I liked the first one sooo much..I want to collect them.. So why not get a second one.
Different Flavour !
Different year too.. I drove five hours to the Fraser Valley to get this one.. WHY ? Because it was $75 bucks. And only missing a few things. But Yard Bug #1 is also missing a few things. However nothing that would stop it from mowing the lawn. I believe this one is a 2000 model because it has the 8.5 hp motor. The builder’s decal is on this one and again made in Canada !
Should I call that 1-800 number ? Nah. I just gave him the money … we loaded it up an headed home. This time I had help unloading last night and therefore did not have a runaway down the ramps and over my foot.. This morning I went out and had a look at what I’ve paid $75 for.
Here’s the photo in the ad.. Ya.. not much help, but does show the grass bin and a motor ! Doesn’t mention the fourteen thousand pine needles hiding everywhere. I’m not at all disappointed. A quick assessment told me a few things need fixing. For sure the wiring , that rear wheel is off the rim, the cables need lube, two need to be freed up. That would put this little guy back on grass cutting duty. I gave the beetle a bath and then made a video.
Think of how much more it would have sold for if it looked like it does in the video. Now I have more pine needles in my yard.. Stuff is nice to work on when clean. Time to roll the beetle into my little shop.
There you have it.. room to work …no dirt. The green and yellow is growing on me. I’ve ordered some bits and pieces. New key switch, air filter and battery terminal covers. Now to sort out this wiring. Funny thing ! I tested the seat switch from the Beetle and it does the opposite of the Yard Bug.. Weird.. When you sit on the seat Beetle brakes the connection. Yard Bug makes the connection. The mower deck engagement safety switch was just hanging around with a zip tie holding the button in. It does both with four wires.. My head hurts ! So I took the steering wheel and console off to get to the cables for the forward / reverse lever.
This is what’s under that cover. so now I’m pouring the juice down there and slowly work those cables.
The Electrical Stuff:
Let the fun begin.. I’m rewiring the whole Beetle. No more non – working safety stuff… we’re going to live dangerously ! The new key switch arrived today as well as some other bits.
New Key Switch ! With fancy new key! Now I can test some wires to make sure I’m right. Here’s some of the corrosion That may be most of the problem.
If this solenoid works I’ll clean it up. And mount it in a better place, as well as that fuse you can see in the background. Here’s the newest video…
The solenoid is dead.. relay works but no contact.. I have a working one so I’ll use that. Here’s a photo of all the extra wires I’m tossing..
I’ll keep the switches though.. Ya never know. The round one is the seat switch. How about an up date video.. Coming right up….
Going great… the wiring is done all tidy in a loom.. And far less to deal with. The contacts on the new switch are different from the old one, so I swapped some wires around so it does the right thing.
I taped the rubber dust cap to the key switch and that should keep it clean. And like I said we are living dangerously now.. (not really) You can start the motor without sitting on the seat, or pressing on the brake. Even if the shifter was in forward the mower will not move unless you are pushing on the “GO” peddle. I think we will be okay. Moved the (new) solenoid out from under the battery.. New connectors , wires checked,
The 30 amp fuse is easy to get at. (not blown) Now on to the motor… I’m hoping to remove the carb and clean it. The gas line is missing in action.. so need that. With a filter ! I have a new air filter, and gas line now installed. No leaks! And the Beetle got a polishing..
Also taped up the seat with yellow duck tape. So let’s see how this goes, starting the motor! Will it run ? Why yes and the proof is in this video..
I’ll have to admit I’m not overly surprised. There’s no reason for it not to. It’s not on this video but when we turned the key the first time the motor started after only a few cranks. We have a winner ! I sharpened the blade too. So ready for lawn cutting … Except there is 4″ of snow outside. So with that we will sign off on this little Beetle till spring. I’m parking it in the shelter in place of the Yard Bug #1. That will come into the shed / shop to have some work done. I’m leaving you with a final photo… all shiny.
