1980 Bolens HT23 - Operator guide

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

Good afternoon Joseph and also a good afternoon to the worlds greatest cameraman!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Good afternoon to our favourite Gary!

[@WaynJul]

Nice tutorial on using the Bolens.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks! We got a lot of requests for this kind of video, so I’m glad we could deliver with it. Take care

[@PetersonFarmsofNashvillePFON]

Didn’t realize those tractors had hydraulics Learned a lot Thanks for sharing 👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. The hydraulics do make these tractors very helpful. Take care

[@MissouriOldTimer]

that was a very good explanation as to how the controls on that tractor works.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much. We always get a lot of requests for a video like this, so I’m glad we could deliver. Take care

[@gatorsworld]

That looks to be a very good small tractor that was unknown to me but with the hydraulique system makes it a very interesting tractor.....CHEERS

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 The hydraulics make it very useful for a large range of jobs. Take care

[@gravelyman]

Good tutorial Joseph. Take care my friend 🔧👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 We had quite a few requests for this type of video, so I’m glad we executed it well. Take care

[@richardross7219]

Very good video. Makes me want to get mine working. Good Luck, Rick

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. These machines, as you know, are very good. Would be cool to see you get yours going too. Take care

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

HOw's she gin'? Well Joseph you have explained and demonstrated the features on the HT23 very well. This was fine machine in it's day and you continue to show it can still get the job done 43 years later!! Take 'er easy!!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. This machine will last for a good few more years of service, they are amazing quality compared to newer machines. Take care

[@bigsonslawncare]

Everything about this tractor says to me Built to Last! Sound great to be that old💯💪🏾

[@GardenTractorBoy]

You can’t get anything this good now, the older machines are much better quality. Take care

[@bigsonslawncare]

@@GardenTractorBoy ✔️💯

[@pichess23]

Great work ❤❤❤

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much 😀. Take care

[@philhermetic]

A very sophisticated and well equipped machine, hydraulics, luxury!! Phil

[@GardenTractorBoy]

The design of this tractor was way ahead of its time for the age of this machine, especially for such a compact tractor. Take care

[@MurphyMower]

That’s a great tractor- good video

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 It has always been one of our most useful tractors. Take care

[@larrybl]

Wow, good instructions. I just found a 3-point for my Roper, well part of it. I'm supposed to get the rest at the October Tractor show. Take care.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We would very much like a 3 point for this tractor, it is always a handy lift to have. Take care

[@RustyGlovebox]

That tractor has it all and even today it has everything you need in a tractor. Thanks Joseph and have a great week.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. I would say it’s better than any tractor you could buy today, because the quality now is so much worse. Take care and have a good week

[@EverydayProjects]

The hydraulic attachment points up front are very handy indeed. That engine started right up. Great explanation of all the features of this tractor. I like the little bar that swivels to hold the seat up while checking the gear oil. have a good week and keep up the good work on your channel. Hello to all the support people off-camera!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 The little features like that bar are the difference between these tractors being usable and nice to use. All of the off-camera people say hello! Take care

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Hi Joseph, nice walk about it runs really sweet, i have no luck with the transmission on the honda, had it apart 3 times now, but no joy of it driving, soon as i try and move it it just grinds so will just keep tinkering on with it

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. That transmission fault is unfortunate, I hope you find a replacement transmission so you can have the Honda driving. Take care

[@twinbrookacres]

Great review of the tractor features. I recently saw two Bolens tractors for sale nearby. But they were in tough shape. I passed on them!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 These machines can be quite complex when they are working, let alone when they are a wreck so I don’t blame you for passing up the rough looking ones. Take care

[@FromSteelToWood]

Hello Joseph! You are right, I use the rear hydraulic to use my tip trailer. Other option is to use it for the 3pt lift (can't be used at the same time). I think the factory 3pt was linked to the mower deck lift system, but that was not convenient for me. You learned me the reason of that small tab underneath the seat... so it stays raised! Lol! Always wondered what this was for! I have absolutely not more safety on my tractor. So it happened to me in the past, I tried to crank the engine while the mower deck what still engaged... not nice! Thanks!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. As you said, the factory 3pt being attached to the deck hydraulics is not ideal, it would be nice if they were separate. At least you weren’t working on the deck when that happened, but I can imagine that’s as still quite scary. Take care

[@FromSteelToWood]

In fact, cranking the engine while the deck is engaged makes it painful for the engine to rev up and it will struggle a lot. So the noise it makes is scary...

[@daveshsb]

That was very cool tour of the tractor Joseph! It is really a mini Tractor vs a lawn mower. I like all the option you have with it use. I hope you can find a 3 point hitch...that will make it even more versatile! Take care!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 Especially for its age, it is very advanced. A three point would be very helpful, but they are difficult to find so we will see. Take care

[@kimber1958]

Hi Thomas There’s a lot more there than I really thought about on a small garden tractor very handy tool. Keep making the great videos. Will see you in the next one.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 Joseph not Thomas LOL. These machines can be quite complex, but they work very well because of it. Take care

[@botabob]

Joseph, excellent walk around video. It's amazing to see all of the hydraulic capabilities your HT23 feature. I wish my BX had additional hydraulic points in the front and rear of the unit. Enjoy the Journey - Cheers

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. That’s quite surprising to me that kubota wouldn’t put auxiliary hydraulic ports at the front and rear of the machine, but I think that shows the Bolens was quite ahead of its time. Take care

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great video fellas. Nice instructing Joseph. Heavy duty unit. Strange thou, that the HT23 has a two range transaxle and the HT20 doesn’t. Have a great weekend.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. I think the different gearbox was just an upgrade that the HT23 got as it came out later than the 20hp model. Take care

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@GardenTractorBoy Ahhh. Some of my Fords and Massey Fergusons have 2 range transaxles, and both my Cases do. I’ll have to look up those Bolens and see what years they are. Have a great week fellas.

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

The HT23 was well equipped for a 40 plus year old tractor. Great overview Joseph 👍🏻, have a great week 👍🏻🙋🏼‍♂️🙂

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 This tractor has all of the functions we have ever needed pretty much, a three point would make it completely perfect. Take care and have a good week

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Joseph, A comprehensive explanation for sure, well done. Do you plan to do similar for the different tractors that you have? Take care. Paul,,

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. I think we based this off of an idea that you gave us a while ago, but thinking about it now we could turn it into a series if all of our viewers like the idea of doing more. We definitely don’t have a shortage of machines to cover with this style of video! Take care

[@loggerjohn01]

Hello Guys. That's a pretty cool tractor. I have watched you hook up your snowblade in past videos but never watched a snowplow video yet lol. Great camera work as always. Thanks for a great explanation of this tractor.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 Our snowplowing video is a few years old now, so you may have to scroll for a while to find it! Take care

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Joseph , that tractor is so cool . I bet you and your dad could build the hitch for it !! 👍🏻

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We have thought about making a hitch, it looks like quite a difficult job, but I’m sure if we put enough time aside for it we could do that. The hard part would be finding a genuine one to get measurements from to replicate. Take care

[@29chevbolenschannel40]

Thanks for another great video. I noticed that the oil pressure lamp indicator lens is missing and the indicator lamp did not illuminate when the key was in the on position. Does the sender still work or do you have another way to determine whether the engine has oil pressure?

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. When we first got the tractor we tested the oil pressure and it was ok, however you are correct that it is an issue and we need to find a fix for it really so that the indicators work as they should. Take care

[@BuildALotAcres]

Great walk around Joseph. The other Joseph has done some great videos with his as well, as you pointed out. Is it a requirement to own a HT23, your name has to be Joseph? 😁

[@GardenTractorBoy]

We will make an exception to the Joseph’s if you buy one! Take care

[@BuildALotAcres]

@@GardenTractorBoy 🤣🤣

[@DarioRodriguez-l4n]

i have a bolens 1225 with reserve tank my question is how can i change th transmmision fluid

[@GardenTractorBoy]

We do not have a 1225 but I think that it is similar to a H16 which we do have. If that is the case the drain point is near the bottom of the transmission on the left hand side close to the rear attachment point. We do have a PDF of the operations and maintenance manual for a 1225, if you would like a copy drop me an email (my email address is in the about section of my channel). I hope this helps, take care