Have Deere Will Aerate

I know this isn't breaking news for some of you, but this is one of those projects for the books. I was donated this little bucket of bolts and you couldn't have slapped the smile off my face as I trailered it home. It was October at the time and snowy. I was so excited I pushed it at least 80' through 6'' of snow, up the trailer ramp and drove off before they changed their mind. Don't ask me where the snow went. Over the following couple weeks I resurrected the beast temporarily.

After looking around in the snow and waist high weeds I found the mower deck under the front of a junked van that must to have housed at least 20 generations of ferrel cats. It stunk bad! Being motivated by the stink I summoned super human strength and hefted the stinky mower deck on to my back and dump it into the trailer and off I went.

The restoration project took place in the spring and I eventually dissected the beast down to its frame. It looks like cosmetic surgery gone bad, but it gets better.

Just another shot of the breakdown.

Project Completed. After many hours and a few new parts ( bearings, fuel pump, after market lights, John Deere Green/Yellow paint, JD stickers of course, seat, custom billet nobs, V belts, battery and some electrical wiring.) this lockjaw causing rust bucket is now the cute $35.00 dollar per lawn aeration machine you now see. I kid you not, the whole make over cost me about $80.00. (Lawn aerator not included) In the spring and fall Bradley and I Have a great time aerating lawns. The extra $ makes me feel better every time I go to the gas pump (Dirty buggers) and whats left over goes towards our ski fund.

A funny story... After I completed the restoration I was one day mowing our small to medium sized lawn when a friend/neighbor drove by. She yelled from her drive by "You've got to be the most lazy man on the block!" To which I replied "YEAH, BUT I'M DONE, NOW GO HOME AND PUSH MOW YOURS!"

Good times!

Dads division pinewood derby. Anything goes!

This was the end result of a quick and dirty build. I had to put it together the night before. No real prep on the wheels or spindles was done.... 2 cent tour to follow.

This high speed motor just sizzled. It sounds like a dental drill.

Tire attached to motor.

All the electrical hardware in this build came from one of Bradley's old hover craft toys. It had alot of power and burned out all the way across the finish line. There was at least 4-5 car legnths lead. Fun.

The whole kit and kaboodle. It was a real success and all the kids at the derby took turnes racing it. It was beat to death by the 8th or 9th turn. If you want to see the video of it, just leave comment with your home email and I'll shoot it over to ya!

Bradley's car is finished!

As if there was any doubt. Yes, Bradley took first place. There was no trophy... Dang it! Bradley built this stand at his den meeting.

This was the finished product. Simple but dang fast.

Store bought BSA weights are too thick and may sometimes cause the belly of the car to drag. Fender washers hot glue on quite nice.

We hot glued role pins to the rear. You would be supprised on how much weight you need to add to get to 5oz.

For the last finishing touches, we used elbow macaroni noodles for exaust pipes and a mock engine gladley donated by Becky from one of Bradleys Hot Wheels cars.

Pine Wood Derby 2008

Here's Brad starting the car 1 week before the big race.We Drilled 3/8 holes close to the ends of the pine block to give the car a wider stance and glued hard wood oak dowels in them.

Shot of the oak dowels glued in place.

Here is a shot of the oak dowels that we pressed after we milled off the excess. The hard wood with graphite rubbed in really makes a slick surface for the hub to rub on. This it the result of truing the axle on a lathe and removing the rough spots from the original manufacturing. Also turning the head of the axle and making the inside of the head flat makes all the difference.

This is another tip I snagged off the Internet. Removing material from the tire to create a small high spot = Less drag. More pictures to come of the finished product and race.