minky

Going to collect this Tonight. 
Unsure what model it is. 
Apparently has a briggs and stratton engine 
 
Something for little man to grow into... 
 
Any info on one off these?  And will wheel horse rear wheels fit? 

Gentlemen,
 
Sometime back, April 16 in fact, Andrew (Triumph66) sent me a PM over on the GTTalk forums.
 
There was a 1962 Bolens 600 listed on eBay that he was interested in, and he wanted to know if I would assist him in getting it shipped to him if he bought it.
 
One reason for his request was that it had been posted on the GTTalk forums and I told folks that I was VERY close to where it was located and that I could pick up and store it if anyone was interested.
 
I replied that I would be more than glad to help, and Andrew got VERY interested.   Since he was so interested, I decided to go take a look at it in person as it was only 20 miles from me.
 
I took a good look at it and took it for a spin around the barn yard, and was VERY impressed with it.
 
I asked the seller if he knew anything about the history of the tractor and he explained that he worked in a scrap yard, and that someone had brought it in to be scrapped     Since he is a bit knowledgeable he set it off to the side so that they could sell it rather than scrapping it
 
Why on earth someone would do that is beyond me.  As you will see in the following pics, it's one of the nicest original tractors that you will ever see.  It's absolutely beautiful
 
It was listed with a starting bit of $300.00 and for one reason or another no one bid on it and Andrew STOLE it for the minimum bid.
 
PM's started flowing fast and furious, and after wired bank funds finally arrived (that was a story in itself), I contacted the seller and made arrangements to pick it up.
 
So today I hooked up the trailer and went to fetch the mighty Bolens.
 
One thing that Andrew mentioned was maybe I could take a pic of the Bolens with an 'iconic' American building in the back round,  I hope I succeeded  :D
 
I did stop on the way home to take a pic or two of some "iconic' bovines as well.  You don't see them often in this part of the country, but if you ever watched the old Westerns, you should be able to figure out what they are :D
 
So without further ado, the pics, starting from hooked up and ready to go, to back home with it one the trailer.  I will be taking more pics as we go along and most likely a video or two as well.

Still no video, but a few more pics... I've done lots of chopping
 
 

Continued today...
 
belt tensioner adjuster first. Followed by cutting the keyways in the cross shaft. 
 
Had as a quick run round the garden, it works!
 
but can't be used on C4 as I can't lift it off the floor... The belts and axle are in the way

Cheers buddy, bit more progress today
 

 
mounted on C4 as it has the pto required to line up the pulleys.
 

 
First idler
 

 
second idler
 

 

Because I know it can be done... And there's a few acres of rough pasture to top we finally started on the mounting a barford sickle bar to the front of jakes wheel horse.
 
modified a front tach a matic and added a lift bar. Next job is slowing if down and sorting the pulleys.

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: 
 

Having rescued my Raider back in 2009, I gave the engine a quality Top End overhaul amongst the full Tractor refurb work.
I thought I should just give it a check over and flush the Fuel system as well (I haven't cleaned the engine either)-

It's always been good starting and running, but because I didn't sort the Throttle Shaft wear at the time, it has occasionally shown signs of uneven running.
On removal of the Carb, I found very little rubbish in the Bowl and a tiny globule of water (2mm ball bearing size)
I found traces of oil residue around the Carb inlet Choke Plate area and so I suspect the diaphragm in the Pump may be on it's way out.
Having already played it safe, I had ordered 2 replacement Fuel Pumps to service both Tractors and as some of you may recall my Thread on Redsquare covering the Full #26 Carb rebuild, I shall be fitting that (on right in lower pic) while I rebuild the old one (original Muffler is going away for Bead Cleaning and I'll repaint it) .
While I'm at it, I shall fit a Fuel drain point in the system so I can empty it for over wintering storage and to Prime the system again.  Should save fiddling around trying to get fuel through.  

 
 
   

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.
 
 




















 
 

Now my login has turned green again I can post some pictures and I know you all love Bolens pictures
 
Stopped half way home to check the straps

 
A few pictures after a bit of a test run
 

 

 

 
Always good to have to have a family shot. This is the HT20 pictures with my HT23.
 

 
Iain

Had a day rummaging in the shed and got this out.

Well it's about 99.9% finished, the fenders and a few other bits have now been bolted
on ready for tomorrow's show so here are a few photos. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The original number plate has now been put back on. 

Hi All 
Last year i worked and sowed grass seed on Blair's garden 
One year one now that it is established we are starting to form the next part of the plan,digging out the flower beds believe me it is very hard.
Started ploughing then started to dig out trench for a beech hedge with a digger it was the only way to go
Hope you like

Had a bit of fun yesterday with 3 of the bolens bit of tractor racing

Took my cultivator to the horse paddocks to break down some rutted ground from last winter, working fine until the link (m8 threaded bar) snapped.
took her to pieces and decided to try something different.
A 24v linear actuator, -recycled- coupled to the hitch and drawbar proved it could lift the cultivator at 12v. (also me)
I removed the rockshaft, homemade, and the unit fitted under the seat with room to spare.
A couple of lugs welded to the crosspiece, an extension to the 'ram'  and it worked! I may add some braces from the crosspiece to the axle, but the whole lot is already stiffened by the fender raising frame added to gain clearance for the tyres.
Tried it today with the discs, the ground was a bit hard, then I realised I need to change the temporary extension for one with a slot to allow the implements to 'float'.
I coudn't find a dpdt switch so I knocked up a unit using a 're-cycled' joystick and three 5pin relays as a polarity reverser, the joystick has a mag-mount so It can be fitted wherever it works best, there is a button on top of the stick which has to be pressed before the other controls will operate. I may fit another actuator to the front to pic up my front weight, this is made from a number of 'flitch' (I think they are called), plates, again re-cycled, each one weighs 1.8kg. the toolbox fits to the hood grill using a couple of 'anti luce' catches, on and off in seconds, plus adds a bit more front end weight. I may try changing the Linak motor for a hydraulic cylinder as the next stage in the experiment, cylinders are no problem, and I also have an ex- mini-bus wheelchair tail-lift electro-hydraulic unit that should fit under the hood.
 
 
 

 
                                                                                                                                                          Two one horsepower units.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lots is going on in the run up to my first show of the year. 
 

 
The bonnet has been sandblasted
 

 
There was quite a few rust pits hence all of the filler
 

 
Trackrods have been added and stainless steel nuts and bolts have now replaced the old. 
 

 

 
Back on all four
 

 

 
Hoodstand back on with the new decal
 

 
The front grill, wiring loom and decal now in place 
 

 

 
The new light switch that I turned from a photo of the original to match what was on the tractor. 
 

 
Nearly there now, just got the seat, fenders, bonnet and then a few little pieces but I'm very happy with it! 

Just had a phone call from a man with a very strong Asian accent. Phoning about my computer. Conversation went something like this.
 
There's a fault with it, he said.
 
Oh really? I've not noticed anything.
 
Is it switched on?
 
Yes.
 
Do such and such.  (I didn't) 
 
Can you see such and such?
 
No.
 
This went on for some time. He saying do this. Me doing nowt. I didn't touch my computer at all.
Eventually he said is was ok now and for fixing it I had to pay. Could he have my bank details.
"Certainly," I said. "Give me a minute." Out to the Disco I went and got the whistle I use when rally marshalling.
Back to the phone and " I've got my bank details here", said I. "Can you let me have them," Said he. "Here you are", said I.
 
I let him have them alright. A good long loud shrill blast. Hope I've burst the crooks ear drum.
 

A little while ago I acquired this '75 Raider 10 with a side discharge cutting deck..
 

 
  Unfortunately the engine threw a wobbly when I had a go at starting it. See my thread, "Another for the Stable".
 
 Today I decided the remove the engine. So onto the bench. I got a little carried away. A few other bits got taken off as well, as the engine oil drained.
 

 
I don't know if the way the engine is bolted to the chassis is correct. Looks a bit odd to me. But no doubt some one will know.
 

 
Engine out.
 

 
  While I was taking the engine out, I decide to drain the gearbox as well. There was oil in, or had been at sometime. About a cupful of milky fluid came out, followed by a copious amount of clear water. I reckon the box was full of it.
 
 
Rather agricultural exhaust system.
 

 
And an even more agricultural draw bar.
 

 
I like the way the rear fender hinges up. Handy storage compartment underneath. 
 

 
Someone has been rather handy with a welder. Or not as the case may be. Sorry about the photo quality. Too close with my camera. But you get the picture.
 

 
There were bolts in there as well.
 
And another bit of useful welding. Idler pulley welded on.
 

 
 There was one or two other bodges as well. Mixture of imperial and metric fastenings and pop rivets in place of split pins. Fortunately, the tin ware is for the most part, in good condition.
 
So at end of play, this is how the Raider looks now.
 

 
 Rather than put this as a rebuild, I've put it in projects. The reason being some mods will be made. Also I haven't a clue how it will evolve. Could take quite a while.

got given an old stiga with a knackerd deck, so ian and i converted it for carrying trays of plants around the nursery
 
 

Last lot of photos, ending with the traditional group photo...
 
 

More photos...
 

Back home now from an enjoyable day at the East Sussex Horticultural Play Day at Chiddingly
 
A variety of pedestrian machines from Farmers Boy and Colwood to Iron Horse and Auto-Culto, together with our International Cub Cadet 128 and two Wheelhorses (and the newly restored and very nice trailer) from The Showmans stable had a go in the rather solid clay ground with varying degrees of success
 
Catering was handled by Wendy my dear wife (when she wasn't flying round on the Cub Cadet - it is her tractor after all) and I think all present had a fun day, this could well turn into an annual event .
 
Here's some photos...
 

I'm getting lots done now that I've finished school  
 
The engine has been mostly reassembled now
 

 
The hood that was ready for the scrap bin has been patched up the best we could, at least there is metal there now, with a bit of filler it should look ok. 
 

 
With thanks to the warm weather today I got lots more painting done and some parts got reassembled  
 

 

 

Not much done lately due to having lots of school work to do, here is a little update. 
 

 
The wheels are all finished now. 
 

 
You can just about see in this photo that a previous owner wanted to put a larger sized battery on the dash tower and so they had taken a hammer to one of the sides to break the spot weld so we set to work on replacing this piece. 
 

 
This was the first piece to get replaced, the holes are where it was spot welded before.

 
Here is the replacement piece
 

 
This is the replacement side piece that we made.
 

 

 

 
The screws that held the tail light on had no head left so I drilled them out. 
 

 
Luckily it came off and the original bulb still worked.
 

 
Lots of new stainless steel bolts and washers have been bought ready for the reassembly 
 

A little bit more done over the weekend, I have now fastened on the brake, clutch and linkages onto the tractor so that I can finish painting it together.
 

 
A new front axle pin was made and we used stainless steel grub screws instead of a roll pin which was used before. 
 

 
Heres a photo once it had all had some more paint.