(ET) 2 ETs down - tough winter so far

[Darryl McMahon <darryl econogics com>]

Just casting about for thoughts before I dig into either machine.  It's 
too bloody cold here to work on them at the moment.  Hit -32 C the night 
before last.

The speed-direction control on the E12 that carries the plow blade 
started acting a bit flaky, then handed me the actual control handle 
with remains of a rusted out roll-pin.  Fortunately, this happened when 
the tractor was not moving.  Took me a while to push it up off the 
street uphill into its usual parking spot.

I'm assuming the easiest fix is to remove the speed control unit from 
within the dash area, dislodge the remains of the original roll-pin and 
insert a new one.  I think this machine will turn 50 this year.

Other thoughts on starting point on this one?

By comparison, the E15 that pushes the snowthrower around is a young 
47-48 years old, IIRC.

It was having flaky fuse issues (the 3-fuse panel on the 'firewall'), 
lift and then controls.  Cleaned the holders, closed them a bit, and put 
in new fuses.  Seemed to resolve the issues.  A couple of direction 
shifts later on the speed controller and the power gauge reading dropped 
to the floor.  I'm assuming a short, and possibly because it could have 
a welded contactor at this point, creating a short by closing one 
contactor and not opening another.  Power meter drop happens in both 
forward and reverse.  Got to push that one all the way up the driveway 
and into the garage with help.

Again, any other thoughts on a diagnostic starting point?

This one is disappointing because I put some time and effort into 
getting the snowthrower operating really nicely, and it's my main tool 
for widening the street after the city plow comes by after each storm 
and widens the snowbanks, narrowing the street.  I generally use the 
plow to lift the packed down snow beside the plow droppings as the 
grader compacts the snow with its front wheels before the blade reaches 
the same point.  Then pass with the snowthrower to move the plow 
compacted material and droppings up over the snow wall.

I trust others are having more fun with their ETs in the snow this year.

--
Darryl McMahon