Junior's New Look

As I mentioned in my last post, the workshop was shut down a few weeks back while we took a family vacation.  It was some much needed down time away from work and all the distractions at home.  Unlike our last vacation, which ended early when we all got sick, this one went even better than planned.  We got to do almost all the activities we planned without feeling rushed or crunched for time.  It was nice to spend some quality time with C and the boys without feeling like I should be doing some chore, or wanting to work on some project.

We've now been back for a couple weeks, and things are pretty much back to normal.  The workshop has been very busy.  I have been fighting a loosing battle with dandelions and decided to upgrade my fire power.  I researched small sprayer units to use with a tractor and settled on a small, 9 gallon unit.  I originally was thinking of mounting it on the tractor, but ultimately decided to go with a pull-behind arrangement.  The least expensive option was modifying a moving dolly.  I cut it down and converted it to a trailer.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  As for the sprayer itself, I still haven't gotten to use it other than trying it out with just water.  It has been too windy when I have had the time to do some spraying.  It currently just has a wand, but I plan on adding a broadcast nozzle to allow me to do some spraying that way as well. 

The other major project has been finishing up the restoration of Junior.  I had a small snag with getting the carburetor working properly.  The engine just did not run consistently, even after doing a rebuild.  I discovered that a part not included in the rebuild kit was worn and needed to be replaced.  It runs better now, although the throttle modulation is still not as good as I would like.  It's good enough for now though.  I hope to put it to work pulling the sprayer soon.  In the meantime, it looks really nice.  I was going for a look like Grandpa's 4010 puller, and although I'm biased, I think it looks pretty good. 

While I was at it painting parts for Junior, I redid L's little power wheels tractor.  Decals are discontinued for it, but I lucked out and found a set for cheap on Ebay.  It almost looks like a new tractor.  L hopped right on and is driving it like a pro, even being able to put it into reverse when he needs to back up.  N doesn't seem to be too happy about being too big for it, but is doing an OK job of coping.  He did ask to get his pedal tractor down so he had a tractor to ride.  He is really improved on his pedaling strength this year.  Not to be outdone, L took a turn on the tractor and did some pedaling himself.  He has trouble reaching the pedals, even with the seat all the way up, but he seems to get the concept. 

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So two tractor projects down, one more to go.  Every time I'm out in the garage, that big yellow hunk of tractor stared back at me.  I'm sure it is wondering when it's going to get some attention to get put back together again.  The boys have both also asked me if they can go for a ride on it.  I have been working on it here and there, but no concerted effort to get it wrapped up. The clock is ticking for the Lexington tractor show again, so my time is running out.  I don't want to jinx myself, but I should be able to get everything put back together in time, but I'll let you know for sure in another week.

Paintin' Place

This post is yet another to file in the "long overdue" category.  Although I am writing this during some down time on our vacation, I probably will not even post this one until I get back, by which time I'll have enough material for another post, which itself will probably come weeks after-the-fact.  Such is life.

Given that this is coming so far after the fact, I'll keep this (relatively) short and sweet.  The biggest workshop project the past few weeks as been painting parts for Junior.  In the past, I've been relegated to painting parts in the back yard, at the mercy of weather and wind conditions.  With the new house in the back yard further limiting the favorable wind directions for painting, I decided to experiment with a home-built paint booth.  long story-short, it worked great.  The paint booth was relatively inexpensive to build, fairly easy to set up and take down, and produced excellent results. While I had it set up, I also painted the exhaust manifolds for the Ten, and even painted some of the sun-faded green parts of L's little power wheels tractor.  Preparing for our vacation significantly limited my time to re-assemble Junior.  What time I did find, things went fairly well.  I still need to do some work on the engine before I put it back in.  I expect things to mostly be smooth sailing from there, although in saying that I am probably jinxing myself.

Speaking of power wheels, we have fired up few of the boys' rides for the season.  N still fits in the jeep.  His driving skills were a little rusty at first, but he quickly got back up to speed, literally.  L doesn't quite have the hang of a steering wheel, but does just fine on the Harley with its handle bars.  He is already asking me to turn the "fast" back on so he can keep up with N.  He also really likes riding along in the jeep while N drives, and N does a pretty good job of being careful with his little brother.  The kid-powered rides have been getting a work out as well.  N is getting really fast on his bike.  L doesn't have the pedalling down yet, but he can scoot on his tricycle pretty fast, especially down hill. 

All the spring weather has continued to motivate the wildlife around our house.  We have had one more serenade from the coyotes, and the owl roosted one evening on the neighbor's roof, treating us to who-who-whoing as we were watching TV.  While clearing some dead vegitation from the flower bed I found a pretty good sized toad.  L wasn't quite ready to touch  it, but it didn't bother N any.  We turned it loose down by the creek.

 
One major task on our to-do list before leaving was upgrading our phones.  2 years ago when we got our last phones we opted not to jump on the smart phone bandwagon just yet.  I still think that was the right decision then, but it isn't taking us long to fall in love with our new iPhones.  C loves the apps for helping her find food that fits her dietary needs, and I love having maps and weather at my finger tips.  We elected to hold off on buying any cases for our phones when we got them due to the mark ups at the phone store.  We ordered some from Amazon as soon as we got home, but that still left us treating our unprotected phones with kid gloves for a few days.  Fortunately, our "Otterbox" cases arrived just in time for us to take them on the trip.  Both of us have managed to drop our phones already since getting them, and in both instances, they have already earned their keep.