Posted by Tim Holloway [69.54.28.229] on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 19:34:40 :
OK, two Power Wagon tie ins to this post. So last summer I was mowing around the shop, and around some parts trucks. One of them had the front bumper off but the bumper brackets still on the frame. As I was trying to get close, I got too close and the bumper bracket sliced into the side of the zero turn's plastic gas tank. Slice was about 3" long. I drove back into the shop and drained out the gas. Next day I bought a gas tank repair kit, said good for metal or plastic tanks. I have had good results on metal tanks with them but never tried it on plastic. It worked well, and I got the rest of the summer out of it. A couple of weeks ago I started it up for the first time of the season, added some gas and it was seeping through the repair. I peeled the repair off like a bandaid and it left no trace, just peeled off clean.
Next thought was one of those plastic welding rigs. I looked into them, and they seemed like they would work, but I also googled "welding plastic." I found a bunch of articles discussing welding plastic with an electric soldering gun, and scrap plastic for a "welding rod". Well, I have an electric soldering gun, and I dug around for some HDPE plastic and what should I find but a Power Wagon Maple syrup jug (empty). I cut the top off and cut a strip of plastic about 3/8 x 3" and man it seemed to really work well. Filled up the tank and no leaks. Not sure if it would hold if it got another impact there, but time will tell.
By the way, not liking to throw away Power Wagon related stuff, I have several pencil holders I have made from Paul's syrup containers, just cut the top off above the label and voila, instant pencil holder. I have a couple of them screwed to the wall in the shop, they work well!
Tim
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