slf-uk

I did wonder if it was the one on the auction site not too far from me. I think I did really well not to bid on it, maybe the addition is wearing off Iain

Those decals looks very good Mark. Unfortunately I can't help by measuring the decals on my 900 or 600 as the 900 has had the decals removed in the past and my 600 is a model with different decals. Happy to be corrected but to me the gear selector decal looks too small. I thought that it was about the same width as the PTO decal is long. The size of the hood decals will be hard to determine as I have seen 800's with large decals on the side and front and also smaller ones. Iain

Those Tecumseh engines really do bark out compared to a Wisconsin or Kohler. The original muffler on one of my G10's is toast and I have temporarily fitted one of those round can muffler. It is far too noisy. Hi Ryan, Welcome to MOM, like others I would really like to know more about your Bolens. Some very knowledgeable Bolens folk on this forum who I am sure would be willing to help you with any problems Iain

If you order direct from the web site rather than ebay and enter the discount code "ebay10" at checkout, it entitles you to 10% discount. Iain

I have had my TD5 for 10 years now. After three years I looked at replacing it with a Disco3 but I didn't like it and the boss didn't want me to get a Defender, so I stuck with it. Last year when it clocked up 90,000 I tested a Disco4 and really loved it, but it didn't have character that the TD5 has. Equally the TD5 does not have the character of the Defender. I don't want to talk up problems but my TD5 has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It has seen some serious off road action and I always have something attached to the tow bar. Other than servicing I have replaced the rear air bags, one injector and for some reason the headlight bulbs blow every couple of years. It even still has the original battery! It has been a very long time since I have owned something this old with this many miles on but given the miles you guys have on yours, it does not sound like I have much to worry about. The plan now is to keep it as long as possible and you never know it may even outlive me. I may buy a Defender or something else to use as well but I have not decided yet. Iain

Great one, I have just ordered 100. Thanks Iain

Looks great. I have leather seats in my Disco and the heaters are essential in the winter. It also appeals to my sense of humour as I enjoy switching the passenger heater on in the summer when the boss is not looking. That usually livens up a dull journey Iain

Very interesting, looking forward to hearing more. Iain, spelt the correct way - honest

Philip, The early ride-a-matics were green and yellow and the later ones gold. The front grill is made from cast. The later Ride-a-matics were square fronted still with a cast grill. Husky was the name given to the early tubeframes which predominantly had Wisconsin engines, the 600 had a B&S engine. When Bolens moved to Tecumseh engines they dropped the Husky name and they became G or H series (Gear or Hydro). The husky badge was still used on the front of the early G/H tractors. The easy way to identify a tubeframe is the chassis which is two tubes/pipes. If you look at my post on my Bolens G14 you will see a picture I posted of several of my G/H series tractors. At the end of the line up is my large frame tractor, a HT23. Also in that post is a picture of my latest H16 which is an early model with the husky badge on the front. I am sure more knowledgeable people than me will fill in the bits I have missed. Several Bolens collectors on this forum and we are all always on the lookout for more, so if you know of any for sale do let us all know. For the rare ones you can let me know first Iain

Philip, as a bit of a Bolens collector I have to say that these days they all seem rare in this country. Probably the most rare are ride-a-matics and round hood tubeframes especially the 600. You don't see many largeframes for sale but I think plenty are about. Iain

They will probably end up in the street when Mrs Showman wants her patio back

Looking great and I love the action shots. The last picture looks like something you would see in a John Wayne movie. Iain

That is a good point. As it has a plastic tank I just gave it a quick wash with some petrol. I will do it properly with some tank cleaner. Thanks Iain

Great machine, I would love one of those. Wheel weights is a great addition. Iain

I didn't appreciate how long our grass was until Saturday so some serious grass cutting was in order. The first job was to service the push mower so my wife could forge ahead with the smaller bits of grass and then sort out my son's electric toy car so he could tow trailers of grass cuttings from the push mower. I have been side tracked recently with new purchases and neglected the repairs needed on the main grass cutting tractor, the Bolens HT23. I did attempt to use it but it was too sick, those Kohler twins are a pain. I then spent the rest of Saturday hooking out a deck for a Bolens tube frame tractor which was hidden at the back of one of my storage sheds. The plan for Sunday was an early start, rebuild the tubeframe deck, drop it on a tractor and forge ahead. When I opened the bedroom curtains on Sunday morning I was faced with this surprise from my wife. I cut most of it out with the tractor today but as the push mower is set lower it can still be seen. So if you are planning to fly into Norwich fleapit International airport look out for it. Iain

Looking good and a line up is a great way to appreciate them all. Iain

Looks really good. The black look is good. Iain

I look forward to seeing the additions you are planning. Iain

Hi Luke, I can relate to that. Ideally you need an engine that will take a drive on the flywheel for the PTO. It looks like you have all the essentials on the tractor. BTW I have an HT23. Iain

I finished putting the G14 together today and took it off the tractor bench. It started on the first go and the debris coming out the exhaust was amazing. With the damage it had to the exhaust port I don't think the exhaust has been used in years. I had thick brown smoke for about 5 minutes until it had cleared all the rust and spiders out, after then no smoke or unexpected noises. As expected the clutch was stuck on but it didn't take a lot to free it off. The gearbox is sweet and it was good to take it for a drive. The downside is the carb is still not right and it would only run on full choke, but it did run and pull well. I left it running and after about half an hour it started to run bad as the carb float valve had stuck open. I will need to pull the carb off again and go through it with even more attention to detail. Any tips on getting the carb float valve to work correctly are welcome as I tried everything I can think of including a light honing of the valve seat, which work for a while. For the moment it's time in the workshop is over as I have put the HT23 on the workbench for some overdue maintenance which will include removing the engine to get to the starter motor. Iain

Thanks Alain, after having an unsuccessful quick scan of the companies I usually use for fasteners I think I will probably use the same company you have. The shipping is more than the fasteners so I will order loads. I probability need to anyway as PO's of my machines have removed and lost a significant number. It does make me smile how PO's either leave fasteners missing or replace them with metric, and then for variety play with the electrics. I will wait to see how you get on with the ones you have on order first. It would be good to see a picture of a new screw next to the original. Iain

It is not just you Americans. My wife would like to have a greenhouse and I told her that we need to make sure we get one big enough so the plough does not go through the glass when turning around inside it. She also asked me about some raised beds but I pointed out the safety issues of having further to fall from the tractor and needing space for ramps to drive up onto the beds. Iain

Looking good Alain. Do you know the exact size/specification of those Phillips head truss bolts as I need to order a few too and I am sure they will be much harder to find in the UK? I am not sure why Bolens thought it was a good idea to attach the hydraulic tank to the seat pan, it would have been so much easier if the tank was attached to a bracket fixed to the chassis. It will be interesting to see what the correct parking brake knob looks like as it has been replaced on all of my hydro's with something completely different. Keep up the good work Iain

Over the weekend I gave the G14 a diesel bath followed by hitting it with the pressure washer. It is so much nicer to work on now but the state of the grass where I gave it a wash was the subject of much discussion with the boss. Progress on the G14 has been slowed by work commitments and I got distracted by buying and collecting another H16 . Picture from the advert Tonight I had a relaxing hour in the workshop on the G14 fitting the exhaust, engine panel work, throttle/choke cables and a few other jobs. Thanks to Norm's reminder I took the plug out of the exhaust pipe first I still need to fit the fuel tank and pipes, straighten and fit the hood, fit new battery cables, repair some more damaged wiring and refit the PTO and body panels. I have also bought some new front lights for it. Iain

That is just so cool, I am very jealous. Iain