18 replies to this topic

[MarksA-C]

I scored this Bolens off of Craigslist. 

 

Called him 3 minutes after it was posted on Thursday, talked with him for a bit and he said he would hold it for me until Saturday morning.  I didn't expect him to actually hold it that long but got there at 10am Saturday and there it was.  Originally it was posted for $450, he called me early Friday and said that he had "mistakenly" posted it at the price for something else he was selling.  We haggled a bit but deal was still set.

 

How it looked being brought home...

 

 

 

I felt like throwing some stickers on it. 

 

Spent the day today getting it running.  Battery was junk, wiring is messed up and they key switch is garbage.  Put a bigger battery on the running board, threw on the jumper pack and turned it over.  Little puffs of smoke but wouldn't hit.  Bled the air out of the lines and kept trying with no success.  Looking it over more I found it has a block heater.  Plugged it in for a half hour, tried again and it started coughing.  A little more and it fired up! 

 

PO claimed it was last run in July, it looks more like it was last run in the 90's.  Its going to get all the fluids changed, loader needs some work and the clutch won't disengage.  Little stuff...

 

 

[MarksA-C]

[Cat385B]

Sitting out did it no favors. Kubota switches are the same for the ignition and glow plugs, along with the on/taillight/headlights switch.

 

Is there a brand on the loader, or is it an actual factory loader?

Edited by Cat385B, December 04, 2016 - 08:21 PM.

[ClassicBolens]

That's a factory model 1517 loader. Sounds pretty good for as rough as it looks.

Edited by ClassicBolens, December 04, 2016 - 08:27 PM.

[boyscout862]

You got a real find there. Take your time and go over it carefully. Good Luck, Rick

[MiCarl]

I've got to tell you I have a severe case of tractor envy over this find.  Good thing the video doesn't share the smell of the exhaust or I'd cry myself to sleep tonight.

[Rainier]

Nice find. Love the bio hazard sticker.

[ericjr16]

Awsome buy!! My customer offered me one this summer, I could not do the price he asked though!

[blackjackjakexxix]

What a great buy,a little work and you will have a nice machine

[tiretrx]

A simple tear down of some tin work, liberal degreaser like Engine Brite, and a good soak of some WD afterwards, or the like, has a great effect on these little machines. Looking forward to the "resurrection"

 

[jms180]

sounds good nice find

[mjes92]

Super Find!!!

You wouldn't believe what I would give a 1715 loader.  Even in that condition.

Keep us posted.

[MarksA-C]

I am getting nearly nonstop offers for this thing.  Its hilarious!

 

Its running great and after all the fluids were topped off the hydraulics loosened up and loader is working pretty good.  Sadly the clutch is still stuck and won't disengage no matter what I do so I think it may end up that I will have to split the tractor in half and do the clutch.  At that point I may as well do a general tune up and get everything I'll need to get the machine working perfectly again.  Needs all the dash lights, switches, a lot of wiring issues, new battery, gotta check all the seals, starter seems a little weak, exhaust is falling apart, water pump SEEMS to work but a replacement isn't too expensive.  Probably replace the glow elements while I am at it as well.

 

http://www.ebay.com/...9kAAOSwd0BV3nFL

 

http://www.ebay.com/...ZEAAOSwIgNXnwLx

 

It will get new front rims and tires, new seat, new paint, new decals, and new lights.  Not just new lights but more lights.  I'll be building a ROPS bar for it and it will have some more lights on it as well.  Once the loader is all fixed I will either find or make a set of pallet forks for it as well. 

[MarksA-C]

[boyscout862]

There was a thread a couple of years ago of a Iseki being rebuilt. Alot of good advice and pics. Good Luck, Rick