slf-uk

A tidy red Bolens 1253 non runner with a few bits missing turned up on the usual auction site. A number of people on this site asked me about it (you know who you are  ) and I passed on some advice fully expecting them to bid for it. In the end they decided not to so I hit the button and won it.
 
I collected it last night from Suffolk and it turned out to be the same person I bought a Bolens G10 from a few years ago. They promised me that they had no more hiding away. While I was waiting at a level crossing in the middle of Stowmarket for the London to Norwich train to pass I took a picture of it smiling at me.
 

 
Today I unloaded it from the trailer. I usually use my tri-axle Ifor Williams trailer for tractor collections but this time I thought I would try something different, a Ifor TT85 tipper. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed being up that high. It was not as easy to load and I resisted the easy unload button  . This picture was taken as we were about to unload this morning with my assistant already climbing all over the tractor.
 

 
We pushed it into the workshop, did some work on the electrics, fuel system, fitted a new drive pin in the axle and drove it out. My test driver doing the first run, well actually all the driving
 

 
This red Bolens jumped ahead of all the others waiting for a bit of workshop time but my lad loves it, which I think is down to the colour. He said it looked a bit like a Wheelhorse, only better
 
The rear tyres on this tractor are nearly completely worn out. I have never seen that before although I did find the diff. lock seized on so that could explain it.
 
Iain
 
 
 
 
 

Nice looking tractor even if it's the wrong color.  At least it wasn't rusting away :D
 
I've seen the Bolens tractors painted in just about every color of the rainbow.  Seems like the styling lends itself to that.
 
As for your 1254-06 with a Tec engine in it, I'm thinking that it's had a transplant.
 
According to my info, the all of the 1254 production runs had the Wisconsin TRA-12D engine but there was a different Spec. number for the later ones.
 
The -01 through the -04 had a Spec. number of 335600, whilst the -05 and -06 had a Spec. number of 357448.
 
I have no clue as what the difference(s) between the two Spec. numbers may have been.
 
I'll also note that the same thing applied to the 1256.  The -01 through -04 used the earlier engine whilst the -06 and -07 used the latter.
 
What's even more interesting is that I can find no reference to a -05  production run of the 1256 in ANY of the lists that I have.

Here's our other Standard Fordson. The orange parts (excluding wheels) date from roughly 1939, the green parts 1942 & the engine from 1945. When we first picked it up it was all green but after a good wash the orange reappeared.
 
At present the tank & carburettor are off but the new valves are in & compression is lethal. When the head was off i noticed the pistons were stamped 60 thou oversize.
 
Once i get the manifold & carb back on i'll try & get it running with the water leaks & split block still to do.   The wheels are Major ones, put on to make it mobile but I have the originals.
 
Philip

Great line up Tom, it is always good to line them up for a few photos. That John Deere looks good with the others. Just noticed that you have turned the rear wheels around on the JD, much better   
 
I am sure Andrew is right about adding a Bolens to the collection but I can't think of anyone that needs to thin out his collection...
 
Iain

You will have to pop round sometime Iain and have a go, the vari-drive system is very cool. You can also have a play with the lathe!
 
Tom
Thanks Andrew, I'm certainly pleased with it. I think that's it for me for a while now, I really must stop!!
 
Tom
 
 
I just can't stop, it's an addiction
 
Tom

Hi all,
 
Got some of the collection out today, as you can tell I like variety
 

 

 

 
Enjoy
 
Tom

Andrew, it will stay red for the moment as my assistant loves the colour.
 
I did think that a 1253 was only made for one year (1970) and had a Tecumseh engine and a 1254 had a Wisconsin engine, but it is not that easy as I have a 1254-06 which also has a Tecumseh engine. Very confusing, I will need to look at Dr Bolens's article and then do some research. The Tecumseh in the red 1253 does not have a serial number in the easy to identify format so I may not be able to date it from the engine.
 
Really want the other red Bolens at John's as it is a 1054 and I don't have a running 1054.
 
I decided to put the red Bolens to work today but when I went to start it the starter stuck. After a bit of investigation I found that all the bolts were loose on the engine, not just the starter   and it had a homemade fuel tank holder. After raiding the parts shed and attacking it with a 1/2" spanner everything was back to how it should have been and ready for use.
 
The PO said he paid a local engineer to go over the wiring. Very interesting as all the additions to the wiring are in household flex. It may be easier to throw a new wiring harness into it.
 
Iain

It made it to the show and met up with the original. The owner painted the first one but in my opinion, it looked better as a rat.
The original was sold to the president of the WH collectors club 2 years ago and he ended up giving it to his neighbor because his kids had so much fun driving it around. I got the chance to meet the owner, his wife and his son. It was very satisfying to hear the stories of how much they enjoy it and to see the smile on that child's face as he climbed around on this new one.
The new one was sold to the president again, same guy that bought the first one. I was very reluctant to sell it but I know it went to the right person. A grown man had that same smile as the child did!
 
 

Sweet!
Yeah, stop buying and leave some for us

That's a tidy find Tom and good to see something different too.
I think you Norfolk Boys ought to lay off buying anymore GTs so we others can get a look in. It seem anything that moves and in any colour are nailed by you and Iain!

A tidy red Bolens 1253 non runner with a few bits missing turned up on the usual auction site. A number of people on this site asked me about it (you know who you are  ) and I passed on some advice fully expecting them to bid for it. In the end they decided not to so I hit the button and won it.
 
I collected it last night from Suffolk and it turned out to be the same person I bought a Bolens G10 from a few years ago. They promised me that they had no more hiding away. While I was waiting at a level crossing in the middle of Stowmarket for the London to Norwich train to pass I took a picture of it smiling at me.
 

 
Today I unloaded it from the trailer. I usually use my tri-axle Ifor Williams trailer for tractor collections but this time I thought I would try something different, a Ifor TT85 tipper. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed being up that high. It was not as easy to load and I resisted the easy unload button  . This picture was taken as we were about to unload this morning with my assistant already climbing all over the tractor.
 

 
We pushed it into the workshop, did some work on the electrics, fuel system, fitted a new drive pin in the axle and drove it out. My test driver doing the first run, well actually all the driving
 

 
This red Bolens jumped ahead of all the others waiting for a bit of workshop time but my lad loves it, which I think is down to the colour. He said it looked a bit like a Wheelhorse, only better
 
The rear tyres on this tractor are nearly completely worn out. I have never seen that before although I did find the diff. lock seized on so that could explain it.
 
Iain
 
 
 
 
 

Just as I add another red tractor to my collection everyone is dumping them. I never have been one for following the trends
 
 
Iain

Better picture of the red tractor. Iain
 

A tidy red Bolens 1253 non runner with a few bits missing turned up on the usual auction site. A number of people on this site asked me about it (you know who you are  ) and I passed on some advice fully expecting them to bid for it. In the end they decided not to so I hit the button and won it.
 
I collected it last night from Suffolk and it turned out to be the same person I bought a Bolens G10 from a few years ago. They promised me that they had no more hiding away. While I was waiting at a level crossing in the middle of Stowmarket for the London to Norwich train to pass I took a picture of it smiling at me.
 

 
Today I unloaded it from the trailer. I usually use my tri-axle Ifor Williams trailer for tractor collections but this time I thought I would try something different, a Ifor TT85 tipper. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed being up that high. It was not as easy to load and I resisted the easy unload button  . This picture was taken as we were about to unload this morning with my assistant already climbing all over the tractor.
 

 
We pushed it into the workshop, did some work on the electrics, fuel system, fitted a new drive pin in the axle and drove it out. My test driver doing the first run, well actually all the driving
 

 
This red Bolens jumped ahead of all the others waiting for a bit of workshop time but my lad loves it, which I think is down to the colour. He said it looked a bit like a Wheelhorse, only better
 
The rear tyres on this tractor are nearly completely worn out. I have never seen that before although I did find the diff. lock seized on so that could explain it.
 
Iain
 
 
 
 
 

You need to give them Bolens a chance to settle, they have only just moved this way.

It was time to say good by to my Ferrari tractor today. Off to its new home in Telford.  Making some mutch needed space & cash. Off to Norfolk next week to buy some Bolens with the profit

That's amazing ! didn't think it would have come out that easy, I see you used a land rover would't the Bolens pull it  

Good mate of mine had this sat in his shed for a while. I done a deal & now its mine

Better picture of the red tractor. Iain
 

Better picture of the red tractor. Iain
 

After approximately 40 plus years of captivity, John's Fordson has made a hasty exit from the barn it called home. The front tire was inflated just before the move, but
after a few minutes the air inside decided it wanted to escape, and made it's own way out through the tube and sidewall with a loud BANG. What a waste of air.
 
Much to everyone's surprise, all the wheels rotated, the steering was free, and the move from barn to loading was done in about 25 minutes, via a combination of pulling       and pushing.
 
It took almost as long strapping it down on the trailer and checking for loose bits that might go awol on the way to it's new home.  Thanks Philip and crew.
 
A few photo's which could have been better. The sun is never in the right place.
 

 
 
 
 

Did someone mention a red tractor ?

Wow, a year old already!   How time fly's!!   Still, a year from starting to test driving is quite good for me
 
Not much to report, Thursday WN went back up on the bench something my back is very much regretting!  Even though there were three of us lifting!
 
So I spent Thursday doing some gentle paint stripping and knocking out a few dents.
 

 
 
I managed to get a bit more done yesterday, the fender pan this time. as you can see the fender pan does not quite reach the foot plates!
 

 
 
Some more recycling, this was part of a Spear and Jackson sign.
 

 
 
Two plates tacked on..
 

 
 
Both sides done and on the bench to be fully welded. As you can see a little trimming of length is needed..
 

 
 
If all goes to plan and my back sorts it's life out I should have the fender pan finished Monday just in time for a new steering box to turn up that Chris has kindly sent me... Thanks mate

A tidy red Bolens 1253 non runner with a few bits missing turned up on the usual auction site. A number of people on this site asked me about it (you know who you are  ) and I passed on some advice fully expecting them to bid for it. In the end they decided not to so I hit the button and won it.
 
I collected it last night from Suffolk and it turned out to be the same person I bought a Bolens G10 from a few years ago. They promised me that they had no more hiding away. While I was waiting at a level crossing in the middle of Stowmarket for the London to Norwich train to pass I took a picture of it smiling at me.
 

 
Today I unloaded it from the trailer. I usually use my tri-axle Ifor Williams trailer for tractor collections but this time I thought I would try something different, a Ifor TT85 tipper. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed being up that high. It was not as easy to load and I resisted the easy unload button  . This picture was taken as we were about to unload this morning with my assistant already climbing all over the tractor.
 

 
We pushed it into the workshop, did some work on the electrics, fuel system, fitted a new drive pin in the axle and drove it out. My test driver doing the first run, well actually all the driving
 

 
This red Bolens jumped ahead of all the others waiting for a bit of workshop time but my lad loves it, which I think is down to the colour. He said it looked a bit like a Wheelhorse, only better
 
The rear tyres on this tractor are nearly completely worn out. I have never seen that before although I did find the diff. lock seized on so that could explain it.
 
Iain
 
 
 
 
 

Hi all,
Picked another one up today, it was advertised as spares and to my surprise when I arrive it was being towed out of the shed by a wheel horse!! He said it just needed a battery so I stuck one on when I got home and some fresh fuel and off she went and I drove it off of the trailer, always a bonus




Tom