[GhoSt85]

Hey guys,

**Just signed up last night while I was searching for a hitch sleeve. If anybody has one they are willing to part with, please let me know.**

EDIT: Full story on how I got the tractor: http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/1378-so-what-started-your-itch-for-lawn-and-garden-tractors/?p=754747

I got this tractor about a month ago. Accidentally stumbled on it. It was in a dozen different pieces but never seen a tube frame before, got curious and googled it. Didn't take me long to tell myself I wanted it. Convinced my wife to let me get it and brought it home.

I don't know about these tractors much but I already have a million different pdfs downloaded and I've been reading over sorting whats for me and what to delete. I must say that before this tractor, I had never heard of the brand before but its been fun learning it. Its been worked hard and from what seems to me, not much maintenance has been done to it.

Maintenance I've Done: Replaced engine and transmission oil. Greased all the zerks, lubricated all other moving joints. Tighten the rear axle end play. Adjusted the carb best I could and have been using Marvel Mystery Oil with High Octane fuel (Manual recommends no lower then 91). Good working front plow.

The Bad: Where do I begin lol. Engine still dies if I let go of the clutch to fast on the highest gear. All other gears are fine. Clutch is down to a hairline. Throttle cable keeps going in slowing the engine down. Its a replacement that doesn't lock. Break lever stays where ever it is left and the brake pad is all gone. PTO leaks. Engine idle pulley needs replacement. Had to retighten all the headbolt because they were all loose and one fell out. All bearings and pulleys are bad on the mower deck and thanks to Bolens1000 figured out it was a frankenstein deck.

But the good news is even with what is wrong, it still runs strong and I am enjoying it. Also, I just bought a plow today. Just need a sleeve hitch to mount her up!

Thanks for looking

GhoSt

 

[stiemmy]

I would love to own that tractor!

 

[glgrumpy]

Painting in plans? Better color? That deck looks right,or at least Bolens. Have fun with clutch, major teardown to get all the shaft out. I'm new to Bolens too, found them a little different to work on.

Just got home and seeing this on puter now. HMMMM! The color is much different on here. My phone was showing a real bad greenish mint color on it. Here now looks more white, still an odd tint, but much nicer than my phone was showing. Should be good on that then.

 

[Bolens 1000]

Welcome!

Those white wall tires were optional equipment back then!

 

[boyscout862]

First, nice looking GT and you are attacking the problem intelligently. The stalling sounds like carb and governor problems. The clutch and brake linings can be replaced. Pay close attention to the steering gears as they are the weak point on TF Bolens.

I don't like to play with old carbs. I just rebuild them. There is usually a bunch of junk in them(shelac or corrossion) and passages blocked. Test the float too. Then check the governor. This should eliminate the stalling in high gear. I recommend that you then replace the clutch and brake linings. The brake is very important because it prevents grinding the gears when changing gears.

Tell your wife that she made a good decision letting you get this. Its a great hobby, it usefull, and not very expensive. Share the hobby, get your wife a tractor too. I tell people that I collect GTs because I can't afford Corvettes. If you ever get a chance to drive an old Bolens Large Frame, you will want it. Good Luck, Rick

 

[29 Chev]

Welcome to the forum - the Bolens Bug is hard to shake once you are infected.

If you have the means (or a friend) there are plans in post #2 of this thread link that you could make a sleeve hitch from - http://www.mytractorforum.com/78-lawn-garden-tractor-accessories/672633-making-sleeve-hitch.html .

 

[blackjackjakexxix]

Welcome aboard,I always liked those white wall tires,as stated get the brake linings as soon as you can

 

[stiemmy]

I think your rig looks great!!! It definitely has a unique look that I personally have never seen, and I think the paint combo looks great!!

Whatever you decide will wear well, good luck with her Cheers

 

[GhoSt85]

I would love to own that tractor!

It looks a lot nicer in picture but thanks!

Painting in plans? Better color? That deck looks right,or at least Bolens. Have fun with clutch, major teardown to get all the shaft out. I'm new to Bolens too, found them a little different to work on.

Just got home and seeing this on puter now. HMMMM! The color is much different on here. My phone was showing a real bad greenish mint color on it. Here now looks more white, still an odd tint, but much nicer than my phone was showing. Should be good on that then.

I think your rig looks great!!! It definitely has a unique look that I personally have never seen, and I think the paint combo looks great!!

Whatever you decide will wear well, good luck with her Cheers

Yea, its a weird color. Not bad looking. It is very light blue with a hint of green. Would probably leave it on there if it were not for the fact that they painted over the original stickers and you can kind of see them. Its not for this year because I need to get it mechanically right before I decided to paint it but when I do, I am thinking either original colors, Black frame/White panels or Red frame/White panels.

Welcome!
Those white wall tires were optional equipment back then!

Wait, are you telling me, those tires might be originals!!! I am going to have to check on them. Think they had DOT #s back then? If they are, they are going on my wall and putting center covers with some bolens art on them.

I will also be getting some parts from you this week. Specifically the clutch and locking throttle cable. It is a pain constantly holding mine trying to keep it from going back in and some minor pieces as well. Do you also carry the carb rebuild kit? I don't believe I saw it when I browsed through your website.

Thanks again for your help.

First, nice looking GT and you are attacking the problem intelligently. The stalling sounds like carb and governor problems. The clutch and brake linings can be replaced. Pay close attention to the steering gears as they are the weak point on TF Bolens.

I don't like to play with old carbs. I just rebuild them. There is usually a bunch of junk in them(shelac or corrossion) and passages blocked. Test the float too. Then check the governor. This should eliminate the stalling in high gear. I recommend that you then replace the clutch and brake linings. The brake is very important because it prevents grinding the gears when changing gears.

Tell your wife that she made a good decision letting you get this. Its a great hobby, it usefull, and not very expensive. Share the hobby, get your wife a tractor too. I tell people that I collect GTs because I can't afford Corvettes. If you ever get a chance to drive an old Bolens Large Frame, you will want it. Good Luck, Rick

I was told it could be the carb from several people on the other forum but I have been shying way from working on it. They don't seem to complex but I have not had much success with them. The machines tend to end up worse after I am done with them. One thing I have noticed, when I move the throttle cable, the butterfly mechanism that its attached to seems to lag behind for a bit. The movement is not immediate, is this normal?

Welcome to the forum - the Bolens Bug is hard to shake once you are infected.

If you have the means (or a friend) there are plans in post #2 of this thread link that you could make a sleeve hitch from - http://www.mytractorforum.com/78-lawn-garden-tractor-accessories/672633-making-sleeve-hitch.html .

Thank you for the link! Currently working on it

Welcome aboard,I always liked those white wall tires,as stated get the brake linings as soon as you can

Thank you! Will do! Haven't driven it much just in case. Don't want to replace more then I have too.

Thanks for looking and help to you all!

GhoSt

 

[Husky]

In all the years I have never seen those old white wall tires I love them. You will enjoy that tractor.

 

[boyscout862]

It is not hard to rebuild a carb if you get the right kit and instructions. You can download the Wisconsin Manual from our Manuals Section. Our sponsors can provide the correct kit. You have to be patient, work slowly, and be carefull. Since you are nervous about it(which probably means that you care to do it right) try a practice carb. Pick up a freebie small engine(probably in an old mower) and try rebuilding it. Don't waste money on new parts for it, just learn how to disassemble, clean, inspect, and reassemble. When you have problems post your questions with clear pics and we will help. A big part of this hobby is learning. Good Luck, Rick

 

[GhoSt85]

In all the years I have never seen those old white wall tires I love them. You will enjoy that tractor.

Yea, now that I've been paying attention to them, they are pretty cool. Its been a great joy seeing its progress and using it.

It is not hard to rebuild a carb if you get the right kit and instructions. You can download the Wisconsin Manual from our Manuals Section. Our sponsors can provide the correct kit. You have to be patient, work slowly, and be carefull. Since you are nervous about it(which probably means that you care to do it right) try a practice carb. Pick up a freebie small engine(probably in an old mower) and try rebuilding it. Don't waste money on new parts for it, just learn how to disassemble, clean, inspect, and reassemble. When you have problems post your questions with clear pics and we will help. A big part of this hobby is learning. Good Luck, Rick

Great idea! I do have one I can use that actually needs cleaning and I can test it. I will practice on it and let you guys know if its not working out. I always thought that I was messing up with the floater and needle it attaches to but now that I think about it, after practicing on adjusting the jets on the Bolens, that is one thing I never touched when messing with carbs. I have a tendency to skim over the instructions. Bad habit, I know. Hell I always thought that the bottom bolt was just to keep the float cup from falling off and getting a good seal. :wallbanging:

Thanks for your comments and help guys, I appreciate it much!

GhoSt

 

[GhoSt85]

Also have a small update. Since I kind of jumped the gun, figured I'd finish it before I'm off to another repair. Almost done with the hitch sleeve. All that is left is the aesthetics. I did make some mistakes which I will correct if it does present a problem. First, the two middle bolts, I had weldable nuts in 3/8" but after all was said and done, they look really small. And the center sleeve, I did not have 1"OD X 5/8" ID and I could not source it locally so I went with I believe is a 1/2" sch 40 piece of pipe. If it breaks. Ill use that size pipe and weld into to a 3/4" sch 40 pipe. (Hope I am getting my sizes right). And cut the two pins shorter.

Also, I could not find much on this plow. From my research, it is a Sears plow made by David Bradley, Part # 917-57552 and it is from a walk behind tractor.

I am presented by a problem that I am not sure what to do yet. If you see the above picture, I have no way to keep it still or adjust it from side to side. It has two tabs that I assume were for a 3rd point. Now where the plow connects to the hitch, it has enough surface ares that might work if I make one of these with enough travel.

Or I was thinking of using those two free points and that arm for the lift lever to make some brackets with an adjustable link to adjust side to side angle

So that's the dilemma I am presented with currently.

Thanks for looking

GhoSt

 

[KennyP]

I use 1/2" iron pipe for the pin, but I run a 41/64" (just over 5/8") through it, You do not want to 'pin' that plow so it can't swing. Let it have a little movement (swing). It will center up when it goes in the ground.

 

[Alc]

You have a nice tractor and the hitch came out good too . You might want to start a thread in the Tilling and Plowing forum for setting the plow correctly . That plow on a walkbehind will swing side to side out of the ground but if set up correctly will plow straight behind . My garden is on a slight slope so I made stops so when I got to the end and turned the plow it wouldn't swing so far . Others with sleeve hitches might have some good ideas for you.

 

[captaindemo17]

Curious as to what size your control rod is and what you used for the bushing it slides through ? I used 5/8" rod but couldnt find any tubing that I could slide it through without being somewhat sloppy.

 

[GhoSt85]

I use 1/2" iron pipe for the pin, but I run a 41/64" (just over 5/8") through it, You do not want to 'pin' that plow so it can't s
swing. Let it have a little movement (swing). It will center up when it goes in the ground.

You have a nice tractor and the hitch came out good too . You might want to start a thread in the Tilling and Plowing forum for setting the plow correctly . That plow on a walkbehind will swing side to side out of the ground but if set up correctly will plow straight behind . My garden is on a slight slope so I made stops so when I got to the end and turned the plow it wouldn't swing so far . Others with sleeve hitches might have some good ideas for you.

Aw ok. So it does need to have some swing. Ill check that subforum. Thank you!

Curious as to what size your control rod is and what you used for the bushing it slides through ? I used 5/8" rod but couldnt find any tubing that I could slide it through without being somewhat sloppy.

Hey Captaindemo, I used a 1/2in sch40 pipe. The id should be close to 5/8". Like Kenny said, if you can find a 41/64 bit. Run it through or use a 5/8 bit and wiggle it around on both side so it stays uniform until the rod can slide through. Which is what I did since thats what I had on hand. It doesnt take much since the original hole is almost the right size.

Thanks for looking and your help guys!
Ghost

 

[Alc]

I don't think it needs to swing but maybe members that have done a lot of plowing will be of some help

 

[KennyP]

I don't think it needs to swing but maybe members that have done a lot of plowing will be of some help

Yes, sleeve hitch plows do need some swing. If you do take all the swing out, how would you know if the plow is straight behind the tractor? A plow will find that by itself. You just need to limit the swing so it stays close to centered.

Another issue with locking it is it won't drive down the furrow straight, tries to turn the tractor left or right.

 

[GhoSt85]

Yes, sleeve hitch plows do need some swing. If you do take all the swing out, how would you know if the plow is straight behind the tractor? A plow will find that by itself. You just need to limit the swing so it stays close to centered.

Another issue with locking it is it won't drive down the furrow straight, tries to turn the tractor left or right.

Ok, So I've been messing with it and reading up on plowing. I do need to make a bracket to keep it from swinging all the way to the left or right but I think I am on the right track.

Thank you guys!

I also went and order some things. First! Thank you Bolens1000 for your fast shipping!

Just a good rule of thumb that I should have known, install the new throttle cable and measure it that way, I used what was on there which was also a replacement and because I never really payed attention didn't realize that it was a little to short but... it still works! Just have about 1/4" less travel.

And second! Got some clutch liners from Samsbolens. Fast shipping from them too!

Now, I have searched a bit but nobody explains how to remove the remaining old clutch liner. Could someone explain or point me in the right direction? Also, these liners seem a little on the thin side compared to what the old pad used to look like from my google search. I hope I wont have to replace them again in like 3 months.

Thanks for looking!

GhoSt!