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After some fiddling with the engine, setting tappets and spark to TDC, it started up, too late for a test drive as it has no exhaust ATM. So a tad loud! Brake pedals fitted up aswell as fuel tank. Went and collected the other bits, I have underestimated the size of this, was a task loading it all by myself, with only the winch and boards to use, just have to get it off and onto the tractor somehow...

Going to collect this Tonight. Unsure what model it is. Apparently has a briggs and stratton engine Something for little man to grow into... Any info on one off these? And will wheel horse rear wheels fit?

Thought I better start my own thread regarding the Skimmer. Skimmer SN is 15200 which makes manufacture around about 1965, traced reg number through DVLA hasent revealed much. Main aim is to get it mechanically operational, needs some new steel welding in, mainly sheet metal parts on the top frame where seat is, and engine changed to original Ransomes 600cc. Good thing is it is all there, front auger and conveyor drive roller is free. Its not done much since it was retired as still full of sand, needs a good power wash to flush it all out of engine bay. First job is to free tracks up, get engine off and free up the controls and gear lever. I will get cracking next week but progress is likely to be slow as its being stored 25 miles away while I get the new workshop up.

Having rescued my Raider back in 2009, I gave the engine a quality Top End overhaul amongst the full Tractor refurb work. I thought I should just give it a check over and flush the Fuel system as well (I haven't cleaned the engine either)- It's always been good starting and running, but because I didn't sort the Throttle Shaft wear at the time, it has occasionally shown signs of uneven running. On removal of the Carb, I found very little rubbish in the Bowl and a tiny globule of water (2mm ball bearing size) I found traces of oil residue around the Carb inlet Choke Plate area and so I suspect the diaphragm in the Pump may be on it's way out. Having already played it safe, I had ordered 2 replacement Fuel Pumps to service both Tractors and as some of you may recall my Thread on Redsquare covering the Full #26 Carb rebuild, I shall be fitting that (on right in lower pic) while I rebuild the old one (original Muffler is going away for Bead Cleaning and I'll repaint it) . While I'm at it, I shall fit a Fuel drain point in the system so I can empty it for over wintering storage and to Prime the system again. Should save fiddling around trying to get fuel through.

A tip off from my mate Chris about a 600 for sale with a spare engine and another set of tyres got my pulse racing. The seller, fortunately for me, have misspelt the tractor hence why I got it for a very cheap price. I said a year ago that Bolens 600s are rare as hen's teeth in the UK which is why I bought one from the USA which is now docked at Southampton, U.K. which will be delivered sometime this week. It's strange that I bought two 600 in the UK within a few months of each other......The seller of the U.K. one, bought it from a nursery in Honiton, Devon some 20 years ago with the intention of restoring it. It has sat in his barn in Berkshire since then. My good friend Chris got a friend, Mark, (he got more than one..) who lives a stone's throw from the seller and is happy to help me out with collecting it from the seller. Chris and I have agreed that he can have the spare B&S engine for his 600 project as he will at some collect it from Mark. At some point, Chris will deliver the 600 and my 850 down to Devon to collect his 600 that I collected for him a few months back.It's great that the UK Bolens Boys are happy to help each other out and make this hobby more enjoyable with like minded individuals plus saving some hard earnt dough too.The US 600 will be delivered to me sometime this week so I will have two 600s in my collection by a quirk of fate. Happy Days!

Greetings from Denmark! After messing around with engines and stuff most of my life, I decided that now was the time for a Tiny Tiger. Although my main interest is vintage motorcycles (50 years old or more), I do a little in generators as well. My pride is this WW2 Zündapp KS 600 generator, but to be honest, it's not very handy: So now it's joined by this one: Being a novice in these small jewels, I have a lot of questions, but few answers. I will tear it down and clean it up. I will keep the original condition, but will replace gaskets, seals, diaphrams spark plug etc., so the main concern is getting parts. I have figured out that replacement diaphrams are available, but have forgot who the supplier is. Then there is seals and gaskets. Are these available anywhere? Can you say anything from the numbers? The engine number is 034616 and the serial number on the generator is 23409. Does these numbers say anything on the build-year? The gas tank is cracked, possibly after a drop so I have to weld that. It might have happened early, as both the piston and the spark plug is shiny and without any carbon build-up. The cross hatch pattern is also clearly visible in the cylinder, so my hope is that the rebuild will be easy. So guys - meet the new chap from Denmark :-) /Steen

Because I know it can be done... And there's a few acres of rough pasture to top we finally started on the mounting a barford sickle bar to the front of jakes wheel horse. modified a front tach a matic and added a lift bar. Next job is slowing if down and sorting the pulleys.

I bought this large frame 1970 Bolens 1476 from an auction sight unseen for 375.00. It has a the Wisconsin 14hp S14D engine on it ( I also have two excellent replacement engines I bought from the auction for 100.00 as well), and the Eaton 11 Hydro-static transmission. It came with a snow plow and I didn't know anything about its condition. Last spring I attempted to start it with no luck; I thought the starter generator was bad. Well a few days ago I put it on the battery charger. I removed the spark plug and poured Seafoam and Marvel Mystery oil down the spark plug hole and a half hour later I added a liberal amount of petrol in the hole for good measure and put the plug back in. She fired right up and purred like a kitten, a very large kitten. I removed the ratty hubcaps, gave her a wash and installed my really nice Bolens 1476 deck I got with my other 1476, which is going to be set up as a AG tractor and I wont be using the deck on it. Initial start up video:

For sometime I've been thinking of building an implement shed. Today I decided to make a start. I had some decking boards and 2 x 3 I salvaged when we sold the caravan. Few measurements taken and I decided I'd enough to make the frame work. In between another job I was doing, I got the side frames done. 8ft x 5ft with a 3" fall.

The Work Horse, C-125, has been a bit off colour lately. Suspect dirt in the carb. So today off with the float bowl and my suspicion was correct. Some strange foreign particles floating about in there. Cleaned and re-fitted, then started up and did the hand over venturi trick to clear the jets. Re-set the carb for idle then full throttle and the old thing is running like a good un. I then decided to check over the C121 and C81 as they are going to R.P.T. and Biddenden shows. They are both now in the peak of fitness. Here they are, snug as bugs in a rug.

Wish I could find on like that in the UK If I did I will be sure it wont be in that condition

Can I get in line for a test drive also please!!

Frame back on along with 3 speed and forward/reverse lever. Need to fit up brake pedals with springs ect, fit fuel tank and see if engine runs (been over a year, but is a fully rebuilt engine) after a test drive it will be time for the front auger and rear conveyor frame, I don't think the latter will fit in the shed though....

Gentlemen, Sometime back, April 16 in fact, Andrew (Triumph66) sent me a PM over on the GTTalk forums. There was a 1962 Bolens 600 listed on eBay that he was interested in, and he wanted to know if I would assist him in getting it shipped to him if he bought it. One reason for his request was that it had been posted on the GTTalk forums and I told folks that I was VERY close to where it was located and that I could pick up and store it if anyone was interested. I replied that I would be more than glad to help, and Andrew got VERY interested. Since he was so interested, I decided to go take a look at it in person as it was only 20 miles from me. I took a good look at it and took it for a spin around the barn yard, and was VERY impressed with it. I asked the seller if he knew anything about the history of the tractor and he explained that he worked in a scrap yard, and that someone had brought it in to be scrapped Since he is a bit knowledgeable he set it off to the side so that they could sell it rather than scrapping it Why on earth someone would do that is beyond me. As you will see in the following pics, it's one of the nicest original tractors that you will ever see. It's absolutely beautiful It was listed with a starting bit of $300.00 and for one reason or another no one bid on it and Andrew STOLE it for the minimum bid. PM's started flowing fast and furious, and after wired bank funds finally arrived (that was a story in itself), I contacted the seller and made arrangements to pick it up. So today I hooked up the trailer and went to fetch the mighty Bolens. One thing that Andrew mentioned was maybe I could take a pic of the Bolens with an 'iconic' American building in the back round, I hope I succeeded :D I did stop on the way home to take a pic or two of some "iconic' bovines as well. You don't see them often in this part of the country, but if you ever watched the old Westerns, you should be able to figure out what they are :D So without further ado, the pics, starting from hooked up and ready to go, to back home with it one the trailer. I will be taking more pics as we go along and most likely a video or two as well.

Or what I did on my summer vacation. I found this 1971 Bolens 1256 about 170 miles north of me for 400.00 and since I had been really wanting this model I drove up and purchased it from the second owner. It has a 12 hp Wisconsin TRA12D engine and a hydrostatic transmission; it came with a deck and a sleeve hitch. It needed some work, but it ran great. After taking the deck off and attempting to replace the belt I found some more issues. The bearing seemed bad, they weren't, they were the wrong bearings, but they were half burnt up even though they appear new. One pulley had grease all over it and the area around it. I didn't think to much of this until way later, in fact too late. The tension pulley had spacers and washers that didn't belong on it and it was installed wrong (very common problem, no one seems to understand what a tension pulley does). Well after receiving the right bearings in the mail and the belt as well I also took the opportunity to sand it down and prime and paint. I used IH red with 2 ounces of gloss black Rustoleum to a gallon to recreate the darker Bolens red. I used Naptha for a reducer and poly converter hardener for gloss and color retention. Just before putting the pulley cover on I attempted to grease each spindle shaft through the top grease zerk, pumped the grease gun on the first spindle and nothing, it was solid, grease just came out all over the fitting. I now knew why (or at least I thought I did) there was grease all over one pulley, I removed the grease zerk thinking it was clogged nope, then I removed the blade, grease cup, snap ring, and pulled the spindle out the top. I used a small wire down the hole and could not get it go through. I repeated this several times until I noticed that with the spindle installed the grease hole would be UNDER the top bearing and would not get grease. It was then that I realized that both top and bottom spindle shaft were tapped with the same size and that the spindles had been installed upside down by a previous EMOTP (evil mechanic of the past), and grease only came through one way. I removed all the pulleys, bearings, and shafts and installed them in the correct orientation. I should be receiving my Bolens Deck Mechanic Certification in the mail next week. Also on the list was an electrical redesign by the previously mentioned EMOTP. In his infinite wisdom to overcome an electrical issue, to wit: tractor does not start. The EMOTP drilled a 1" hole in the dash and installed a push button starter, one wire leading to the positive side of the battery, one side leading to what was left of the the safety switch connection on the PTO. The original light switch had also been replaced with a ill fitting light switch from a Hoyt-Clagswell or some other archaic machine. Of course the tow large brackets that hold the batteries down on these Bolens tube frame was long gone, probably do to the owner not wanting to spend the money for the correct battery and opting for the 19.99 lawn and garden cheapo special, which the brackets did not fit on. I found an OEM set of battery from Bob's garden tractors in Ohio brackets for 24.00 shipped, Rick Show (BlackJacxJake?) got me a new ignition switch I got as a spare because my two large frame 1476's use the same hard to find switch and I ordered a new light switch and safety switch. The two front wheels were on backwards and hence the wheel grease zerk fitting prevented the greace cap going over the spindle shaft; won't hold much grease without a grease cap. I also found that the safety switch was not the culprit to the starting issues, having all the wires on the wrong post on the voltage regulator was. I have it sorted now and am just finishing the electrical rehab. After that I am installing the deck. It has taken me a little time because during this time I also rebuilt a 48" Wheel Horse deck, 42" Simplicity deck, and got my other 1476 running and the 48" deck installed on it. Video using the Brinly diamond cultivator as a driveway rake below pictures.

Fantastic machine you have. Very annoying when previous owners drill holes in the dash. Iain

Another fantastic find and great video too. Looks like it been well cared for too. Wish I could find one like that in the UK.

This one is a bit of a work in progress, so it may be sometime before it gets finished. So, started of with half a rolling chassis from a Yardman AN5175. After a couple of hours cleaning and stripping it looked like this. Removed rear section of chassis as it isnt required, found a 12hp engine to power it and a 42in deck. The white masking tape sections are where the out riggers will go to carry the wheels. The yellow handle is where the drawbar will go. One of the out riggers attached and a lift handle to adjust the deck height made. This is as far as i have got. The swan neck is fully adjustable to allow transporting behind the tractor or cutting to the side. Next step will be to find a garden leaf vacuum to help blow the grass up the delivery spout. Mount a battery,make a dash pannel, get a better fuel tank, and tidy it up a bit with a few body pannels. Well that it for now, might be a while before any more updates as im having problems finding a leaf vacuum at a decent price.

I have eventually found a blower Its a John Deere Power Flow high output fan so should do my job just fine. Best bit, it was free ! It could do with new blades but i am having problems trying to work out which model it is. I have been on the John Deere web site and done a google search but cant find the correct model, can anyone help ?

Now my login has turned green again I can post some pictures and I know you all love Bolens pictures Stopped half way home to check the straps A few pictures after a bit of a test run Always good to have to have a family shot. This is the HT20 pictures with my HT23. Iain

Haven't logged in for months but great to see you back on the gems.I Like the early metal wheels ....i put the later type metal wheels on my bj gem and sprayed them black. My howard 180 twin is like yours unfinished ...the engine runs but i must fit a breather to the rocker cover ..too much pressure is forcing oil out /leaking.

Fantastic job, she runs very well.. Quiet also..

Still no video, but a few more pics... I've done lots of chopping

Nice

Lovely Job.

Continued today... belt tensioner adjuster first. Followed by cutting the keyways in the cross shaft. Had as a quick run round the garden, it works! but can't be used on C4 as I can't lift it off the floor... The belts and axle are in the way

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

The hut and the log splitter he made himself put off old odds and sods. Very talented man. Yes interested in the tyres. Will message you. I quite like the way this has been done... the paintwork is generally very good. Has been well stored for 15 years and I think it looks 'just right' Few question.... where would I find engine number and chassis number? Also there is no spark? Where should my first port off call be to look for Thanks all

Bolens 750 in right colour. Be interested to know more about yours at some point.

Woukd be interested in some pics.he has just emailed me. Update. .. here now and the old boy got all sorts

My cleaner arrived today not as big as i was expecting, its just right. its got a drain tap on the side which is handy, I've put my cup in the basket so you can see the size of it. glad I didn't order a smaller one will update you once I've had time to use it