp was
> frozen solid.  All I had available in the way of tools was a tire
> iron. I finally pulled the dipstick out of the engine of the truck,
> and used a couple drops of oil from that to free it up so it was
> operational.  This is one of those things that isn't supposed to ever
> be a problem, but it was.
> 
> Larry

Well I can give you three easy fixes.
One - buy a new all weather padlock, remove the old one and toss it in 
the trash.
Two - Buy a new lock and install a very expensive weatherproof cover for it.
Three - Soak the current lock in Evapo-rust for a couple days. Work it a 
bunc so the stuff gets in all the spots the water did. Take it out of 
the bath and toss it in a warm thin machine oil bath. Work it to get the 
oil into the lock. Remove and let drip dry. Install a CHEAP waterproof 
cover. (How cheap? - Take an old tractor tube, Cut a flap out of it that 
will drop over the lock and stop water from hitting it.)
When you install the flap cut a strip of steel/wood to spread the 
clamping force over the rubber, and coat the contact area with some 
silicone caulking.

Don't make a 3 sided box for over the lock as some do. Unless you like 
wasp nests in a hidden spot where you will be sticking your hand!!

-- 
Steve W.