So I purchased a TO-30 last year for pretty cheap. This is my first tractor, so I purchased all the manuals to go with it. This being said, it ran flawless for a full year(minus having to replace the hydraulic piston). I got my first grading gig with it using my 5' box and got through 4 dump loads of dirt without a problem and ran out of gas. After getting new 87 octane fuel, I also added Stabil fuel additive to it because I didn't expect to use it much after the job. Immediately adding the new fuel, it began running sluggish while in gear and would bog down to shutting off when trying to pull. If I put the clutch in when it starts to stall, the engine continues to run flawless.
I took the tractor home, drained the tank and refilled it with 93 octane fuel and added seafoam to help clear any crud from the carb. Fuel bowl is clean and never any signs of debris from the tank. I disassembled the carb and cleaned it, only by removing the floats and needle, to spray/wipe clean the injector holes and bowl.
Fuel flows freely to the carb, no apparent issues there.
Onto the electrical!
I have not been able to use a "plug wire" tester, but have pull the plugs while running and have been bitten by them all. The distributor cap is only a few years old(says the man I bought it from) and the points look good. New plugs have been installed. It is a 12V system with a brand new battery and alternator.
Puzzling part: When you pull the plug wire from cylinder #3, there does not appear to be any change in engine speed, this is not the case when pulling a wire from any other cylinder.
Been trying to get this bad boy going like it needs to be. And because it's old, movable parts keep breaking. Still trying to convince the wife that although I only have $3000 into this machine(sale price included), it's more than worth it for this gem!
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I took the tractor home, drained the tank and refilled it with 93 octane fuel and added seafoam to help clear any crud from the carb. Fuel bowl is clean and never any signs of debris from the tank. I disassembled the carb and cleaned it, only by removing the floats and needle, to spray/wipe clean the injector holes and bowl.
Fuel flows freely to the carb, no apparent issues there.
Onto the electrical!
I have not been able to use a "plug wire" tester, but have pull the plugs while running and have been bitten by them all. The distributor cap is only a few years old(says the man I bought it from) and the points look good. New plugs have been installed. It is a 12V system with a brand new battery and alternator.
Puzzling part: When you pull the plug wire from cylinder #3, there does not appear to be any change in engine speed, this is not the case when pulling a wire from any other cylinder.
Been trying to get this bad boy going like it needs to be. And because it's old, movable parts keep breaking. Still trying to convince the wife that although I only have $3000 into this machine(sale price included), it's more than worth it for this gem!
Any help is greatly appreciated!