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pictures again

Lovely weather at home this afternoon so I put in some time on the Landmaster... The towing bracket was fitted up, the other mudguard bolted up straight and waxoyled, then I rubbed down the seat pan and rear fender and primered them up A bit more filling and fettling to do but not a bad afternoons progress

Thanks James, it will be good to see her in paint.. Can't wait Was that the Ford red that faded? I think I need to go to Halfrauds and have a look in the paint department.. I'm guessing they still have space for a paint department in between all the kids push bikes and boy racer massive speakers? There shouldn't be, all I need to do is read through this build thread I've got almost 1000 photos of the build.. It's been a slow week with WN, tidying welds, welding the odd place or two I had missed, and capping off loads of open box section.. I'm happy to say that despite the thrashing I have been giving WN, there has been no signs of any broken welds which could mean.. A - The chassis is a good strong design.. Or B - I've not been driving her hard enough.... Fully welded up and red oxide'd. I thought I'd find that out today Paul, so I dug a light backing plate/bulb holder out and screwed it to the bonnet.. It was close but not quite enough space... However if I trim a bit off the top of the light backing then it should just slide in

Whilst idly browsing through Gumtree UK, I came across this H16 titled Garden Tractor. It's an hour away from me in Cornwall, just across the border. After a phone call I did quick trip to Cornwall to view the GT. The seller, an elderly but sprightly gentleman, recovering from a triple heart transplant, owned it for 25 years. He was the second owner. The previous owner traded it in for a newer machine in Exeter, Devon. He used it to mow his paddock which was grazed by donkeys. A deal was struck. His wife made me a cup of tea and made a lovely cheese sandwich with pickle. A lovely couple who lived there coming on 50 years. I asked him to write up some amusing antidotes about using the H16. It developed a starting fault some 10 years ago. He then bought a Toro which he said "isn't a patch on the old Bolens". He showed me a few other horticultural equipment that he given me first refusal. I also got the original receipt for the H16 when he bought it. He was pleased and thrilled that I am a Bolens enthusiast and that it would be looked after. I told him that I got 7 Bolens all together. That's when he invited me to have a cup of tea! I then told him that I knew several UK Bolens owners who got this particular model and that it was highly rated. That was when the sandwich was made! He told me that he was considering repowering it with a Honda engine but he couldn't bear the thought of 'ripping out the heart of the old girl'. Can anyone tell me a but more about this H16 which is a 1656-01 # 0183284? (difficult to read the numbers). I believe it's a '73 model? It's all there and the surface is just surface rust but all original.the rear wheels are off his Toro whilst his Toro got the Bolens wheels as they are shored with Agri tyres. They will be swapped over when it's collected.

I do the same Andrew, i like to spend time with the original owners or long time owners and ask them about the tractor, but also about other bits of history of what life was like for them. To have someone listen to them is a very joyous thing to many older folks and since i enjoy it as well, it is a grand time, I still converse with some of the people I bought my machines from.

Here's some of when I stripped and checked the box when I was working on it a couple of years ago. New seals and a gasket was fitted as a precaution, apart from that it was in very good condition.

Got one.

Bet there will be a lot of "Where does this bit go" and "I'm sure something went here" when it's re assembly time.

I spotted this little gem on Gumtree it few weeks back. It looks complete but it has not been ran for some two years. I spoke to the seller and a deal was struck. He was well chuffed that it was going to a collector and that sealed the deal. It had a new clutch on it a few years back and the seller repainted the bonnet. It need a new tyre on the front apparently. A mate of his will be delivering it to me from Scotland to Devon for an amazing £100 on one of his regular sorties into England. Here are some photos of it and it nice to see the centre cap on the steering wheel. Just heard from the seller that the cheque cleared and that it will be delivered sometime tomorrow evening. He also said that he put some fuel in and it fired up but was a wee bit smoky. Not bad after being laid up for 2 years. Looking forward to seeing it in the metal as it were. .

Now its been guessed (well done Triumph66), here's some pictures It seems all there (not had it running yet Chris but I am assured that it does) Front wheels have solid tyres, rears are pneumatic, one of them is knackered but luckily the tyres on the wheels I bought at RPT will fit

hello, Ive stumbled across this wonderful forum for like minded folk. I recently picked this up, Its not running but looks complete other then a starter motor. And a perished rear tyre due to it been stood on it flat. It has a diesel 10 hp lombardini engine and i think its 1970's and thats about all I know about it, My plan it to get it started. paint the wheels, maybe replace the tyres with more tractor like tyres and use it. the first thing i found out about it was how heavy it is, I collected it on my own from someones back garden, had to get it down a alley with 90 degree bend, i had to lift and bounce it round, I think it was worth it. any info would be nice thanks Ash

A guy had them at a swap meet I was passing by, I gave 10.00 for both

Wow-cha, you've done it mate

Not much chance of snow in your part of the world but that is not a problem as they will push hard packed dirt just as well, who needs a dozer . Equally good at towing cars, 4x4's, etc. My lad calls one of my H16's "The rescue tractor" as it is the first machine I turn to if I need to move any broken equipment. Andrew, once you get it home you will be living the dream

I have a set of Bolens/ FMC Wheelweights to complete that perfect combination. All we need is snow!

At least I've got to be an old codger.

Proper job paul

Andrew, I think you may be getting excited about picking it up A H16 with wheel weights and a front plow is a perfect combination, hence my forum picture. With wheel weights fitted they will pull a house down. They are great Iain

Thanks Alain. Looking forward to getting it back here so I can check these things out. The oils on the dip stick looks clean. It will be great to go through it methodically. When I saw it I realised it was the same era as my front plow with the Bolens Husky Dog logo; a winning combination with the hydro on the tractor and hydro lift too. I know Iain rates it as one of his favourites; he got 4!

Can't wait to see it in action on the rough stuff James, it looks unstoppable

Paul,The old chap is a lovely old gentlemen of the Old School; decent, honest and amusing. They live in a typical Cornish Valley with sub tropical plants surrounding them as it's so mild down there. They were only selling as they are selling up due to thier age and ill health. In his barn he got an old Fergie with a FEL and assorted old machinery in various states of dilapidation. I always like the social history of my machinery whether it's classic cars or old garden tractors. To me it's all part of the fun of buying vintage machinery. It was a lucky find as I was just idly browsing on Gumtree and I spotted this 'Ride On' in Cornwall. When I saw the price, that sold it for me. Looking forward to pick it up soon. Cheers Andrew

Nice find Andrew, nice to get one with history, sounds like the previous owner was quite a character !

Decided to put the Black Horse on the table and check out some settings for plough depth. I found the battery was flat, so no time like the present to test the winch. Up and on it went with little bother. I did find, as the tractor started to go up the ramps, the table tilted a bit. So some support legs are on the cards. Maybe get those done this afternoon. Also the table didn't want to pump up. Not surprising really. Tractor, plough and front weight will be a bit heavier than 185kg. Still 17" off the ground gave a comfortable working height. The table could be set higher, before loading the tractor though. Not that I'll be working under it.

Andrew, if you need any advice on the H16 let me know, Mine is a 03 made in late 1976 or early 1977 whereas your 01 was made in 1973 (and possibly late in 1972) that makes it closer in kind to the 1556, than the later H16 -02 and -03's. Notable differences on the early versus late H16 is the hydro tank under the seat pan with the lid coming through the pan, the later H16 does not have a hydro tank at all. The metal versus plastic gas tank, difference in steering wheels . Difference in Hydro filters, one is an automotive screw on beside the rear tool box and the filter on the latter tractors is a small sausage style kit under the fender pan. Several more differences as well. Like I said this is more akin to the early hydro tractors than some later post 1975 and 1976 tractors. generally almost every brand made significant changes in 1974-1975, as they had four years or so prior and again about 4 years in the future. Four years was about the design life of many tractors, and while some still had many similarities and many could use the same implements there were significant mechanical and aesthetic refinements and changes.

Here is a link to a early Simplicity plow made by Ohio steel, very similar to mine, but the green is throwing me off http://michaelstractors.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7196

That's right Brinly or Ohio Steel produce these plows, I say Ohio Steel. They were a supplier of many of the older garden tractors , but Brinly beat them out in the mid 1960's. The added strength bar under the double beam points at Ohio Steel, Brinly used a different design. if you look at the old Simplicity plows, pre 1965, these are almost an exact mach except the adjustment rod; which is the only part that looks altered to me

What a short memory he has Norm. He saw them only two days ago. Looks like I will have to show him as I know EXACTLY where they are. He might start remembering things when he gets to my age.

Got them from a chap 3 miles from me. He and his son run an engineering/machine shop. Have one heck of a collection of stationary engines. Jonathan mentioned seeing them, so I went to see. Just in time as they were due for the skip.

Have a look at Ford Carnival Red - may be!!

Alain, I can see that the hitch been 'adapted to fit a garden tractor. To my knowledge, Bolens did not produce any ploughs for the tube frames and large frames tractors as Brinly manufactured them. As for the RAMs and Ride Masters I think there may be a few manufactured. I will be interested to know what your research brings up. Again, a great find and a cracking price too. Cheers

Had a bit of a play today. Handle that can be fitted either end and hand winch for dead tractors. Bit of tidying up to do, then it will be ready for number three grandson to clean up and paint at Easter. I've not told him yet.

Another few here... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ld63BRrhVA (Not sure who the 20 year old is? 😙😙) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GtF0Rw9DWuc https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=scYb_1-lfTc https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H63wVJYHze8

Brilliant mate be nice to see her in paint and back together

Hi all a major update I'd say , I've now fitted the intermediate shaft for the front axle which I had Dibna machine me a key way in the bar ( many thanks mate ) . And fitted the drive belts and chains and all in all a good job done it still needs tidying , and I've now redesigned my steering slightly , but that's on the next update here's a video

Well it arrived at lunch time today. Luckily I was working locally so when I got his text I rushed back to my house. We unloaded the 1050 together and I could not believe it that when I turned the key, it fired up straight away. I let it ran for about a minute. It was smokey from the exhaust but I think a good service will cure that or if not, some new rings. A good grease up and clean I think will make it look even better. I need a new tyre or inner tube for the front. One of the headlights worked and I was once again struck how solid the Bolens is. The courier, a mate of the seller, was absolutely taken with the Bolens. As far as I could tell, all the levers worked but I will need a need a throttle cable at some point. i think it's very a working tractor that have been maintained to a point,

Landmaster company literature for the mower, c1966...

Had a move round in the sheds today, three International Cadets now in one shed and the Landmaster in the workshop for a coat of looking at, rear wheels off for new tyres as they are cream crackered...

Welcome to MOM Ash, not sure if I'm the only one here that didn't know that Ferrari made garden tractors . It looks a nice machine . You can now ask all the beautiful chicks if they want to go for a ride in your Ferrari .