Located an owners Manual

I found an eBay seller with a supply of owners manuals. Bought mine for about $25. Really good resource. The seller seems to specialize in owners manuals. http://www.ebay.com/usr/moochdawgs

New trailer hub

4/6/2015 After battling with a frozen trailer hub, I decided the easiest fix would be to throw it in the trash, and install a new one. Hubs seemed cheap online, but a good quality hub, purchased locally, cost me $80 with tax. All I needed was one hub to get me working again, so I bit the bullet and got one at a local store, then, armed with the model number, I shopped online to find a cheaper source for when I am ready to replace the second hub. I'll save about twenty bucks on the second one. http://smile.amazon.com/5-STUD-UHI-Galvanized-HUB/dp/B000Y830Q4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428342297&sr=8-1&keywords=TIE-81093

Putting her back into service

4/1/2015 Getting her back in shape after a few years out of service. We've been dealing with health issues, and besides, the house had no urgent demand for exterior maintenance. It does now, though. Bought a short hydraulic hose from Voorhies for $31.88. That's double the cost of last time, but it's a larger diameter hose. Also removed rust from jack uprights, so they'll slide when I need them to. Wheels have been off of the ground for a few years, and I can't turn them at all. I think they're frozen with rust. I suspect that just applying the weight of the machine on it, and pulling with the truck will break them free. Probably not good enough to take it on the road, but fine for using at home.

Cleaned carb with ultrasonic cleaner.

Quick note, just to document maintenance. First attempt using the ultrasonic cleaner from Amazon. Jan 26, 2015. Used a little ammonia in water. Cycled the machine several times. Used three batches of water + ammonia. I bought the ultrasonic cleaner because I've spent too much money having my marine mechanic "repair" my outboard, when all it needed was a clean carb.

Replaced spark plug

replaced NGK BPR6ES 7131 spark plug with an identical new one.

Total $2.09

Engine manual

Located online from manufacturer's website:

http://www.honda-engines.com/Engines_owners_manuals/ownersmanuals/37Z5F602.pdf

Making the machine safer

When I bought the boom lift the seller warned me to be extra careful to make minute moves with the levers because the thing can swing wildly, and dangerously. He was right about that. I found it difficult to control the movements, and I was very nervous about using it.

I started to look for ways to slow the motion down. I considered buying valves that would restrict the flow of the hydraulics, but couldn't find any, and I can't say for sure whether it would work. Well, one day it occurred to me to slow down the motor itself. So I throttled down the Honda motor to a high idle, and the machine has been a pleasure to use ever since. When I push the controls all the way, the boom moves at a slow, safe speed. It's also much easier to fine-tune the position of the bucket now that it doesn't go flying with every touch of a lever.

I emailed an engineer friend to brag about my simple solution (The previous owner never thought of this, so I was feeling proud of myself.) This started a series of emails from him explaining why this would never work. That's engineers for you. It's working fine all the while he's telling me it can't work.

As long as the engine remains in good working order, and can run at high idle under a load, I'm good.