We spent a few days in Cullman this week. I created a work list which we attacked once we got there on Thursday. I had some appointments this week that kept us from leaving as soon as usual. Two of the biggest jobs I wanted to accomplish were to cut the access hole in the brush hog so we could remove the blades and to reconnect one of the brake cylinders so the 284 would have at least 1 brake. It turned out that the bolt was much bigger than I expected so the 2 inch hole wasn't big enough to allow the socket to reach the nut. Since we had already opened a hole, I had to come up with a plan to enlarge the hole without the help of the pilot hole that you normally drill with the hole saw. It occurred to me that I could use a piece of plywood to cut a 3 inch hole and let that hole control the hole saw. It worked. With a little patience, we cut the 3 inch hole and gained access the the nut. Then we encountered the next problem which wasn't unexpected. The nut had not been removed in a long time if ever. It resisted out best efforts to loosen it. I bought an air hammer ratchet and it didn't have enough power to remove it. After working with it for 2 days, I finally got 1 nut off. We tried to pop the bolt back through but it wasn't moving. I finally ran out of time and left the whole thing soaking in WD-40. Better luck next week.
We did get the weeds sprayed around the buildings at the Galin place. We also trimmed the overhanging limbs there. When we next brush hog, it should be a lot safer.
For safety sake, I had wanted to get at least 1 brake working on the 284. After looking at the owner's manual I bought and watching some general information videos, I went to work. The brake I removed wasn't rebuildable. It was the disposable unit that comes on these tractors. I pulled the tape free that Paw Paw used to keep dirt out of the system. Once clean, I took some rubber glove tips to create a cover for each of the hoses. Once those were taken care of, I added hy-tran to the reservoir, opened the air purge and got David pumping the brake. After a couple of minutes, no bubbles seemed to be coming out and I locked it down. I climbed into the seat, put her in gear, started off, and bingo, we had brakes. It got me thinking we could get one of those that the guy makes that is rebuildable and get both sides working. Maw Maw agrees. By next week we will have the replacement. With some heat and elbow grease I should be able to get those blades off and finally get them sharpened.
The garden is getting past its season. Less work for Maw Maw for the rest of the summer. She says no garden next year. I thought having a garden this year would be therapeutic. It is a lot of work. Perhaps even stressful when she sees so much going to waste.