 |
This
is the first Bolens 1050 I purchased in 1997. I bought it from
a 70 year old friend who really abused it for almost 30 years.
I paid him $150.00. I had to replace everything from the tube
frame up, clutches, transmission, rims, tires, 14 hp Tecumseh
engine, seat and steering wheel. |
 |
This
is the second Bolens 1050 I purchased in 1998. I bought it from
several fellows who had planned on going into the lawn mowing
business and had changed their mind. It had sat outside in the
weather for at least 1.5 years. I paid the fellows $100.00 even
though the tractor hadn't been running for several years. I replaced
the Engine with a 18 hp Briggs & Stratton Industrial twin.
I also replaced the seat, tires (front & rear, steering wheel,
and I rebuilt the 6 speed transmission. |
 |
This
is the first Bolens with the 14 hp Tecumseh engine. At first I
installed (Sears) front and rear electric lifts. These proved
to be too slow and time consuming. When working, I would have
to wait for the lifts to cool off before continuing pushing dirt.
I did however love the tractor and it proved to be a workhorse. |
 |
This
is the second Bolens with the 18 hp Briggs & Stratton engine.
As you can see, I added hydraulics and built a front end loader.
(The plans are CADLoaderLT Model 507). The hydraulic pump is attached
behind the left engine exhaust, it is driven by belt off the middle
pulley on the engine. The diameter of the pulleys must be the
same so as to drive the hydraulic pump at the proper rpms. This
tractor with the front end loader works great, however I got ambitious
and decided to add a back hoe. |
 |
This
is the 18 hp Bolens after I had added the front end loader and
the back hoe. As you can see, the seat swiveled so I could use
it for loading and back hoeing. Performance of the machine was
better than expected, however the weight of the back hoe (approximately
400 Ibs.) proved to be too much. I busted 4 axle drive collars
before I was convinced to remove the back hoe and make it a stand-alone. |
 |
This
is the 18 hp Bolens as it appears today. The front end loader
works great, however I had to add antifreeze to the tires and
add 55 Ibs. per rear tire to give the tractor stability. Also
there is a 45 lb. weight on the left side of the tractor to counter
balance the bucket arm. The bucket will lift approximately 300
Ibs. |
 |
This
is the modified CADigger as a stand alone. The 10 hp Wisconsin
engine was originally on the second Bolens. This project was completed
in late 1999. I use this digger almost every weekend. talk about
fun! My understanding wife and I built the building you see in
the background just to store the tractors and back hoe. |
 |
This
is a picture of my original 1050 Bolens (14 hp Tecumseh) pulling
the stand-alone back hoe to the job site. As you can see I have
added hydraulic front and back. I also designed and built a center
scrape blade which works great. We have a lot of gravel and dirt
roads. This little tractor is really dependable and probably my
favorite. |
| I
am responsible for all design modifications and welding. I like
the Bolens tractors so well, I have purchased 3 other Bolens for
use as parts. By the way, I also own 2 Sears 18 hp garden tractors.
The Sears tractors are used almost exclusively for mowing. One
here in Charlotte and the other up in the mountains on weekend.
By the way, did you know that TNN television network, has garden
tractor races during the winter season.
Ron Phillips
|
Ron
L Phillips 
