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Yesterday Joseph wanted to create a video of our Bolens HT23. I need to make some belt guards for the deck and then he can cut the grass for me.
 
 
Iain

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
 

Manoeuvring a 12ft twin axle trailer in a confined space with the Disco, is rather awkward. My Land Rover 90 had a front ball hitch which was very handy for reversing trailers into confined spaces.. Unfortunately the same thing can't be done with the Disco.
  I thought one to fit the front of my Wheel Horses would do the job. So this morning I a rooted out a spare front mule drive.
 

 
  Along with some 1"x2" box, bit of plate and a tow ball. I ended up with......
 
  Fits just fine.
 

 
  So a splash of Red Oxide and tomorrow a splash of some colour. Not sure yet what.
 

 
 Had a bit of a test and a little problem raised it's head. Pulling the trailer off the concrete yard was no problem. It was when the trailer wheels got onto the gravel drive. The tractors ag rear tyres lost grip and did an impression of a tiller. It was something I kind of expected, but the hitch will do it's job. I'll just have to keep off the drive.

After much thought and penny counting, I decided to throw caution to the wind, risk the wrath of swmbo and spend some of the kids inheritance.
 

 
   12ft x 6ft but in total 16ft 4" x 6ft 8". Had one heck of a job reversing into the yard due to the angle of drive to lane and having to reverse round the corner of the green as well.
 
  Best measure your drive Chris.

Below is what happens when you other half has an artistic bent. Or maybe just bent.
 
  Take some old pot plant pots and get yours truly who has nothing better to do, to clean and paint them.
 
 
 
  Then do this.......
 

 

 
  I think this could be her fishy period.
 
Though she does have a thing about crocodiles.
 

 
    She's now on the lookout for more pots.

heres the engine I will be using as a doner, although I will
probably have to use the tank and carb off the other one.

Looks nice and peaceful there Norm.  

Rain forecast for tomorrow, so I thought I'd better do a bit of mowing.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

Yes I think it is g4497 from what I can make out. And that looks like the same exact machine as mine with the yellow tape around the starting handle and missing the magneto cover.

heres a photo off my site. The guy trying to sell it claimed he was only the second owner from new. Got to admit it did look a very genuine machine.

I've just looked it up. I bet the serial number of this machine is G4497?There are photos on my website of it.
i was offered it a few months back but the seller wanted a lot more than Harry paid for it.

I wasn't far out then. From research late series 1's had the air filter location in the same place as 
series 2's and the last of them came with "The Gem" embossed on the chain cover as well.

heres a photo off my site. The guy trying to sell it claimed he was only the second owner from new. Got to admit it did look a very genuine machine.

Finished.   NEXT. ?   The tire changer looks VERY familier. And I don't mean Joseph.

Great to see it up and running Ian and Joseph 
 
 
 
 

We finally got the chance to finish off the jobs we had planned for this tractor and took it for a ride, well one of us did as I got to watch. Video update from Joseph
 
 

Looking good Iain.
 
Should all be sorted if all goes well.

Getting there Iain & Joseph, SLOWLY but surely.

I have not had a lot of time recently but we have managed to get a little done. Another Iain and Joseph video update, short one this time
 
 
Iain

We have completed another video on progress. I have to say I prefer working on the tractor to editing a video but my son Joseph wants a video diary of progress. Comments welcomed.
 
 
Iain

Thanks Norm. I have access to a surface table which gives me a good flat surface. After a quick pass you can see where it is warped.
 

 
 

It was listed in the sale catalogue as 1947

I wasn't far out then. From research late series 1's had the air filter location in the same place as 
series 2's and the last of them came with "The Gem" embossed on the chain cover as well.

What you've got there is a series 1 gem from 1946-1947 I would say from the position of the air cleaner.