Rats nest

[Colbyraper1]

Hello all I finally had some time to work on my super a and try and tune it up work has been very busy lately haven't had a day off in 3 months but finally had Sunday off so after church I put new parts in the distributor and new cap and wires and new plugs put a new manifold and muffler since mine were rusted out the tractor runs great now and wanted to check the valve clearance and adjust as needed so I pull out the manual to see how to do so and I see that I need to line up with the timing mark so I pull the cover off and I find a rats nest with old acorns which are from the previous owner and I also have wood shaving and feathers in it from my chicken coop i am just curious how the mice are getting in there and how I can prevent it I keep the tractor under my lean too and just recently fixed it up so I can drive my tractor under it with the muffler on before this I would take the muffler off and drive it in and put a tarp over it before in put a new roof and all on the shelter. Would the mice be getting in through the manifold and if so I should have this problem solved with leaving my muffler on with a rain cap installed or is there another way a mouse could get in? Sorry this is a long run on sentence but I'm not turning this post in for a grade thanks in advance

 

[dewy]

yes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,that was probably it....i got a tractor recently,,,,,, trying to unstick motor.previous owner left spark plugs out and rats were
living on top of pistons....also coming in rusted out manifold.........dewy

 

[Andy Martin]

You just can't get to the timing mark through the manifold. Was the starter ever off for an extended period?

 

[FBH44]

I have started having the same problem. I think they will wiggle in through the smallest crack or crevice. I have started leaving drawers open, removing the tractor battery cover so they won't use that as a hidey-hole. I learned not to cover the mowers up tightly with tarps and coves over the winter, they love that.

 

[Craig45]

Had the same in my A, couldn't believe the stuff that was in there, didn't seem to hurt it running though I don't use that tractor hard.

 

[Hendrik]

The half moon shaped flywheel cover was in place. That's good.
There are two inspection holes and one other opening in the torque tube through which mice can enter.
One approx. 1 inch circular inspection hole in the torque tube near the flywheel, left (carburetor) side.
One oblong (approx. 3 inches) inspection hole at the bottom, near the flywheel.
Both openings should have (factory) covers.
One opening at the bottom of the torque tube, near the transmission case, for adjustment of clutch free play.
HTH, Hendrik