slf-uk

Back last summer while I was at a mates barn having a rummage, right at the back in the darkness I found a red tractor that ive never seen before.
After a bit of research I found that it was built by Toro for one year and because of poor sales was dropped.
The dealer had 10 and offered them at a deal and my mate bought 3.
Two were used for a contract that he had then parked up and the third is still new and not assembled.
The one I have bought is a Toro GMT 230 1978, It has a Kohler 23 hp engine, hydraulic deck lift and bends in the middle.
It was parked up in the barn in the late 90s after doing 170 hours work and left until I spotted it. After fitting a makeshift fuel tank and a good battery it fired straight up with everything working.
Have to say i'm chuffed to bits with it and sounds really nice, awesome thing to drive

It was good to catch up with you again Chris, thanks for selling me er.. 3/4's of a Wheel Horse..
It's nice to have something red back in the workshop, being WH-less for 1 1/2 days was hard to cope with
 
 

6 Bolens in a Mercedes Sprinter I believe.... A SWB too by all accounts....

The other Iain, the Bolens one, would have been disappointed with a little load like that.

Had a victim visitor to the shed today who popped in for coffee and collect a few parts.
After the coffee and a chat we loaded his car with more than I expected to get in it  and I was happy to empty his pocket.
I think Ian was pleased with all the bits and left with his car much lower at the backend
Here's some photos 

Last Sunday I bought an old garden trailer for next to nothing from a chap up the road. It just fit in the back of the van with an inch to spare. I need a trailer to haul items from my yard to and fro from my van as the track there is very muddy and rutted. It is a particularly well made trailer with a hinged dropside tailgate. The tyres are in good condition too and there is a very rudimentary suspension system too. It rolls freely and the handle on the drawbar is a nice touch. The plan is to rub down the frame and repainted it in an appropriate colour. Might be a dark green metal frame or white. As for the woodwork I could use marine ply or old timber which I would sand down and use Danish Oil. I hope to use some old brass screws to secure the wood in place. The seller said there was a manufacturer plaque on the trailer at one point but sadly now disappeared for eternity. Does anyone recognise the make of the trailer? I think it will be look cool behind one  of my Bolens.
 
When the weather warms up I will be making a start on this project.

Thanks Andrew, sounds good

The 1254 is the first Bolens I ever bought and I owed it to the old girl to get her up and running. My mate, Daniel, offered his services to get her going. He made up a new loom a while back and thanks to Rick I bought a fuel tank off him and from Brian some belts and coil. Another contact in the States, Alain, sourced me a set of stators.    
 I am really chuffed to hear that it is up and running, albiet briefly. Daniel informed me that "The head gasket is leaking oil out and over the exhaust manifold, i suppose this is good and bad, good that the oil is circulating the engine, but possible the rings are gone for there to be oil above the piston? The carb isn't leaking on the joint as bad but i have been turning the fuel tap off so it may do if left long enough, it is dribbling past the float, and from the adjustment screw, but nothing to loose sleep over."
 
 
 

Happy birthday Paul, I hope you have a great day
 
Best wishes
Joseph and Iain

Joseph and I managed to get a small amount of tractor time today. The battery on the Estate Keeper is dead and we either had the time to go and buy a replacement or bodge a different battery in and have some seat time. We spend most of our time correcting bodges but the prospect of some seat time won the day. I recently replaced the battery in our house alarm and the old one is still good even though it is tiny and only 7aH. The EK7 starts really well so worth a go.
 
The old battery

 
Modifications to a bit of firewood

 
Job done

 
Despite being a horrible bodge it works well. It started well despite not being used since August and Joseph cut some grass with the tractor. He let me have a go too and I realised that it is the first time I have driven this tractor.
 
If the battery holds up we will make a proper frame for it.
 
Iain

We finally managed to get the Estate Keeper running. My assistant and chief test driver has made a video covering most of the work we did on the tractor and a demonstration of it in action. Very cool machine, I love it
 
 

Joseph and I managed to get a small amount of tractor time today. The battery on the Estate Keeper is dead and we either had the time to go and buy a replacement or bodge a different battery in and have some seat time. We spend most of our time correcting bodges but the prospect of some seat time won the day. I recently replaced the battery in our house alarm and the old one is still good even though it is tiny and only 7aH. The EK7 starts really well so worth a go.
 
The old battery

 
Modifications to a bit of firewood

 
Job done

 
Despite being a horrible bodge it works well. It started well despite not being used since August and Joseph cut some grass with the tractor. He let me have a go too and I realised that it is the first time I have driven this tractor.
 
If the battery holds up we will make a proper frame for it.
 
Iain

Joseph and I managed to get a small amount of tractor time today. The battery on the Estate Keeper is dead and we either had the time to go and buy a replacement or bodge a different battery in and have some seat time. We spend most of our time correcting bodges but the prospect of some seat time won the day. I recently replaced the battery in our house alarm and the old one is still good even though it is tiny and only 7aH. The EK7 starts really well so worth a go.
 
The old battery

 
Modifications to a bit of firewood

 
Job done

 
Despite being a horrible bodge it works well. It started well despite not being used since August and Joseph cut some grass with the tractor. He let me have a go too and I realised that it is the first time I have driven this tractor.
 
If the battery holds up we will make a proper frame for it.
 
Iain

Joseph and I managed to get a small amount of tractor time today. The battery on the Estate Keeper is dead and we either had the time to go and buy a replacement or bodge a different battery in and have some seat time. We spend most of our time correcting bodges but the prospect of some seat time won the day. I recently replaced the battery in our house alarm and the old one is still good even though it is tiny and only 7aH. The EK7 starts really well so worth a go.
 
The old battery

 
Modifications to a bit of firewood

 
Job done

 
Despite being a horrible bodge it works well. It started well despite not being used since August and Joseph cut some grass with the tractor. He let me have a go too and I realised that it is the first time I have driven this tractor.
 
If the battery holds up we will make a proper frame for it.
 
Iain

I have just had the chance to read your build post. It is a fascinating read and not spoiled by the snippets you have shared with me. I am pleased I was able to provide a small contribution with a few measurements. Fantastic workmanship.
 
Your great grandson looks at home on the tractor, you will have to build another one for him  
 
Iain

Joseph and I managed to get a small amount of tractor time today. The battery on the Estate Keeper is dead and we either had the time to go and buy a replacement or bodge a different battery in and have some seat time. We spend most of our time correcting bodges but the prospect of some seat time won the day. I recently replaced the battery in our house alarm and the old one is still good even though it is tiny and only 7aH. The EK7 starts really well so worth a go.
 
The old battery

 
Modifications to a bit of firewood

 
Job done

 
Despite being a horrible bodge it works well. It started well despite not being used since August and Joseph cut some grass with the tractor. He let me have a go too and I realised that it is the first time I have driven this tractor.
 
If the battery holds up we will make a proper frame for it.
 
Iain

Thanks guys.
 
I decided to spend my birthday in the workshop, not had the chance for any workshop time for ages. Chris is nearly right, the chassis on my Land Rover 90 was painted but Joseph did most of the painting while I sat in the chair, very relaxing.  I just had to tidy up a few bits.
 
Iain
 
 

Thanks guys.
 
I decided to spend my birthday in the workshop, not had the chance for any workshop time for ages. Chris is nearly right, the chassis on my Land Rover 90 was painted but Joseph did most of the painting while I sat in the chair, very relaxing.  I just had to tidy up a few bits.
 
Iain
 
 

App he spent the day painting a Land rover Chassis  

Happy Birthday Iain. I bet that Landry chassis is in better nick than you 

Happy birthday Iain🎉

Happy birthday lian

Happy Birthday Iain.   Have a good one.

Happy Birthday Iain, Hope you have a real special day.
 

Many Happy Returns Iain, have a great day