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I am not sure if I have introduced my HT23 on here before. I bought the tractor in 2009 and I mainly use it for grass cutting duties Last year I lifted the deck and one of the deck lift bolts broke, I then managed to rip up the wood threshold on the door of my workshop trying to drive it in with the deck dragging on the ground. I have been a bit busy so it has taken me until now to get around to fixing it. First I remove the old lift bolts, looks like someone has been here before as they should not be made out of M12 threaded rod I then pulled one off my HT20 so I could see what they should look like I then made some replacement parts then I made a quick frame to hold the parts in place for welding I even gave them a quick coat of paint before fitting I can't believe what a difference it makes, the deck lift has never been this good. Another job done. Iain

One of the reasons that work on my Sachs Gem has been slow recently is that I have dug this 650 out. As a lot of you may know in 1985 Howard went into receivership and Dowdeswell purchased the design rights to The Gem. In 1986 production started back up with a few small changes. As ive got G206 ( I still haven't yet managed to turn up a Gem with a lower serial number) I thought that they would look good side by side to show how little the design changed over 50 odd years. I spotted this example on good old ebay. It looked in quite a sorry state but after having the factory records checked it showed up that this very machine was Dowdeswells exhibition model on their stand at The Windsor show in 1987-Does anyone have any photos from this year please? It is also quite likely but I don't have definite proof that it was also featured in the one sales Brochure and Dowdeswell's magazine called Tillage.

Just picked this up on my travels. Can anyone tell me much about it? I'm guessing its 1960's? Overall it looks quite good, just the bottom of the box has rotted out.

Its the best lawnmower engine they ever built I had lots of them when I started out. Seem to go on for ever

Heres a few photos of todays progress. New tyres fitted ( don't know where they came from but found them in my shed). New exhaust fitted (again was on the shelf in my shed). And the pipe was painted in some VHT silver. The final photo shows how bad the recoil starter and the flywheel screen was. The screen had to come from America but the recoil...yep you've guessed it!

Heres the main chasis with the top coat on. And in the 3rd photo the engine is back together. Just the exhaust needs changing and waiting on one more decal.

Thanks Paul, that's the plan. One of the things that I got on with first was the engine. It was stripped down, valves reground etc(no points on this one). Then the paint was stripped, the air filter housing and tank repaired (new ones were redicoulas prices) then everything was painted in the nearest shade of red that I had. Then some excellent decals from Titch were applied.

After a few months of waiting I finally received a call from the blaster to say that it was ready. He doesn't charge a lot, just wish he was more reliable.

You know those holes I liked? Yep these ones... Well I found a good use for them.. A bit of trimming and welding was needed along with this small plate to fill up a hole. And this is what I have made with the holes.. It fit's on the end of the bench to give it some strength and some style.. OK, I could of come up with a simpler design, but I just couldn't help myself Something was needed to cover the cogs that powers the er.. Auto feed is as good a name as any.. Anyway, a couple of strips of steel welded together and bent in a funky shape. Dig out a bit of computer case.. Chop and weld to shape.. I need to finish the welding and give the edge a little grind down, but I'm happy with the strange shape and look A finishing shot for the day

Ever thought of buying a shipping container?