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Over the Christmas break I was contacted by someone who had seen my Bolens posts on another forum. They had picked up a Bolens whilst doing a clearance and wanted to know if I was interested. I said that I was unlikely to be interested as I am out of space but I was happy to have a look at it and value it for them. This was a foolish offer and I should have known I would be bringing it home. The seller was a great guy and it was refreshing to have a very open and honest conversation about value and price, which worked out well for both of us. The tractor is fitted with the large flat top tiller and is road registered. The tines on the tiller are very badly worn so it has clearly had plenty of use. I am not sure if it is a viable tractor or just a great source of spare parts. It does not move very well having been sat outside for many years so I picked it up with the tipper trailer in case I needed extra help unloading. The rear fender is in the worst condition All I have done with it at the moment is remove the tiller and store the tractor and tiller safely Iain

Andrew has just reminded me about the amusing story, which is very much related to these comments. Before I went to look at the tractor I told Joseph to ask the boss if we could have it but apparently that tactic only works once and I had to ask myself. When I spoke to the boss she asked me if I had one of that model. I thought very carefully before replying that that I didn't have one of that model. I noticed that the look I was being given was starting to relax and I thought it was in the bag. At that point Joseph joined in the conversation and reminded me that I have three of that model. Afterwards I tried to explain to him about the literalness of the question I was being asked and that I answered correctly by saying that I didn't have ONE. Unfortunately it was lost on him. I then went to plan B, which was that if I could get this it would give me the parts for the other three. That sort of worked Iain

My lips are sealed Alain. Non! Nein! Nyet! Ain't sayin' nuffin' Guv.

And what does the BOSS have to say about this. ?

Judging by the look of that rear tyre, Joseph's put a bit of weight on over Christmas.

A few weeks ago I got a call out of the blue saying would I be interested in this old tractor. My pulse quickened when he mentioned that it was hydrostatic and had 20 HP engine in it. I asked for photos which duly came a week later and my thoughts were confirmed. It was a Large Frame and both Chris and Iain identified it as a HT20. I have been told it is an early model. It runs and stops ok and come with a 56" deck too. There's a bit of tinware missing but otherwise it's solid. These are hard to come by ad I am chuffed to but that I got my hands on one. i

Norm. Wait until you get home from Newby hall then tell Carol you won it in a raffle. Problem solved.

Got to tell Carol about the Sears yet.

Bit of tin & filler will soon have that fender fixed Great for spares

Ewan, a tractor I picked up a couple of years ago should have a K161 fitted but it has been replaced with a much smaller engine. I remember doing a double take when I first saw it thinking that the engine had shrunk so it is possible that it is a smaller Kohler like a K91. The tractor is in storage at the moment and I tried unsuccessfully to get to it earlier today. Next time I have access I will check. Iain

Joseph 'Crockett" Glad to see another RAM in action and that's a good load he's hauling.

We had a bit of tractor time today. A replacement exhaust was fitted, the fuel system sorted and a rear closing panel and tow hitch on the chassis. For the hitch a couple of Bolens buddies in the US sent some parts over and I borrowed a couple of small bits from my other Ride-a-matics. I now need to copy all the parts for the other tractors. Lots of jobs still to do but it is now a useable tractor We decided to use the tractor to tidy up some old pallets. Not sure if the cat was happy but it kept Joseph warm First tractor time since the Christmas break which was great. Iain

Welcome to the large frame club and a fantastic example too. Iain

Bit of a tidy up and it'll be grand as owt.

Nice find

Another nice tractor you've got there, good find

Speak with you tomorrow Neil, it's been a long day! Here's a couple of pic's of what's hiding under the filler bubbles on the hood!

DR was a US brand that appeared in the UK in the late 80s , I think. I went to a dem somewhere in West Sussex and was impressed enough to buy half a dozen . Unfortunately the punters didn't share my entheusiasm and the last one stayed on our books as a hire machine. They had a heavy duty nylon line head which took 4 or 5 mm line and were available with either two or four stroke engines.. The video (vhs cassette) that came with each machine showed them being used in much the same situation as we would use a Hayterette rather than a strimmer replacement. They are still around and a friend tells me that two are used to maintain his local churchyard. Around about 2010 Hayter sold a similar Murray branded version.

Good score Andrew, when does it arrive?

Well the radiator looks good.