Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[sumi]

So happy for your DH that he finally got to retire! I've been meaning to ask you how that was coming along. Hope you can find that missing sow today

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I did find the missing sow! Looks like she has 5 babies but they ran through the tall grass so quickly that I'm really only guessing at the number. Silly sow!

And.... I think my tiller is toast. I got it out this morning from where it spent the winter...brushed off some dust...pulled the cord and the blessed thing started right up. I moved it to a place that was more easily accessible and poured the old gunky oil out and put fresh clean new oil in. Some fresh gas and it ran like a champ for about 90 minutes.

I moved to a new area that was an old pig pen. It's rough and hilly and tiller starts bogging down. I moved to a smoother place and it started right up...but bogged down again. I tilted it up on it's side and saw a bunch of baling string wrapped around the tines so I commenced to cleaning it. It spent about 30 minutes tilted on it's side until I got it cleaned. Sat it back down and tried to start it. The starter cord won't pull....well...it barely pulls a little. I sure hope it isn't locked up. I just can't figure out how it went from starting with one pull to feeling like it's locked up now. Sigh.... I don't want to call my son yet so I've been youtubing and trying to figure out what's going on. Next step is to pull the spark plug and see if the pull cord will turn it then. I read a couple of posts that say to pour oil in the spark plug hole and let it sit over night. I might try it... What I really hope is that when I go back out it'll be over it's temper tantrum and start right up.

At least I got the garden area done before disaster struck...

 

[baymule]

I hope it behaves and starts again.

 

[Britesea]

According to DH (mechanic) you need to pour the oil that is IN the combustion chamber out, and let it sit for a while ( a couple hours should do it). Clean the spark plug with carburetor cleaner (in a WELL VENTILATED area). Reinstall it (torqued properly). Check the oil because you've lost some oil during this process, and then try starting it up. Be aware it will smoke A LOT at first. It wouldn't pull because the piston was up against the liquid in the combustion chamber (it's called a hydraulic lock).

 

[frustratedearthmother]

@Britesea - thanks for the info....and thank your DH. I will try that first thing in the morning.

 

[Mini Horses]

Let us know. I have an OLD walk behind and it's giving me a little grump. New belt and now it doesn't want to start. Some days I'm not wanting to start either. Going to check the fuel lines/filter, before biting the bullet at a repair shop. I mean, it's like antique. According to coding the B&S engine is 45 yrs old.

Maybe we can BOTH get them going.

 

[sumi]

Glad you found the missing sow! Are you going to try and catch her and the babies?

Hope you can get the tiller sorted I know about enough about engines to be completely useless, but Britesea gave you some great sounding advice

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm only concerned about catching the babies so I can castrate any males. She's quite safe where she is - but she's not been coming up at feeding time. My guess is that she'll show up soon. If not, I'll ty to snag the babies and move them up here...I would hope she will follow.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

(it's called a hydraulic lock).

WOOHOO! Tiller is no longer "locked" and running like a champ! So thankful!

Thanks again to @Britesea and her talented DH!

 

[Britesea]

glad that worked for you. It can be difficult to figure out what's wrong when you can't actually look at it.