slf-uk

Over the last month or so, I have spent a bit of time working on the 1050. To date, I fitted a used air filter assembly plus new filter sourced from the States, cleaned up the plug and removed one of the front tyres to get a new inner tube which I hope to get fitted this week prior to getting it back to my house so I can do a service on it and give it a thorough clean. The previous owner, a mechanic, have obviously looked after it to a point as all the nipples have been religiously greased and to date everything have been easy to undo. I am in the process of taking offt the metal fuel tank as there is a bit of crap at the bottom. I think I will replace the fuel line to the carb and perhaps install a fuel filter as well. My plan is to spend a good day tinkering with it next Saturday. I will post up some photos of the 1050 after it been washed and serviced and hopefully a video of it running.... 
 
I am also thinking of buying that red seat cover from the US that's on eBay USA.
 
 
 
 

Making good progress Norm.
 
I attach some photos of a grader attached to a Bolens 1000 that I lifted off GTT so you can see the design of the blade though the brackets to attach it to the chassis will be naturally be irrelevant. Looking at the photos it can be angled too.
 

I believe the foundry was the E. Rowe Co. they made the exact wheel weight for Bolens. early MTD garden tractors, and several brands of walk behinds.They may have made other styles, but  I don't know. However I do not think they made any wheels.

This is a great picture because it shows what a Bolens looks like with the panels removed. The design started with the 600 in 1962 and very little changed right through to 1978 with the last G14. The chassis tubes were shorter on the 600 and they had a dog leg on the hydros. The steering column is a work of art although the top bush can be a pain. The cast front axle and cradle are unbelievably heavy. The body panels changed over the years and various gearbox, clutch and engine options were available.
 
Everything is widely over engineered which is why I love them so much. Just as well it is really considering the weight of some of the attachments. This big boy for example weighs in at 550lbs (250kg). Have I got one - no, do I want one - you bet!
 
Iain
 

 

This is a great picture because it shows what a Bolens looks like with the panels removed. The design started with the 600 in 1962 and very little changed right through to 1978 with the last G14. The chassis tubes were shorter on the 600 and they had a dog leg on the hydros. The steering column is a work of art although the top bush can be a pain. The cast front axle and cradle are unbelievably heavy. The body panels changed over the years and various gearbox, clutch and engine options were available.
 
Everything is widely over engineered which is why I love them so much. Just as well it is really considering the weight of some of the attachments. This big boy for example weighs in at 550lbs (250kg). Have I got one - no, do I want one - you bet!
 
Iain
 

 

I think Alain over in the states, said somewhere that several manufacturers of GT's used the same wheels.
 
I like the style of the steering column.

Its a project alright . Its been in parts for along time. Its looks to me its got WH rear wheels. The correct ones came with it though

A very worthwhile project, looking forward to the pictures. Something to keep you busy in the cold winter evenings?
 
Iain

Spent some time over the last couple of days on my blade. I notched the side like Chris has done, to clear the deck mounting bar on the lift bar. This mod turned out to be not needing done, as you will see further on. Got more ground clearance, but I wanted more. I also wanted some way of applying down pressure. Feet are not really a good idea. After much thinking, pondering and fiddling, I worked out a solid bar arrangement.
  This will attach to the short bracket on the lift fulcrum and down to the blade. It does have to be curved at the top, to clear the plate across the chassis, that carries the steering quadrant. To get the shape, I made a cardboard template. Made a hole in the top and fastened it to the short bracket. With the blade on the ground and lift lever down, I could see how long the bar needed to be and the bottom hole.
  From this template I made one out of ply wood. A bit of trimming was needed. The round bar the blade pivots on needed shortening a bit. I'd already cut some off when I moved the bracket.
 
  Today I made the bar from 1/4" x 1" flat bar. Sorry about the picture quality. The reason for the two holes is simple. Somehow I drilled the second from right first and in the wrong place.

 
  The second photo shows part of the bar side relieved. When the blade was down, that part fouled the swivel pin.

 
  Next a couple of shots of blade down and up. The bar just clears the lift arm and as you can see, the chain has been moved to the rearmost hole. You can now see why that cut out is not needed.
 

 
  So does it work ok? Yes and no. Yes, with the rubber strip fitted. Great for on concrete.  Without the strip a slight error showed up. 
 
   I'd measured up for the lift bar, with blade down on the ground and rubber fitted . With the rubber removed, the blade is slightly proud of the ground. So now I've three options.
 
(1) Make another lift bar.
 
(2) Make a deeper wear strip.
 
(3) Leave as is.
 
  Three is a no-no. So first I'll try number one. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chris collected the 600 earlier today (Thanks); just awaiting a full report but suffice to say 'it's a project' requiring some work. 
 
Will try to upload some photos of the 600.

The latest is a little embarrassing. After doing all the work on the exhaust port of the engine and the fuel system it ran great, however the engine had what sounded like a tappet noise and I still had a problem with the charging system. I pulled all the panels off the engine and rigged up a temporary fuel tank so I could get a better idea where the noise was coming from. At that point I got distracted and then I had 12 months with no tractor time, resulting in no progress for 18 months
 
I have three G14's and I love 'em. It is the only G model that has all the great features that were installed on the Husky's, with the additional benefit of a more powerful (14hp) engine. The G models were made at the time when Bolens where trying to match the prices of lesser machines and foolishly they did that by removing all the good bits. The other popular G model sold in the UK was the G10 which had nearly all the good bits removed. It still has a full size tractor type PTO and a tubed chassis rather than angle iron, but no sprung seat, no diff. lock, a belt clutch rather than an automotive one, no sealed beam headlights or ammeter.
 
Andrew, if you have the chance to get a G14 at the right price jump on it, you will not regret it.
 
Iain

What's the latest on your G14 Iain? How do you rate them too? Just been reading about the model....... 

Suppose he could say   "Forgot I had this Pam.  I had to dig it out from the back of your wood store so I could get the latest load in.  I'd better assemble it now before you moan about bits left all over the place".     Might work, but if not.

On the first look I'm going to make a new frame and drawbar and loose 2 rollers

Carol has an artistic streak and wants a new studio. So the greenhouse had to go. Over the last few days, I've dismantled the greenhouse and transported it to eldest daughters. Son-in-law wanted it and was a great help. Conspicuous by his absence.
  The breeze block base the greenhouse was fastened too, also removed. Hollow blocks are quite heavy, especially when someone has filled the hollows with concrete. These have been taken elsewhere with the C-81 and Saxon trailer.
 Site levelled up and some 2-1/2  x 24 x 30 inch slabs that have been hiding behind the workshop, placed and levelled at the four corners.
 

 
  More slabs have to be laid yet for the floor supports and that's the next step. The new studio is to be 8ft x 12ft and construction of the will start sometime later in the week.
.
 

Lets see all your Ariens built machines, ride on's, walk behinds, etc.

I'm really pleased the journey down south went well, I always worry when I load someone else's trailer.
 
I am sure Pam will love it  It sounds like it gave the Trachorse a bit of a workout.
 
What's the plan now?
 
Iain
 
 
 
 

OK! It's in bits. But what are you going to say to Pam when you assemble it again on the lawn?

The Roller arrived this afternoon here on the South Coast and would like to thank lian Paul and Wendy for all their help in making it happen.
Its so nice to be involved in this hobby and have friends willing to help when needed. . .
We had some fun getting it of Pauls trailer with the Trachorse as its mega heavy she reared up but pulled it off.
ive just undone 4 nuts and a couple of pins and stripped it down before Pam sees it and it easier to move.
im sure the lads will have some photos to add but here's a couple of mine

I have just got home after a very long journey back. Well worth the trip and I really enjoyed the day.
 
it was great to meet everyone from the forum especially people I have not met befor; Norm, Andrew, Nigel, Ian and Paul. I would like to echo what others have said by thanking The Showman for his fantastic work organising our section of the event.
 
Also thanks to Ian for letting me drive his GT14 around the arena, and to Nigel, Chris and The showman for letting my lad Joseph and I drive machines in the working area.
 
Iain

Looks like I missed out on all the excitement last night. That looks like good HT20 and worth saving.
 
If Andrew's having the tractor and Chris the tiller, then the wheel weights must be mine
 
Iain

Great video thanks for posting, they make it looks so easy.
 
Iain

Great video thanks for posting, they make it looks so easy.
 
Iain