slf-uk

That is why I like it so much. No other Bolens featured this wonderfully modern and futuristic Brooke Stevens design. To me it is a work of beauty in its design and functionality. I will get one and will be "chuffed" beyond belief. 

Alain, when I bought this RAM in October 2014 I did well not buying any tractors for a while however since then would you believe I have bought another 20 tractors. She is less than impressed so I am trying not to buy any more. The '62 RAM is a bit of a marmite tractor, BTW Marmite is a spread available in the UK and the company's marketing slogan is "Love it or hate it".
 
I have two '62 RAM's and they are both in very poor condition, this one has been pulled apart and badly repainted before reassembly using most of the essential parts, the others presumably discarded. Also for no good reason a number of holes have been cut into the cast grill. So may even call it a restoration, the other tractor is a lot more honest.
 
The '62 RAM is a good size for my son to use and as it is shiny, it has caught his eye. As such I want to get this one running and then do a running refurbishment over time. We are doing the work together so progress will be slow but hopefully we will both learn something along the way.
 
In addition to adding the original hitch we are also looking to get the clutch/brake to work. We have identified the parts that are missing and are investigating how to make replacements.  
 
This is a picture of my other '62 RAM, which some may recognise as it came from John's collection. Affectionately this is known as "the dragster" due to the modified Land Rover back wheels 
 
Iain
 

 
 

Alain, when I bought this RAM in October 2014 I did well not buying any tractors for a while however since then would you believe I have bought another 20 tractors. She is less than impressed so I am trying not to buy any more. The '62 RAM is a bit of a marmite tractor, BTW Marmite is a spread available in the UK and the company's marketing slogan is "Love it or hate it".
 
I have two '62 RAM's and they are both in very poor condition, this one has been pulled apart and badly repainted before reassembly using most of the essential parts, the others presumably discarded. Also for no good reason a number of holes have been cut into the cast grill. So may even call it a restoration, the other tractor is a lot more honest.
 
The '62 RAM is a good size for my son to use and as it is shiny, it has caught his eye. As such I want to get this one running and then do a running refurbishment over time. We are doing the work together so progress will be slow but hopefully we will both learn something along the way.
 
In addition to adding the original hitch we are also looking to get the clutch/brake to work. We have identified the parts that are missing and are investigating how to make replacements.  
 
This is a picture of my other '62 RAM, which some may recognise as it came from John's collection. Affectionately this is known as "the dragster" due to the modified Land Rover back wheels 
 
Iain
 

 
 

I really like your 1050, I wish mine were anywhere near this good.
 
Good call on the fuel system, tank clean, new pipe and inline filter is the way to go.
 
Now just get your finger out and buy that seat cover, we all want to know what they are like 
 
Iain

yes i think i need to start a museum i agree its to nice to use

Bit of progress on the studio. Base finished.
 

 
 

The next job is to find a closing panel for the end of the chassis  that's hard when we don't have the right size metal.

The 1962 RAM has been on my list for a long, long time, but I have never found one in good order. As most know I'm a collector of later garden tractors, but this one calls to be. Iain, I believe your wife maybe fairly proud (and surprised) of you lasting until October, even if she would not say so. Had you not came up a little short on your promise, she would have not been able to make her handbag purchase. I am fairly sure she was the one that was getting worried that you would make it and that handbag would slip by. The '62 is beautiful, nice to see the original lift back on it.

These are the same shape and design as my other one. It is a much more attractive shape. I believe the green painted ride-a-matic's are pre-1961.
 
That is a great picture.
 
Wow, despite one being towed they are all about to overtake the WH
 
Iain

This year has been a very difficult year for reasons that are far too boring to go into, however one of the outcomes was that I agreed with the other half not to buy any more tractors this year and to focus on other priorities. It has been very painful agreement to keep to and I hope you will agree that I did well to last until October before buying two more.
 
The most interesting one is a 1962 Ride-a-matic which has been fitted with a Honda engine and what looks like a Land Rover hitch. I do have the original Kohler engine, which has a broken flywheel and missing the coil. These are a couple of pictures the seller sent to me.
 

 

 
This is my second Ride-a-matic, with the other being a 1961 machine.
 
The tractor has a few challenging issues and missing parts, but I think I know what needs to be done. It works really well with the Honda engine and I may leave it like that while I work through some of the other issues. A full refurbishment and repaint is the long term aim but for now I just want to use it, enjoy it and work on continued improvements.
 
Iain
 
 
 
 

Great score Alain.
 
Iain

Joseph, when your Dad is down in Devon, he can measure my RAM if that's any help?
 
Thanks
 
Andrew

The tyre all pumped up and 'touch wood'  it will stay inflated. I don't think the red is the original red as I am sure it's darker?
 
 

Chris hasn't enough hair to need a hair brush.  Off to ................................................. now.

Cheers, Doug.
 
Chris will probably use his extras as hair brushes.  

I think you should make a drive through wheelhorse wash with them 😀   

It is a 1985 tractor, 5017 model, the QT series was 1666 models and include a 16 hp Kohler single cylinder, QS16, a 16 hp Onan twin cylinder. QT16, and the 17 and 19 hp Kohler twins QT17 and QT19.
Personally, I don't care for twins except the cast iron Kohler 482, 532, and 582. The design flaw on all the KT series and the cost of parts on the Onan's are behind those preferences. This particular model was also offered with the 14hp Tecumseh OH140, called the 1400G. I think the 16 hp Kohler K341AQS will do nicely. The engine in it was the second KT17 originally it would have been a series two engine. I think the Kohler KT17 series one engine was produced from 1978 to 1980 or 1981, after that they made series two engines up until around 1985 or 1986. If the spec number is below 24299 it is a series one, 24300 and above it is a series two. Obvious difference is a plate for a remote oil filter, different oil fill tube, and electronic ignition over a coil on the earlier series one.

A friend of mine bought a Bolens 1700G with a Bolens snow plow and snow blower that had a blown KT17 in it (in boxes) for 250.00. He said I could have the tractor, if I would travel the 200 miles to get the whole lot and sell the KT17 engine parts on eBay so he is able to defer the 250.00 outlay. I jumped on that deal. The owner also had a set of chains and Bolens weights that went with it so I got to keep those as well. The KT17 engine was a lemon from the get go, and I don't know why this one had a Series one KT17, it was a 1985, tractor, way past the series one exploding engines. It should have been a Series two. I have a John Deere 314 engine, 16hp Kohler k341 single cylinder, that will fit right in without any modifications, this has a beautiful 48" shaft drive deck and will be my new mowing tractor. This model is a 4 speed, 1st gear having lockout. the wheel weights will get Bolens Regal Red paint and go on the 1476. Long drive, lots of disassembly, now to take pictures of the engine parts and list them on eBay.

Earlier tractors however I thought it was interesting to note that the wheel weights for my Bolens ride-a-matic's are identical to those on my Cub Cadet Original. I will have to check them for markings
 
Iain

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I'm with Andrew on this one. I hope its not to difficult or expensive to fix.
 
Iain

Happy birthday Andrew (Bolens buddy), I hope you had a good one.
 
Best wishes
Iain

That is unbelievable, I would be concerned about using it in case I scratched it
 
Iain

That is unbelievable, I would be concerned about using it in case I scratched it
 
Iain

I really like your 1050, I wish mine were anywhere near this good.
 
Good call on the fuel system, tank clean, new pipe and inline filter is the way to go.
 
Now just get your finger out and buy that seat cover, we all want to know what they are like 
 
Iain

Hi just bought a ST160 with 174 hrs on it never seen one so clean before has deck with grass reduction system it came from a bereavment sale PO had it in an air conditioned barn