Been one of those days...should have went to work.

All,

 So, I was planning on going to work.... However, I have a bunch of people coming over tomorrow so I figured I'd better grade the driveway. It rained recently and as usual it washed the sand out of the low spots, so there were some big holes.

  About an hour into it things are going fairly well, but for some reason the left side of the blade decides to jump out of the lift latch. As a result I had to get off the tractor and fight that back into shape.

 Then a few minutes later it locked in first gear. It took me a good 15 minutes to get it out. The end of the shift lever had to be built back up once. I suspect it's getting worn again.

 Next, I ran out of gas. Of course I didn't have any on hand. No one to blame on that one but me.

  As if this all wasn't enough just as I was finishing up I threw the hand clutch out and I noticed a metal on metal sound coming from the transmission. The hand clutch lever was bouncing a little as well. I reached for the hand clutch and realized that it's much further forward that it's supposed to be (almost twice as far). When the clutch is engaged the lever location is fine. I checked to make sure I still had all gears and I did.

  I made a couple more passes then for some unknown reason the blade didn't want to go down. It was all the way up and no matter what I did with the control lever it refused to lower. It seemed like the control valve was stuck in lift mode even though the linkage mechanism moved fine. So, I figured I was done. On the way back to the barn the blade dropped to the ground. It seemed to work fine after that. I was able to finish up, but I had to keep my hand on the clutch lever when I threw it out to avoid the metal on metal sound.

  I pulled it into the barn, stood next to the tranny, operated the clutch a few times while it was running and listened to it. The problem occurs while throwing the clutch out. The noise happens as just as you disengage the clutch while the mechanism is snapping through the detent and then again as the lever travels too far. As long as the clutch is engaged or in the proper disengaged location it seems ok. Looking at the pictures in the book I'm guessing the shifter bushings have gone out allowing the shifter to rub on the shaft. As long as the clutch is engaged the shifter is centered properly, but when you throw the clutch out the shifter can drop down and touch the shaft. Can anyone confirm that this is likely the culprit?  Either way, it looks like I have to split Allis. Bummer... I was already planning on pulling Ollie's engine. I guess I have two Winter projects.

To pour salt in the wound, as I was browsing through my manual and some pages fell out. Evidently, I have to repair that too.

I should have went to work.

Aaron

You know, I didn't say, but it is. It's got the original clutch I am sure. I can only imagine that means once I get it apart I'll probably have to work on both clutches.

Thanks,
Aaron

Some days you can't win, you can't lose, you can't even quit the game. Allis is worth it though. This will give me a chance to get that tuneup done that she needs, so it's not all bad.

I did get to smile a little yesterday. I had to go to the Deere dealer to get some lawnmower parts. I had a big grin walking around their store with my AC hat on. That was until I had to pay anyway. They sure are proud of their parts!

Aaron

Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me.