Filature de Niaux - a waste of time

The wool mill at Niaux "Sibada Laine" is the only mill within 300km of us and for a long time was closed following an industrial accident in which a worker lost his arm. When they finally started again we asked them to wash our wool. It came back mostly felted and we were very unimpressed, vowing never to use them again. 4 or 5 years later they have completely overhauled their machines and we thought we'd try them again for some carding. Six weeks after dropping off the wool we got a message last week saying it was ready for collection today. We confirmed we would arrive in the morning but when we got there after a 90 minute drive the place was locked up. We called and texted the mobile number of our contact, sent more emails and left messages but no reply. A wasted morning not to mention the cost of the fuel.

We will have to make another appointment to get our wool back. It will be the last time I waste my time with company. I have nothing positive to say about their competence or customer service. 

crazy weather

 Last week we were in a heat wave with temperatures of 38 degrees and high humidity (55 in the sun), even going out side was difficult then in the space of 24 hours all change and the temperatures have plummetted to 11 degrees with snow on the mountains.

Sampling

Whilst I m waiting for a new loom reed suitable for the bathroom rug project, I put a narrow warp on the loom to do some sampling. Playing with bateman blend and basket weave twill.

 

Tractor problems continued

Day 3 - So I took the bolts from the flywheel which were rubbing against clutch and ground their heads down so they protruded 2mm less. Next I cleaned up the PTO drive shaft and re-greased it. I reassembled the tractor (see last post for the process). Then I tried to start it. The starter could barely turn the engine. The lights were suoer bright so it wasn 't a flat battery. something was stopping the engine from turning over - which could only be the PTO shaft. I tried to engage the PTO with the lever on the tractor, but it too was blocked from moving....something was afoot! I tried to see if I could unblock things by turning the PTO from the rear, engaging the PTO clutch but nothing would move.

Nothing for it but to tear down the tractor third time. So another couple of hours taking everything apart. I separated engine and inspected everything. All seemed OK. So reassembly for the thrid time. This time I just couldn't get the drive shaft splines to align with the clutch. It's a difficult job especially without an assistant. I tried to keep forward pressure on the trolley holding the engine whilst slowly turning the flywheel hoping for forward motion when the spline was in the right position. On the tractor there are two sets of splines - one for the drive shaft and one for the PTO and both have to be correctly aligned. It took over an hour of trying before eventually "pop" in they went. The PTO levers were moving and the PTO rotated so I tightened everything up and reassembled. I turn the key and it's still blocked! After putting aside suicidal thoughts and wonder if the battery is a little flat after all? Its 7pm and time to call it a day. I take the battery home with me to charge.

Day 4 - Tomorrow is another day. I put in the freshly charged battery and try to start it....still blocked. The PTO is stuck fast. Damn. After much head scratching Nanou my neighbour arrives ( he works in the local agricultural workshop). He too agrees that something must be blocking the engine and it can only be the PTO. He suggests just slowly parting the engine and clutch from the tractor to see at what point everything frees up. Whilst he goes home for breakfast I do this and find that 1mm of separation and everything turns any less and things quickly jam. Nanou returns and we try to wiggle/shake whatever is causing the block free but nothing will work. So teardown number 4 ensues. We split the tractor and inspect everything again taking measurements shining torches to look for contamination...nothing. So together we put the two parts of tractor back together (quicker to get things aligned with two). We tighten the bolts and everything seems to be free. So Nanou leaves me to reassemble so that I can try to start it again. I just connect the essentials - no need for the accelerator, the fuel tank and battery are just sat loose and the fuel and hydraulic filters are just hanging from bits of wire. I turn the key............SUCCESS!

When Nanou returns he's happy but is at loss to understand why it was blocked before. The modifications to the flywheel nuts has worked and the clutch is quiet and smooth. Another 2 hours to fully reassemble, zip tie cables and hoses neatly and reverse the accelerator cable as I ve had enough of lying under the tractor trying to rethread and block it - now this done at the engine end where it's easier to see. One of the bolts securing the starting motor gets cross threaded and strips the thread but fortunately a cut down new bolt cuts a new thread and all is well.  

Moral of the story....Never give up.

Tractor problems

Tractor tear down to get at the clutch. There are horrible sounds coming when the clutch is depressed and they can't be ignored. Likely cause was the clutch throw out bearing. My local repair shop couldn t fit me in for a least 2-3 months and I daren't think of the cost! So after eventually finding the part in Italy (Argofrance were as usual totally unhelpful) and my neighbours at Pinsou letting use there garage, I embarked on the installation.

Day 1 - Roll bar off, indicators off, mudguards off, battery disconnect and remove, starting motor remove, fuel lines disconnect fuel tank remove, primary fuel filter unbolt, hydraulic hoses x 3 disconnect, accelerator cables x 2 disconnect, electric connectors disconnect, hydraulic filter disconnect, jack up tractor, support engine on trolley, unbolt engine and wheel away! prise off old clutch release bearing and install new. Reassemble (reverse of above) and re-adjust clutch. Start tractor and the noise is still there!!!

the lady sawn in half!

clutch throw out bearing around the spigotted drive shaft 

Day 2 - repeat the dismantling above. Take clutch apart, inspect. Possible sources of noise:

1. damper spring is a bit loose and shows signs that it might be rubbing on some bolts holding the flywheel on.

rubbing on one of the clutch plate damper springs

2. The PTO shaft (connected to the flywheel) runs inside the drive shaft (connected to the clutch). When the drive shaft stops because the clutch is pressed the PTO shaft continues to spin and there is rust on the latter which could be causing rubbing/noise. Strangely there does seem to be any bearing between the two just a bit of grease. 

I ll have another look in the morning, but I m guessing fixes for these two minor ailments might resolve the frightening sounds

PTO shaft inside drive shaft