Re: (ET) Dismal failure

[John Casey <jjcrmc optonline net>]

Jeremy,
This was the nastiest-to-remove snow in memory, only about 5" but with a
crusty base.  Had to re-do it today; can't have the neighbors thinking,
"Geez, look at the lousy job Casey's tractor did."

I don't use chains.  Use 160 lbs back-porch weight, I weigh 190lbs and keep
tire pressure at 10psi. This storm was a test for new Ag tires on the drive
wheels. The Ags exceeded expectations. The tires that did slip were the
front 6.50's.... as snow compressed ahead of the blade (angled right) these
wheels slid left.

Even with chains I'd keep tire pressure low, this way the tire shoulders
stay square and make contact.

Your dozer blade has trip springs, right?  These are 12" X 1.5" and
adjustable for resistance.

Dozer blades have a wear blade that works best if adjusted all the way
forward, seems to get under the crusty stuff.






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeremy Gagliardi com" <jeremy gagliardi com>
To: <Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 8:36 AM
Subject: (ET) Dismal failure


> Well, I haven't posted in a while, but I feel like it after what I
experienced
> yesterday.  Call this an airing out, if you will.  Caution, I'm not on my
usual
> bandwagon.
>
> My tractor is currently only in service in the winter now (it isn't able
to
> handle mowing anymore, since I moved to a hilly, landscaped lot in
suburbia).
> So, here my tractor has been sitting in my garage for well over a year
without
> use, but plugged in with Landis controller the entire time.
>
> First, the batteries were very discharged.  I couldn't even get it up to
full
> speed before the whole thing just quit.  Me thinks the controller didn't
kick
> in enough.  I had to put it on a "quick" 20-minute manual charge just to
get
> things going.  After use, I put it on a full manual charge.
>
> But, now here's the really horrible part.  I have the dozer blade on for
> plowing snow.  The crossbar is off so the blade can spring up whenever it
> encounters an obstacle.  Guess what happened?  This snow wouldn't budge
one
> bit.  The blade just kept springing up.  Plus, the rear tires (with
chains)
> would just spin out of control.
>
> I got the dang thing stuck, in 2" deep snow no less, more than 3 times.  
> I
had
> to get my wife to push while I drove in LL twice.
>
> My wife & I then spent the next hour chiseling a one-shovel width path
down
> the sidewalks to comply with city ordinance.  We didn't even feel like
getting
> to the driveway.  We weren't happy.
>
> To be fair, the snow was hard packed, but on the other hand only 2" deep.
> Meanwhile, the neighbors ICE snow throwers were handling things just 
> fine.
I
> felt particularly "behind the curve" after that.  Kind of like when I
splurged
> $500 for a brand new Newton electric walk behind mower, got everything
setup,
> charged the battery, and...saw how utterly horrible it performed in 
> actual
> use.  It only took me 2 months to ditch the Newton and hire a lawn
service.
>
> --
> Jeremy Gagliardi
> E20
> Potomac, Md
>
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