While using an old tractor with a belly mower is mush faster than push mowing, it is much slower than the new whiz bang chrome wheeled mowers. There are still payments. As most people with old tractors know, monthly payments are replaced by repair bills.
One of my ’40s era B farmalls had lost so much compression, the decision was made to swap the belly mower to another “B” with an older rebuild. With a little help from my brother-in-law, some banging of hammers, skinning of knuckles, and the invention of a few words Webster would be ashamed of, the old tractor was ready for yard duty.
After checking the oil and adding water to the radiator, one touch of the starter button brought the little tractor to life. Only a few minutes went by before I was being misted with water. This may be a pricey add-on for new mowers but it was not an option on 1939 Farmalls. Dangit! Radiator leak. I removed the hood, grill, radiator and hauled to the repair shop.
I have been push mowing for several weeks now. Got my radiator back but have not had time to reassemble the old “B”. Cost for radiator repair, nothing. Just had to pay a “Stupid Tax” of time and labor. There was no leak. When I do get time to put it back together, I will make sure the overflow hose is tucked behind the shroud where the fan can’t eat it.
