slf-uk

I just re-read the post started by Dave. I am pleased it has all come together and the 600 will soon be at it's new home.
 
Early 600's are rare in the UK and I would not be surprised if it is the best non restored example in the UK.
 
Iain

Andrew, remind me what the ships name is and I'll be waiting for it with the trailer 
 
The red car looks like a mustang 
 
once you you have the 600 home I will have to pop down and have a look.
 
Iain

Plenty of them in the states & Norfolk
 
I have a couple of tracs where the dyno is missing. I have just purchased one from a wheel horse from internet auction.
 
Currently have Andrews 850 engine in bits & sure he would notice if I sold it to you!!
 
I saw your ad on gumtree also
 
I will ask a fellow collector up north if he can help

Tractor still looks great.

Plenty of ingenuity gone into the loading of this, helped by Dave’s splendid forklift

Iain

I have walked past it covered up in the lean to a couple of times and I did not realise it was that good. Very tidy car which will be great for shows.
Sounds like The Showman has been performing his magic.

Iain

Probably didn't want to use one off a really collectable GT like a Wheel Horse.  

Who would want to drink Wheel Horse pee! That's for girls whereas the Bolens Ales are for real men who like thier drink strong and dark with sediments at the bottom of the glass! 

That's a nice little tractor.  
 
You bought the cars as well, Andrew?

If it arrives in pieces it danged sure won't be my fault.
 
Here's what it looked like when it left my humble abode on 5/22.


 



It's a good thing I have the 1886 Forklift because we would never have gotten it onto his trailer without it.
 
 

I recognise that cool looking Bolens 1556. I keep telling him it needs to come to Norfolk for a visit.
 
Iain

Me too 

Me too 

Hi went to wiston Saturday good and warm Sunday miserable to about 2 here some of pictures from weekend 

Andrew,
ID Tag looks good.
 
I am just waiting to see if Dave put Norfolk on the tractor shipping address. I am sure that is what we agreed 
 
iain

Been a bit rubbish on posts recently. Looked up in the workshop and saw the hand cut out and painted enamel sign Ewan made me...
 
 

At long last the 600 is on it way from the USA to the UK. Dave, aka Old Buzzard, posted me the original data tag which I got yesterday.
 
All I need now is the actual tractor to put it on.  Just hope OB not going to send me bits and pieces of the 600 as retribution for keeping it at his place for too long....
 
 
 

Cheers buddy, bit more progress today
 

 
mounted on C4 as it has the pto required to line up the pulleys.
 

 
First idler
 

 
second idler
 

 

Thanks Andrew but I don't think I am the only one, you guys were already very close.
 
Good point you make about Bolens ownership being addictive, we all have a few.
 
Iain

Hi Guys,
 
Not had the chance to get on the forum for a while but I was given a kick up the bottom to login tonight as I enjoy a good Bolens ID mystery.
 
From the engine model and type you listed, I believe you have correctly read the numbers as 190401-013901. This would make the tractor a 1971 Bolens Husky 853 or to be more precise a 853-03. Various other things on the tractor confirm it as an 850 too. As Andrew said not many around.
 
You mentioned a high/low lever, that is the one with the shaft going into the dash tower. You should have two belts fitted, one on the high speed pulleys and one on the low speed ones. The lever moves the idler pulley from one belt to the other providing tension. They are a bit of a pig to set-up but when working they are great. Give me a shout if you need any help with it.
 
Good to see another Bolens
Iain
 
 
 

I have just caught up with this thread. I can't believe the transformation, you have done a fantastic job.
 
 
Marvellous, I'm away from the forum for a while and you beat up on my Bolens buddies
 
Iain

I have just caught up with this thread. I can't believe the transformation, you have done a fantastic job.
 
 
Marvellous, I'm away from the forum for a while and you beat up on my Bolens buddies
 
Iain

In my opinion, John is very lucky to have Alan as a friend. The amount of time and effort Alan has put into this is incredible.
 
I was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet both Alan and John over the weekend and I enjoyed talking to both of
them. Seeing John's health over the weekend, I believe that Alan had no other option than to progress more rapidly.
 
I am sure it will not come as a surprise to many people that I bought most of the Bolens tractors and equipment as a job lot.
 
The surprise might be just how many tractors you can get into a Mercedes Sprinter, aka the Great White Whale. We had to
use a white Sprinter as the red ones are only for Wheelhorse's   Alan mentioned that Chris (The Showman) manages to
get three in easily and four with a struggle into his Sprinter. We started with getting five tractors in a load and then with
Tom's support we managed to get six squeezed in. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to take any pictures but it made
an interesting load. I think others may have taken some pictures.
 
I will post some pictures of the tractors over time and once I have recovered. I am far too old for being stuck in a van for 18
hours and 1100 miles over three days.
 
It was a great adventure and I am very grateful for Alan's support, also help from Chris and Tom.
 
Iain

Norm, I really like your Raider 10 it looks like a good machine. I am also looking forward to see what you do with it. Somehow it feels satisfying that it is not just Bolens that end up being painted odd colours. 
 
I do like Raider's myself and I have a couple in my collection. For inspiration, a quick picture of my Raider 10 playing out in the sun a few years ago with some of the boys.
Iain

Norm, I really like your Raider 10 it looks like a good machine. I am also looking forward to see what you do with it. Somehow it feels satisfying that it is not just Bolens that end up being painted odd colours. 
 
I do like Raider's myself and I have a couple in my collection. For inspiration, a quick picture of my Raider 10 playing out in the sun a few years ago with some of the boys.
Iain