slf-uk

I would love to go but unfortunately I can't find a way to make it work Iain

Fantastic attention to detail, it looks great. Iain

Great article. On this site I also noticed this amazing article telling the story of landing a C-130 on an aircraft carrier, wow. http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/16/c-130-land-on-carrier/ Iain

Very good of Chris to take one for the team I wondered what was in the caravan and thought it might be worth exploring, but I really hate spiders. Iain

I better come and collect that red Bolens if you can manage with a less capable tractor Nice extraction, those shapers are not light Iain

Tom, let me know if I can help you out with any parts or assistance. Iain

Happy birthday Nigel, have a great one. 100 years old that can't be right, you look at least 10 years younger Best wishes Iain

Great article and pictures, pleased you have achieved stardom Iain

Great truck Nigel. It will be hard to keep it that clean. Iain

Sorry to here about you loss Chris . I know it's hard as they become part of the family. Best wishes Iain

I was originally planning to go to the show but work commitments got in the way. Instead I have spent the last two day attempting to navigate around the traffic jams and it looks like I missed a really great show. I wonder if the Bolens are locally owned. Thanks for posting the pictures Iain

Chris, Great haul, I hope you left something for my next visit Iain

Happy birthday Mark, have a great day. Best wishes Iain

Look great Alain, you are doing a fantastic job. I am jealous of your workshop space, looks like you have plenty of space to work on your machines. Iain

From memory, in order to identify the engine year from the serial number it needs to be in the format of 4 numbers and a letter. This one has only got the four numbers however taking just the 4 numbers it would suggest that it was made on the 084th day of 1970 This is the Bolens tag

Thanks Dave. The 1254 with the Tecumseh is in storage at the moment but I am now itching to have a very close look. A while back you and Alain provided some really helpful advice on dating Tecumseh and Wisconsin engines but the engine in the red 1253 is not in that format, how easy is it to date a Bolens from the tractor serial number? I am assuming that the 1253 is a 1970 but it would be good to verify and try dating some of my other Bolens, where I do not have the engine serial number or where I am unsure if it has had an engine swap. Thanks Iain

Great line up Tom, it is always good to line them up for a few photos. That John Deere looks good with the others. Just noticed that you have turned the rear wheels around on the JD, much better I am sure Andrew is right about adding a Bolens to the collection but I can't think of anyone that needs to thin out his collection... Iain

Looks like you had a good day Chris. The black car in one of the pictures looks very much like a wolesley 8. You don't see many of those about due to crank end float issues. I have one with a good engine waiting for restoration. Iain

Tom, you will have to come and try mine, I know you really want some more Bolen seat time They are great to use but not a lot of fun to fit as they are very heavy. Iain

Andrew, it will stay red for the moment as my assistant loves the colour. I did think that a 1253 was only made for one year (1970) and had a Tecumseh engine and a 1254 had a Wisconsin engine, but it is not that easy as I have a 1254-06 which also has a Tecumseh engine. Very confusing, I will need to look at Dr Bolens's article and then do some research. The Tecumseh in the red 1253 does not have a serial number in the easy to identify format so I may not be able to date it from the engine. Really want the other red Bolens at John's as it is a 1054 and I don't have a running 1054. I decided to put the red Bolens to work today but when I went to start it the starter stuck. After a bit of investigation I found that all the bolts were loose on the engine, not just the starter and it had a homemade fuel tank holder. After raiding the parts shed and attacking it with a 1/2" spanner everything was back to how it should have been and ready for use. The PO said he paid a local engineer to go over the wiring. Very interesting as all the additions to the wiring are in household flex. It may be easier to throw a new wiring harness into it. Iain

Both the painted one and the rat version look great. Now you have to make another one Iain

Just as I add another red tractor to my collection everyone is dumping them. I never have been one for following the trends Iain

Chris, you will need to move that hydraulic lift kit to which ever tractor you fit this attachment to, either that plenty of weight lifting training. A set of rear wheel weights is a help too to stop the tractor standing on it's nose. I can't see a lift bar, let me know if you need the dimension from mine in order to make one. Iain

Philip, you did a great job moving the tractor and it looks so much better out in the light. Great pictures from Alan too. Iain

You need to give them Bolens a chance to settle, they have only just moved this way.