Tractor Troubles
My John Deere 3020 tractor gels up in the pasture while I am feeding the livestock in 35-below temperatures.
Twice.
I pour emergency anti-gel into the diesel tank, turn the key and press the ignition button.
Not even a click.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
I pull the awkward, 45-pound batteries and put them in the basement to warm.
They are dead.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
I replace the batteries and cables. The tractor should start now.
Not even a click.
I jump the starter. I get a whirring sound, but no real effort from the starter.
It is still cold so I pull the batteries and put them in the basement again.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
My advisory committee of knowledgeable friends suggests changing the solenoid.
I make a trip to town and buy a new solenoid.
Not even a click.
My advisory committee and YouTube say this is a sure sign that the starter is bad.
The starter has two bolts that are easy to access and one very difficult bolt.
I get the bolts loose and call it a win.
The starter needs 5 inches of space to slip out.
The double fuel filters allow 2 inches from the starter.
Oh well, I need to change the fuel filters anyway.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
The auto parts store has one filter, not two.
They order a second filter for the next day.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
The fuel filter doesn’t come the next day.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
The fuel filter shows up on second day.
I call it a win.
I crank a filter wrench on the first old fuel filter.
It won’t budge.
I heat the fuel filter housing and tap on it. The filter still won’t budge.
I break two filter wrenches but I get the starter out.
As I pull the starter out, I discover I broke the fuel filter housing.
My mechanic tests the starter.
It is good.
I take the housing to my machinist. He will weld it together by Monday.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
I forget to pick up the housing on Monday.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
On Tuesday, I install the starter and new fuel filters.
Not even a click.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
YouTube videos suggest testing the ignition switch.
It’s bad.
I install a new ignition switch.
Not even a click.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
YouTube educates me about the neutral safety switch, tucked under the floorboard.
As I test the neutral safety switch with my voltmeter, in my mind I have a pointed conversation with tractor designers.
The switch is good.
Not even a click.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
In the middle of the night, I wonder if I actually know how to test the neutral safety switch.
I watch YouTube videos about safety switches and voltage.
I test the voltage of wires from the neutral safety switch to the starter.
The voltage is too low.
A storm dumps a half inch of rain and 5 inches of snow, delaying work on my tractor.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.
Three days later, I go out to retest the voltage and check battery cables.
I realize I left the ignition key on during the storm.
I pull the dead batteries to recharge them.
I feed the livestock with skid steer.
One brand new battery is bad.
I feed the livestock with the skid steer.