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I managed to get two out of the three running and lack of spare parts halted progress on the third. My progress is not significant compared to what some of you guys manage to do, however it was great to get into the workshop and also spend some time with Joseph. I was surprised how engaged he was and I think he enjoyed it, I certainly did. We had a few disasters but nothing serious and no permanent damage. The outtakes: "Be careful you don't loose any sockets from my snap-on 1/4 drive set" - whoops, the box has upturned into the sump oil pale "Can I use the hacksaw?" "No problem, this is how you use it and here is some scrap" - "Ah, well done for sawing through that bracket I spent an hour making, now we can make a better one" "Be careful using an 18" breaker bar on that small engine bolt" - "No problem, now let me show you how to remove a broken bolt" "How are you getting on with that chisel?" - "Ah, that's not a chisel it's a snap-on screw driver" The best one: "Yes that is how you wind the rope around the pull start but please don't pull it ATM as I am holding the HT lead" - "Yes son, I think that was a naughty word and a strange workshop dance but well done, that was a good strong pull on that rope" SWMBO read my mind one evening and came out with this little gem: "When you retire you needn't think that you are going to spend the days working on tractors and the evenings drinking beer, like the last week" Many thanks to Chris and Andrew for the support and encouragement. They were both getting regular updates and I also posted updates on the forum. I am not sure if anyone was really interested in my forum updates or if it was too boring and slow. It's not a problem if no one is interested but it would be could to know as it would save me the trouble of doing it. I hope everyone else also had some quality workshop time over the break. Iain

Hi All We attended a charity match in aid of the air ambulance based in Perth Scotland, it was well attended an we have a good day, I was trying out my Clifford walk behind I did not make the best rig in the field but I was the warmest Here are some pictures In all there were 83 tractors taking part £1600 was collected A happy new year to all

Keep the updates coming, Iain. You can't start something and not finish it.

I only had a half day today and although I made some good progress I didn't get it running. It looks like a PO has taken the carb apart at some point and some of the parts are missing. I tried using some parts from different carbs however the parts were not close enough. The ultrasonic cleaner made a great job of the carb. It looks just as good on the inside I had a different assistant today, he was good company but to be honest he was useless Iain

I always say Christmas is a time of miracles! I am amazed you both survived but miracles do happen and put it this way young Joseph learnt a few new skills and a new word which he will always treasure

Looks like a photo of a scrapyard.

I came across this old advert from 1965 which captures the very essence of the quailty of Bolens.

I thought I had a copy of comparison chart that goes with this but unfortunately I couldn't find it. Iain

I am not sure if you class an angle grinder and air chisel as sympathetic removal however no Bolens parts were damaged in the process. Progress has been slow today as Sunday's is granddad day and as such I had little time. After removing the metal from the foot plates and wheel arches I found even more add-on plates that I had not noticed before, these ones extending the sides of the chassis. A chain guard maybe? After removing the add-ons I focused on the engine which appears to be seized. On strip down, first inspection of the carb did not look too bad with very little spindle wear I found this inside the carb and I expect you can imagine what it smelt like Hopefully a bit more progress tomorrow before returning to work on Tuesday Iain

Have been gradually putting all the attachments back together, in between shifts at work....... The transport wheel is done, the plough just needs the nib bolts grinding back, the mower is awaiting the blades to be refitted to the disc and the safety guards refitting to the drive tube. One of the guards was made out of a bit of old can of some sorts. (bottom pic far left) Very thin and flimsy....... so, having made a cardboard template, cut out the steel and curved it to shape and then welded it together. I ended up with a 2nd slightly bigger safety guard to prevent things from getting to the top of the drive shaft too! (bottom pic far right) I've not started reassembly of the tool frame or the rotavator yet.

Thanks Doug. I will post the updates on threads I have already created for the tractors. Progress is always slow so I try to keep to one thread to each tractor so I can view my progress and keep track of comments and the suggestions made. If you are interested, the threads are: 1962 ride-a-matic http://myoldmachine.com/topic/1333-bolens-ride-a-matic/ Wheelhorse D160 http://myoldmachine.com/topic/1136-wheelhorse-d-160/ and I am yet to create one for the 1961 Ride-a-matic. Planned work on the 1962 Ride-a-matic was completed today, now onto the next. Iain