14 replies to this topic

[grnlark]

Over the past couple of years I've been keeping my eyes out for a Bantam. I've been close on several occasions, but they always seemed to slip away. Well, on Saturday it was like a beacon of light at a tractor show. I saw this thing a mile away sitting on an equipment trailer and honed in on it immediately. Keep in mind, I know little to nothing about these tractors, but I always thought they looked awesome (and I'm now learning they're pretty collectible too). I was circling like a little kid needing to pee waiting for the owner to show up. It was early morning and no one was really around yet. I was with my brother and he was getting annoyed. So, we started walking the vendor isles. By the grace of god, I see the guy in the distance setting up his tent, so I ran over, talked to him, looked at it and made a deal. I went to pick it up last night and he told me he had a million people hounding to buy it after I left all day Sat and Sunday.

I can't wait to tear it apart. I'll get better pics later tonight or tomorrow, but based on what you can see, can anyone tell me what I have or what I should know, resources etc? From what I understand the mower deck is rare?

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[Bruce Dorsi]

I don't know if you've seen this:

Bantam Tractor Brochure - Manuals - Garden Tractor Talk - Forums

[Alc]

I've seen those at shows and also thought they were pretty cool . The deck looks good too. Is that rear lift factory ?

[grnlark]

I don't know if you've seen this:

Bantam Tractor Brochure - Manuals - Garden Tractor Talk - Forums

Yes, thank you. I saw that yesterday and downloaded it.

[grnlark]

I've seen those at shows and also thought they were pretty cool . The deck looks good too. Is that rear lift factory ?

I'm not sure. I don't think so. The lift assembly does have an ID tag on it that says Sears Robuck, so I would guess not. I want to get the rest of the info off the tag tonight. It was dark when I got home with it last night so I couldn't see the tag too well. I want to get the info off the motor later too.

[Bolens 1000]

Congratulations on the new Bantam!
You dont see them with the decks very often.

[NUTNDUN]

Congrats on the new to you Bantam. Looks to be in nice solid condition. I have been keeping my eyes open for one as well. They are usually way over my budget though. I would like to have one for my little girl.

[Texas Deere and Horse]

grnlark,
Congratulations on finding a model 5000 Bantam with a very rare mower deck. It looks like there is a rear lift on it? We have one of the biggest Bantam collectors in the country on this site. Here is a link to his site also,

Home

Daryel and Anne are great people to visit with, and very well informed on Bantams. Daryel's username on here is bantam r us ..

[mjodrey]

grnlark,congratulations.

[caseguy]

I don't believe that I've welcomed you before, so... grnlark Welcome to GTTalk! Those Bantams are pretty neat. There was a really good article in LAGC about them a few issues ago. (Volume 4, issue 6, November/December 2010) If you're not a subscriber, you might want to call and see if they have any back issues of it left!

[grnlark]

There was a really good article in LAGC about them a few issues ago. (Volume 4, issue 6, November/December 2010) If you're not a subscriber, you might want to call and see if they have any back issues of it left!

Yes, I do subscribe and do have that issue. I've pretty much studied and memorized every picture in there. :) In fact I've even been in contact with Anne Schafer who was featured in that issue. She helped me decipher the serial code and identify exactly what I had.

I was able to land an original steering wheel and carb/air cleaner this weekend, so as for now, I think I have every missing part I'll need for the resto.

[Dane in PA]

That little guy has the back of a Sears Sub. on him... Part of a 3-pt too. Sorry 'bout diggin an old thread up. Forgot to look at the date.

Edited by DaneinPA, April 24, 2012 - 05:10 PM.

[josh deaven]

Nice find!

[bread320i]

Great find. Im looking for one too.

[Ryan313]

Great Find! Looks like a good restoration piece! Do you have any updates on it? I would love to have a bantam myself.