slf-uk

Me too

I recognise that cool looking Bolens 1556. I keep telling him it needs to come to Norfolk for a visit. Iain

Andrew, ID Tag looks good. I am just waiting to see if Dave put Norfolk on the tractor shipping address. I am sure that is what we agreed iain

Would be worth checking to make sure clutch is not stuck on. Often the case when they have sat for a while iain

Thanks Andrew but I don't think I am the only one, you guys were already very close. Good point you make about Bolens ownership being addictive, we all have a few. Iain

Hi Guys, Not had the chance to get on the forum for a while but I was given a kick up the bottom to login tonight as I enjoy a good Bolens ID mystery. From the engine model and type you listed, I believe you have correctly read the numbers as 190401-013901. This would make the tractor a 1971 Bolens Husky 853 or to be more precise a 853-03. Various other things on the tractor confirm it as an 850 too. As Andrew said not many around. You mentioned a high/low lever, that is the one with the shaft going into the dash tower. You should have two belts fitted, one on the high speed pulleys and one on the low speed ones. The lever moves the idler pulley from one belt to the other providing tension. They are a bit of a pig to set-up but when working they are great. Give me a shout if you need any help with it. Good to see another Bolens Iain

I have just caught up with this thread. I can't believe the transformation, you have done a fantastic job. Marvellous, I'm away from the forum for a while and you beat up on my Bolens buddies Iain

Just managed to catch up with this post. Well done Chris, you did a fantastic job, wow It's a pity I can only hit the Like button once! Iain

Norm, I really like your Raider 10 it looks like a good machine. I am also looking forward to see what you do with it. Somehow it feels satisfying that it is not just Bolens that end up being painted odd colours. I do like Raider's myself and I have a couple in my collection. For inspiration, a quick picture of my Raider 10 playing out in the sun a few years ago with some of the boys. Iain

Great haul Andrew. Both 600's and H16's are the hardest and most desirable tube frame tractors and you have managed to bag one of each in the same week, your the man! This would be a good time to buy a lottery ticket. It is great that you are helping out the Bolens family too by supporting Chris. Iain

Happy birthday Ian, I hope you have a good one iain

Great work on the weight frame and poles. You could use those poles for horse jumping too :-)) Iain

Chris, I think it would look cool on a HT

Andrew, H16 looks great and very happy to help with any deck issues. I have to pick you up on a significant issue and this is not the first time!!! In your pictures you have given the impression that a WH is pushing the Bolens. Clearly this could not be true and the Bolens must be towing the WH. If on the other hand you have a secret desire for red tractors I am sure Chris and I will happily arrange a road trip to remove the white ones to keep them safe from your photoshopping Iain

Mark, Your new LR looks great and I like the spec. It looks like you are already enjoying it Iain

Not much chance of snow in your part of the world but that is not a problem as they will push hard packed dirt just as well, who needs a dozer . Equally good at towing cars, 4x4's, etc. My lad calls one of my H16's "The rescue tractor" as it is the first machine I turn to if I need to move any broken equipment. Andrew, once you get it home you will be living the dream

Andrew, I think you may be getting excited about picking it up A H16 with wheel weights and a front plow is a perfect combination, hence my forum picture. With wheel weights fitted they will pull a house down. They are great Iain

Andrew, trailer is a really good idea for a H16 for a couple of reasons. They are incredibly heavy compared to other tubeframes and you can't disconnect the hydro drive like you can on a largeframe. You have to push them slowly otherwise you will wind up the transmission and it will either lock on you or make horrible noises. Iain

Great find Andrew. I believe the first production run of the H16 was only 1973. Then for some reason Bolens made the H14 and not the H16 in 1974 and 1975 before the 2nd and 3rd production of the H16 in 1976, followed by the 4th in 1977. The early ones like yours were the best. I have four H16's and love them. Iain

Very thoughtful of you Alan but I feel the need to decline that kind offer Iain

Looks like you had a great day and it is good to see the cars out in the daylight You know who to call if you find any white bits Iain

Pleased you got it Tom, it looks great. I expect it was a slow journey home. Bypass at rush hour 😀 Iain

According to the Bolens experts the up/down controls are correct for a 1054-03. I know one of my other 1054's is a 1054-01 with in/out controls but I am unsure what version of 1054 the others are. Apparently this page was added to the operators manual to show the change in controls Iain

I think it was an engineering change. My 1254 is a 1972, same year as this 1054 and that also has up/down controls. The Husky (or is that Huskey ) was replaced by the G and H series in 1973 and they all had up/down controls. Andrew, if your 1254 is a 1254-01 then it is 1971, all other versions were 1972 Iain

Very nice tractor, I like that. Iain