You know that sound as petrol goes up?
This morning I've been continuing (started 6 months ago) the rear hitch for the wheelhorse.
I was just making the part that sits under the seat pan that transfers the lift from the lift lever to the hitch (like the rocker arm on the 3ph).
To get at it I removed the seat pan, then removed the fuel tank. Inevitably when you remove the fuel tank some fuel drips on the floor, and all the fuel in the tube to the engine dribbles out onto the floor.
I spotted that a tack weld on one of the bushings had broken, figured I'd just tack it back on. Welding helmet down, I just touched the stick to the metal, the first spark flies,
WHUMP!
You know, you cant see fire through a shade 4 lens, you can when you lift it up though
Big fire, not the biggest I've seen, but not only is the puddle on the floor on fire, part of the tractor is too, and it appears there was a bit of vapour around too, because there is some fire floating around my feet too.
Fortunately, being a fuel fire, it was already burning out by the time I had decided between getting my phone out and taking a photo, and getting something to put it out. By the time I came back with a bucket of water there was only the tinyest flame on a lump of wood.
Quite lucky that the fuel tank, which I kicked away when I saw the fire, or the tyres, or me, didnt catch fire.
Just gunna finish my coffee, then go out and weld that bit back on, with NO fuel nearby!
This morning I've been continuing (started 6 months ago) the rear hitch for the wheelhorse.
I was just making the part that sits under the seat pan that transfers the lift from the lift lever to the hitch (like the rocker arm on the 3ph).
To get at it I removed the seat pan, then removed the fuel tank. Inevitably when you remove the fuel tank some fuel drips on the floor, and all the fuel in the tube to the engine dribbles out onto the floor.
I spotted that a tack weld on one of the bushings had broken, figured I'd just tack it back on. Welding helmet down, I just touched the stick to the metal, the first spark flies,
WHUMP!
You know, you cant see fire through a shade 4 lens, you can when you lift it up though
Big fire, not the biggest I've seen, but not only is the puddle on the floor on fire, part of the tractor is too, and it appears there was a bit of vapour around too, because there is some fire floating around my feet too.
Fortunately, being a fuel fire, it was already burning out by the time I had decided between getting my phone out and taking a photo, and getting something to put it out. By the time I came back with a bucket of water there was only the tinyest flame on a lump of wood.
Quite lucky that the fuel tank, which I kicked away when I saw the fire, or the tyres, or me, didnt catch fire.
Just gunna finish my coffee, then go out and weld that bit back on, with NO fuel nearby!