89 MJ Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 I was up at the neighbor’s the other day when they said that that had an old Bolens up on the hill that they wanted to get rid of. We walked up there and took a look at it and told me I could have it if I wanted it. So, I did the right thing and acquired another project. It’s in surprisingly good shape, really. I think this one is going to be the tractor for mowing around the house. I was told it ran when parked and that it needs a PTO clutch. This tractor does not have a hydrostatic, but I’d rather a 4 speed. It is considered a Medium Frame, which is larger than my other Bolens, despite this one having 1 fewer horsepower. The only things I’ve done at this point is free up the lift arm and pressure wash it. Progress will pick up after the Eagle is done and the MJ is ready for the All Breeds Jeep Show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 After washing: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 can't blame ya. I could see myself getting into old tractors too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 6 hours ago, Pete M said: can't blame ya. I could see myself getting into old tractors too. They are a lot cheaper and easier to fix than MJs! Not quite as cool though… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Who could pass at that price. That a good looking little tractor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 7 hours ago, JMO413 said: Who could pass at that price. That a good looking little tractor. I was surprised how nice it was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 I finally had a chance to start working on this Bolens today. The engine had a ring of rust in the cylinder, so we short some penetrating oil in there and let it sit for a few minutes. That freed it up enough to let the starter crank it over. Compression is great, as I put the spark plug back in, gave it a shot of starting fluid and it ran for the first time in many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 feels good bringing something back to life, doesn't it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 11 hours ago, Pete M said: feels good bringing something back to life, doesn't it Indeed it does! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 28, 2021 Author Share Posted October 28, 2021 On Monday night, I wirewheeled and put chassis saved on the major rust spots on it. Last night, I got the original throttle cable freed up so I can move the tractor while I wait for my other one that USPS lost. We also decided that we should try to see if it moves. I couldn’t get first or second gear because I think there is some rust on the clutch linkage not allowing it to go into all of the gears and preventing the clutch pedal from returning like it’s supposed to. I put it in third gear while sitting on it and my dad slowly lifted his foot off of the clutch, and it moved! We had it about two feet away from the shop door and it pulled the tires and almost hit it, but we got it in neutral quick enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 Well, the clutch and brakes are freed up. Now we just need to make sure it will all be working correctly before we put the tractor back together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted November 29, 2021 Author Share Posted November 29, 2021 It drives! Now I just need my rear tires to arrive, I need to change the front and rear tires, rebuilt the fuel pump, swap the throttle cable, put the hood back on, and get a new battery. It’s close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 The new rear tires are in, so I had to sandblast the wheels to make them pretty. Now I just need to get paint for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Good rubber, nice. You going to paint the body as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 15, 2021 Author Share Posted December 15, 2021 56 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said: Good rubber, nice. You going to paint the body as well? Not at this point. Most of the paint is still there. I might buff it out some because I tried it on a small spot, and it shined up really well. Plus, the wheel paint is a direct-to-metal paint, which I would not do on the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Patina is life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 16, 2021 Author Share Posted December 16, 2021 The wheels are all painted up now. Now I just need valve stems, then the tires can go on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 Getting close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 19, 2021 Author Share Posted December 19, 2021 Almost ready for the snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 Cleaned up nice. Now just need to swsp that seat for a heated hi-lo seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 11 hours ago, 89 MJ said: Almost ready for the snow. I would suggest some tire chains and some weight. won't push much snow like that. Unless you get a good running start. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 19, 2021 Author Share Posted December 19, 2021 10 hours ago, MiNi Beast said: Cleaned up nice. Now just need to swsp that seat for a heated hi-lo seat. That would be nice! 5 minutes ago, watchamakalit said: I would suggest some tire chains and some weight. won't push much snow like that. Unless you get a good running start. Lol I have been looking for both weights and chains, as that is what is on mine other one too, but I haven’t come up with anything yet. Last year, I ran a 1556 with just a blower and only had issues backing up without chains, and that tractor weighs about the same with the weights as this one does without, so I’m hoping the new tires will be soft enough that I can get away with it for a little while at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 6 hours ago, 89 MJ said: That would be nice! I have been looking for both weights and chains, as that is what is on mine other one too, but I haven’t come up with anything yet. Last year, I ran a 1556 with just a blower and only had issues backing up without chains, and that tractor weighs about the same with the weights as this one does without, so I’m hoping the new tires will be soft enough that I can get away with it for a little while at least. Blowing snow and pushing it are 2 different scenarios. Pushing takes more traction. Look into adding rv antifreeze to the tires for some added weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 19, 2021 Author Share Posted December 19, 2021 56 minutes ago, watchamakalit said: Blowing snow and pushing it are 2 different scenarios. Pushing takes more traction. Look into adding rv antifreeze to the tires for some added weight. I'm sure I'll have to do something, Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 just eat a lot of food this chrismas. like a whole lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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