[bontai Joe]

I was cutting the grass last night at my mom's with my 1978 Deere 316 when the mower deck quit. Ok, I'm thinking, I've lost a belt, I'll just drive back to the garage and put a spare one on. But when I looked the belts were all ok...... Hmmmmm...... shut it down and then turn the key to the on position and engage the electric PTO clutch. No sound! Hmmmm, wonder what happened to the clutch? Start checking out the wiring and find a wire worn thru. Not that big a surprise considering the tractor is 30 years old, and the big ol' Kohler shakes quite a bit at start up and shut down. But by the time I cut the bad part out, I don't have enough length to splice back together. Now remember I'm at my 74 year old mom's house. I have tools in my car, but not a lot in the way of supplies, so after searching for 1/2 hour for wire, I get her ok to butcher up an extension cord. Also can't find any electrician's tape..... Hmmmmm, what to use? Got some white cloth bandage tape and fixed her up for now. Was the repair pretty? Heck no! I'll get it done right later, but I did get the lawn done, had to use the headlights as it was dark by the time I got it "fixed". Just thought you guys would appreciate the story.

 

[james66]

if it work then you fix it right then it's ok have fun later

 

[Jim_WV]

:biglaugh: I know it was'nt funny at the time Joe, but I had to chuckle at your story, talk about good ole american ingenuity

Glad you got her running and can do it up correctley at a later time :fing32:

 

[RS1001]

I am sure if you called the JD hotline, That would of been the fix they would of given ya. (Ext. cord, band aids, Flashlight)

 

[rattosh51]

A new piece of emergency equipment--
"white cloth bandage tape"
I have plenty of that layin' around, usually no electrical tape! :sidelaugh

 

[Ken in NJ]

We all have to resort to Mcgiver is-um once in a while :congrats: Joe .. your a member :fing32:

 

[HydroHarold]

Another proud member of the "It aint pretty but it'll hold!" club! Way to go!

(BTW, the twisted strip of duct tape and Neverseize valve packing is still holding water in my back faucet after more than a year... Your repair should go at least that long!:ROF)

 

[Rodney in VA]

:ditto: to all the above! A mans gott'a do what a mans gott'a do! :fing32:

 

[rabbit rescue]

I absolutely HATE electric tape ... while I do appreciate that it can come in handy as a temporary measure, it shouldn't ever be used as a permanent repair ... that's what solder and shrink tube is for

it may take a few more minutes, but it doesn't really cost any more than electric tape, and then you've made a real, permanent repair

so ... I love the white bandage tape idea! ... I'd use that over electric tape any day ... and as far as the extension cord, that's probably heavier duty than stock wire anyways - good call

and where's the photos??? - this sounds like an epic repair :wwp:

 

[2008 Impala]

I used felt chair bottom pieces to keep the hood on my Craftsman from squeaking.

 

[theCOOP]

When I can't find what I'm actually looking for, I trick myself into looking for something else. Then, and only then, the items I was looking for turns up, right infront of my nose. Would never find it otherwise.

Need a Philips? Look for a flathead instead, the philips is bound to turn up first! But only if you truly believe you're actually looking for a flathead.

Cheers,
Coop

 

[bontai Joe]

When I can't find what I'm actually looking for, I trick myself into looking for something else. Then, and only then, the items I was looking for turns up, right infront of my nose. Would never find it otherwise.

Need a Philips? Look for a flathead instead, the philips is bound to turn up first! But only if you truly believe you're actually looking for a flathead.

Cheers,
Coop

I have never had success with that, and even buying a new pop rivet gun didn't make the old one appear yet. That almost ALWAYS works, but not this time.