Alan

Thanks Joe and Richard. Perhaps Restoration is not the correct word to use as it was not returned to it's original factory finish.

After transporting the tractor home and having a good look at the damage and missing parts, it was decided that a near enough non original option was the way to go. One of the first jobs was to remove the blacksmith "repair parts". The frame around the upper grill was a surprisingly good fit held on by nuts and bolts. The door butt hinges were welded on, for welded just imagine bird poop splatter, as one hinge had already parted company. The frame and the upper grill. The bit of tin at the bottom of the grill replaced the original hinge mount which had broken away. The box sections which replaced the lower grill were only firmly welded along the front face and were quickly removed with the help of a bar and G clamps. Some of the welds were good, others bird poop. Almost as if two different people had been at work. The engine was lifted off using the same bar. The heavy welded on plate which supported the box sections can be seen. I cut most of this off before realizing later that I could have reused it to mount the new lower grill. The tow bar extension, seen on an earlier photo was removed, two bolts and more poop spatter, to reveal more damage. The original tow pin hole ripped out and the plate cracked for about 1/2 the width along the bend. Could have been repaired but I went for a different option of which more later. After spending ages, on and off, trying all the usual ways to remove the well rusted on steering wheel, I resorted to cutting a slot in the hub and used a wedge to slightly open the slot. This freed the hub from the shaft. Other options suggested on various forums were a lot more drastic. Once the wheel was off and after taking lots of photo's to help with reassembly the major dismantling started.

Thanks, but I am sorted for parts now. What I couldn't get without winning the lottery, I made. More will be revealed in later posts.

I have been intending to post this restoration since joining MoM last year but seem to have spent most of my time helping friend John dispose of his Bolens etc stash. As most of the stash has now been cleared I now have slightly more free time, so here goes. The number on the Roper ID plate,T5828DR, I have not been able to trace but the tractor appears to be identical to Sears 917- 257050. The Sears parts list, engine number etc confirms this. The tractor was a mess when dragged from the undergrowth at John's place about three years ago. Lots of damage, parts missing etc and a blacksmith repair job in various places. John was told when he bought it that it had been run into a post, smashing the grill and pushing the hood back which in turn badly damaged the plastic dash tower. As can be seen the damage was "repaired" via a heavy metal frame and alloy plates pop riveted on plus steel box section in place of the lower grill. One of the first things found was that there was no spark plug in the front cylinder of the horizontal Briggs twin. Hardly surprising as there was very little thread left in a hole which resembled a cone. Managed to fit a heli coil at a later date. Since then I have been given a pair of cyl heads. Also found that the starter motor was jammed when trying a first start. One magnet had come unstuck from the case. Stuck it back on with Araldite then found it ran in the wrong direction. Wondered if this was because of the glue used. Using a Westwood ? motor with the Sears mounting bracket and a temporary fuel tank got the engine running on one cylinder. A drive around showed that all the gears were OK. As the tractor looked do-able, with a LOT of work, the next step was to transport it to my garage so that I could get at it without 44 mile round trips to John's. Before the restoration bits, a photo of my great grandson Mini Alan trying it out for size.

Still a red Bolens waiting collection at John's. It would love a ride in a well known red Sprinter van.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all. Hic. Alan.

You should have enough wheels Chris, so get cracking.

Yes, they are weird Nigel. Had a play with a golf buggy a few years ago while over the pond. Have some photo's of the works somewhere. Can't quite remember how it all worked but the petrol engine was VERY quiet. Something different.

Very sorry to hear of your loss Noel. Thinking of you all. RIP Cariss.

I had a very similar TW Monoturn years ago which friend John and I found to be fairly accurate given its age. Bought as part of a job lot of machinery and tools by my old place of work. They didn't want it so it ended up in John's garage. Came with a large and heavy 1hp motor which we just clamped to an old kitchen chair and moved to tension the drive belt. A temporary arrangement that stayed temporary as things often do. Had quite a bit of use before being loaned to another friend who moved house and we lost touch with. Never did track him down.

Suggestion number two. Thanks. I had a quick measure up today. Wheels 8" The main section 36" wide by 28" and the draw bar 28" All sizes approximate.

That's one suggestion. Thanks.

That's one suggestion, thanks, any others. ?

Not seen the Showmans workshop yet Norm, but I have heard various comments.

If it gets as full as John's shed and barn, there won't be room for a kettle never mind a wood burner.

Not really tried selling them yet Chris but think the gold one is already spoken for. And the showman also found some more Uni Horse bits in the shed.

Once again, while helping to sort and clear rubbish from John's shed, the showman decided to take a break and have a nosey outside before it got too dark. As the vegetation was dying off Chris's eagle eye's, helped by his bloodhound nose, spotted something green buried in the now not so green greenery at the side of one of the previously explored caravans. A short while later, aided by a pair of clippers and some huffing and puffing, three hefty lumps of green metal appeared and were loosely assembled and photo's taken. Looks complete apart from the clamps / U bolts which hold it together and possibly one tine. Didn't measure it but the wheels are approx 7 to 8" diameter. Any idea of the make anyone before offering for sale. Also found weeks ago but only just photographed is this axle unit. Again, make unknown. And finally, although not tractor or machinery related, a pair of john's Marina Estates. Both 1800cc the green one an automatic. Not new finds as we knew they were there. Just needed extracting from the junk piled around them. Both got running fairly quickly by Chris after about 10 years standing idle. Not very easy to get decent photo's. Too cramped and lots of reflections. Need to get them outside. Chris also got a Marina van running and is itching to complete the task with the remaining two estates plus one saloon. Thanks again Chris.

How about Horse - Gut's.

I guess the wire fencing is your wife's way of making sure you don't escape until the digging is finished.

Whoever sees her first WINS. And whoever it is means big trouble for Chris.

Happy Birthday OB.

Just wait until I see her. What's it worth to keep quiet.

I expect they soon disappeared into the fog.

Chris caught in action recovering his latest find. Just look at his hands, red raw with the frantic digging. Like a terrier after a rabbit. He also found a small blade attached to a heavy square bar. Both items buried within a few feet of the barn doors. We must have passed them countless times. What next.

Happy Birthday Paul.