slf-uk

Yesterday Joseph wanted to create a video of our Bolens HT23. I need to make some belt guards for the deck and then he can cut the grass for me.
 
 
Iain

Thanks Alan. The tyre changer was a great purchase and from my favourite shop. I have done a few basic repairs to it and a rebuild planned for the future when time permits. The other tyre changer needs to grow bigger muscles 
 
We had a demo of the Ride-a-matic to the granddads today and a bit of a move around. Next will either be the blue Bolens 1054 from John's (the one from the workshop) or the Bolens Estate Keeper I bought from Tom. A lot of John-isms on the 1054 but all part of the fun, we like a good challenge and have a fair idea what is missing. It does look like he has done some good work on it too.

Thanks Alan. The tyre changer was a great purchase and from my favourite shop. I have done a few basic repairs to it and a rebuild planned for the future when time permits. The other tyre changer needs to grow bigger muscles 
 
We had a demo of the Ride-a-matic to the granddads today and a bit of a move around. Next will either be the blue Bolens 1054 from John's (the one from the workshop) or the Bolens Estate Keeper I bought from Tom. A lot of John-isms on the 1054 but all part of the fun, we like a good challenge and have a fair idea what is missing. It does look like he has done some good work on it too.

Rain forecast for tomorrow, so I thought I'd better do a bit of mowing.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

We finally got the chance to finish off the jobs we had planned for this tractor and took it for a ride, well one of us did as I got to watch. Video update from Joseph
 
 

I have not had a lot of time recently but we have managed to get a little done. Another Iain and Joseph video update, short one this time
 
 
Iain

Finished.   NEXT. ?   The tire changer looks VERY familier. And I don't mean Joseph.

Great to see it up and running Ian and Joseph 
 
 
 
 

We finally got the chance to finish off the jobs we had planned for this tractor and took it for a ride, well one of us did as I got to watch. Video update from Joseph
 
 

I have not had a lot of time recently but we have managed to get a little done. Another Iain and Joseph video update, short one this time
 
 
Iain

We have completed another video on progress. I have to say I prefer working on the tractor to editing a video but my son Joseph wants a video diary of progress. Comments welcomed.
 
 
Iain

Thanks Norm. I have access to a surface table which gives me a good flat surface. After a quick pass you can see where it is warped.
 

 
 

We finally got the chance to finish off the jobs we had planned for this tractor and took it for a ride, well one of us did as I got to watch. Video update from Joseph
 
 

We finally got the chance to finish off the jobs we had planned for this tractor and took it for a ride, well one of us did as I got to watch. Video update from Joseph
 
 

A little bit more progress, 50 x 50 box welded into the corners for the removeable sides.
 

 
A few extra bars in the bed to support the floor.
 

 
Everything was then fully welded up.
We came across a bit of a problem, when you put 100kg at the very front of the trailer the ram is struggling to get it lifted. Once its up 100mm its fine but just getting it moving is the problem. At the moment the cylinder is only 50mm so a new 75mm ram is needed. Dont think the HT20 has the oil capacity for anything bigger.

The upper frame is 60 x 60 box and i have added the dimentions of the original trailer below.
 

Below is what happens when you other half has an artistic bent. Or maybe just bent.
 
  Take some old pot plant pots and get yours truly who has nothing better to do, to clean and paint them.
 
 
 
  Then do this.......
 

 

 
  I think this could be her fishy period.
 
Though she does have a thing about crocodiles.
 

 
    She's now on the lookout for more pots.

Had a nice day at Plumpton Agricultural College open day, weather was good and nice to chill out and wander round looking at stuff.
heres a couple of photos of what got my attention 

I had to leave for a little while and missed getting a few pictures of the build but this is what he had done when i returned.
 

 
And at half travel.
 

 
Then full height. It goes up to about 58° which should be more than steep enough.
 
 

 
A short video of it in operation.
https://youtu.be/3HaLMsurmGA
 

Give my mate a bit of a hand today to start a new trailer project, well, he done the work and i stood and took photo's. They say that its the thought that counts, so i was thinking about all the work i was watching him do, does that count ?
Anyway, this trailer will be roughly a scaled down version of this,
 

 
Started of with some 3x1 1/2 channel to build the frame.
 

 
 
Lower bracket for ram.
 

 
We are very serious about health and safety, that why we will only ever chance one eye !
 

 
Gary got some wheels and hubs from an old golf cart, so axle making is next.
 

 
Axle all put together.
 

 
And welded in place.
 

 

Chris, the Bolens part number for the switch is 1713595 and the same switch is fitted to all round hood Bolens with electric start (600, 800, 900 and 1000). I don't think a geninue one can be bought anymore although I know that at least one of the Bolens part suppliers, Brian sells a replacement. Link to the part on his web site http://bolenspartsandsupplies.com/bolens-parts/1713595-bolens-push-button-starter-switch-fits-600-800-900-1000/
 
Iain

A small update for you all..
 
A quick test fit of the new 3hp motor showed that it would fit in the right place and even one of the bolt holes lined up which makes making an adaptor plate easy.
 

 
 
Thank you Nigel for the thick tread plate.
seven holes drilled and two captive threads welded on later...
 

 

 
 
The adaptor bolted bolted on the lathe bench.
 

 
 
The new motor bolted on but not tightened up as it needed to come back off to be re-wired to spin in the oposite direction.
A big thank you to Sandhurst Mark for doing that for me on Friday.
 

 
 
No photo's but yesterday the lathe was fired up for the first time in oh... Too long... I'm a happy chap

Fantastic find Chris, I really can't believe the gems that keep appearing.
 
 
That is exactly what I was told by an expert in the US
 
It will look great once you have finished with it
Iain

I have not had a lot of time recently but we have managed to get a little done. Another Iain and Joseph video update, short one this time
 
 
Iain

Fantastic find Chris, I really can't believe the gems that keep appearing.
 
 
That is exactly what I was told by an expert in the US
 
It will look great once you have finished with it
Iain