Just when I'm busiest the tractor fights back

[peternap]

I had just finished getting the road to my house graded because I had a lot to haul back there. On the way to the machine shop, about a mile from the house, the steering knuckle broke on the tractor.

There was a storm coming and I had a trailer and the truck loaded with wheat straw that has to go back there. I can't get a truck to the house...so, I wrapped the straw with plastic and there it sits while I wait for the parts to come in from Texas.

I sent the tractor place this video so they were sure to get the right part.
http://vimeo.com/14906502
Warning:
Very restrained (for me) adult language.

[MountainDon]

It could have been worse. Like you could have been going lickrty split down a hill side just about to make a sharp turn, with a cliff on the outside of the turn.....   

[bayview]

   A little baling wire would have set you right up . . .     

   No, seriously, its quite a break for something cast . . . 

/.

[peternap]

Well, the part is on the way.
That's why I deal with them (Affordable Tractor)
They know their tractors and bend over backwards to satisfy customers.
I called a Va dealership and he said he didn't carry parts but could have it air shipped from China.

Jerry at Affordable said what he always says. I'll get one/ He did and in a couple of hours.

$141.00 for the part and 11.95 flat rate shipping.

I'll have it back up by the end of the week.

[Redoverfarm]

Peter the part is the little thing.  Getting it installed could be another story.  There's a lot that has to come loose before you can put it on. 

[peternap]

Peter the part is the little thing.  Getting it installed could be another story.  There's a lot that has to come loose before you can put it on. 

Larry does my tractor work but this is an easy one so I'll do it.
The row of bolts on top need to be removed and the cap lifted off. The tie rod needs to be taken off. Underneath is a bushing and washer and that needs to be tapped up. Then the whole assembly lifts off.

[Redoverfarm]

It's good that you can take care of it yourself.  Around here it is about $70 an hour labor if you have to get it done at the dealer and thats if you haul it to them.  If they come out and pick it up it's about $250-$300 on top of the labor & parts.   I can only guess what kind of money would be involved in a engine overhaul.  The clutch in mine was about $1,800 plus freight. 

[peternap]

It's good that you can take care of it yourself.  Around here it is about $70 an hour labor if you have to get it done at the dealer and thats if you haul it to them.  If they come out and pick it up it's about $250-$300 on top of the labor & parts.   I can only guess what kind of money would be involved in a engine overhaul.  The clutch in mine was about $1,800 plus freight. 

I take it real easy on the clutch John. You have to split the tractor to replace it and that's one job I'd rather not tackle.
I have no idea if Larry has done one but he's mighty good on everything else.

I wanted a special hook I could leave on the back so one day he and I took it on. I fired up the forge and we hammered and ground a thirty pound chunk of RR track into what I wanted and hooked it up. Then we turned the rear wheels inside out because I work on such steep hills.

Just to fill in that day, he pulled the entire fuel system and cleaned it. I never knew stuff could grow in diesel fuel but it had.

[Phssthpok]

Gimme a 4" grinder, an oxy/fuel torch, and a buzz-box, and I could have that fixed in a day (maybe less). 

If it weren't for the location being close enough for the torch to coke the grease, I'd do it right on the tractor.

[glenn kangiser]

I also have fixed stuff like that before.  Sometimes I just give in and buy the part if it is available though.

Welded up a king pin in a big John Deere years ago - got me a good customer out of the deal for many years.  Weeks later when the new part came in, they changed it and saved the repaired one for a spare.