Tractor Repair / Restoration

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It started easy enough, I would just repair or adjust  the pto clutch and investigate why I had low compression on number 2 cylinder.

When I pulled the bottom cover off the clutch housing a pool of engine oil came out. So now I also had a rear engine seal leaking.

This means that I had to split the tractor to replace the seal. 

Then I pulled off the cylinder head and found a exhaust valve that wasn't sealing.

Then I pulled the pistons and found very worn piston rings and ring grooves on the piston.

Next I found the crankshaft worn and in need of a grinding to 040" for all the bearings.

Next, the guys machining the head found that the head was cracked in two places.

I phoned around trying to find a new head but this was difficult as most were found to be cracked.
So I decided to repair the cracks.

 So I drilled a hole in both ends of the crack and then grind the cast iron to remove the cracks

 Then I started to weld the cracks with a nickle electrode.  I welded these cracks very slowly to keep the cast iron from getting too hot and cracking on the weld.

It took all afternoon to repair it, and at no time was it too hot to touch with bare hands.

 Finished
Now for the pressure test.

A sad evening yesterday as our very round pregnant ewe, 32Z, had troubles giving birth.

Special thanks to our helpful neighbour Fred Meister for the assistance he gave me as I played veterinarian on the backside of the ewe.

The first twin was stuck with the head coming out but not showing the front hooves. I had to push the head back in and try to reposition the front hooves.
When I finally pulled the first lamb out, it was dead.

We let the ewe try to deliver the second lamb by herself, but she was unable.
This lamb was turned backwards as her tail was what I found in the birth canal.
I repositioned the back legs and pulled.
This lamb managed to take a few breaths of air but died within the minute.

The ewe survived the ordeal and has plenty of milk but no lambs.

Three ewes remaining for this lambing season.

 

Still Waiting

I can't believe that she has not giving birth yet!
She doesn't show any signs of distress. She does a lot of sitting while supporting her weight on her front legs. She also shows a interest in feed.

We will continue to monitor her.

No Supervision

This is what happens when the mother sheep are eating oats.

Turn up your sound and enjoy! 

First Registered Canadian Arcott lambs born at Living Sky Ranch

The mother is Augusta 24A

Sheep Shape

Round

She is very pregnant. 
One of six remaining sheep to have lambs in 2014.
 

Grapple fork project

 The start of the grapple fork project.

For the purpose of cleaning the barn and corrals this spring.

Fully removable from the bucket in minutes by unbolting 9 bolts

 Installing the grapple teeth

 Installed some anti slip grip tape for a safer way to get in and out of the machine.

 Some finishing touches on the hose bracket.

Bottle Feeding

Lambs Playing in Fresh Straw

Trouble in the Corral

It's -30C overnight and the float valve is leaking.

I tried to adjust the float but it will not stop leaking.

I have a new valve to replace it with.

The Adoption Adapter

One of the new triplets has been abandoned by her mom. We want to keep this abandoned lamb sucking until we can fool a new mother into feeding this lamb.
I built this Adoption Adapter to restrain the mother and to prevent her from seeing which lamb is sucking.