The Project That Wasn’t Supposed To Be - Bolens H14XL

[89 MJ]

About a month ago, I got a text from a friend who works at a scrapyard saying they were about to crush this Bolens and was told that I could buy it for $60. I couldn’t let that happen, and I wanted some parts for my G14XL, so I bought it and hauled it home in the bed of the Comanche (tractor weight is roughly 700 pounds). After looking into it some, I decided that this tractor was too nice to part out and found that it builds great compression. I decided to try to get it running. Tonight I was finally able to make that happen. There was a stop that was not letting the brake pedal reach the brake switch that would allow it to start. After straightening the rod and joining up the jump pack, it barked to life. I didn’t even put fresh gas in it or use staring fluid. I just need wheels and tires, and I might just put a set of aluminum slot mags on it. 

[pizzaman09]

That's a nice little machine.  I didn't realize that FMC owned Bolens.  Good luck fixing it up, I am a fan of using older lawn tractors.

 

I've recently picked up my grandpa's old Gravely Promaster 50.  It had sat for 10 years.  A new fuel filter and a fresh battery and it fired right up.

[89 MJ]

It is running, driving, and mowing now. I still don’t have the slots mounted yet. The spark plug was pretty gross, I’m surprised it ran before cleaning it. 

[pizzaman09]

Eh, it still has a gap, most magneto systems will throw a spark given any appreciable gap.

 

Just for fun, a photo of the Gravely I've been playing with.

[89 MJ]

11 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

Eh, it still has a gap, most magneto systems will throw a spark given any appreciable gap.

 

Just for fun, a photo of the Gravely I've been playing with.

That thing is really, really cool! Looks like it cuts fairly well too. 

[pizzaman09]

10 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

That thing is really, really cool! Looks like it cuts fairly well too. 

It's a lot of run to run.  Cuts well, I've been using it as a brush hog then finish mower.  

It is basically an old school walk behind Gravely mower/brushhog with a seat mounted in a separate chassis on top that is connected and pivots near the axle.  It has left and right brakes so you can lock a wheel and whip it in a circle.

It's a Gravely Promaster 50. My grandpa purchased it new sometime in the 80s.