Alan

More bottles, need more bottles, where can we find more bottles. Would plant pots do. ?

And while you are waiting for the spuds to grow, test the lifter out on the flower beds.

OK Richard. Thanks. It was your post on the 15th that made me wonder if you wanted another challenge. Looks like Paul will soon have another toy to play with.

PM sent Paul.

John and I had a good day today with Mr Showman who came to collect a van load of goodie's. As with all of our visitors, he had a good sniff around and kept spotting and loading things which he hoped Mrs Showman wouldn't see when he arrived home. Just in case Mrs Showman did spot his latest haul and was about to give him an ear bashing, he also loaded a collection of unusual bottles as a peace offering. A few pics of the load and not a Bolens in sight. Thanks again Chris.

OK guy's, That's settled then. I'll bolt the engine back onto the frame and store it in John's shed for now. As said, I don't have room at home for it, so happy to pass it on to a good home. As Paul has shown an interest, and I think Richard too, maybe they could agree who is the winner between themselves. I'll stand back while the fight takes place. I thought it strange that there was no petrol tank, or obvious mounting points for it, but never imagined that it was in the base of the engine. Not had time for a good look yet. Alan.`

I did think that too Richard. Not having room at home for the whole unit, I had thought of the engine and pump as a stand alone project.

Just dug this out from John's stash. Have been trying to see what the engine was for years, but buried too deep. Now I know. A hand push sprayer with the engine driving a small pump. The two spray arms rotate to the horizontal position. Looks complete apart from a petrol tank. I have now removed the engine for a clean up and a better look when time allows.

Thanks to our regular customers, John and I have cleared more of the Bolens Stash, although there were only a few Bolens related items leaving home this time. First off were a load of various rotavators. The second load of goodie's disappeared before I could take photo's. For some reason, this lathe took a lot longer to extract from the shed and load onto the trailer. Plenty of time for photo's though. We all thought Tom had killed the hoist when oil started running down the hose. Turned out to be a slightly loose banjo bolt. Would have caused MAJOR problems if the hose had split. Chris and his 1886 made light work of moving the lathe up to where the truck was parked. Just about to set off for pastures new after a long and tiring day. John and I would like to thank all involved for, once again, helping to clear more of his collection. Still lots more to go, but everything Bolens which we could find has now gone, apart from a little ride on mower. We can now see big holes which weren't there before. Still more holes to dig though. Alan.

Brilliant Ian. Think you might need a braking parachute for the REALLY fast runs. An ejector seat might be useful too.

Used to be !............. so what went wrong.

Pleased to have been of help Richard, and good to have met you.

The County 1124 for me anytime. Used to work on them in my younger days, driving those and other models from County's main assembly line, up through Fleet town, to the final finishing and dispatch department. Bits added or altered to customers spec, and then loaded onto trucks.

And I have only just seen them now. Too busy answering countless messages re the Stash. My fingers needed a rest. Good pics Nigel. Keep them coming.

Chris, if you are going to make one of TWOSE from your horsy bits, you will need that large garden roller from Johns stash. The roll is in two sections which will save a lot of hacksaw work.

Still one more, maybe two, waiting to be rescued Chris.

You've shrunk Charlie.

Good idea Charlie. We didn't know what it was, but now we know what it will be.

Is that the plough John bought back from you Chris. ? The one with the blue paint on it. Can only see three tractors in the van. Where are the other three. ?

A lot of reflections on photo's 1 and 2. The sun was trying to get in the van too. Didn't get very good shots of the middle two tractors. Would have been better if I had been in the van, but too dangerous with Bolens and Horses coming up the ramps at high speed. Might have been trapped and taken on a trip to Norfolk along with the pong of horse pee and poo.

A few photo's of Iain and Tom's "CRAM - it - IN" Countrywide Removal Service. Any distance, any time. First load. 5 Bolens. Second load. 5 more Bolens, with Iain's ( over the wheel arch's ) platform. Rear wheels removed from 1477 after loading to reduce width. Third load. 1 Bolen and 5 Horses. Lots of bits and pieces also crammed in with each load.

I will post some photo's of the loads tomorrow. Too weary now after answering lots of messages today and arranging visits. Don't think Mr Showman was really trying when he said he could only get four tractors into his sprinter. Some people give up too easily. How about five Bolens on each of two loads, and five Horses and one Bolen on the third load, plus LOTS of bits and pieces with each. Still can't understand why Tom didn't take a Colchester lathe back with him. I could still see a gap above the hoods of the front two tractors. Alan.

Sorry for not posting anything lately. As some will already know, and for those that don't, it was decided to dispose of friend Johns collection as various job lots. In view of his health, which appears to be going downhill rapidly and his desire to sell up and move to a much smaller property as quickly as possible, we thought this was the best and quickest way to go. A lot of the collection has gone already, with more spoken for. Many thanks to the various buyers. Some may be disappointed at not seeing what was for sale, but after dragging out from the various hiding places, it was found that most of the Bolens and Wheelhorses were in VERY poor condition. Although they were covered up years ago, time and the weather, plus brambles and other vegetation had come off best. There is still a lot of stuff to go yet, some of which may find it's way on here, if appropriate. Still sorting and clearing out. Can't believe how much John has collected over the years. Not just tractors and related garden machinery, but his Morris Marina cars. He has a few in almost as new, low mileage condition. Not everyone's favourite car, but John LOVED them. Again, sorry that some members may be disappointed, but acting in Johns best interest. Regards, Alan.

Hi, Andrew. PM sent.

Nice set of pics Charlie.