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Cheers buddy, bit more progress today mounted on C4 as it has the pto required to line up the pulleys. First idler second idler

Meals on wheels.

Been working on a latch system. Mk 1 This got modded a bit, then two more made. Finally Mk 4. This works the best I can get. Now all I have to do is work out a way to lift it from the tractor seat.

On the hour, every hour. You know what those two are like.

You can bring us tea and cakes while we're in the working area

Thats handy Nigel, you're be able to put your stove and kettle on it and make us all coffee

Thanks all! Couldn't find happier with the boys... also this paternity leave is fantastic, iv painted the horwool, bought the bolens and got 12 months ticket on the cortina! And iv still got 2 weeks to go Once again.... thanks all. Here is mason (2) and leo the new addition

I've been wanting to make one of these for a long time so today in and amongst painting I knocked one up out of scrap wood to work out the sizing of the actual one. Here are some photos. This is the wooden frame that I made A load of angle iron was dug out that I acquired some time ago. Thanks to my dad for the welding. Here is how far we got, still lots to do but it's getting there

Been a bit rubbish on posts recently. Looked up in the workshop and saw the hand cut out and painted enamel sign Ewan made me...

You ought to send him a link to this forum so he can see his old 853 in action!

Owner contacted me today... he has found some paper work for the bolens and is sending it down. I think it's just a manual as he said he had a friend in America who sent him one across but who know what goodies may turn up

Drain the transmission and give it a clean and refill with new oil. Apparently a certain amount of whining is the norm. Use API GL1 oil for the tranny due to the yellow metals in the transmission.

They look good Paul, once they done a couple of working days will be even better,

Yep

Tow hitch on, job done !!

That's crying out for a V8

Best way Kev...

Sounds great Matt. Runs well. New tyres and a good service will set it up nicely.

erm no comment

Is this Ian, setting the 'Benchmark' again, Nigel?

Can't get the youtube videos on here.. But if you go on YouTube and search bangerboi2b (account I made a good few years ago ) then I have uploaded a couple onto there. The bolens looks quite smokey in one video but that appears to have cleared itself up Let me know what you think

Thanks Andrew but I don't think I am the only one, you guys were already very close. Good point you make about Bolens ownership being addictive, we all have a few. Iain

Brilliant! Cheers for the identification. Yes all set up and working, appears to be working well. Engine aswell seems to be going well after a few hick ups earlier. I will be taking the carb off for a good clean out soon. Only thing left to do asap is the wheels but they should be sorted by next weekend. All in all very happy with how she is going... will try and sort the video

Hi Guys, Not had the chance to get on the forum for a while but I was given a kick up the bottom to login tonight as I enjoy a good Bolens ID mystery. From the engine model and type you listed, I believe you have correctly read the numbers as 190401-013901. This would make the tractor a 1971 Bolens Husky 853 or to be more precise a 853-03. Various other things on the tractor confirm it as an 850 too. As Andrew said not many around. You mentioned a high/low lever, that is the one with the shaft going into the dash tower. You should have two belts fitted, one on the high speed pulleys and one on the low speed ones. The lever moves the idler pulley from one belt to the other providing tension. They are a bit of a pig to set-up but when working they are great. Give me a shout if you need any help with it. Good to see another Bolens Iain

Congratulations Matt

Congratulations Matt on the birth of your baby boy.

Nah! He's saving the best till last.

Bit off tinkering to do... but not bad for an old girl that hasnt moved in 15yr 20160709_163920_001.mp4

I'll probably change the theme for next years show but it was good to get all the cubs in Sussex together

She lives!! After much tinkering, she fired up and stayed running and also DROVE Got a film off it... will work out how to do that later

Tyres provisionally sold to Matt. Another Bolens on the 'road'

Will look into the bolens forumn... And will get a photo off it running... as soon as it is! Just working at getting the front off to get to the points

Engine number - 190401 013(poss 8)9 01 7001261 From what I can work out it was made on 26/01/1970 which would put it in line to be an 853?

Already been looking haha!

Looking good Ewan nice work

The photo brings back memories of my two lads; the eldest just turned 16 and the youngest is coming up to 14. Time flies I can tell you!

Looking good buddy giving me ideas

In very good nick considering it's been sat under a tarpaulin for 15 years... as I just said in the p.m regardless off worth... I look at it and just see loads off character! Fallen in love haha

Congratulations Matt and Mrs Matt. Now the fun begins. Wifey and I have a 10 month old grand daughter who we often baby sit. Crawls in top gear / high ratio and trying to stand. Great fun.

Congratulations on getting a Bolens tractor too!

Well done. Sure he will like the tractors My lad is 19 months now & he knows where the big bolens lives each time we visit grandad to mow the field

That will leave me with one more unit to do up, then my collection will be at 4 with most of the offered attachments, just need the spray pump and the soil sieve.

Nice bit of free recycling there, Ewan.

I got most of the frame work done yesterday and started to fabricate the sides. First I cut the back and then the sides I hope my dad doesn't notice I've stolen some of his gate

congratulations to the pair of you

Congratulations to you and your other half mate now you've got an excuse to buy another ride-on

Well done to the three of you ! All the best Matt and Co.

Thanks mate Don't you mean Australian Norm? With the fuel tank braced in the right place I could make a start on rebuilding the frame.. This may sound a strange way of doing it, but I want the frame to be a feature and not hidden away under bodywork. Every cut and join in the frame has some nice thick steel bar inside to make sure it's all strong enough when welded up.. Everything is only tack welded at the mo as I've run out of Mig wire. I like the "double down pipe" look, the o/s was easy.. If your thinking the n/s looks a bit close to the carb then you would be right! It's so close that I had to notch the inside of the pipe to give enough space to get a fuel pipe on the carbs! Putting some strength back in the front, roll on Monday when my welding wire should arrive and I can zap all the tubes fully together..