Rage and The Miseries of Tractor Repair

Maybe there is zen to be found in motorcycle maintenance, but if it is anything like tractor repair, I really doubt it.  I guess everything is easier to get at on a motorcycle and they are relatively simple machines, but I suspect whoever wrote that stupid book was just smoking too much happy weed.

My tractor is overheating.  This is not a new problem.  Years ago, I had a new radiator core put into it and it worked OK (not great, but OK) for the years since.  I have been told, several times, that it needs a new thermostat, which is not an easy thing to replace on a tractor.  Why the people who replaced the radiator didn't also replace the thermostat (when it would have been easy and cheap) is one of those little mysteries that will remain forever unsolved.  I've tried to get other mechanics to work on the beast.  No luck.  I've tried to get them to give me advice so I can do the job on my own since they won't work on it.  You can guess how that worked out.

The word "thermostat" does not exist in this book:

One might (foolishly) think that a repair manual would be a good resource when trying to actually repair a tractor.

The problem could, possibly, maybe, be with the water pump.  The sum total of the advice available about repairing said water pump can be found in paragraph 177 (you thought maybe I meant page 177?  Ha, silly you.  Who'd ever think of using page numbers in a book?).

The manual says (and this is a direct quote), "The water pump is part of the cooling system.  The removal process will be self evident".  That's it.  The absolute totality of advice on locating, identifying and repairing a water pump.

Actually, there are any number of things on a tractor whose removal is self evident and hey, I can take things apart with the best of 'em.  I have wrenches.  Heck, most of the time, I can even put them back together.  Sometimes, I even enjoy it and really, who needs all those pesky details such as:  how to identify the part whose removal is self evident, how to fix it once removed, how to figure out if that is even the problem in the first place?

And why the Hell doesn't the damn book even mention thermostats?  Why??!  Where the Hell is the Zen in that?

I would really, really like to get my hands on the miserable SOB who wrote paragraph 177.  I've got a nice big wrench right here that would be perfect for the job of demonstrating just how self evident it is to take something apart.  I'll bet I could find some Zen in that right about now.

Tuesday Stills

Tuesday because I forgot on Sunday and ran out of time to write a real post today.  Must try to do better, if only every peice of equipment I deal with would stop breaking.

Take a deep breath and stop to smell the roses.

Yard Crew

Keeping up with everything gets to be a bit much sometimes.  House work, yard work, job work, not to mention repairs.  Yeah, let's not mention repairs just yet, it's a sore subject. 

Good thing I have such dedicated helpers.

I don't know how I would ever manage without them.

Traffic Jam

You know how summer traffic can be! All these tourists who can't even figure out which direction they should be headed...

...and don't even get me started about distracted drivers not paying any attention.... 

I guess it's a good thing cell phones don't work out here. 

A Boy and His Cat

Of dentistry, drool and flowers

Emma and Tessa finally got their teeth worked on this morning.  They both had some sharp points and needed some work, but nothing major.  Ramsey got a reprieve until next Spring as his teeth seemed OK for now.  It all went well.

Unfortunately, I have no pictures.  Hard to believe isn't it?  Let's just say: I am not at my sharpest in the mornings as I work nights and have to get up in the 'middle of the night' to deal with a morning vet appointment.  I walked out of the house without the camera.  Probably just as well, who really wants to have their picture taken while sitting in the dentist chair, drool running down the chin and glassy eyed?  Emma would have found it far beneath her dignity.  I am sure she would have had plenty to say on the subject.

Instead, how about some more Spring flower pictures.  Just the thing to try to envision while your in the dentist's chair.  And for you donkey owners out there, do be sure to have your donkey's teeth checked even if your vet says they don't need it.  I've had two vets tell me that donkeys don't have dental problems.  This is NOT true.  Dental issues are the second mot common health problem in donkeys, just behind foot troubles.  They need their teeth checked regularly.

Cool Summer Breezes

So much for Spring.  We catapulted straight into Summer today.  Time to set up Tessa's best summertime friend.  I have never met a horse so enamored of fans...

"Ahhhh, feels so good"

"Thanks Ma!"