Frank Brings Aluminum Frame Members; Progress on Tractor Engine

Frank Glatzl came over this morning with the long aluminum frame members for our renovated motocar trailer.  He drilled all the holes I asked for in the right spots.  We bolted them to the hubs and put two under-cross-members on temporarily to set up the frame.  Then we placed the new aluminum cross members that will support the tractor body and mower on the frame to take measurements for where to bore the holes in them to fit onto the long frame members.  Here's some photos.

These photos show the frame mockup with the cross members in the positions they will be in once permanently mounted.  The second photo has Frank taking a measurement and the third looking at the camera.  Frank is taking the cross members back to be drilled to mount to the long frame members (as well as drilled for mounting the tractor engine/mower deck to the trailer).

Turns out Frank is somewhat of a small engine mechanic himself.  We hooked up a battery to the tractor engine and he got the starter to turn the engine over, so that shows that the starter at least is working.  He removed the carburetor to clean with some chemicals back at his place and I gave him the carburetor rebuild kit I bought for it (it's a Walbro).  So Frank will work on restoring the carburetor.

My job will be to rewire the engine--I now have a Bolens 1250 wiring diagram that includes the interlock switches, which the previous ones did not, so I think I can get it right.  Will pick up the right color wires to match the wiring diagram as well.  Also need to make a final decision on the color to spray or paint onto the trailer and mower deck.  Am leaning toward red.  Plus I will need to bolt the aluminum frame members together in their permanent configuration after painting.  There are a number of small parts to order as well now that I am more confident this project is actually going to happen.  And I have to install a hoist over the 40-foot rail track so I can suspend the tractor, take off the hydrostatic transaxle, and then lower the remaining tractor body onto the motorcar trailer frame.  It's a lot to do, and just as tax season is starting up.  Doubt this project will be ready until April or May, but at least we are now starting to move forward.  All in all, a great day.

Frank Glatzl to Come Over with Aluminum Frame Members

Frank Glatzl just called to advise that he should be able to come over Saturday with the two long aluminum frame members he is drilling holes in for me.  We will then figure out where to drill the four cross-members and he will take those back with him and do them.  Then I will go up to Cedar Park to pick them up.  So the job is moving forward.

Wish I could say the same for the tractor rebuild.  My small engine guy is not getting back to me so it looks like he won't be working with me on that.  Called my brother in Colorado and offered to pay his way out and back if he could help me out but he is dubious ("Can you put your pit bull to sleep first?").  My somewhat feeble riposte was "Actually, he will be sleeping in the guest bedroom with you but you'll be OK if you don't move or make any noises."

So am still looking for a tractor expert to help with the project. 

Marking Time

Not much left to do while waiting on the aluminum frame members with Frank Glatzl for hole drilling.

Cleaned out the transmission fins on my Bolens 1455 tractor with FEL this afternoon.  They were plugged up with mud and debris so that could have caused transmission overheating.  Also have to replace an O-ring on the transaxle due to leakage of ATF past it but will do that later.

Got my second gas air blower back with a fuel line installed in it.  But the fellow who fixed it up couldn't get it to run because he needs a special tool to adjust the idle.  So I went on the internet, found the tool and ordered it.  Will see if it is the right tool and then hope the tech can get the blower to work.