Cavalier 3108 "It SMOWS"

[MPH]

Was going after the Big 10, but this almost-a-tractor was in the way.

All I heard about it when I got it was the famous words " it worked last time I used it, then wouldn't start" Thought I found the problem right off when I looked at the engine, it's laying down on the job

So far I found the switch was corroded not making contact, then found a wire inside the seliniod broke loose from the solder, now it seems to work. Thought it pretty neat the bottom plate was made to pop off. Took a break after that. Engine # is 190707, or could be 130707, second didget has a rust spot on it, code is 85-04-29-1 so I'm claiming it to be a 1985sm02 After I got done blowing snow slides this afternoon I finished up putting the Cavalier back together and took it for a drive around the driveway, not much for tracftion in soft snow

As I left a few lumps of slushy snow when I bladed on the soft hard pack, Maynards term for show and tell a few years back came to mind so I engauged the deck and decide to 'smow' the lumps ahead:D:D

one pass

Don't send the white coats after me now, first time I've seen 64 above zero in 6 months8D8D

[UCD]

Year Series HP.MFG. NO. MODEL NO. TYPE NO. 1979 3108E 8 1690527 190707 5641-01† 1980 3108E 8 1690527 190707 5641-01† 1980 3108M 8 1690526 190702 5642-01† 1981 3108E 8 1690527 190707 5641-01† 1981 3108M 8 1690526 190702 5642-01† 1982 3108E 8 1690527 190707 5641-01† 1983 3108E R.E.R. 8 1690527 190707 5811-01† 1984 3108E R.E.R. 8 1690527 190707 5811-01† 1985 3108E R.E.R. 8 1690527 190707 5811-01† † Briggs & Stratton Engine

[ehertzfeld]

And WHAT are you going to do with that thing in the tundra?????:D:D:D:D

[MPH]

Thanks Maynard, written in my book. "And WHAT are you going to do with that thing in the tundra????" Ahhhhhhhh not much Elon. Came with 4 tractors a couple years ago, said Simplicity on the side and had a Briggs engine, it HADDA come all the way home.^^ Beside, it is kinda a cute little feller. After cleanning the switch and repairing the starter seliniod, it fired right up, with the blade engagedB). jacked the rear end up and it goes 5 speeds forward and one reverse. Couldn't find a drain plug to drain the oil so I soaked it down in Gunk engine cleaner and rolled it out the door for a bath.

Deck height adjustment appears to be stuck and the drive chain a bit loose. Anyone know if that tightens on the tranny or the axles? Haven't looked yet as it's dripping wet now.

[ehertzfeld]

Well Marty, if you need some parts, just let me know. I mite beable to help out.

[goatfarmer]

quote:

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And WHAT are you going to do with that thing in the tundra?????:D:D:D:D

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maybe a parade vehicle?

[Marty-MN]

I think it's cute maybe you can use it to pull something

[dav]

whay's that icky white crud on the ground? maybe you could put a blade on it and push that stuff outta the way![[:D]]

[andrewk]

For the drive chain, there is a plastic tensioner, IIRC. Its just a little roller that is mounted in a slotted hole, and all you have to do is loosen the bolt, pull it tight, and tighten. Very simple adjustment. You can almost see it in Elon's pic. They are not the greatest piece of engineering, but they work. It's been awhile since I worked on one, but I think the pto belt adjustment is a pain too. Hope this helps, Andrew

[gwiseman]

Marty You come up with some of the dangest ideas and things. Yea, the best question is - what the heck are you going to do with it? We always knocked the runt in the head or gave it to the city folk who didn't know any different.............

[MPH]

What to do with seems to be the most common question, does that mean that one big long blade doesn't mow well? Thought maybe it would work to mow around the bushes since my push mower is worn out. If not, well, grease it down good so it don't rust up too bad and someday when I'm a gramps, I'll be able to go out to the edge of woods with some little feller and dig this thing out to make a go-cart :D. Should have a few bigger tires around by then to put on it ;). Thanks for the tip on the tightener Andrew, did figure out looking a little last night that the lose piece of pipe hanging off the side of the engine is the oil drain plug, had so much oily dirt and grass on it earlier I didn't see the plug in the end of it.

[DarrylF]

I picked up a Cavalier 3108 for my wife a few years back and she just loves it! She really wasn't confortable using any of my tractors, but the flat floor and electric start make the Cavalier a good fit for her. We rarely mow with it although she sometimes helps with the close in trimming. It mostly pulls her Simplicity trailer loaded with gardening supplies and tools around wherever she is working. It fits right in HER garden shed, trailer and all. Darryl

[andrewk]

The longer blade should mean higher tip speed, and more inertia. I would think it would mow great. The biggest problem that I had with them is they dont have much power (they dont need it though) and they are sooooo small. Should be a great little trim mower.

[andrewk]

Correction, it should be a great "smower"!! Love it!

[gregc]

It just ain't right. While you were smowing yesterday at 64° it was 45° in this part of NC.8C

[goatfarmer]

45 would be nice! We were about 30 yesterday, in Indiana.

[wminmi]

quote:

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Originally posted by goatfarmer
45 would be nice! We were about 30 yesterday, in Indiana.

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Was in indiana almost all day yesterday: Muncie was nice and so was Indy.....compared to michigan. It was around 23* here in michigan yesterday :O

[UCD]

Marty Nice smow job. But I don't see any stripes. 64° above zero your lucky only 21° degrees above here this morning but that 8" - 15" of sugar snow we got Wed. & Thur. and the below 32° nights and above 32° days ( presently 35° ) is very good for the Maple sugar/syrup producers.

[MPH]

Its only 20 here this morning Maynard, calling for high 50's today. That's why it it takes this snow sooooooooooo long to melt around here, it's froozen hard every night. Fact the Cavalier doesn't leave stripes is why it can't mow my lawnC. Guess I could try to mount the blue B-1 32 inch deck under it. Why are the cold nights good for sap runners?

[UCD]

It has to freeze at night and thaw during the day for the sap to run. If it stays over 32° for 24 hours the sap will not run and if it is to windy it will not run. It takes 38 - 40 gallons of sap depending on sugar content to make a gallon of syrup. One tap is good for about 1 quart of syrup, 1 tap per 12" dia. of tree. One gallon of syrup is selling between $30.00 and $40.00 at the sugar houses and local stores and up to $55.00 in the gift shops and tourist traps.

[john-holcomb]

Maynard, I hope you guys out east have a better year than Michigan did. The run is over here since we got a week of really warm nights and bad weather prior. Most maple producers here are down 40 to 60%. I tap 4 trees in my yard and normally make 2.5 to 3 gallons of syrup this year 2 gallons and a pint. So I'm down a little but not much. I tried smowing Sunday with the leaf sucker and wagon Snow does not seem to travel well through the blower pipes:O. It worked at first but got sticky in the discharge real fast. Maybe it would work better if it was colder8D. If you can push leaves with the snow blade why can't you suck snow with the leaf sucker.:D AHHH the mysteries of life. JW

[HubbardRA]

Marty, Why not tell all the neighbors about all the neat things you can do with the Simplicity tractors, then when they want to see the Simplicity that does all of that you can roll this one out.666:D