So last week I aerated the pastures. A friend across the road took interest, and asked about the process. I explained it to him, and he told me about the issues he was having on his front 2 acres, and would that help. I said it probably would, as the soil was hard packed in spots. So today I took a few hours and poked holes in his front yard. We shall see. The run up to this event was both funny and aggravating,
After fertilizing the pastures, said friend asked about aerating the front of his place. OK, no problem (so I thought). The ground on his lot has some hard spots, so I figured I'd fill the aerator roller with water for some extra weight. When I got the roller back from my friend Larry (He got it with the tractor when my Mom gave it to him years ago and asked me if I wanted it as he no longer used it, and I accepted his generous offer with thanks) He told me the drum had a leak somewhere. Knowing I would be using it the next day, I took off the spreader, mounted the roller, and got out the grinder and welder. I filled the drum 1/2 way with water and rolled it, spotting several leaks. Rolled each spot to the top, ground down the rust, welded the area and ground it smooth and shot it with paint. 4 spots and I was all done. Put the welder and grinder away, and that's when the fun started.
While putting the tractor away, it suddenly lost rpm, started running unevenly, then died. Great 1830 on a Sarurday. Being a diesel, it's most likely fuel, so I shut the fuel off and unscrewed the filter bowl. Lots of sediment, Wonderful. Go into the garage to get something to clean it out, and somehow knock over a gallon bottle of muriatic acid, which of course cracks and starts pouring all over the floor. yay. Set that upright and go into the kitchen for some baking soda to neutralize it. With much foaming, that's under control. Get out the mop and wringer and fill wringer bucket with water, then go mop up the mess I made. Take the floor mat out and hose it off, dump and rinse the mop and bucket, then set that to drying and get the solvent I started for in the first place
Now, who the heck is going to have a fuel filter at 1830 on a Saturday? Tractor supply. Since the fuel filter assembly is for a Kubota skid steer, and my tractor isn't, I'm going to have to match them up so I have the filter bowl and old filter with me. Get to Tractor Supply and I usually don't ask for help because I know what I need, but this time I figured I'd go for it. The fellow who greeted me asked what I needed and I said a fuel filter for a Kubota skid steer. He replied: "A boat?" (I knew I was in trouble) so I said "No, a KUBOTA". He steers me to the left, a section I've never been in, that is filled with lawn mower parts. I tell him these are lawnmower parts, I need the tractor section (which I've been to many times before). We walk over there and I see the fuel filters, and spot a box that looks to be the exact one I need. He asks if I need any more help, I assure him I'm fine and he leaves. Can't get the damn box open so out comes a knife to lift the flap. Lo and behold, just what I need. I close the box and go to pay, and after scanning the new filter, the cashier is looking at the old one and the filter bowl for a bar code. I explain that these are mine, brought to match up, and I finish paying and leave. Where do they get these people? Go home, assemble fuel filter assembly, turn on fuel and Viola! Back in business. Well, better when I had the time to deal with all of this nonsense than if I needed the machine and needed it now
Next day I ran the tractor for 2 1/2 hours doing his front yard, no issues.
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