slf-uk

I do like the round hood Bolens firstmost followed closely by the Ride a Matics models. Actually to be honest I like all the Bolens tractors! I have forgotten that the 600 is the smaller one and having it own set of implements.
I would like to get a RAM tractor first if I could but need to sort out the storage plus putting some cash aside.
As for Gentlemen's Agreement, awfully nice of you to let me have first dibs ..........

For you guys with a Bolens tube frame that would be interested, here are plans/dimensions for fabricating your own sleeve hitch.
 
Given the cost of shipping from the US, it would probably be very cost effective to make your own, or have it made for you.
 
 
 
 
Bolens Sleeve Hitch Dimensions.pdf

That reminds me of many years ago when my Disco was covered by LR warranty and the reverse light switch failed. The day before I took it in for repair I had to use it on a very muddy cow field and the underside was covered in poo. I apologised as I handed the keys over. The service manager thought it was very funny, the mechanic less so.
 
Iain

I am sure everyone is getting excited about seeing action pictures of your tiller.
 
Sounds like you are looking out for the next Bolens.    In my opinion the round hood Bolens are the most attractive. As I'm sure you know, a 600 is as rare as rocking horse poo and if you do find one don't forget that they are shorter than the other tubeframe tractors and the attachments are not interchangeable.
 
You missed the 900 from your list. They are a little odd in that they have a fiberglass instead of metal cover over the rear wheels.
 
I have a 600 and a 900 but would really like a 800 and 1000 too. If one comes up that we both see we will either have to have a gentleman's agreement or fight for it, could be fun.
 
Iain

This morning I was asked about the engine. Tonight it has found a new home, where I know it will be cared for and appreciated.

Below are some photo's of the traction engine built by my late father.
 
  It's an M.E. 1" scale traction engine designed by Henry Greenly and built by my father in 1946/47. My mother said it took him 18 months. Home from work, dinner then shed. I sometimes wonder how I got born.
  I haven't a clue how to run it and if memory serves, it hasn't run for 50 years. It will need pressure testing etc before it does. As to value?
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

I got to order some belts for the Bolens so I will add a couple oil seals with the order.
I saw some photos of some 'rat look' Bolens with tillers working the soil and I like the look of them. I want to keep the patina of the tiller and the oil will preserve the metal work as well as accentuating the remaining paintwork. I will apply this technique to the 1254. The 800 will be my Show Queen as it were but another 600/800/1000 shaped Bolens will look cool in its original state.

Last weekend I collected my Rotovator/ Tiller for my Bolens. I pressure washed the grime off it that afternoon and the following day spent a couple of hours brushing off the rust as well as degreasing it. I read George's (aka The Fife Plooman) recommendation of Owatrol and decided to try it out myself. I had a few hours spare this afternoon and it was relatively warm and sunny so I decided to give the tiller its first coat. I am happy with the results so far. I plan to do another coat over the weekend, weather and temperatures permitting. I also drained the gearbox but nowt came out! Topped it up with non synthetic gearbox oil.
Here it is when I collected it.
After being pressure washed.

Sanded down and degreased. Surface prepared for application of Owatrol. Last two photos show first coat of Owatrol.

That reminds me of many years ago when my Disco was covered by LR warranty and the reverse light switch failed. The day before I took it in for repair I had to use it on a very muddy cow field and the underside was covered in poo. I apologised as I handed the keys over. The service manager thought it was very funny, the mechanic less so.
 
Iain

Looks great and even better with duals

That reminds me of many years ago when my Disco was covered by LR warranty and the reverse light switch failed. The day before I took it in for repair I had to use it on a very muddy cow field and the underside was covered in poo. I apologised as I handed the keys over. The service manager thought it was very funny, the mechanic less so.
 
Iain

Andrew,
 
Looks great.
 
The oil seal on the shaft often fails on these tiller's, which results in all the oil emptying on the floor when they are left hitch down. When I store mine for a while I put a block under the hitch to keep it level. Hopefully this is was has happened to yours and it has not been run without oil.
 
Iain

Andrew,
 
Looks great.
 
The oil seal on the shaft often fails on these tiller's, which results in all the oil emptying on the floor when they are left hitch down. When I store mine for a while I put a block under the hitch to keep it level. Hopefully this is was has happened to yours and it has not been run without oil.
 
Iain

Looks great and even better with duals

The Disco had turned to a dirty greyish brown colour over the last few weeks, due to the state of the roads and lanes around here. Whilst in town this morning and as the last few days have been dry, I took it the car wash. After half an hour, I had once again, a nice clean, white Disco.
  Mean while, unknown to me, a local farmer had decided to spread muck in a field, by the cross roads just before my abode. Using one of those very big rear discharge spreaders and starting it up to near the fence. Result (1) Fresh, smelly, sloppy S**t right across the lane. Result (2) Fresh, smelly, sloppy s**t all along the Discos sides.   The dogs liked it though.
  I should have just washed it when I'd got home, which I had to do anyway, and saved £4.   

Hi all just a quick update I've got it home now , I'm going thru it all the workings of the tractor and I'm quite impressed with what it has , more of that to come along with pictures I've being looking for a replacement engine for it , it should have a three cylinder kubota engine around 20 hp but they are like hens teeth to find a good one at the right money . As the tractor takes it's drive thru a little prop shaft fitted to the crank pulley I could fit any engine into it ( with in reason ) , so I've been offered a very modern 4 cylinder jcb Perkins mini digger engine at the right price so I'm gonna measure it and see if it will fit in the engine bay etc more pictures to come !

Andrew,
The LK looks great and you did well to get the tiller and deck.
 
As OB said the round top tillers are light duty and if you do too much with them they bounce which ovals the attachment holes. I can't imagine how they mounted it on front as the lift linkage would have been on the wrong side. Should be easy to fit some new pipe of the correct length to the two ends. I can measure the drive shaft on mine if that helps.
 
I think the deck is much earlier than a G14 deck as the decks on the G-series tractors were black and had different linkage. I am no expert on Bolens attachment colours but I would think it was originally from a 850,1050 or 1250, which makes it perfect for your 1256. I scrapped an identical deck a while back as it was beyond repair. I kept all the good bits if you are missing anything. It looks like a 34 or 38in deck, does it still have the ID tag. If so let me know as I have the parts manuals for most if not all the tubeframe decks.
 
Iain

Andrew,
I have a Brinly plow and it looks identical. It looks like someone has added some brackets and a wheel at the back which you will probably not need on a Bolens. It looks in good condition, go for it if the price is right. I think George is spot on for the price.
 
You will need a sleeve hitch attachment to fit it to the Bolens, however these are easy to make. My buddy in West Virginia did some plans for me, which he subsequently sent to someone else who posted them on the Internet and they have gone viral. If you don't have the tools to make one I am sure you can easily find someone do so from the plans. I will send you the plans.
 
Iain

I think that's the case with all restorations, you never get what you put into them... unless they are for free and only need a coat of paint.
 
it never works that way...
 
though the missus thinks I've a few hundred in all my collection - hope she checks on here and redsquare when I croak it!  can't let her sell them for a few hundred

Hi all I've recently purchased a ransomes Turf Trac which is made by steiner it's an American machine it's 4x4 hydrostatic I don't no much about these but they seem massive In the states , I'm picking it up tomorrow ! Hopefully more pics to follow and information !

Great tip. I have started doing this and I am already seeing the benefits. The other day I got the chance to buy a part for one of my tractors and I couldn't easily check the tractor but I had the details on the phone.
Many thanks
Iain

Incredible machines, especially the octopus.
 
I am unsure how well the octopus would work on my hedges and ditches, as none of the boundaries are straight. Would be fun to watch the operator try though
 
Iain

Incredible machines, especially the octopus.
 
I am unsure how well the octopus would work on my hedges and ditches, as none of the boundaries are straight. Would be fun to watch the operator try though
 
Iain

Ah, but which one is better tempered?

I stumbled across this video while browsing YouTube and thought you all might like to see it.. It looks a bit of a handful to drive but does a great job
 

 
 
Lot's of other strange machinery on the Tractorspotter channel as well, like this tulip bulb harvester....