HeadExam

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.

Back to the Topic. Big thanks to OB for helping Andrew out with this purchase, I'm sure it will be in good hands.

Luke, I don't think many people think a HT-20 is a rare or unusual tractor that cant be altered into a serviceable machine by imaginative ways, you go there!!!

I understand what you are saying OB, but everyone in the situation including the owner had a reason to side and reply the way they did, because they did not want to look like cruel and in humane individuals, and the owner wanted to lessen his responsibility for damages, which the local authorities would have leveled against him had he thrown a fit over the loss of property. "Yeah, it's a shame that it had to happen, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do" Winston Churchill once said, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else". It doesn't appear that much else was considered and in the end the result is what it is, but by that same thinking we could apply those rules to cats, dogs, or even people. For some reason I had the belief that people had evolved past the tendency to shoot first and asked question later, but recent events in many cities prove that very wrong. It seems there are many among us that see other living things as moving objects with targets painted on their backs, whether it be law enforcement or citizens, the level of compassion doesn't seem to rise to what I believe human beings should exhibit. The quotes from the shooters HARDLY dispels that belief. The difference in your opinion and mine are not a right or wrong situation, it is a situation of how you and I are socially constructed differently, that occurs from the environment, family, peers, and other social institutions. I do understand your opinion and where it comes from, but at the same time I sure wish that you would attempt to see mine as well. No matter what, I still see you as a great guy and one I would stand by anytime. Alain

I hope he's high enough up the ladder to bunk with the Prince. With the load you would have with my garden tractors you would have to throw food, weapons, or sailors overboard.

You are going to need your own ship to take them home, Andrew. Do you have friends or relatives in the Royal Navy that might be able to bring them through as personal belongings?

What do you do in the rainy season, put a snorkel on the air cleaner and exhaust

It is altogether probable that the Rowe Foundry built the wheel weights for many old garden tractors after reading the statement below from the Rowe Foundry company history. I have seen Bolens weights that were marked Rowe, MTD, OLDA, Bolens, FMC, and unstyled as well. Supposedly FMC marked wheel weights are for tractors built after 1973 and BOLENS marked wheel weights were produced before 1973. That's why I have different weights on different tractors. tHE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS. aLAIN "During the 1950's river clamp producers began looking elsewhere for product materials and found that concrete was the answer for the new river clamps. This, coupled with the steel manufacturers strikes, caused management to look elsewhere for business. Counterweights for agricultural and industrial tractors were the answer. At one point Rowe Foundry held more than 75% of the aftermarket agricultural tractor weight market" (Rowefoundry.com). http://www.rowefoundry.com/history.html

Most 12 inch wheel weights fit all other wheels, an exception is the early walk behind 12 inch that may be a little larger. I have seen at least 4 styles of the Bolens weights, but only know of Bolens offering them on their tractors, never saw any other brands offering weights made like Bolens, without the name, but I'm sure a smaller company could use the same foundry and save money. I do think the Cub original rear weights were the same as later cubs as they were modeled after the front Cub tractor weights. Many foundries will reproduce wheel weights from a picture or example, 400.00 for the first pair, subsequent sets go down in price

Got it. Thanks Iain

And some like those had nothing stamped on them, but Jerome says those are RAM wheel weights and the Cubs were similar, but slightly different, I have to say whether he is right or wrong, he knows alot about these early tractors

I have both the parts and owners manual, and after actually reading them I fully understand what you are saying and how to hook up the deck using the parts I have. I was wondering why my other deck had both lift link assemblies though, no matter, if anyone needs an extra, I have two and only need none, lol

Wow there Iain, I have the bracket circled in BLUE on both decks, but one deck has the curved link and one has the straight link, whats the deal??? I'll see if I can pull that page from my manual so I can read what it says. It would appear that the differnce would be in exchanging the small curved link and the straight link, not eliminating the horseshoe link assembly, but hey, I know I'll find out here Thanks, Alain