(ET) Fall into winter

[Chris Zach <cz alembic crystel com>]

Well today I did the last leaf pickup in the yard with the elec trak 
vacuum, bag, and trailer. I realized I was done when I broke the adapter 
that connects the deck to the vacuum hose and figured I was done.

So off came the blower, I think I will POR15 the thing or at least the 
intake adapter to prevent rust, and off came the mower deck. The cotter 
pins on the lift which hold the springs were rusted on (again) so I need 
to grind them off, pull the axle, and re-drill out the cotter pins. 
Again. Seriously I think I'll just get stainless steel cotter pins for 
it, this rust and corrosion stinks.

Deck will go in the shed and I'll probably POR15 the underside in the 
spring. It's been holding up pretty well.

Also put the E15 motor back together and it's ready to go in the 
Elec-Trak E15 hulk. I went in the back and checked it out, it's still 
rusted but solid so as soon as I can find a tow strap I'll drag it out 
up to the house, wash all the mouse nests out (again) think about 
stripping the rust and POR15ing the frame (again), and build a 60 cell 
BB600 pack for it over the winter. Oddly enough the welds I put in years 
ago to repair the back of the frame with angle iron are still holding up 
pretty well....

And re-mount the motor of course :-) With new brushes, bearings, and a 
good cleaning it will spin nicely at 3 volts....

Soon though it will be snow time, and I'll hitch up the snowblower and 
chains.....