fixing old stuff

I think that things break in proportion to the amount of money you have available to fix them.  In the last month, we've killed two microwave ovens, a washing machine, and now the garden tractor.  Unfortunately, the microwaves are throw away items.  The washer repairman will be called on Monday.  I don't know enough about washers to fix it.  It won't spin.  Someone will come who will make it spin again or I'll buy a used one to replace it.

The garden tractor is another matter, though.  It's very useful this time of year.  I have lots of tools to take care of loosening the soil, I have a plow.  But it needs a new starter.  The teeth on the old one are worn out, so that's an easy fix.

You'd think.

My tractor is old.  Sears doesn't sell parts for it nor do they even list parts for the engine anymore.  Fortunately, it's a good old Briggs and Stratton and they do list parts for it.  Finding the parts was a process.  I found a part number by asking the internet a series of questions, finally asking the right one, then going to the B&S website and finding a parts breakdown and an owners manual for the engine.

Yay!

Now, the problem is that there are three starter options for the engine and I've loaned the tape measure I need to measure it has been loaned to someone for a couple of days.  At least I found the information I'll need to fix the tractor.  Just a handful of bolts to undo and the tractor should be back among the operable. It's a later on project.

I'm just happy I was able to find something to fix the tractor with.  Buying a replacement just isn't an option.  I got a copy of my credit report today.  It's not gonna happen for a very, very, very long time.

I'm very blessed that the Lord gave me the skills and knowledge to figure out and fix things.  Once I figure out which starter I need, I'm off to Ebay to find one.  You can find just about anything on e-bay.