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Nuzzy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
We (Fiancee and myself) moved out to Michigan a year and a half ago to our first real yard. The decision was made at the time to grab a Home Depot John Deere badged riding mower device (LA105) :thSick: Well, it has been acceptable for the time being as a mower, but obviously I would never hook snow removal apparatuses to it for fear of folding it in two :biglaugh: Now last winter with being out of work, I used a walk behind snow blower quite effectively to keep our 150' driveway and turn around area clear for my lady friend's car. However, this year with both of us working full time and her working two jobs on some days, we simply didn't have 45 mins-hour multiple times a day available for the blower. Thus, a new toy was needed that could hold up to the demands of snow removal without breaking the bank (especially with upcoming wedding and trying to officially become debt free) :thThumbsU


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:bannana:

Been keeping an eye on Craigslist and found an interesting deal on an old AC 912 Hydro with deck and snow plow. Checked all through this forum and found very positive feedback. So after a little road trip, she was in her new home. :trink39:

Now comes the fun...

I knew it burned a bit of oil and likely would need at least a basic going through, maybe rings. Some of the problems though I was attributing to old gas. Got the old stuff siphoned out, put new in, added Sea Foam, and drove 'er off the trailer. Well, about 5 minutes into the first hot lap it died and had a b**** of a time restarting. Starting to think crap in carb, leak sucking air in fuel line, etc. Got it running again and then I hear it... Clank clank clank clank POP! Bye bye connecting rod :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

Thought I'd get more than 5 minutes out of our new tractor :banghead3 Oh well, like I said, I knew I'd be giving it a thorough going through. Might as well be now before the snow flies! So, I have a new rod and full rebuild kit on the way. If this $100 temporary inconvenience is the worst that happens, I'll be stoked!! Plus, we'll have a good solid baseline for the ol' girl for years to come.


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Can't wait to find more implements for gardening purposes come spring :cool:
 
I heard the dreaded "bang" not that long ago. I know the feeling and it sucks!Sorry to hear about the bad luck, either or it's a great find and a solid looking machine. Keep us posted!

:Welcome1:
 
Once the engine is back, that's going to be an awsome machine. :fing32:

:Welcome: to the club!

Bob :rauch10:
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Taking the motor in to work today so I can take some measurements. Find out if I need a standard or .010 rebuild kit since I really don't know much about the history. Then it'll be a LOOOOONG few days while I wait for parts :biggringi

Also will be changing all fuel lines and fixing some of the wiring. Basically, everything that I find currently cobbled together will get some love. :trink39:
 
:Welcome1: May as well fix it all while you have it apart. If you're like me, once it's running, that will be it. Can't be bothered fixing this other stuff as I'm too busy playing!:bananapow :bannana:

That's a great looking machine and should serve you well for years to come.:thThumbsU
 
Sweeet

Like you said a real tractor, not a riding mower.

The picture of the broken connecting rod is excellent. It shows classic fatigue fracture - you can see the large shiny planes of the metal crystals that grew when the rod was repeatedly flexed.

Great paint job on the plow!
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Well now I've gone and done it. The rest of the body panels just accidentally fell off and landed onto hooks in front of were I was randomly spraying primer :D



Guess I better figure out where I want to order new decals from...
 
Try e-bay but i'm sure some AC guys will say diffrent! I would rather have old iron then the "junk" they sell today! nothing better then getting a tired old tractor
and bring it back to life! then you get to stand back at look at it, and say i did that! from what i've seen so far, your doing a great job, keep up the good work!
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Try e-bay but i'm sure some AC guys will say diffrent! I would rather have old iron then the "junk" they sell today! nothing better then getting a tired old tractor
and bring it back to life! then you get to stand back at look at it, and say i did that! from what i've seen so far, your doing a great job, keep up the good work!

Thanks :trink39:

And I agree!! I've been catching all kinds of crap at work from my friend who seems to think old tractors are useless and a waste of time. Personally, I don't think you can beat old iron in the cool factor :cool:
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
The allure of shiny was too great, so I just had to keep painting...

Bye bye decals

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Took the hood to bare metal before primering.

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Shoddy wiring has really become a pet peeve of mine. Thus, everybody out of the pool!! I'm redoing it all.

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And sometime when I wasn't looking, the whole front end of the tractor fell apart :D


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Lot of progress there in short time----

Looks good!!:thThumbsU
 
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