I used to think that, too.

This year I got an OLD front tine for free and replaced the engine with a HF 6 1/2 HP Honda clone that always starts on the first pull.
Anyway, I learned about the importance of properly adjusting that rear depth control ( digger bar?). I set it as deep as it will go, and once properly adjusted, the tiller digs in and I can run it hands-free except when it hits a rock or a root when it needs a little guidance.
Adjust the rear wheels as high as they will go, and the digger bar as low as it will go.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I know you know better, but on another forum there was a thread where someone was trashing a supplier because the float bowl gasket leaked. The problem turned out that the complainer never set the float level, and the float was sitting on the bottom of the chamber with the needle valve completely off its seat--so the gasket was trying to hold in fuel against fuel pump pressure.

I guess Spring is when float bowl gaskets go bad.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

yep I've managed to keep it running long enough to get most of my tight area tilling done and have my TB Horse if need be, but I realized I no longer like dicking around with cranky old machines for three times longer than I'm actually going to use them in order to cajole them into working.(the mrs. may feel the same about me.)
A neighbor has a new Tuffy with a 3.75 hp Honda motor. It's virtually identical to mine. Doesn't seem to be any degradation over the years in weight, sturdiness or build quality, and that little Honda is a sweety. While the price is nuts, I just might decide to buy m'self one.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Tell me about it!

I've had to fix two lawnmowers and a leaf blower this spring. Changing the main fuel line on a John Deere riding mower is ridiculous.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

That HF Honda close 6 1/2 HP can be bought for $110 with the proper coupon. How much does maintenance on old engines cost in terms of time and $$?
It took about 20 minutes to install, and most of that time was spent in cleaning up the bore on the old pulley to fit cleanly on the shaft.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Is it this one? hmmmm....

Predator 212 cc OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine - Certified for California

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

If you live in California. There is another 212 cc Predator for the rest of us.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Not a californicator, so I'll look a little further.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

It would be this one:
Predator 212 cc OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine - Certified for All States Except California

I don't know the difference. There is a one digit difference in the model#

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Perfect. Thanks!

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Without any intimate knowledge of the product, I'd bet money the difference is that the cali has the jet fixed and the federals have an adjustable jet.

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90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff