HeadExam

The red on the Bolens tended to fade over the years. I use gloss International Harvest Red Industrial alkyd enamel and add 2 ounces of gloss black industrial alkyd enamel to a gallon, it matches Bolens Regal Red almost perfectly and also looks darn close the the Wheel Horse Red

I think a new tractor is in order on this special occasion. Have a Happy birthday

It is a 1985 tractor, 5017 model, the QT series was 1666 models and include a 16 hp Kohler single cylinder, QS16, a 16 hp Onan twin cylinder. QT16, and the 17 and 19 hp Kohler twins QT17 and QT19. Personally, I don't care for twins except the cast iron Kohler 482, 532, and 582. The design flaw on all the KT series and the cost of parts on the Onan's are behind those preferences. This particular model was also offered with the 14hp Tecumseh OH140, called the 1400G. I think the 16 hp Kohler K341AQS will do nicely. The engine in it was the second KT17 originally it would have been a series two engine. I think the Kohler KT17 series one engine was produced from 1978 to 1980 or 1981, after that they made series two engines up until around 1985 or 1986. If the spec number is below 24299 it is a series one, 24300 and above it is a series two. Obvious difference is a plate for a remote oil filter, different oil fill tube, and electronic ignition over a coil on the earlier series one.

A friend of mine bought a Bolens 1700G with a Bolens snow plow and snow blower that had a blown KT17 in it (in boxes) for 250.00. He said I could have the tractor, if I would travel the 200 miles to get the whole lot and sell the KT17 engine parts on eBay so he is able to defer the 250.00 outlay. I jumped on that deal. The owner also had a set of chains and Bolens weights that went with it so I got to keep those as well. The KT17 engine was a lemon from the get go, and I don't know why this one had a Series one KT17, it was a 1985, tractor, way past the series one exploding engines. It should have been a Series two. I have a John Deere 314 engine, 16hp Kohler k341 single cylinder, that will fit right in without any modifications, this has a beautiful 48" shaft drive deck and will be my new mowing tractor. This model is a 4 speed, 1st gear having lockout. the wheel weights will get Bolens Regal Red paint and go on the 1476. Long drive, lots of disassembly, now to take pictures of the engine parts and list them on eBay.

You are right. E. Rowe, from Martinsville, Illinois also made the early Bolens weights as well as many of the Cub wheel weights. It is interesting to note that many Cubs and most Allis Simplicity tractors only ran 25-30 pound weight (but stackable), while Bolens, John Deere, Ariens, and others had 50 pound primary weights

To busy getting Birthday wishes from someone else I'm sure.

Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windscreen. Sorry to hear about this day, but man, have had far worse. I know that doesn't help.

I believe the foundry was the E. Rowe Co. they made the exact wheel weight for Bolens. early MTD garden tractors, and several brands of walk behinds.They may have made other styles, but I don't know. However I do not think they made any wheels.

The Simplicity grader blades used stirrups on each side to allow pressure to be applied by operators foot, worked well. Google image Simplicity grader blade, not all had them

Do you think they would work better fixed together on an angle, middle high point toward the front? Just thinking that debris needs to be pushed away

They look better than new! Beautiful work

Yes, it is a16hp Kohler k341s. Ariens used primarily Kohlers on tractors. Almost all American mowers have the hp in the model numbers, and ones like cub are coded to tell if it is geared or hydro. The cub 125 was a 12 hp hydro and because the last number was odd it designated it as a hydro. The cub 124 was a geared tractor, 129 was a 12hp hydro, the 128 was a 12hp geared tractor. After 1975 they went to four numbers and if the last two numbers were 00 it was geared and if it was 50 it was a hydro. the 800, 1000, 1100, and 1200 model cubs were 8, 10, 11, and 12 hp geared tractors, the 1250, 1450, and 1650 were 12, 14, and 16 hp hydros. After Ariens bought the Sperry New Holland design they continued the S model as a lawn tractor, most did not have three points or rear PTOs. The S stood for Sierra model and it cost a little less because for one thing it had a fiberglass fender pan, other things too, but it was for those who primarily wanted to mow. Ariens added a GT version that had a steel fender pan and was designated as a Garden Tractor, many also had the lower lift arms and lift links to complete the 3 point and the higher hp model came standard with the rear PTO. One small tidbit was that some of the early model rear PTOs did not have an electric clutch, but rather were a straight shaft that ran continuously, The rear attachments had a tension pulley to engage tiller/bagger.

Probably the best looking engine I have ever seen. Great Job!!!

The first four wheel front engine Ariens made was the Manorway. The Manorway 700 was produced from 1967-1971 and had a 7hp Tecumseh VH-70 vertical shaft engine in 1968 Ariens introduced the Manorway 800 powered by a 8 hp Briggs and Stratton engine. These were vertical shaft lawn tractors and by 1971 the family Ariens was beginning to actively search for garden tractor model options, it was time they made a move into the market, Sperry New Holland was their choice. Here is a picture of the Ariens Manorway 800 from 1969 and the Sperry New Holland S16 circa 1972

Early on Ariens was most noted for walk behind tractors, later their first residential walk behind snowblower revolutionized the industry. They made a great rear engine rider, rear tine tiller, but had very few four wheel front engine tractors until they bought the Sperry New Holland design in 1974, pictured here. Early simplicity garden tractors from the 1960's are very rare, I think one was called the Mantowitoc and may have been made by Simplicity or Toro. If you look close My Ariens still sports Sperry New Holland brand wheel weights from left over stock.

Ariens, Bolens, Wheel Horse, and other smaller manufacturers were a threat or problem to major manufacturers like MTD and John Deere. It wasn't just the cost that doomed great garden tractors, it was unfair and unequal competition from imports led by aforementioned global companies. Manufacturing became less about the product and more about the stock prices.

I don't like mine mooing, but at least still kicking a little.

Those look really nice, but I bet they will work even better. I wish I had a set. I may have to find some shovels and metal. Nice Job

Lets see all your Ariens built machines, ride on's, walk behinds, etc.

Great Job! If you would move the plows inside a little you could add a couple of discs at an angle and it would be a hiller

This reminds me of the Pennsylvania Panzer or Copan Panzer, very cool early primitive garden tractor. It's amazing to think that four wheel garden tractors were a rarity until the very late 1940's, before a garden tractor was usually a walk behind two wheeled machine. Did we get lazy or come into more money? lol

My wife spotted what she believes was a grey breasted long legged tree goon

This one is the D160, 16hp Kohler k341, like all my tractors is a single cylinder, but yes they are very powerful. Many do not know this, but the hydro unit on these tractors hooks directly to the flywheel this fluid is then transferred to charge pump for the rear trans axle

Saturday evening we had gale force winds (60+mph) several inches of horizontal rain and a lot of lightening in the space of one hour. It took out much of one tree and a big part of the corn. I've been using the cutter/loppers and bow saw for the last two days in order to get it cleaned up. I have two chain saws, but I thought I needed the exercise. The Wheel Horse D-160 had no problem pulling the tree into the drive for dismemberment.

But not as long as a large frame, the large frame PTO shafts are 53", that one doesn't look more than 42"