I had some experiences using Mason�s Select Transparent Concrete Stains that may be of interest to others. I had a concrete patio and walkway about 20 years of age in good condition with no cracks, but with surface stains. I liked the unique finishing techniques suggested by Mason�s and the Safe Solution Concrete Etcher which I thought would be easier on surrounding plants. I undertook this project in Southern California in the middle of the summer so rain would not be an issue. I followed the directions on the containers to prepare the concrete. I thought the Safe Solution Concrete Etcher had a less vigorous reaction that the muriatic acid I had used on other projects, but otherwise seemed similar. I then neutralized with Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser. After letting the concrete dry out for several days I began staining the concrete. My technique was to use a garden sprayer, followed by back-rolling for the base coat. I used Fieldstone for the base color and allowed it to dry. I then applied splatter textures using Terra Cotta, Patina Green, Sandstone, and finally Black using the sprayer. I used the splatter technique to simulate a granite look. This requires some artistic skill as the pressure inside the sprayer and the setting of the spray tip both affect the size of the spatter dots. I had a cotton cloth that I would use to touch any big globs that hit the concrete and these can mostly be eliminated if touched with the corner of the rag immediately after spraying. I also had a cardboard box lined with multiple layers of newspaper as my "practice area" for getting the sprayer settings just the way I wanted them. I would practice with the sprayer inside the box and when I had the pattern the way I wanted it I would immediately move over to the concrete and being spraying. I made the droplets for the different colors different sizes and applied them at different pattern densities using a random application pattern. I did not try to get even coverage as I thought the irregular appearance was more natural looking. The splatter colors were not backrolled. Many of the colors grow fainter as they dry, but the Black was the color that really made a difference in the looks. After adding the black as the final color, it really looked like granite. I was very satisfied with the results for about two months, when I noticed "bubbles" raising under the base coat. On closer inspection it seemed the base coat did not penetrate the concrete and "stain" it, but rather stayed on the surface of the concrete in a way that I would associate with a "painted" surface. Over the next couple of months the surface became pock marked with numerous areas where the stain was lifting off the concrete leaving a bare concrete surface underneath. I concluded that the concrete was wicking ground moisture up through it, and when it hit the base coat (which was an impenetrable layer of plastic coating) it raised the base coat where a chemical bond had not formed between the base coat and the concrete. I finally concluded that the Safe Solution Concrete Etch had not done the job of getting the surface properly prepared. After agonizing for some weeks I concluded the surface just looked to bad and began trying to remove the Mason�s Transparent Concrete Stain. Good luck ! Where it had not formed a chemical bond you could easily remove it with a wire brush, but where it had decided to stick it was almost impossible to remove. I tried wire brushing it, burning it with a torch, and epoxy paint removers. None were totally successful. I then rented a terrazzo grinding machine. This very heavy piece of equipment is about the size of a dishwasher and has a number of rotary grinding wheels on the bottom. It is used to level concrete or remove a surface layer on concrete before laying tile. It worked to remove the stain in many areas, but since it is designed to create a perfectly level surface it would not reach down into dips or other surface irregularities unless you wanted to grind off a lot of concrete. This very noisy and dusty machine was somewhat successful. Finally I used a rotary grinding wheel tool (like a car polisher) with nylon abrasive wheels to clean up the low areas. This turned out to be the most effective removal technique but it is slow and labor intensive. After finally removing all of the old base coat I was back where I started with a discolored patio and walk. I concluded that the problem was the base coat with the back rolling was creating a barrier to water and that even with a ground down surface I couldn�t be sure the same problem would not reoccur. To conclude the story, I used the spatter technique without a backrolled base coat and achieved a very nice faux granite look. The surface has now lasted a year without any problems and continues to look very attractive without any bubbling or lifting. I like the Mason�s products, but do not recommend the Safe Solution Concrete Etcher for your project. I would also think carefully about whether a backrolled base coat is your best option.

Pads worn down to far? not for everyone, and not for every tractor, but i have two peerless trans. from 70-80's era. And i make my own brake pads from almost worn out car disc brake pads. I use a angle grinder cutoff wheel to cut them out. Now i am using small car pads that i have had after changing pads for people, and the metal back plate is thinner than a lot of bigger cars. Plus i have to usually grind off some of the pad material as well, but they work great and cost nothing. But as i said, not for everyone.

I'm at a loss, too. When I try to stop, I get this grinding noise and it jerks to a sudden stop. When I let out the clutch, it just grabs and does a wheel stand. This NEVER happened with the old belt. I decided on a new belt when the tractor stopped halfway through mowing the lawn. It was worn. It finally just shredded to bits. I checked the routing over and over. It's correct; inside all the belt posts like the diagram says. I took the pulley off and inspected it - it works fine. Only remote possibility is that someone at the store repackaged the belt in the wrong box. But it fits good. There must be some adjustment because it seems to engage the brakes BEFORE releasing the tension on the belt.

Disregard! Ended up not buying it. Which is a good thing, will leave it at that.