Non-topic Tractor Talk.

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

I’ve been told that a good way to determine hydro health is to put it in gear and push. A good hydro shouldn’t move. (Sorta ironic ain’t it?)

That makes sense to me! With the valves closed it should be hydro locked and you shouldn't be able to have any pressure escape to let it move, I'm going to do some 1256 specific research to see if it applies to this (probably does), thanks for the input! I'm not 100 percent yet if this applies to the 1256 BUT I know you can't roll any gear driven tube frame Bolens (even in neutral) because they use a worm drive, if you can your gearset is trashed. There is a free wheeling pin on the RR hub you need to disengage.

**Edit** You said "in gear" which this doesn't have because it's always in gear and I don't believe there's is any way to disengage. I think you're referring to a Hydro transmission whereas mine I think would be referred to as a Hydro transaxle. Still appreciate the input though that's good advice!

I made a mistake with the Bolens... I always assumed it was a 1256 but it turns out it's actually a 1 year only 1969 1225 (194) and is not only the predecessor to the 1256 but is mechanically identical to it, the only real differences are the paint, logo and rear fender/seat! I'm hoping to stab a G200 in it today (temporarily) so I can do further testing with it, the 16hp B&S I have hasn't been run in 2 or 3 years so I want to go over it before it start it.

Brianator wrote:

I made a mistake with the Bolens... I always assumed it was a 1256 but it turns out it's actually a 1 year only 1969 1225 (194) and is not only the predecessor to the 1256 but is mechanically identical to it, the only real differences are the paint, logo and rear fender/seat! I'm hoping to stab a G200 in it today (temporarily) so I can do further testing with it, the 16hp B&S I have hasn't been run in 2 or 3 years so I want to go over it before it start it.

The 1256 is either a medium or large frame as I recall, and the 1225 is tube frame, no?

The 1256 is a tube frame as is the 1225, here's a cool write up on the tube frames I came across a few years ago for all who are interested. Bolens was way ahead of their time and pioneered some cool stuff

https://www.gardentractortalk.com/threads/bolens-tractors-the-tube-frame-series-1962-1978.88892/#post-998182

It was a chilly one out today but I got the Bolens released from the ground and dragged it up to the workshed so I could work on it.

I used some 1-1/2" thick hardwood countertop to make a temporary motor "plate" so I could mock it up and figure out the belt size. I wanted 27" but the closest I could find locally was 28" and it looks like it should still work.



I got the motor mounting bolts installed and the motor "plate" sitting on the frame, I still need to secure it.



Apparently I'll need to drain the fuel and flush the system, anyone ever seen gas that looks like coffee?! My neighbor came walking down the road with this a couple months ago, asked me if I wanted it, set it on the ground, fired it up and it ran fine! It's been sitting in a sheltered area since then so I don't get it...how the heck did it even run on that garbage!?





Hopefully tomorrow I'll have it installed and running so I can actually test the tractor out, I know it's not alot of motor (5.5hp) but I'm sure it's putting out more power than the cordless drill that was able to move the hydraulics and make the wheels want to break free of the ground! Lol

Hopefully it goes well, wish me luck I want to see this old girl move!

Brianator wrote:

Apparently I'll need to drain the fuel and flush the system, anyone ever seen gas that looks like coffee?! My neighbor came walking down the road with this a couple months ago, asked me if I wanted it, set it on the ground, fired it up and it ran fine! It's been sitting in a sheltered area since then so I don't get it...how the heck did it even run on that garbage!?

It's a Honda....
Neat little engine there!

Thats some nasty stuff. My 1450 had fuel that looked like Radiator Stop-Leak, but when I serviced the carb the bowl was spotless.

i was offered a free craftsman GT they said it was green with a big engine and think its a 6 speed model so it either has a 633a or a peerless vert shaft trans of sorts but theres also a chance its hydo. they said it might have 5 bolt wheels but they havent looked at it. i might have a new workhorse! or possibly build or use it for parts for my other GT (probably just parts) if it is a 633a im parting it out most likely but i do have two kholer side shaft vtwins so i could slap a twin on it and use it for all kinds of useds dunno yet getting it after school

The Bolens lives!!

I cleaned out the fuel system, replaced the fuel lines and bolted the motor "plate" and motor down...





...fired it up, engaged the idler pulley and took it for a quick drive!



Surprisingly it wasn't jerky or make alot of noise but it would move a bit then not unless I let it sit for a minute. After a few mins it seemed to move more consistently but the hydraulic lift isn't doing a whole lot yet. I'm sure there's air in the system that I'll need to work out and I need to find a better spring for the idler puller, I could start to smell the belt after only a couple mins but IT LIVES! I won't call it build thread worthy yet, there's still alot of testing to do first to make sure it's even worth it but this is a great first step!

Alrighty boys, after today's successful round of testing the Bolens will definitely be getting its own build thread! Some of what's been posted here will get duplicated there so it's a complete start to finish thread but here's how it made it out today!

The fluid in the reservoir hasn't been going down so I had a look and the line was frozen solid with ice so I replaced it, as soon as it was running I watched fluid getting sucked in and air making its way out so once it started to settle down a bit I took it for a run up the street and back blasting through a snow drift and a snowbank along the way! Lol. Topped up the fluid again and put the old seat from my Bolens G10 on it.




I had to notch the corner of it to clear the dipstick.



Then I took it for a few more runs up and down the road stopping after each one to top up the fluid, it was working so well I tried to plow through some deep snow in my yard and even though the tractor itself seemed more than willing, that little test motor just doesn't have the jam to do it!




So it'll be getting a proper motor swap (16hp Briggs and Stratton single) in the near future so I can REALLY test it out and have some fun with it. Feels good to know that it actually works after 2 years of not being sure and it's nice to have one less disabled machine! Lol. Ought to be a fun rig! Let me know what you think!

Super!

Pretty nifty looking bolens. Patina has never been my thing really, but I'm starting to appreciate seeing some of these machines with some rust on them. Maybe i'm finally adjusting to it

mr.modified wrote:

Pretty nifty looking bolens. Patina has never been my thing really, but I'm starting to appreciate seeing some of these machines with some rust on them. Maybe i'm finally adjusting to it

Thanks! Some rust is cool, I like the patina on my G10 but this thing has too much for my liking too! I'm planning on freshening 'er up but in a rugged way! Lol

@mr.modified I like your build off entry it sounds really cool! What ever happened to the diesel submarine? I went through the build thread a couple weeks ago and have been hoping you're still working on it

I am currently negotiating with a guy who has 2 lawn tractors, 4 snowblowers, 2 push mowers, a destroyed moped and a scooter?
All he wants in trade?
A single working snow blower. However I do not own stock in such a device so we are still in a rather frustrating negotiation... Might have to pull the old "Teenager" card (works for me sometimes )
Bit of a story on how I discovered that one actually, maybe another day...

@TechnoChicken Could always tell him youll repair one of those snowblowers if they are able to be repaired

@TechnoChicken @Doug is right. Sometimes doing a service like that for the other person motivates them. Guy with my LGT 125 keeps stalling me out, and his latest excuse was that his heater core went out in his truck (part of the payment was for delivery). So, rather than give up, I offered to repair or replace the heater core for him. He declined, but he said because I was willing to help him out, he'd get off his arse and help me by getting that LGT here sooner.

Thats exactly what I proposed to him... now he's decided to fix his own blower  apparently I was the only guy who didn't want to ask stupid questions?

Don't let it get it down, you can't fix stupid! Lol. You'll be hearing from him audible soon enough

Brianator wrote:

Don't let it get it down,  you can't fix stupid!  Lol. You'll be hearing from him audible soon enough

Uhhh... can you clarify what you meant by that? 
Sorry...

Sorry I meant soon enough... stupid auto correct. He's looking for a blower because he either doesn't know how to fix them or doesn't want to so when he finds himself over his head...expect to be hearing from him! Lol

Yeah I'm still waiting, I don't think thats the case though but I don't know

Having trouble uploading images/screenshots from iPhone 11 tonight…



For some reason ^this one^ uploaded… this is what I was getting…

Appears working now

I hate it when my tokens are unrecognized. Besides, who has tokens these days?

I am the token old person here. I should be recognized.