slf-uk

I was very concerned about the third load, not about getting six into the White Whale but locking a Bolens in a confined space with five Wheelhorse's for three hours. I was expecting them not to get on and worried that someone would be loosing a headlight in the fight. However everything was quiet all the way home and they seemed to get on fine Iain

Another great update, thanks Looking forward to the first test run which really needs to be streamed live for us all to watch. Iain

In my opinion, John is very lucky to have Alan as a friend. The amount of time and effort Alan has put into this is incredible. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet both Alan and John over the weekend and I enjoyed talking to both of them. Seeing John's health over the weekend, I believe that Alan had no other option than to progress more rapidly. I am sure it will not come as a surprise to many people that I bought most of the Bolens tractors and equipment as a job lot. The surprise might be just how many tractors you can get into a Mercedes Sprinter, aka the Great White Whale. We had to use a white Sprinter as the red ones are only for Wheelhorse's Alan mentioned that Chris (The Showman) manages to get three in easily and four with a struggle into his Sprinter. We started with getting five tractors in a load and then with Tom's support we managed to get six squeezed in. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to take any pictures but it made an interesting load. I think others may have taken some pictures. I will post some pictures of the tractors over time and once I have recovered. I am far too old for being stuck in a van for 18 hours and 1100 miles over three days. It was a great adventure and I am very grateful for Alan's support, also help from Chris and Tom. Iain

Great to meet you at the weekend Philip. The blade looks great on your RJ Can't be many blades that have done that many miles in such a short time Iain

Oh, that was below the belt Iain

Does this mean it's designed as a girl's tractor

Cream has my vote too

That's a very nice collection Mr Showman, no such thing as too many. It's great to see line up of machines. I'm with Andrew, I particularly like the round hoods. Iain

Alain, Great decals. It is just the later Techumseh OH series that also had a "compliance with radio interference ...." decal? Iain

I am learning so much from this post, thanks Alain and Andrew. Iain

Alain, A plate of biscuits sounds like a very good idea. I can see how when they get home and see an open ditch and the dirt in a pile on your property, they could easily jump to the wrong conclusions. Iain

Norm, Just sent you a PM with the company I use for Kohler air filters. For carb. rebuild kits I tend to just look for the cheapest OEM kit on the US ebay site, although in the past I have used a few of the US online web sellers too. Iain

That is interesting, does it have a pulley fitted and belt to take the drive down to a more usable level?

I've experienced the fun of Kohler spec numbers whilst ordering parts for the K582 in my Bolens HT23. I've just had another look at your pictures of the damaged parts and I think it would be possible to do a weld repair. For the flywheel I would suggest farming that out to someone experienced with welding cast because you really don't want it to fall apart with the engine running. You may have someone at work who would do it for the cost of a drink. The K161 I have on my bench (that we were looking at on Saturday) has the complete center of the flywheel broken off. The previous owner had glued it back in place and used the engine until the glue gave way, so a good weld repair should work well although it may be slightly out of balance. Before doing that it might be worth finding out if mechanically the engine is sound. We could pull the flywheel, mag, etc. from the K161 on one of my ride-a-matics's to try to get your engine running. Iain

Great one Andrew. I like the rear hitch arrangement. What is the bar sticking through the grill, hand crank? Iain

I was really struggling with that picture until you guys posted the obvious answer. It's a very convincing picture and it is very easy to be fooled into thinking the Bolens is being towed. Iain

That has to be the best attachment of all times, love it. Dave, Does the 1886 have the power steering option fitted, I couldn't see from the pictures. Iain

I keep trying to persuade Tom to add a Bolens to his collection.

Alain, I saw this post come in but I was so busy last week that I was unable to reply. I tripped over that problem a few years ago and spent a very long time head scratching before I found the solution. I see the Andrew and Dave jumped to the rescue I only realised the parts manual (1556, H14, H16) was wrong when I noticed that the G14 parts manual also shows a 34 inch belt but with a different part number to the H16. One of them was clearly not 34 inches. It is the only problem I have found with the Bolens parts manuals. If anyone has found other anomalies it would be good to know. Iain

That has to be the biggest understatement of all time. It's a bit like saying you put some effort into getting a date with Kylie and it was worth it. It looked great as it was and now it is a work of art. Fantastic workmanship Iain

Yup, tug-o-war is the way to go. Engage the diff lock and sit back to enjoy

That is a really great Cub that you got Tom. I am really pleased that I got to see it and I can honestly say it looks even better in the flesh than in the pictures. The rear hitch is a great bonus. You didn't waste any time dropping that engine back in. Did you date it from the registration number or find the plate? Iain

A simple A frame attached to the tac-o-matic thing may do the job as the steering wheels tend to stay in line. You could always stick a bungee on the steering wheel to hold it roughly central. You could then knock up two and tow two in line with the third tractor. I have pulled a car over rough ground with one of my tractors and the tractor just pulled it back in line when the car decided to steer in the opposite direction. iain

Your 1254 looks great Andrew. It will be good to see it up and running It is rare that a WH get to tow a Bolens, it is usually the other way around Pleased you didn't post the picture that really would be letting the side down. Iain