[maddddog]

I decide I need a garden tractor.
I begin a Craigslist search and find a 77 Roper 14/6.
Good.
I then find a 87 craftsman and save the transaxle, some parts and some implements.
Still good.
Then I increase my Craigslist search to state wide.
I find 3 tube frame Bolens, and the buyer changes his mind.
Ok, no problem.
I then find and buy the 2 David Bradley and the Massey Ferguson.
Woah, now I have 4. Just like that, from 0 to 4 (almost 5) in no time.
Bollens seller calls me up and wants to give me a good deal on all 3.
Hmmm. thinking. Yeah, I want them. 2 husky 800 and a G-10
I am also expecting a call back from another pair of Bolens I spoke to the owner yesterday.

HOLY COW. I SEEM TO WANT THEM ALL. none of these have been high priced. I have been able to work very good deals. The darn little things are all so different. I am fascinated with them.

I have said to myself I will part some out and they would be gone, but I just hate parting out perfectly good little tractors with minor problems. Hey, if its missing the top of the gear box and the front axle is bent, thats different, but these are good little tractors.

Should I just pass on them? I would hate to think they would get scrapped.

I am having a blast though.

When replying with advice for me, please include the number of Garden tractors you presently own.

This should be good.:fing20:

 

[OldBuzzard]

I have 5 Bolens.

4 Tube Frames: 800, G10, 2x 1256s

1 Large Frame: 1886-01 with a FEL.

Those tube frames will make you want more. Danged strong tractors with a plethora of implements/attachments available for them. The really nice thing about the tube frames is that implements/attachments are pretty much interchangeable through the entire line. If it works on an 800 it will most likely work on an H16. Also, since all of the powered implements/attachments are PTO driven, it makes mounting/changing attachments a breeze.

 

[tiretrx]

I probably have over 30, haven't counted in some time. I had more in the past. Like any hobby, collecting/gathering tractors evolves with time. You are at a magical time, everything is new, you're learning a lot...........you're "having a blast". Luckily for me, that never wore off. Live in the moment, enjoy yourself and post plenty of pics :thThumbsU

 

[LilysDad]

OK, so this is getting crazy, am I sick?

Yeah! We've all got it. And there's no cure. You just try to live with/accomodate it. Do you feel flushed and feverish? Got an itchy wallet pocket?

When I bought my first Wheel Horse, I soon had to buy more. I figured that by parting out and selling on eBay, I was making money at it(at least that was what I told Lynn, my wife!). I didn't slow down until eBay got to be a problem. Now I have some stuff to sell, but CraigsList is too limited in range and the folks on MTF are too far away. Any one want to buy a '69 Case 222? How about a Wisconsin THD?

 

[scrat2]

It's a good thing to have the "fever". Just don't let it deny food on the table, and make sure you've got places to put it all. At least that's what my wife tells me...

 

[Kbeitz]

Yep.... Hes got the fever... Warrning .... It never goes away....

 

[maddddog]

OK, so this is getting crazy, am I sick?

Yeah! We've all got it. And there's no cure. You just try to live with/accomodate it. Do you feel flushed and feverish? Got an itchy wallet pocket?

When I bought my first Wheel Horse, I soon had to buy more. I figured that by parting out and selling on eBay, I was making money at it(at least that was what I told Lynn, my wife!). I didn't slow down until eBay got to be a problem. Now I have some stuff to sell, but CraigsList is too limited in range and the folks on MTF are too far away. Any one want to buy a '69 Case 222? How about a Wisconsin THD?

Yes I do want a THD. I'm not being funny here, (although it is funny). It would be a replacement motor for my Hobart welder. Hmmm shipping to 91364?

 

[maddddog]

I do feel a little bit better, thanks.
At least I am no crazier than you 5 guys.

 

[engine2quarters]

:howdy: Madddog.....so you think you've been 'cured'. Well think again. It's only just starting.

I've got 13, or is it 14. Lost count and they're all covered up asleep right now. Shhhhhh!

I've put a constraint on this 'hobby'. The back gate on the truck cap can only accept 37 inch or less in height. And the neighbor's trailer, well,, the last stuff we brought home kinda bent the axle. Oops. I said 'we', as in he and me. So the trailer is not an alternative.

If it's local, I just take a gallon jug of gas with me and drive it home. :thThumbsU

 

[Protrucker]

I started out with my Ford LGT165. I got my Case 580 backhoe to "save money" on a septic system job, but never got rid of it afterward. Then my Toybuilt, then Two Case 444's & picked deal on my Ingersoll 4016PS. I started getting into very large gardening & bought a potatoe digger. Now, I had a way to get the potatoes out of the ground better, so I decided that I needed to be able to plant more potatoes faster, so I bought a potatoe planter. You really have to be careful because the addiction spreads easily. Then, I bought my A/C model B because the potatoe digger was really more than the garden tractors could handle easily. Next thing I knew I had a 10K trailer so that I could haul my toys..... er, equipment. I keep looking, but have been able to keep the adiction slowed down for the last year, but only because I spent over $50k on my house. Even today on the way home from church, I pointed out to my wife a large Case farm tractor :eck21: that hasn't moved in years & said that I wanted to check about getting it. I got a very quick NO!

 

[sanfordanddaughters]

Isn't it great Maddddog! Remember there is a lot worse things you could be spending your time and money on. If you keep finding the cheaper/good deals it will never be a problem. If you tend to buy a few the same color or model the wife doesn't notice as much. A few extra sheds, tarp buildings, storage trailers, garages, etc. also helps. lol.

 

[mikeinri]

I have other addictions (RV and boating), and see tractors as a (very fun) tool, for the most part.

This site in itself can be addicting, and inspiring. I could definitely see myself restoring something like a big Bolens (with loader, of course) someday. After the kids grow up and get tired of hanging out with us...

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

BTW, I only have 1 tractor, and very little free time for more .

Mike

 

[TAHOE99]

I've got 3 at my house, an AC HB212 and Gravely walk behind at dads, and looking to buy another Sears. Good thing I don't have an extra "discretionary fund" or I would be in big trouble

 

[larrybl]

I have (3) as of now, Plan to increase the "shop" size for the next find.

 

[Kingwood990]

I have 6 at the moment. I have a line on getting 3 more. Isn't this addiction great.:thThumbsU

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Three large frame, one tube frame Bolens, one ground keeper Bolens. One JD 140. Three Craftsman. One Simplicity. One Wards Vari-Speed. And get this....some of them actually work!

 

[maddddog]

Three large frame, one tube frame Bolens, one ground keeper Bolens. One JD 140. Three Craftsman. One Simplicity. One Wards Vari-Speed. And get this....some of them actually work!

Well then, you're fine. Nothing wrong with you.

Thats a nice collection.

I am feelin a little better.

 

[coldone]

It started with a 68 sears suburban, old plow, and a cultivator 3 years ago. Next came the lot of Sears implements and a garden. Then came a 1948 gravely L with bush hog, that lead to more attachments for it. Then it started hitting hard, another Gravely L (to good a deal to pass up). Then a snapper 1855A, holy cow Hydro and Hydraulics. no more pulling my shoulder out of joint on the sears. Then another deall to good to pass up, 195? MF 50 full size tractor with FEL.Then i needed a backup GT/mower in case one of these old ones break. But wife said I had to sell one to get another so the Sears went up for auction. Sold it and bought a wheelhorse d160. I still had money in my pocket and another big GT is still on CL, so i got a snapper 1650A. But wait one more popped up, Case 220 with deck.

Now I dont have room for them all, but I do have a use for each one. Well maybe not the Case 220.

So that gives us 2 gravelys, 2 snappers, a Wheelhorse, a MF50, a Case 220, and i forgot the Troybuilt tiller. Total 6 GTs, 1 full size tractor, and a tiller. Better not let the wife see them all at once!

Anybody needing a Case 220?

 

[maddddog]

[QUOTE

Anybody needing a Case 220?[/QUOTE]

Are you kidding? We all need a Case 220!

Nice collection.