32 replies to this topic

[moogie]

Hi all, my name is Noel and i am in N.Ireland. i have been on the forum for a while now reading up mainly on Bolens tractors but they are a bit scarce this side of the pond so i have done the next best thing and built my own.
My plan wasn't to build a replica of any particular make of tractor, just something that myself and my daughter who is 7 could use around the garden.

First step was to find a donor mower. After looking for a while i came across a Mountfield 8 which was in a skip ready to go to the scrap man. Mine was in much worse condition than the one is this picture but the engine and transmission were fine (couldn't find a picture of a Mountfield 8 ).



The transmission had taken in water but it cleaned up ok. The engine still had the hone marks in the cylinder so had seen very little use. I later found out that the 8 never had a cutting deck fitted to it as it was only used to pull a roller.



I forgot to take photos of the first part of this build, but this is as far as we have got after the first day.



The bonnet is from a MTD Lawnflight which was new, it was old stock in a local dealers and i got it for very little money. The next photo shows the bottom section of the front grill and the frame to carry the seat.



I have to say a big thank you to my mate Gary who helped in the build of the tractor, he was able to make a lot of the fabrication look so easy. ( he is a welder/ fabricator by trade) We weren't so sure what style of cowl to make to hold the steering column, switches etc, but this is what we ended up with.



Next it was time to start the rear arches and foot plates. Because my 7 year old daughter was to drive this i wanted the wheels well covered to prevent her from getting caught up in the rear wheel.



The foot rests are made of 4mm checker plate.



With all the fab work completed it was time to tear it down and start the painting preparation. All surfaces de-greased, sanded and primed.



All rubbed down with a coat of undercoat.





Time for the top coat. Chassis black, tin work Terex green.





After a day or so drying, i quickly put it together for a photo or two.





I still have a few jobs to do to get it finished,
Bolt it all together.
Install wiring loom.
Fit new rear wheel and tyres.
Get engine running smoothly as it is hunting for fuel at the moment.

I'll update as i get some of this lot completed.
Noel.

Edited by moogie, January 29, 2012 - 09:08 PM.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

Noel, WELCOME to GTtalk, glad you joined us.  You have a very nice project going on there. Keep us updated on how it is coming along. If you get the chance to add your location to our member map, please do. we love to see where everyone is from. Again Welcome.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

What is going on with the Bolens in the back ground of one of the photo's?

[tractorman604]

:wave:Welcome to GTtalk.That's a pretty good looking build.It's always nice to see how things are done in other parts of the land.

[MH81]

:welcome: to GTTalk, Noel!  That's a very neat ground up build you have there.  Thanks for the pics & I'm sure your daughter will love it!  Way to go Dad!

[moogie]

Texas Deere and Horse said:

What is going on with the Bolens in the back ground of one of the photo's?

That would be a 853 which my mate Gary found in a hedge and paid £50 for it. Down side is that the engine had been removed but he was able to get a G14 engine and is going to use that. He also has a QT16.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

Are Wisconsin or Tecumseh engine's hard to find over there. We have a lot of guys that can help you out with info and parts here on the site.

[JD DANNELS]

Very Nice build.welcome to the site, it's neat to hear from those over the pond.

[JBBR]

:wave:Hello and welcome to GTt! Great build you have there! That tractor should do the job! Thanks for the photos!

[moogie]

Texas Deere and Horse said:

Are Wisconsin or Tecumseh engine's hard to find over there. We have a lot of guys that can help you out with info and parts here on the site.

Anything to do with a Bolens is hard to find over here, at the moment Gary needs a starter motor for the QT16 and is getting quotes of around £127 ($200) for a second hand one.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

Have you looked around here with our site sponsors or checked on E-bay?

I am going to check your settings, I have to keep approving your posts, Sorry..

[Alc]

:thumbs:Welcome Noel , you tractor came out looking pretty good ,:thumbs: Al

[caseguy]

:wave: moogie Welcome to GTTalk! We're very glad to have you with us! Thank you for posting the build pics and the details! Awesome work!

[moogie]

Future plans for the tractor is to make a three link system and then some equipment.
First off will be a trailer something like this.



And then a powered scarifier, as the garden is full of moss. I have a spare Briggs 4hp engine sitting that should be good enough to power this.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

Lots of neat things you are doing over there. Keep posting photo's and let us know how it's going.