HeadExam

A friend gave me a orbital air powered disc sander and I am going over the tin on the 1556 with it. I've got a few small spots to ding out and a few to putty over then I will be ready for sanding/building primer. I really like this type of primer because it really makes the surface look new again. The decals took the most time to remove, after using a heat gun to remove the top layer, I had two more layers of clear to remove. I think I need some tips on removing decals. I'm doing a lot of hand sanding as well and will move to a finer grit soon. I hope to have the 1556 looking as if it did when it was the 27th one built and rolling off the assembly line.

Is that how you say that I am retiring the deck belt on my Allis 716 42" deck. I believe I got all the use out of it possible. When I removed the belt it was only turning the center spindle making it a 17-1/4 inch deck

This was at a tractor show, anyone know any specifications, horsepower/weight etc, about this beaut. Thanks, Alain

Much easier than building new legs

That is really nice, you could stamp manuals and brochures with those!

I see where you get the name The Showman, Great Job!!

Don't sell yourself short Andrew, you know a bunch. This is a place we share information, if I was as smart as my wife I wouldn't need you guys, lol

good choice, keep it original.

Dr. Bolens emailed me and told me the manuals were WRONG and that the belts were 30" for all hydros, but that some geared models were 34", I'm making a note of that in all my manuals. Thanks Andrew and OB. I bought a set of three belts for my 1476 and the place I bought them from assured me they were all the same size, they were not, that's why you buy matched sets. In fact you can go to any parts store and measure two belts of the same size and often there will be a difference in size, it makes a big difference on double and triple pulleys. Thanks again guys.

Seems no one else new either, but I'm not buying belts that don't fit, so the old ones will have to do, customer service at parts houses has become an oxymoron

Use a small amount of hardener (ratio on can) to any Alkyd enamel paints and it will make the shine last long , enhance color retention, durability, and make more resistant to fading and scuffing. Be advised that what you mix up will have to be use,d as it starts chemically drying upon mixing, and will set up in a can in a day or so. http://www.paintdocs.com/docs/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=KRI&doctype=PDS&prodno=075577025220

Depends on what tractor, very early model cub original or earlier type tractor, maybe keep the solids, anything made later in the 60s or 70s pneumatic tires would be complimentary.

On all my Bolens manuals it list the two engine belts as 1/2 x 34" in all the different parts manuals (1556, H14, H16, but when I google that Bolens part number, 1720573, it comes back as a 1/2" x 30" belt, 4 inches is a lot of difference, like 10 cm, anyone have any idea why? Thanks, Alain

Nope, after removing the gas tank support I discovered a goldish color paint that I believe belongs on a Sears OH160, not a Bolens

You guys can modify anything, over we don't even attempt things like that lest our wives find out and ask us to do other jobs.

My 1556 had the same accident as My H16, apparently someone hit something going fast enough and the object was hard enough to break the Baluster, also missing a collar on the PTO, right now the bottom double pulley moves all over the shaft, no big deal, I'll get that straightened out. I've power washed the entire tractor top to bottom and bottom to top. I'm wondering if any sharp eyes can detect a error in the picture of the tractors left side profile, whats wrong?

If you are going to put this behind anything smaller than a D series, I believe you may want a gauge wheel to keep it from sinking in too deep. I guess that is what the adjustment rods are on top, but I think it will be asking a lot for a GT to pull two plows. I've seen it done but one plow was staggered further back and a little closer and had two gauge wheel on the rear I believe. The tractor that was pulling it was a modified Massey 1855 with a 24hp Honda twin. If any one can get it done it will be you, I'm going to be real interested in seeing how this goes.

Great score. What tractor do you intend to put them behind, but a better question is, what kind of mounting hitch is needed to attach them to a tractor?

Well I finally started the Bolens 1556 restoration, not like I have it long, maybe a couple months, but it seem like years to me. I still have a Homelite T16H and a CASE 224 in the que, but the 1556 cut in line. I've had the special grey/white mixed in a top of the line tractor/implement paint and plan on using a special reducer and hardener in it on the last coat. Tomorrow I will order the decal set, , I got ta new rubber BRAKE pedal pad yesterday, and my rear taillight came in last week. I have a brand new set of expensive Carlisle Turf tires, just not sure that's the way i want to go, but with me making under 600-800 a month I may have to.

That is a really nice spike harrow, I wish I had one like it.

Thanks Iain, I saved it and made a print copy to take to the shop. I finished repairing an Ariens HT18 today and had a nice visit with another collector named Garoyl. He has 25-30 old garden tractors, mostly Massey and Allis, but recently acquired a 1975 Wheel Horse D180 with a deck and blade, I cooked burgers and the wife made salad and later I let him drool over my collection, while I followed him with the wiping cloth.

A rebuilt one on eBay for auction, at 70.00 now, not sure about shipping to the UK http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cub-Cadet-IH-Steering-Column-Cleaned-Polished-Painted-Guaranteed-/201345261505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee11cdfc1

eBay may have another complete rebuilt one for not much more than the price of a kit. I believe the 70 and 100 shared that same column, maybe more as well.

I paid 150.00 shipped for my last two sets of rear Bolens weights. This makes 15 sets of wheel weights in my collection, I must be disturbed. For those that do not know Nigel's term of endearment, "Bar Steward, here is a link that covers the complete etymology of the phrase. http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/bar-steward That more than adequately describes me, lol. Alain

Scored BIG TIME today. I purchased a set of Bolens rims and 25x10-12 bar lug tires WITH a set of FRONT and REAR Bolens wheel weights ALL FOR 50.00 US.