DennisThornton 4,769 #1 Posted October 12, 2020 I just posted in the "What's in your mirror" but I suppose it's better to continue here. I really could use some help to try to get to speed on Bolens in general, especially attachments but I'd appreciate any tips and info including the Wisconsins they used back then. I'm still unsure of the year because I was expecting something like "192 0X" and there is no "X". I've read: The Bolens 1050 carried model codes 192-01 (for 1966) and 192-02 (1967-1969). Some neat features that I've recently learned: Adjustable limited slip differential Like our Wheel Horse GTs, 6spd with 3spd and 2spd rear axle Unlike our WHs, twin belt drive to rear drive shaft and twin belts also drive the combo shaft driven Front/Mid/Rear PTOs Also has a real clutch! Pretty heavy at 645lbs Heavy duty front axle with heavy implement attachment points Heavy duty rear, again with heavy implement attachment points 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,606 #2 Posted October 12, 2020 DENNIS, as you are seeing those BOLENS tractors were nothing to sneeze at , they were as solid a piece as you could get back in the day , guy up the road from me mower acres regularly for years . thanks for saving more old iron , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,562 #3 Posted October 13, 2020 Nice tractor!! Those old Wisconsins are great engines. If you need parts I Save Tractors has some parts for them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #4 Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, peter lena said: DENNIS, as you are seeing those BOLENS tractors were nothing to sneeze at , they were as solid a piece as you could get back in the day , guy up the road from me mower acres regularly for years . thanks for saving more old iron , pete I'm pleasantly surprised so far! I would never suggest that someone abandon WHs and buy Bolens but if I did I don't think I'd be doing a terrible disservice except for two reasons. They might have a hard time finding attachments and they might still have to rely upon this group for advice, but I suppose wouldn't be so bad... I'm guessing that I'm not the only member that has "wandered" or "gone astray" to see that these are solidly built HD machines. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #5 Posted October 13, 2020 Hey Dennis, welcome back... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #6 Posted October 13, 2020 Those had a nasty reputation of rounding out the brass worm gear in the rear end if they were used for a lot of pulling or plowing. I owned a few.. Quirky rigs in their old age but they sure were solid for what they were. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #7 Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Stepney said: Those had a nasty reputation of rounding out the brass worm gear in the rear end if they were used for a lot of pulling or plowing. I owned a few.. Quirky rigs in their old age but they sure were solid for what they were. "brass worm gear" doesn't sound good... But I doubt this unit has an issue or will ever with what I'll ask of it. What's the fix? Used parts only? What else can you share? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,401 #8 Posted October 13, 2020 Nice looking ride there! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #9 Posted October 14, 2020 Great to see you posting again Dennis! Those old “tube frame” Bolens tractors are beasts. I’ve never owned one but I have seen them at GT shows regularly. I have a friend that was into them big times about 8 years ago. He knows a lot more about them than I do. Definitely heavy duty machines but parts are going to be a little more difficult to track down. That one looks to be in pretty good shape. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,429 #10 Posted October 23, 2020 On 10/14/2020 at 7:48 AM, PeacemakerJack said: Great to see you posting again Dennis! Those old “tube frame” Bolens tractors are beasts. I’ve never owned one but I have seen them at GT shows regularly. I have a friend that was into them big times about 8 years ago. He knows a lot more about them than I do. Definitely heavy duty machines but parts are going to be a little more difficult to track down. That one looks to be in pretty good shape. I was going through some old postings of mine recently and I wondered where Dennis was at. Well, he's back! My uncle was into the old Bolens GTs for a time. He had a few with some large Kohler twins on them. I always thought the tube frames were pretty cool. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
