47 replies to this topic

[acadianarts]

Hello... I'm totally new here because I am likely going to buy an HT-20 tomorrow. I cannot find out the weight (tractor alone and w/FEL) and, while the parts manuals are easy to find, a general user guide/instruction manual would be good too - any ideas?

Any general comments on the HT-20 would be appreciated.

Mark

[olcowhand]

I've been looking, but nothing yet. Maybe someone "in the know" will be along shortly. By the way....welcome to GTT!

[mjodrey]

:welcometogttalk:acadianarts,glad to have another Bolens guy here.

[Bolens 1000]

Welcome to the Forum, acadianarts
You will find that this is a fun and informative place :)

Here's a little info on the HT-20

This little peice is from the sonny's Bolens website
"1973 - 1978
The HT20 received yet another power boost. Now fitted with a 19.5HP Kohler K532 Series engine. What's a half horsepower any way? Who cares, this machine was just about to do extraordinary things - with the optional new Backhoe attachment to compliment the already available front end loader*, Bolens now had a fully commercial powerhouse in the consumer buying market.
What more could you want!
"

Here is a link to the Largeframe Service Manual. Note this manual is over 100 pages, so if you are on dial up it may take a while to load.....


Here is the HT-20 Parts list:
PARTS LIST

[acadianarts]

Well, I got the tractor, (the weight is about 13-1400 all in I figure) and my trailer handled it no sweat. Been learning to handle the machine with a little raised parking pad with fill and 2 to 3-man rocks for retaining. The tractor (and owner) have limitations, but after a few hours I am getting lots done and loving it. Arms not used to something: manual steering, FEL controls or maneuvering the above rocks into final position myself with tractor to lift/deliver/push - but some long-forgotten muscles are aching.

[NUTNDUN]

I am jealous, I would love to have a large frame with a FEL.

Isn't it funny how you always find the muscles that don't get a lot of use? That happened to me when it came time to plow snow and manually lifting the blade and snow blower LOL

[olcowhand]

I added power steering to my Massey with FEL. I'd never get my calf stalls cleaned out if I didn't have power steering in the tight areas I have to work the FEL.

[mjodrey]

I added power steering to my Massey with FEL. I'd never get my calf stalls cleaned out if I didn't have power steering in the tight areas I have to work the FEL.

Some large frames ( mostly HT23 I think ) had the option of power steering.

[Bill56]

Sounds like a nice tractor! Welcome to the forum acadianarts.

[wilberj]

Some large frames ( mostly HT23 I think ) had the option of power steering.

The 1886-01-06 HT20 and early HT23 could have power stearing added.
Later HT23 came with Power stearing from the factory.

Edited by wilberj, November 13, 2010 - 07:49 PM.

[acadianarts]

Well, it's been about 6 months and since this post started...

After about 4 hours use, the engine started to falter and stall. I tried: cleaning carb, replacing points/condensor, flushing fuel tank and lines and finally, replacing the aftermarket vacuum fuel pump with a mechanical oem pump. It was the fule pump all along. Since then, I have used the tractor (and the new 1500lb dump trailer I got) for all sorts of projects around the property. The best thing so far: the FEL - that thing had carried appliances and no end of heavy items and gently placed them where I needed them. Can't say enough about it as a back-saver. I just put the weight box back on and filled it with the concrete ingots and really like the improved traction. I need to test the 4' snow blower before it is needed (sometime soon..) and get the chains on. Hopefully it is up to taking care of a 400' sloped drive and parking area.

Question: From what I understand (from the previous owner) the FEL stays in place and is kept in the air when using the blower. Anyone have any experience running that combination and can speak to the process from experience?

Overall, I love the thing more than I thought I would. I originally was looking for a diesel/4X but the price and attachments (FEL/blower/tiller/sickle/weightbox) convinced me to compromise. I hope it makes me happy this winter.

I pretty much forgot about this place until they sent email on the domain change. I do regularly review (another forum that they blank out when I write the name...) but a guy's gotta have a life sometimes...

Edited by acadianarts, November 13, 2010 - 04:44 PM.
to avoid censorship by server computer

[NUTNDUN]

I would think having the front end loader in the air with the snow blower would work alright but it would come down to visibility and how comfortable you feel with it being on there. You will definitely have enough weight on the front for steering and I don't know what you have for weight in the back but you might want to add some more weight to it in the back.

Is the front end loader difficult to remove?

The censorship on the other name was something we did kind of as a joke. We will probably remove the censor once the amusement wears off.

[wilberj]

You could just take the arms and buket off and leave the up rights in place.

[joiner]

Hi Guys, I have just found this forum after buying a Bolens HT20. Some clown has painted it red, but oh well...., at least it is reasonably well done.

I live in Scotland where these tractors are quite rare.

My question is this.? Where does the front loader get hydraulic power from. Is there a seperate pump somewhere, or does the existing pump do all the work, and if so where do the supply pipes come from. The reason for asking is because I am thinking of making a loader after seeing all the photos on the web.

Hope some of you lads have got the answers.

Many thanks.

[Bolens 1000]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not an expert in this particular series of Bolens but there are a few guys who are.
Enjoy the site and we would love to see pictures of your Bolens