HeadExam

Okay, for us on this side of the pond. What exactly is this machine and what does it do? Thanks

I bought this large frame 1970 Bolens 1476 from an auction sight unseen for 375.00. It has a the Wisconsin 14hp S14D engine on it ( I also have two excellent replacement engines I bought from the auction for 100.00 as well), and the Eaton 11 Hydro-static transmission. It came with a snow plow and I didn't know anything about its condition. Last spring I attempted to start it with no luck; I thought the starter generator was bad. Well a few days ago I put it on the battery charger. I removed the spark plug and poured Seafoam and Marvel Mystery oil down the spark plug hole and a half hour later I added a liberal amount of petrol in the hole for good measure and put the plug back in. She fired right up and purred like a kitten, a very large kitten. I removed the ratty hubcaps, gave her a wash and installed my really nice Bolens 1476 deck I got with my other 1476, which is going to be set up as a AG tractor and I wont be using the deck on it. Initial start up video:

Or what I did on my summer vacation. I found this 1971 Bolens 1256 about 170 miles north of me for 400.00 and since I had been really wanting this model I drove up and purchased it from the second owner. It has a 12 hp Wisconsin TRA12D engine and a hydrostatic transmission; it came with a deck and a sleeve hitch. It needed some work, but it ran great. After taking the deck off and attempting to replace the belt I found some more issues. The bearing seemed bad, they weren't, they were the wrong bearings, but they were half burnt up even though they appear new. One pulley had grease all over it and the area around it. I didn't think to much of this until way later, in fact too late. The tension pulley had spacers and washers that didn't belong on it and it was installed wrong (very common problem, no one seems to understand what a tension pulley does). Well after receiving the right bearings in the mail and the belt as well I also took the opportunity to sand it down and prime and paint. I used IH red with 2 ounces of gloss black Rustoleum to a gallon to recreate the darker Bolens red. I used Naptha for a reducer and poly converter hardener for gloss and color retention. Just before putting the pulley cover on I attempted to grease each spindle shaft through the top grease zerk, pumped the grease gun on the first spindle and nothing, it was solid, grease just came out all over the fitting. I now knew why (or at least I thought I did) there was grease all over one pulley, I removed the grease zerk thinking it was clogged nope, then I removed the blade, grease cup, snap ring, and pulled the spindle out the top. I used a small wire down the hole and could not get it go through. I repeated this several times until I noticed that with the spindle installed the grease hole would be UNDER the top bearing and would not get grease. It was then that I realized that both top and bottom spindle shaft were tapped with the same size and that the spindles had been installed upside down by a previous EMOTP (evil mechanic of the past), and grease only came through one way. I removed all the pulleys, bearings, and shafts and installed them in the correct orientation. I should be receiving my Bolens Deck Mechanic Certification in the mail next week. Also on the list was an electrical redesign by the previously mentioned EMOTP. In his infinite wisdom to overcome an electrical issue, to wit: tractor does not start. The EMOTP drilled a 1" hole in the dash and installed a push button starter, one wire leading to the positive side of the battery, one side leading to what was left of the the safety switch connection on the PTO. The original light switch had also been replaced with a ill fitting light switch from a Hoyt-Clagswell or some other archaic machine. Of course the tow large brackets that hold the batteries down on these Bolens tube frame was long gone, probably do to the owner not wanting to spend the money for the correct battery and opting for the 19.99 lawn and garden cheapo special, which the brackets did not fit on. I found an OEM set of battery from Bob's garden tractors in Ohio brackets for 24.00 shipped, Rick Show (BlackJacxJake?) got me a new ignition switch I got as a spare because my two large frame 1476's use the same hard to find switch and I ordered a new light switch and safety switch. The two front wheels were on backwards and hence the wheel grease zerk fitting prevented the greace cap going over the spindle shaft; won't hold much grease without a grease cap. I also found that the safety switch was not the culprit to the starting issues, having all the wires on the wrong post on the voltage regulator was. I have it sorted now and am just finishing the electrical rehab. After that I am installing the deck. It has taken me a little time because during this time I also rebuilt a 48" Wheel Horse deck, 42" Simplicity deck, and got my other 1476 running and the 48" deck installed on it. Video using the Brinly diamond cultivator as a driveway rake below pictures.

Awesome score Andrew, it is just a beaut!. Wipe her down with oil and show her that way. Hope you find some implements for her too!

Actually FMC is Food Machinery Corporation. Founded in 1883 as the Bean Spray Pump Company based in Los Gatos, California by chemist John Bean. The company's first product to be manufactured was a piston pump. Bean invented the pump to spray insecticide on fruit orchards in the area. In 1928, Bean Spray Pump purchased two companies, one company manufactured a sealed can rotary pressure sterilizer[and the other company manufactured canning machinery. At this time the company changed its name to Food Machinery Corporation and started using the initials FMC. Here in the States it is widely reported that Bolens was a division of the Ford Motor Company, hence FMC, but that is nothing more than Appalachian legend. However do NOT try and convince them otherwise, it is akin to insulting their wives.

Thanks fellows, I appreciate the kind words. Like I said, I'm working on not letting the little things bother me, but my mind has difficulty with that. I'm always very concerned with the details, because they determine an outcome (probably more of a self desired outcome), sometimes you just have to let things go.

I've taken some time away from visiting the forums to engage in a little self reflection and assessment of my life. As some may know I have had some health issues of late, but I really don't worry about that a bit, I'll be here until I'm not. I tend to let little things bother me, I need to work on that, its probably because I have so much time to think. I don't work (job)much, just enough to get by, I don't believe in working for other unless it is absolutely necessary. These and other beliefs I have sometimes put my in a sort of conflict with society and people in general. All that said, I think its safe to say I am intrinsically motivated and that character trait causes more difficulties than physical ailments. Thanks for letting me let off a little steam. Alain

You need to take that show on the road, would it cut the heads of chickens, lol.

Will you do it in Sublime green? love that color

I may have to rethink my generous offer.

Thanks Andrew, I carried that penchant for tidiness and organization into my job as a self employed new home painter as well. It is absolutely imperative to keep a clean job site to reduce the possibility of injury and be more productive as well. it also serves to produce a better finish product and sets a good example for others. BTW, spent alot of time training British and Australian infantry in American battlefield tactics (not sure why they wanted to learn this), the first step was always organization and preparation.

The Kohler powered D series Wheel Horse all came with a manual clutch, but the Onan's used an electric clutch, don't know why. Since this donor tractor was a Onan powered machine I decided to remove the manual clutch from the Kohler D series engine donor tractor and replace it with an electric clutch from a Allis 416H parts tractor. I can now employ the switch in the dash to engage the electric clutch on the Kohler K341 to turn the rear PTO. The bolt holes, shaft, and pulley's lined up perfectly. I feel like a multi appendaged farm animal.

Already hauling straw to cover the garden plants

Coat(s) lol

When you finish painting it, Wheel Horse red of course, please ship it to Oologah Oklahoma and I will be very appreciative, lol

Best Wishes on your Birthday, hope you have a great day

Yep, gotta get the suck leveled out

HMS Sprinter could take port in Bermuda

I picked this CASE trailer up in Union, New Jersey (close to 2000 miles from me) for 100.00, it cost almost that to ship it to I.T., no matter. It has a 1" axle, stake sides, these are not very common, so I had to add it to the stable. Also went onto the Osage Indian reservation and pulled this 56" Wheel Horse dozer blade out of the weeds, 150.00 for the blade and I still have my hair.

I think there are some bits or handles missing from the lifter, but if you send it by post to Oklahoma this fall I will try it out and let you know how well it works

I hope you consider the gauge wheel. Its an extra convenience and you should charge handsomely for it.

Added lights and a jack

I bought an old trailer at auction a few months back and I am getting around to fixing it up a bit. Two coats of Industrial enamel with hardener and reducer made the metal look fairly good, after three hours sanding and prepping. I used some left over oil base rusty metal primer, oil stain, and varnish to make a paint stew for the old wood, Then I made some tali light brackets from some left over metal bits. Later this week I will install the wiring, attach the lights, and finally install the jack mount and tongue jack. Before and after pictures below.

What are the ruts in the yard for? Looks like the grass was a tad high, I think the grass gauge was at bale, not mow, lol. Looks like the WH is doing fine.

I've really struggled with the issue of painting for many reasons. First, I want the type and quality of paint to be the same as original, not better, not worse, not different, if at all possible. Second i don't want a trailer queen and i think if I had it painted up, I might not use it. Lastly, I'm not sure that keeping it original isn't the right thing to du as in old furniture. You know what I mean. I have somewhat restored my Massey MF-16 and My Bolens H16, but all other are as I found them as far as paint is concerned.