remider to self... read the manual... get a manual

[rockriver]

this weekend I left the condo and went to help a fella.

he'd bought used tractor and some equipment... including a pto operated chipper/shredder.
he got no manual for the shredder/chipper, but hey! how hard can it be!!
3 different days, he'd set up the equipment to turn leaves and limbs into mulch for the garden.
no luck... spent the whole time opening up the machine to free jammed pieces and restart...

Saturday, we set it up again to try one more time...
then, at the last minute decided to check on the internet, maybe we could find a manual.
maybe, even though we were sure we were "doing it right" ... just maybe we weren't.

shock... run that thing at 540 pto rpm!!
that's pretty close to "wide @ss open."
put the big limbs in the little chute!
put the little pieces in the big opening!!

the thing was quieter at wide open than at half speed. worked like a charm... ran for hours..
we got tired before it did...

bottom line lesson for me ... get a manual... read the manual.
manual won't be available if the internet is down!

rr

[jimmycthemd]

I used to restore old cars. From then on, any vehicle/machinery I get I buy the maintenance and chassis manuals. Most folks have the owners manual for their cars/trucks but few have the maintenance manual and only an infitesimal few have the chassis manual. Yet another excellent post...you're on a roll, rr.

[610Alpha]

The net has been my source for manuals for a while...I find it, print it, and put it in the manual box on our shelf.

[Benn Gleck]

Great thread RR!

What kinda tractor did ya get?

[rockriver]

benn,
keep in mind.... I live in a high rise condo!
lol.

my friend .. he was using a jd 770 I think with the chipper.

[Templar]

Old military acronym...RTFB!

[RobertJ]

I even do this for all the firearms I own. I buy "The official NRA guide for firearms Assembly" they have one for pistols and revolvers, one for rifles, shotguns. I also go to brownells or other places and print out the same for weapons I have that are not covered in the NRA books. This is the complet assembly/disassembly. Not just the cleaning breakdowns.

I have always been a do it yourself'er and get TMs/Chiltons and other guides for all mechanical things I own. I have a library in my small garage from all the vehicles I have owned as well as small engine repair (brigs and straton).

I dont feel as weird now for having all this, its a joke to my neighbors. But who do they come to when their mower wont start, or vehicle needs a jump etc.