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I have been intending to post this restoration since joining MoM last year but seem to have spent most of my time helping friend John dispose of his Bolens etc stash. As most of the stash has now been cleared I now have slightly more free time, so here goes. The number on the Roper ID plate,T5828DR, I have not been able to trace but the tractor appears to be identical to Sears 917- 257050. The Sears parts list, engine number etc confirms this. The tractor was a mess when dragged from the undergrowth at John's place about three years ago. Lots of damage, parts missing etc and a blacksmith repair job in various places. John was told when he bought it that it had been run into a post, smashing the grill and pushing the hood back which in turn badly damaged the plastic dash tower. As can be seen the damage was "repaired" via a heavy metal frame and alloy plates pop riveted on plus steel box section in place of the lower grill. One of the first things found was that there was no spark plug in the front cylinder of the horizontal Briggs twin. Hardly surprising as there was very little thread left in a hole which resembled a cone. Managed to fit a heli coil at a later date. Since then I have been given a pair of cyl heads. Also found that the starter motor was jammed when trying a first start. One magnet had come unstuck from the case. Stuck it back on with Araldite then found it ran in the wrong direction. Wondered if this was because of the glue used. Using a Westwood ? motor with the Sears mounting bracket and a temporary fuel tank got the engine running on one cylinder. A drive around showed that all the gears were OK. As the tractor looked do-able, with a LOT of work, the next step was to transport it to my garage so that I could get at it without 44 mile round trips to John's. Before the restoration bits, a photo of my great grandson Mini Alan trying it out for size.

Hi i got a Bolens 1886 with a blown engine i think its thrown a conrod .I cant seem to find any spares at a reasonable price so im thinking of putting a Wisconsin TJD in (i just happen to have a tidy TJD ) unless anyone knows of a kohler 482s going cheap thanks nick

Nice to see the "before" photos Alan, I remember you showing me the photos of the hood repairs at Kingsfold a few years ago and I must say what a brilliant job you made of it. Over the last few weeks ive seen and heard this running round Johns place and it is a first class restoration

Its not a rolls Royce its a tractor built on a budget if it was good enough for Harry Ferguson its good enough for me and already its got more paint on than an original wheel horse or gutbrod

Sold now so a bit irrelevant but anyone have any info on this?

Well this is the lastest Bolens in my fleet. 1973 Bolens 1556 c/w tiller. Runs well but a right pig to start, Hopefully with a good service & carb clean will solve it. When I get a min!!

TWO very nice diesel tractors for 2950.00 wow, they usually go for that or more apiece http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/grd/5388180608.html

I had some watchers, but no buyer yet, I relisted it. The spiritual chip market is a little down right now, so I was't expecting it to fly off the shelf

That's ta nice looking thing

I've seen this in the metal Norm it is one very smart machine

That's one nice looking tractor. Now! And I really like the colour.

im always on the lookout but there usually in Norfolk or devon id love a backhoe and loader for the 1886 ive even thought about making one

the ST1600 is my first bolens i use that for pulling a big 4 wheel trailer round the garden as its realy manouverable the h16 i use for the rotavator the qt17 i use for a homemade grader/plough i made to level my drive the dgt 1700 runs but its stripped at the moment as it has a few things that need sorting (ive got a rotavator for it and a deck but ive not tried them yet) i always wanted a diesel the 1886 doesnt run the g8/10 doesnt run bottom line there my toys i started colecting them last year first was the st1600 £153 of ebay i liked it so much i caught the bug

HI ive got the 1886 a dgt 17 a qt17 a h16 a st1600 and a g8/10(not sure ) 2 flat top rotavators 3 mowing decks and a homemade dozer grader on the qt17

I bought it from Abbey mowers last year its got a nice big mowing deck with it. A customer of theres sold it with his house the new owner ran it without oil havent had chance to sort it yet id like to keep it original as its so tidy but ive yet to find another kohler .

Wow they look nice mate

Might look better with a large Bolens White body.......... LOL

New camera arrived today so took another couple of photos in the shed, Commando 8 lights work so the battery must still be ok !!

1 37 is alive and well!!!! After three solid days of trying everything I could think of to get it running I was at the point of despair and so knackered from cranking that I thought it safer for me not to try again whist my wife was out in case I had a stroke or something daft. Whilst she was out walking the dog I put the decals on and just sat and looked at it trying to think of something else to try. Some time ago I came across a very rusty ancient mica insulated three point spark plug which was in one of the heads that came with 137, I sand blasted it and polished it up as a keepsake. 137 had fired a few times, once it fired a five bang run so it was not far away. I took the plug out put some oil down the bore and then sat for about half an hour just turning the engine over to try to loosen things up. Put the plug back and tried again, fired once and stopped. I then took the plug out and fitted the three point ancient plug turned the crank and off it went running like a dream. I ran the engine for half an hour checking for oil flow in the dry sump and any leaks. Stopped the engine and had a celebratory coffee and then tried to start it again hey presto off it went again. Thank goodness for that . Now I can make up a bumper, fit some floor boards and then crack on with some other machines for Malvern.

that looks great, every tractor looks good in wheel horse red and white!

Got a G14 with loader Which I plan to remove & fit on this as with its hydro drive will make it even more usefull Hi could you show us some pictures of the loader id love one for my h16 and i was thinking of making one thanks nick

If it does touch, I'd be inclined to fit a wear pad to stop it wearing a groove in the axle.

For 30 years I painted everything from anhydrous ammonia plants to kitchen cabinets and it never failed that a guy in a suit or a housewife would asked me "did you put on two coats?" I goy being to the point where I would say, no I did not, I am cheating you, and by the way I thinned the paint so much that it should fall off by the first dew or in just after I cash the check, which will before the ink is dry. When they would get in a huff, I would ask them how they would feel be accused of cheating, I don't take it well and was more than willing to leave right then and get drunker while I fished.

yes I've entered some of my plant machinery in this time, the idea is to have a selection of machines from the 1960's through to the late 1980's

The Fergie looks a nice project Joe, it should keep you busy for a while

chain drive mate

Thanks Andrew, the large red hubs really set the wheels off well

I love those wheels and tyres. Look fabulous.

Today started with the chassis getting lightly cooked to help the top coat stick.. That's the underside done.. It's about this point that Nigel is wondering if I'm going to post a certain photo that if seen could be the end of the "hard man" image The wheels got a coat of IH white paint, yes it was also left from painting the 6x6 Top of the chassis top coated.. Fresh red steering parts. Red parts everywhere! Not red parts! The wheels did come up very nice, it's a shame the photos a bit blurred.. And to finish this update... Yes more red parts, prop shaft and a second coated gearbox.. As for that certain photo..... Yes that is Nigel hoovering! The red oxide may of been quite a thick coat Norm

yes and no Chris it will fit with the hinges length end and the console lifting but yeah it should be great

Made a start to my stove today. Had to have a change of plans as i couldn't get a cutting of box section big enough, needed a bit 12in or bigger. So, plan B. Had a look about to see what i could use and decided to go the gas cylinder route. After deciding on the orientation of the stove i marked out the door size, then cut down the hinge side and welded on two trailer hinges. Then cut free the remaining three sides. Found an old grate and tin pan and cut to fit. Didn't want it to sit on the floor so raised it up on 16in legs. Ran out of welding wire so thats the end of progress for today.

Picked up some 2mm galvanised tin and got it fitted.

Looks a good project buddy good luck un seizing it

here's both of them