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As some of you know I entered the 2016 Annual ploughing match. The ground was wheat stubble and had large mose patches which made traction a problem up hill, anyway i had a go. Not having done it before i entered the novice class and was shown to my spot which was twice as big as the horticultural section and the only ride on tractor in the class all the others were full size tractors. Anyway we marked out and did my opening and then carried on and did the patch ( and we weren't last to finish) I learnt a lot throughout the day with lots of advice from friends and need to make a few alterations to the tractor. Heres the photos and running list and results, i was very pleased and had a good day and I wasn't last which was a bonus.

Well it been a busy week with one thing or another. First I picked up the Bolens H16 in Cornwall, then on Thursday I picked up a Wisconsin engine for Chris in Dorset and then today I picked up a Bolens 600 with implements in Devon. Absolutely shattered with all this travelling coupled with holding down my work load and balancing time with the family. Now relaxing with a glass of red wine or two. i was was alerted to its existence thanks to Nick, aka wurzel. Chris also texted me enquiring whereabouts was Tiverton. I replied it was a 40 minutes run from me. A deal was worked out between Chris and I. I won the auction after some buttock clenching moments at the end. The deal is that Chris will have the 600 whilst I have the attachments comprising of Brinly plough with sleeve hitch, tiller and cultivator. The 600 been repowered with a Honda but unfortunately the bonnet been hacked on one side to shoe horn the engine in ( or rather dumped in there). It's a great little beast with character. 600 attachments and fittings are as rare as hen's teeth which is why I went for it. My plan is to clean the plough and treat it with Owatrol and the actual moldboard will be cleaned up and oiled to reduce rusting. A good week Bolens wise but back to normality on Monday with up the usual routine.

it's video time!!!!!

Just finished this for a local haulage company. Its a Tamiya 1:14 scale Volvo tractor unit, which has a 3 speed gearbox and electric motor and a scratch built trailer. Total length, 4 feet.

Evening all a few more of the major parts blasted awaiting powder coating

The Auto Culto's we have are good enough, Andrew. I doubt a Brinly would be any better.

tomorrow i'm partaking in a plowing match with the horse. here are a few pics of the horse ready for transport

Here are a few i have made in the past for my self and customers. Mercedes 1850L modified in to a 4x4 army style truck with home made transfer box. Volvo FH12 Another Volvo FH12 I like these Mercedes, this one had a second steering axle fitted and a scratch built dump bed made. This is the first truck i ever made for a customer. Volvo and fridge unit. My own Peterbuilt with working lights and sound. Total price with box trailer, around £1000. Last one. This is a bit of a work in progress. Scania bull nose, being made into a heavy haulage truck. You cant buy one of these, this has been built from a Tamiya kit to get the chassis, resin body kit from Germany and the rest made by me.

Fast enough for sure, but it would need a much bigger fuel tank! Not much to show really other than lot's of parts being painted red or black.. And of course the latest WN video And of course the latest Wn video

Long overdue update but here are some photos of what I have been up to. Here is one of the rear rims which is in a really bad state, it's nearly rusted through in places and the centres are really bent but I've done my best to straighten them out. One of the spot welds had expanded with the rust so I used a dremel to try and grind as much out as I could and then we filled it with weld. In the meantime I'm looking for a set of 6 inch rims that are in a better condition if any one has any? The transmission and chassis had their final coat of undercoat and are ready to paint with yellow. One of the track rod ends was rusted on and even with some heat it just snapped the threads off so my dad made this nifty repair. I've now sandblasted some more bits and they have been primered. I got some new bearings and reassembled the starter generator which is now nice and quiet. The rims have been painted with IH white and then the tyres are being fit this morning, with a bit of hope the weather will stay dry and I can paint the rest of the rims this weekend.

Thanks for collecting the engine for me Andrew. I have a plan for that Honda engine. The 600 will some how be put back how should be when it happens

Nice work Noel

You have to be rich to buy one. Thats why I got one Well I did have money until I met John.......

Great effort Chris , should be proud of yourself ther mate.

Not a truck but it's got wheels. MINI GARDEN - DOE. More photo's and details under Home Built Items.

The Brinlys are expensive so I have to make do

That is what I am thinking about the weights too. Would a WH plough or Brinly plough be more suitable as these have been designed for garden tractors? Still, you have done a good job today ploughing and no doubt you will have learnt a lot as well.

Took the engine out today after taking the head off. Bore looks good, but not measured it yet. Bit of wear on the valve side. Exhaust valve looks well past it's sell by date. Inlet is ok, as are both valve seats. Considering the state of the exhaust valve, I would have expected that to be bad as well. Pretty clean in there except round the exhaust valve. Head gasket was leaking oil. As was the other head gasket. Yes! You read that right. Two head gaskets. Head does look a little warped, front to back. Next, tractor off the bench and engine lifted out. Found another use for the ambulance I made for Newby Hall last year. Off for a wash. Nice and clean now.

Well done mate

Looks like you had lots of fun Chris. Makes the weeks work getting ready worthwhile.

That looks great Chris, glad you enjoyed yourself

10 out of 10 for your lad, he is correct it is the park brake although I havent ever been into a transmission so I dont know what it actually brakes. Do you have the Gutbrod bug now Duncan? Is it going to be another amazing restoration? Cheers John

Great haul Andrew. Both 600's and H16's are the hardest and most desirable tube frame tractors and you have managed to bag one of each in the same week, your the man! This would be a good time to buy a lottery ticket. It is great that you are helping out the Bolens family too by supporting Chris. Iain

Nice haul mate

nice find, i missed that one, id have bid just for the plough! but it was probably way out of my price range anyhow! so i shan't lose any sleep, plus its good to know it went to someone local, Devon pride and all that!

When you've got it finished, Ewan, I'll have a Raider 10 you can do.

the galvanised one? dad made it, the rear drops down to the ground so there's no need for ramps

Evening all another paint update I've just been and picked up the chassis and side panels up and there looking the part

WN should be fast enough to make the drive

Thanks Paul! Yes but it's not going anywhere near my tractor! Ive seen them painted in red, like a farmall and they look good but I'm going to make this one original.