Bolens Tractors???

There was no hour meter on the machine I saw. I did mention the lack of a meter, though that odd. Take into account as soon as I got there it started raining. Not the best time for a tire kicking test drive and BS session with a salesman. It Was inside the building when I got there to my surprise. All the new tractors outside but this was inside. Gerard said the previous owner came by and saw it outside and raised hell,,,,”that machine has never been stored outside, find a spot inside”.
From what I was told just a little old man that drove it around his property on Sundays picking up sticks with a wagon. Isn’t that the tractor equivalent of Sunday drives to church with a car?

 

I found Sam’s Bolens in my searches on parts availability and decided to call them just to ask. Sam wasn’t exactly pleased to take time out of his day for some random guy just wanting to know if parts were available. I don’t blame him, I can understand that. Probably a one man operation and useless phone conversations are not a priority. He simply said parts are available and we left it at that.

The major concern I would have at this time is the clutch. I did notice it was acting a little funny. At the time I figured maybe it’s just the operator error. Since then I read one of the problem with that tractor is the “throw out bearing” which to my understanding there isn’t one. As I understood it it’s a metal to metal contact that’s known to wear faster than normal. If I were to look at that tractor again the first thing would be check the clutch pedal for more adjustment or is it already maxed out.

 

I saw what they described as the throwout bearing. It indeed was just a metal ring. I thought it was mistake in the description and kept on looking through the parts. Odd way of doing things.


I found out from the acres chainsaw site that shindiawa was Iseki Shindiawa at some point.

 

I’ve owned/own several Case/Ingersoll machines. They’re great tractors, but they’re still 2wd, gas and only weigh about 800 lbs. Unless you get a hyloader series, especially the 4wd 7020. Pretty simple with the hydraulic drive system they utilize. The Bolens/Isekis are definitely a step up in capability, being 4wd and diesel often and having a Category 1 three point hitch, but I’m sure parts are hard to find.

 

Most older garden tractors are well built and would be fine to pull wagons of wood, maybe skid small logs. They will require occasional tinkering to stay running though. If you plan on doing much 3 point hitch work, or work in the woods, I’d look at the Shibaura built Fords in 4wd. 1210, 1220, 1310, 1320, 1510, 1520, etc. Lots of DOT/DPW’s used them. Built tough, and much more capable than a standard garden tractor

 

Im no mechanic, especially not a clutch mechanic but I was surprised by that. My guess, is the fingers or pawl move whichever part is connected to the transmission as opposed to the engine. In my reading I saw these tractors are not supposed to be shifted while moving. So if the clutch pedal is moving either the pressure plate or clutch face that is not spinning there would be little wear. I didn’t know the tractor wasn’t supposed to be shifted while moving before my test ride so I did,,,,,would’ve thought it would scream like hell but it didn’t. Anyway just a theory, I just saw a pic of the worn part online and excuse my clutch lingo,,,,I’ve long forgotten what the parts are called

 

Looked at a Polaris 700 last night. I know, I know why look at another Polaris? Well it’s older so hopefully the computer is dumber and it was close by. Plus half the sellers on FB never message you back. Anyway the front end seemed to be hard locked in 4 wd. Two spins around the front yard and it felt like steering a rhinoceros with arthritis. Nope.

This morning I looked at an old Honda, 1999 fourtraxx 300. Told the guy I’ll buy it. It’s old, relatively cheap and starts better than a Polaris off the showroom floor. It’ll make a good back up for my Polaris.
I would’ve took the truck and trailer and brought it home,,,,,that saga continues. All the trouble I had with it during my Pallet Palooza thread I thought it was finally done eating money. Yesterday morning heading into town,,,,nice gentle slow down coming up to a red light. All of a sudden I feel sudden surge of breaking power for a split second. That can never be good. Limped it home a short ways and the splash shield that protects the rotor came loose, spun around in the rim and it looks like it jammed into the brake pads. ABS light and traction control lights came on so I’m sure it knifed through the ABS cable. I’ll pull the tire tomorrow and see how much damage there really is in there. Can’t pick up my atv until I fix that.



while I was out in Voluntown Ct looking at the ATV I drove past this house. Anyone remember the show “Extreme Home Makeover”? I worked on this project. Build a house in 7 days or whatever it was. Part of the crew that did the stonework. Fake stone as I call it, stickystone. Was 5 degrees when we got off the bus that brings you in. The wrong time of year for this project LOL
Originally in the center there was a crenellated parapet that went straight up for a Castle effect. I knew that would be trouble, ice dams and snow behind it that wouldn’t melt till August.
They ditched the parapet (good) reworked the roof and it looks like they had a major water problem which I expected. I’m a little surprised any of those stones are still sticking. We plasticed it in and heated but tv,,,,,as soon as the last stone is laid ya gotta pull the plastic for the tv cameras.
Anyway just thought I’d share. Was a tragic story that family went through.

 

Is that a pic of the one you bought?
If so it has the Warn 424 kit on it, no?!
You stinkin scored if so!
That was the only downside to those 300 (full time) 4x4s IMO...almost bulletproof machines! (Especially if taken care of at all)

 

I always said I'd never want one of the houses they built...lots of corners cut to do it that fast!

 

That’s the one. The Warn 424 kit? Is that the gizmo that makes it a full lock front differential instead of the factory 3 wheel drive? Saw that mentioned as an aftermarket add on when I was perusing the internet.
A rather young guy selling it. Said he’s been driving it since he was a kid. He’s a diesel mechanic now so hopefully he’s taken somewhat good care of it.
I’m assuming you’re speaking of that oddball plunger style handle in the center of the bars as a Warn 424? The guy told me it was for shifting into 2wd or 4 wd. He said he installed himself but it must have been long long ago. Also said it doesn’t work right, that it’s in 4wd right now and if you shift it into 2wd it drives funny,,,,harder to steer. Said maybe out of adjustment but never played with it trying to get it better.
That would make sense if it’s actually locking the differential as I read about, not switching it into 2 wd which I haven’t heard of yet.
I know at least the left front tire is engaging, I called that good enough, 3 or 4 wd is good enough for a beater.




Oh yeah lots of corners must be cut to build a house that fast. It is free tho. I wonder if there’s a contract where they have to hang on to them for a set time.


Edit. Searched for the 424. It is a 2wd to 4wd conversion. I’ll have to play with that a bit and see what happens.

 

Yes.

Hmm...that doesn't make much sense, all the Warn kit did is replace the 1 piece front driveshaft with one that can be "engaged/disengaged" as far as driving the front differential...as I recall it was a simple splined shaft deal.
The one I put the Warn kit on was much easier to steer at low speeds (like tooling around the yard, or tight woods trails, but this was also probably 20 years ago, so my forgetter might be kicking in again...it was a customers bike, so I only rode it for a few minutes to check function after installing it. He seemed to really like it anyways)
Suppose the previous owner still has the original driveshaft? Might be worth having, just because...

 

So the warn kit allowed rear wheel drive because the 300s were full time 4x4?

 

Nevermind. I missed the explanation from jo191145

 

Yes, doesn’t make sense unless it’s in 2wd now which is what the knob is showing. I wonder if he left the spring out. A common mistake I hear. You need to remove the internal spring from the original driveshaft and install it in the new one.

 

I do recall there being a spring...forgot that it was the OEM spring that got reused.

Yes.
Front diff was not altered, just the driveshaft was changed. Pretty slick deal really.

 

Looks like they still make rebuild kits for the Warn 424...
Edit: oops, looks like everyone is out of stock on these...
https://bucks4x4.com/i-30499611-warn-424-select-replacement-bearing-seal-kit-63743.html

ForemanWarn424

 

That was a welcome addition to a full time, no center diff unit I'm sure.