Not a good start

[chuck ma]

Forecasters predicted snow for this 4-6 heavy wet snow. So yesterday I thought I better make sure cubs are running one was running rough (1950) so I cleaned and rebuilt carb installed it and made no difference in the way it ran so on to the ignition, before i started that I start the other 1962 low boy turned over slow but fired right up and noticed it was not charging (new regulator put on this summer (tried jumping the regulator no change) ok pulled around the barn put charge on it so it would be good to go this morning. Back to other cub 1950 opened distributor cap sprayed an wiped clean filed points put back together and it would not start. turns over fine does not fire up. Now its getting latter in the day so after couple tries I said back to the other checked and filled what needed and started right put back under carport shut the gas off and let bowl run dry. So back to this noon time (today) snows winding down I go fire up the loboy and get plowing, can't find key oh-oh started wondering did i turn key off, went there it was still left that over nite battery dead. So instead of plowing snow i'm sitting here telling you how stupid I am. Thanks for listening had to vent, no use yelling at myself I wont listen. I'll let you know how this all works out.
Thanks Chuck

[Don McCombs]

Believe me, you are not alone in this adventure.

[chuck ma]

Thanks for your support, Don. I did go out after putting the 30 amp fast charger on the cub for a hour and she fired right up cleaned up yard and neighbors yards with help of my son on a john deere 140 with snowblower in a hour and 1/2 we do 6 neighbors yards and our own. I don't charge them for the work because I can't always guarantee I will be there because my health problems and everyone is happy that arrangement I get cookies and treats and occasionally a gas card or two. Another storm coming Tuesday supposedly big blizzard hope not though.
Chuck

[ScottyD'sdad]

What's worse than leaving the key on, is to have a grandson, who pulls out the switch, and leaves it. I hop on, a week later, and find a dead battery!

[artc]

when you shut off the gas and let the cub run till it quits, TWO things happen. ONE - the carb stops providing any fuel to the venturi because there is negative pressure in the fuel bowl. there is still plenty of fuel in the bowl, there is just no way for air to enter to allow the fuel out (remember the two little holes in the gas cap are to let air in (and out). if you want to drain the carb, take the plug out of the bottom. and TWO - you will more often than not FORGET to turn off the ignition!!!! It wasn't that cold last night fortunately or your battery would have froze and become a core to turn in to NAPA on a new one!

so I don't shut down a tractor by turning off the fuel.

PS if you have a Pertronics electronic ignition, you will probably fry it leaving the key on.

[Jim Becker]

Even with the fuel shut off, there is going to be more pressure in the bowl than there is at the venturi. If closing the shut off prevented gas from exiting the bowl, the tractor would stop instantly when the shut off closed.

In any case, I don't routinely try to run the fuel bowl empty. I usually cut the fuel off before the ignition, but don't wait for it to quit. My theory, right or wrong, is that is enough to unseat the float valve and keep it from sticking shut and if a Viton tip keep it from deforming against the seat.

[chuck ma]

Jim thanks thats a good idea, because that is exactly what I am trying to accomplish is to keep valve from sticking. So from no on I will run it out to open needle valve and shut it down before it stops. Thanks Chuck

[artc]

so a quick test was in order, since i have the Demo cub in the shop and it's 65 degrees inside. turn on fuel, start tractor, run a few moments, shut off fuel - wait for it to die.

results - it takes a minute or so at idle for it to shut down (longer than i thought it would), but it seems to stumble a couple of times making me think it's sucking a little air from somewhere, probably a through a jet. after it died, i removed the plug in the bottom of the carb.

enough gas flowed out to make me think the bowl was perhaps half full.

so, if the goal is to open the float needle - that appears to be true.

if the goal was to drain the carb as is often the comment - that appears to be false.

so i suppose Mythbusters would call that a draw.