After perusing the Let it Go app, I stumbled across a large frame Bolens.
They were asking 400. I though it looked a little rough bit since its 10 minutes away. It was worth an interest. I went back and forth for a while till I finally went yesterday and managed to strike a deal. It's currently not a runner. Comes with a deck. Tires aired up. Guy said it quit getting fuel. Hydro had no water in it. I noticed an electric pump and non original throttle cable. Also has a different muffler. Picking it up Tuesday. I figured I couldn't go wrong at 100!!!! That was his price after I told to there was no way of give him 400. It'll fit in nice with all my other big boys in the shop. I've never owned anything Bolens. Looking for any insight on this machine. I'd like to find a 3 point for it. Or maybe even build one.
I saw an HT20 for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago and was surprised by how huge it was..... guy said he'd picked it up as a parts machine but I have seen worse restored......
This one has the big 23hp Kohler. It's pretty much the same size as my Massey loader and Deere 420. Seems that's what my collection is heading towards. All the big boys built.
After perusing the Let it Go app, I stumbled across a large frame Bolens.
Screenshot_20180224-150619.png
They were asking 400. I though it looked a little rough bit since its 10 minutes away. It was worth an interest. I went back and forth for a while till I finally went yesterday and managed to strike a deal. It's currently not a runner. Comes with a deck. Tires aired up. Guy said it quit getting fuel. Hydro had no water in it. I noticed an electric pump and non original throttle cable. Also has a different muffler. Picking it up Tuesday. I figured I couldn't go wrong at 100!!!! That was his price after I told to there was no way of give him 400. It'll fit in nice with all my other big boys in the shop. I've never owned anything Bolens. Looking for any insight on this machine. I'd like to find a 3 point for it. Or maybe even build one.
Good story.....great deal, great machine! I love big garden tractors and this one is no exception. It'll fit in well with the Massey Ferguson 1655/1855.
Take your time and fix that HT23 up right. The old LF Bolens are my favorite tractors. Once you've used it abit you will appreciate how well it is designed and built. Download the Manuals from our Manuals Section. Good Luck, Rick
Nice find! I love the large frame Bolens - Fun work horses. I've got an HT20 and almost done repowering an HT23 I picked up a while back with a blown engine.
Please keep us informed on how you progress with it. Not enough HT23 threads on this forum!
Got her home today. No good pics right now. It was dark when I unloaded. Deck weighs a ton. Either tomorrow or Wednesday, I'll try and get some better pics and info on it.
One thing I noticed is the lack of turning radius. My pickup can turn tighter. I'm hoping there's an adjustment somewhere to get some more out of it. It doesn't turn, it just changes lanes haha.
One thing I noticed is the lack of turning radius. My pickup can turn tighter. I'm hoping there's an adjustment somewhere to get some more out of it. It doesn't turn, it just changes lanes haha.
Here's a few more photos I took tonight. It'll be a little while before I start messing with it.
I've heard of cracked bolsters and I'm assuming mine is good. Didn't see any breaks anywhere. Deck is actually in pretty good shape. Will probably never use it though. Would really like to find a 3 point for it. I think it could join the plowday crew!!
Given by what I've read searching, it's either a 79 or 80. It also has dual hydraulics. Was that standard? Wish it had power steering but I'm not complaining. At least not yet haha.
Will probably order new throttle and choke cables. Seen those new on feebay. Also, going to put some seafoam in the fuel tank tonight to start breaking things loose. Might make cleaning a little easier down the road.
Thanks for more pictures! Glad to hear you got it home. That's a 1979, as it's serial number 01-0189. Production run 01. That would make it the 89th HT23 ever made.
She looks a bit rusty, but should clean up fine. Do you know yet if it runs?
Thanks for more pictures! Glad to hear you got it home. That's a 1979, as it's serial number 01-0189. Production run 01. That would make it the 89th HT23 ever made.
She looks a bit rusty, but should clean up fine. Do you know yet if it runs?
I haven't got to that point yet. I have to get my plowday machines squared away since I have one coming March 31st. Then once I'm confident in that, I'll start toying around with it.
Thanks for more pictures! Glad to hear you got it home. That's a 1979, as it's serial number 01-0189. Production run 01. That would make it the 89th HT23 ever made.
She looks a bit rusty, but should clean up fine. Do you know yet if it runs?
Oh yeah. That zero at the end makes all the difference!
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