slf-uk

Great pictures.
 
If everything goes to plan I will be making the long journey from Norfolk tomorrow to come to the show as a visitor. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and my son Joseph, is really excited about it too.
 
See you tomorrow
Iain 

Great pictures.
 
If everything goes to plan I will be making the long journey from Norfolk tomorrow to come to the show as a visitor. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and my son Joseph, is really excited about it too.
 
See you tomorrow
Iain 

I've done the same on my Bolens HT23 where the fuel tank is located below the fuel pump. Works great and means the engine starts instantly rather than turning over until the fuel pulls the fuel
 
Iain
 

Fantastic machine you have. Very annoying when previous owners drill holes in the dash.
 
Iain

Now my login has turned green again I can post some pictures and I know you all love Bolens pictures
 
Stopped half way home to check the straps

 
A few pictures after a bit of a test run
 

 

 

 
Always good to have to have a family shot. This is the HT20 pictures with my HT23.
 

 
Iain

Looks great Mark, fantastic work.
 
how do you think this compares with a side mounted sickle bar mower?
 
Iain

Thanks Alain. In this case a previous owner has removed the ignition switch and replaced it with something that resembles a aftermarket car light switch.
 
i think I will get the tractor running first and then tackle looking for a replacement switch
 
Iain

Thanks Alain. In this case a previous owner has removed the ignition switch and replaced it with something that resembles a aftermarket car light switch.
 
i think I will get the tractor running first and then tackle looking for a replacement switch
 
Iain

I just love the LK, EK  machines. Great score on a lovely well taken care of machine. You should be proud to own it! I have been involved with several GTT talk vendors about early Indak switches and possible reproductions and sources, However, on all but one switch I have bought in the course of this "hobby", the switch was not the eventual culprit of the problem, at least not entirely. I have had many with rusty contact points, I have had many other electrical issues that made me think it was the switch, but only once was it the switch. That said, I now have an ample supply of spare Indak switches for my tractors. Indak has a site as well.

Andrew, the parts list for the LK is even less detailed than the EK.
 
If the wiring diagram for the EK is correct then I should be able to use most Indak switches
 
Iain

With some advice from the Bolens experts I have been reliably informed that the Estate Keeper is a EK7, model number 930-01. It was made in 1964. I think it is in great condition for a 52 year machine.
 
Iain

On Saturday I bought Tom's Bolens Estate Keeper from him. I have not really had much chance to look at it properly yet, however I it looks like a EK7 and largely original except that box under the seat and the angle iron on the engine cover.
 
It is not currently running and needs some love.
 
Iain
 

Andrew, the parts list for the LK is even less detailed than the EK.
 
If the wiring diagram for the EK is correct then I should be able to use most Indak switches
 
Iain

I've fitted boat engine priming bulbs to mine, Richard. Just a squeeze is all you need.

Iain, will the ignition switch be the same as the LK? I will see if there's an original one on mine.....

Another good day had, and some time in the mini digger which i enjoy. 

Moved the last two of John's scrap Marina's today from their long term place of rest.  They are due to be collected on Saturday after being bought for spares late last year.  No idea why the the collection was delayed for so long.
 
With the Showman controlling his favourite NON RED machine ( John's digger )  he decided to take the scenic route around the barn although there wasn't much room to get between the barn lean to and trees, bushes etc.  He just wanted to go the long way around so he could have extra play time.  I had the pleasure ? of sitting in the cars and and following the digger around at the end of the tow rope. 
 
About an hour to move both cars to a more suitable collection position although the rear brakes on one needed freeing off with the help of a club hammer GENTLY  tapping the wheels.
 
We know you all like photo's so two included for you to drool over.  The first GONE, the second HERE we are again.
 
A few more little jobs done, including drinking Chris's usual beverage tea, before he had to head off home as he was under strict instructions from Mrs Showman NOT to be late or he wouldn't get his promised anniversary present.  
 

Actually FMC is Food Machinery Corporation. Founded in 1883 as the Bean Spray Pump Company based in Los Gatos, California by chemist John Bean. The company's first product to be manufactured was a piston pump. Bean invented the pump to spray insecticide on fruit orchards in the area. In 1928, Bean Spray Pump purchased two companies, one company manufactured a sealed can rotary pressure sterilizer[and the other company manufactured canning machinery. At this time the company changed its name to Food Machinery Corporation and started using the initials FMC. Here in the States it is widely reported that Bolens was a division of the Ford Motor Company, hence FMC, but that is nothing more than Appalachian legend. However do NOT try and convince them otherwise, it is akin to insulting their wives.
 

I bought this large frame 1970 Bolens 1476 from an auction sight unseen for 375.00. It has a  the Wisconsin 14hp S14D engine on it ( I also have two excellent replacement engines I bought from the auction for 100.00 as well), and the Eaton 11 Hydro-static transmission. It came with a snow plow and I didn't know anything about its condition. Last spring I attempted to start it with no luck; I thought the starter generator was bad. Well a few days ago I put it on the battery charger. I removed the spark plug and poured Seafoam and Marvel Mystery oil down the spark plug hole and a half hour later I added a liberal amount of petrol in the hole for good measure and put the plug back in. She fired right up and purred like a kitten, a very large kitten. I removed the ratty hubcaps, gave her a wash and installed my really nice Bolens 1476 deck I got with my other 1476, which is going to be set up as a AG tractor and I wont be using the deck on it. Initial start up video: 
 

On Saturday I bought Tom's Bolens Estate Keeper from him. I have not really had much chance to look at it properly yet, however I it looks like a EK7 and largely original except that box under the seat and the angle iron on the engine cover.
 
It is not currently running and needs some love.
 
Iain
 

Thanks for the info Andrew, I will follow up on that. Dr Bolens has a fantastic example too. I have been going through the parts list today and struggling with the ignition switch. It is a Bolens part number I have never come across before and does not appear to be used on any other Bolens I have. The ignition switch on the tractor has been swapped with a switch for on/off and a micro switch (which looks like something I have seen on a building lift) for the starter.
 
Iain

I agree with you that it's in good nick for its age. Good to see an early example here in the UK too.  .
 
There's a guy on GTT (BrianEK7&EK10) that got a collection of EKs; might be worth contacting him for advice or spares.....
 

Great to see you back Alain. I have missed you too.
 
Iain

Andrew and Chris have got the definition of FMC spot on. I think some of you were thinking of other brands

Alain! Good to see you again on here. Iain and I were saying yesterday how much we miss your valued experience concerning garden tractors and, of course, your opinions on the world at large (as in our recent respective emails).
 
Always good to let off steam.
 
Cheers
 
Andrew