Well, things like the Ransoms aren't exactly falling out of the sky like leaves over here either :D
Another thing that would tend to make Bolens fairly rare is that they were pretty high priced tractors. In their day they were pretty much the best of the best, and their pricing reflected that.
For instance, My 1980 HT20D had a FOB price of $5,400.00 just for the tractor. A 54" mower deck was another $760.00. That's $15,475.92 and $2,178.09 in todays dollars.
The HT23 petrol tractor was a bit cheaper at $4.500.00 or $12,896.60 in todays dollars.
Now with shipping, taxes and/or tariffs, anyone over there buying a Bolens would have to be fairly well off I would think.
Yep, I am missing some of the really exotic attachments. I would like to find one of the post hole diggers, the trencher attachment, and the front mounted 540 rpm PTO for the tube frames.
The G12 seems to be a but uncommon here as well. The G9 is another one that is seldom seen, along with the 1257 which was basically a 1256 with a Tecumseh engine instead of the Wisconsin that Bolens preferred to use in most of their tractors.
As for the G12, I think you may have something of a 'Frankenstein' tractor, as all information I've seen on it shows it as having the 6-spd transmission.
One of my G11's (the one with the snowblower on it) is setup the same way as your G12. The original owner had transmission problems with it, and after finding out from the dealer the cost of repairing it, decided to transplant and entire 1050 rear end.
That gives it the controlled differential, which it originally lacked, as well as 12 speeds. In 1st gear Lo/Lo and it just creeps along. I haven't tried to see how fast 3rd Hi/Hi is yet.
Here's a short video of it in 1st Lo/Hi and then in Lo/Lo :D
How many Bolens do you have in your collection. I have seen some of your posts on GTTalk. I agree with Chris, this have whetted my appetite for more Bolens!
I live in an area in the States where Bolens were pretty popular, and have 17 of those rascals :D
I'm also retired and willing to travel if necessary for a good tractor or attachment.
Here's a pretty complete list of all of my "Bolens Goodies"
Other: York Whirley Rake, Gannon Earthcavator, EZ-Vac for TF, TF Soft cab, LF Soft cab, LF Hard cab, Front mount Forklift, Homemade FEL, Mid mount grader blade
Yes, the G11 is sometimes called the "Rainbow Bolens", but I prefer to call it the "Sunset Bolens".
Reason being the colors, and the fact that the G11 was the last 'new' model of the tube frame series, and was produced in the last year (1978) that the tube frames were produced.
It's also interesting that the G11 was the only tube frame to have fender decals, and the HDT1000 was the only large frame to have fender decals.
The G11 seems to be semi-rare, and not a lot have surfaced. I have yet to see one with a 4 digit serial number.
I happen to be fortunate enough to have managed to find 3 of them.
The HT23 did not have those decals, nor do they show up on the parts manual.
I know that there aren't that many Large Frame Bolens in the UK, but I thought I'd check with you guys any way.
From what I can find when doing searches in Google, the HDT1000 seemed to have been pretty popular in the Scandinavian countries as I see them show up in for sale ads fairly frequently.
What would be really nice would be to find an old garden tractor forum in one of the Scandinavian countries so I could ask folks from that area.
Mine is in the process of being refurbished and I would like to get all of the proper decals on it.
The parts manual clearly shows that it has an 'extra' (as compared to the HT23 and HT20D) decal on each fender. It appears that they were similar to the ones on the later QT series tractors and others like the H14XL, etc.
Since the HDT was only supposed to be sold overseas, there is very little info on them over here. I'm hoping that some of you folks may have the info I need, or may know of someone who does.
I would like to have pictures of each side, and the H x W of the decals so I can have them reproduced.
I have found one picture of an HDT that has those decals, but they are barely visible. If you look closely, you can just barely see it on the right fender, peeking out from under the front edge of the seat.
I'll attach it so you can see what I'm talking about.
As near as we know, mine is the only one like it. I have seen pics of a Sears with the front mounted lift and a pic of just the lift. Other than that there is just no other information.
As for the restoration thread, there is a new one now, as I have ben 'slaving away' on a truly rare, here in the States at least, HDT1000. It was an "export only model', but somehow a couple managed to escape into the wild here :D
That vid was taken just after it was delivered. It looks quite a bit different now :D
It's a 1971 1886-01 that belonged to a Bolens/Lawn and Garden Supplies dealer. They took it out of the crate, installed the optional power steering unit, and then shipped it out to have the forklift attachment installed.
They then used and abused it for 35+ years before retiring it. I found out about it, and it took me a year and a half to get them to sell it to me.
I had it refurbished last Winter. The fella put on a pretty small muffler and that K482 Kohler had quite a 'bark', so I replaced it with a larger one to quiet it down some. You can see the 'new' one in the last pic.
The crawler that is on the forks weighs in at @ 675 lbs. :D
:D 
Bolens HDT1000 info needed
in Ride On's
Posted · Edited by OldBuzzard
I like it Chris
There's just something about an old tractor in it's working clothes that just 'feels' right.
Nothing against Show Queens, but I like seeing them doing what they were meant to do.