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Re: (ET) This deck died for your sins....



And taking a look at the brake system I can see part of the problem: The cotter pin that holds the adjusting bolt was missing. Either it broke off or rusted off, I know I put that back on the last time I did this (a few years ago but...)

Off to Home Despot for a new pin, more importantly I'm going to drop the transmission in the spring and replace the whole brake assembly with a new version kit I bought a number of years back. This is just ridiculous.

On the E20 AA, the brake caliper floats on a pair of bolts with spacers so it moves in respect to the brake disc. On the later one I think the caliper assembly is fixed and the disc floats.

On 11/19/2018 9:51 AM, Chris Zach wrote:
Yep, I'm doing it today. And taking care of a rather bruised leg. Seriously, there were 100 ways this could have turned out and 99 of them are pretty bad.



On 11/19/2018 5:52 AM, Hank Ralston wrote:
I adjusted them about every 2-3 years.  Finally had t get new pads when one got so thin it dropped out during an adjustment.  not too bad for over 25 years or more of use. It maybe time for more owners to check to see if it's time for them to do the same.

Thanks,
Hank
Office (585) 697-0880
www.RalstonAgency.com

On Nov 18, 2018, at 6:48 PM, Rob Brockway via Elec-trak <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu> wrote:

Glad you are ok.  I have had a bad experience driving up a steep grade when the tractor slipped out of gear.  Started backwards down the slope.  Was very concerned the brakes would cause me to flip over backwards.  Avoided a tree but was not a good situation.
Rob in NH

Sent from my iPad

On Nov 18, 2018, at 5:28 PM, Mike Finck via Elec-trak <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu> wrote:

Wow, what a story. It was probably over in 2-3 seconds but so much went through your mind, you kept your wits about you and mitigated the outcome.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 18, 2018, at 4:53 PM, Chris Zach <cz alembic crystel com> wrote:

I'll be honest: In about 10 alternate realities I am dead, and no longer posting on this list. In this one however I merely have a banged up leg, so I thought I would write up my error such that others do not repeat it.

Spent the day mowing leaves and hauling the bags up to the curb with my E20. It's a pretty heavy tractor; several hundred pounds plus batteries. The brakes needed adjustment, but they would hold it at a stop, so I put off getting them adjusted till later. Besides, the motor in regen mode can stop the tractor easily, and it doesn't go too fast.

After taking the last load up the hill I turned to the driveway to go down and back into the yard. My driveway is pretty long, about a 30 degree slope, and the tractor can get a good bit of regen. This time however when I went down the tractor popped out of L.

First reaction was to hit the brakes. Nothing, the tractor was speeding up and was basically freewheeling. Could not get it back into gear so I thought about bailing out. At the bottom of the hill are 4 cars: 2 porsches, a minivan and an older electric. By the time I decided to hit the cars, it was too late to angle for the electric and if I hit the minivan I would probably go through the rear hatch. So the Porsche it was, with the thought that I would go over the top of the car and deal with things later.

At the last second I realized there was another option: A hard 90 degree turn into the woodpile. There was one that was only 10% full, so I turned the wheel and prepared to go off the side. The tractor turned, dumped me, slammed into the woodpile, and the deck took the force of the blow as it was retracted up.

The deck is now bent like a cruller, it's kind of neat to see. Granted it was old and rusted but I think I will need a replacement. I went off the side, bumped into the minivan, and was quite oddly fine with the exception of a badly bruised and cut up leg.

This could have gone much much worse. In fact it's pretty much impossible that it went as well as it did. The moral of the story is this: Adjust your brakes on your tractor. Never drive it if they are not ready to stop it. Been doing this for 20 years, and I really almost bought it this evening.

Noted for future reference.

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