How to change drive belts on a Bolens tube frame tractor - 1972 Bolens 1054

[@bigsonslawncare]

I will never complain again about replacing a drive belt on one of my tractors! I have never seen such! Great job✔️💯👍🏽

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. It is not too bad when you have done it a few times but it is certainly not a 2 minute job. I hope this video will help anyone that has not done this before. Take care

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Joseph and Iain!! This was a nice step by step procedure for changing the belts. It's nice to see more of the actual 'hands on' work getting done. Thanks for the demo. Those belts certainly were in need of changing eh!!! Take care!!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks Mike. We did not realise how bad those belts otherwise we would have changed them a long time ago as when they break they can damage the tractor wiring on this model. Take care and best wishes to Nannie

[@180Floridalife]

Those belts were on their last legs. belt rolled right in place and you guys made it look easy, and the filming and editing made it easy step by step to follow the install great job. Have a great one

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We were surprised just how bad those old belts were and also disappointed that we had not noticed before. I hope the video helps someone out, it is not difficult but is confusing if someone has not done it before. Take care

[@SciencePotli]

31 👍👍 Useful informative upload.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much, Take care

[@sandhollowhomestead6972]

There is something comforting in hearing a ratchet wrench while performing work.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

I agree, the sound of a ratchet is great. Thanks for watching and take care

[@regsparkes6507]

My Father had a Bolens 1050, way back in the late 1960's and used it for many years before needing to replace those belts. Of course, being a bit of a self taught 'mechanic' ( so I th0ught ) the job of replacing those belts fell to me. I seem to remember that the job was indeed a bit more difficult as you've shown here, Joseph. But like you, I got it done and after a few more years, we decided to sell it on. Bolens tractors are very scarce in my area these days, as lower cost ( cheaper ) imitations came on the market. If 'real;' Bolens tractors were still available today, I think I'd buy one. Thanks for tye memories Joseph, I enjoyed this one. were available today

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. I think we were lucky to buy our Bolens tractors when we did as they are very rare here in the UK too. This tractor being a 1054 is a newer version of a 1050 but we do have a 1050 in storage waiting for it's turn in the workshop. Take care

[@regsparkes6507]

@@GardenTractorBoy There you go, rubbing it in ( laughing at me because you have two of these beauties ) :) Actually I'm a tad envious of that! Good on ya! I'll be waiting fr more on these as you progress through them. Thanks again Joseph.

[@daveshsb]

Great job Joseph! Well planned and executed repair! Good looking tractor as well. The bar tread tires add to the “look appeal”! Great video!!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. This tractor is best viewed from at least ten feet away as the paint job is not good and it looks like previous owners have painted it several times. We are hoping that this video will help someone out as the belt replacement is unusal. Take care

[@botabob]

Doing the preventive maintenance now is a lot better then lying on the snow covered ground in the dark trying to fix the drive belts - keep the garden tractors rolling - cheers

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. You are right, nothing is worse than laying under a wet tractor with muddy water dripping down. We did not realise just how back these belts were. Take care

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

Now that’s a complicated process just to change the belts 😳. Great job Joseph 🙂🙋🏼‍♂️👍🏻

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. You are right, it is complicated and the first time can be daunting. I hope the video helps out anyone that needs to do this job. Take care

[@RustyGlovebox]

Nice work Joseph on the V-belt swap. I can see how the new belts can make to very difficult on the reassembly. Thanks and take care

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. For this job it would help to have small hands but I don't have small hands anymore :-) Take care

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

Another job well done by this dynamic duo. That was pretty involved but the belts looked like they were in dire need of replacement. It makes a big difference being able to have the Bolens elevated to work on it. Well done you guys 👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much! We were very surprised by the condition of the old belts, if we had realised they would have been changed a long time ago. Our tractor workbench is great and we are talking about some modifications to make it even better. Take care

[@richardross7219]

Good video. When I went to do the same on my 853, I snapped the drive shaft. I've been looking for that driveshaft for 10 years now. Good Luck, Rick

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We found that the nut of the drive shaft is either loose like ths one was or really rusted and tight. I think we may have a 853 drive shaft from a job lot of parts we picked up a few years ago although I expect the shipping would be a killer. Take care

[@richardross7219]

@@GardenTractorBoy Thanks but, I think that you are right the shipping would be prohibitive.

[@WaynJul]

It took some patience and knowledge to do this repair. Nice work.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. It is not as straight forward as you would expect and we hope that it will help someone out who has to do this job. Take care

[@gravelyman]

Well explained Joseph and good job. It looked to me like that was the best way to tackle the job 🔧👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. I hope this helps someone out who has not done this job before. Take care

[@gatorsworld]

That went very well....My first time that I see this type of tube frame Bolens tractor....I enjoyed the show and tell....CHEERS

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 They are very different from something like a Wheelhorse. Take care

[@MrDanoconnor]

Great Video... ... You..."Plan Your Work and Working Your Plan" ,,, Very Well.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much. This is not a difficult job but we have done it a few times. Take care

[@philhermetic]

interesting tractor, but not simple to change the belts! Well done! Phil

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 They are a great tractor as they have an automotive type clutch but the down side is that changing the belts from the engine to the drive shaft is not straight forward. Take care

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Very interesting , have a great day

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. This can be a confusing job and I hope this video helps someone out. Take care

[@LouisianaTractorworks]

That worked really good and it seemed to go fast. Have a good week GTB! See ya!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We have done this job a few times before which makes it much easier. Take care and have a good week too

[@EverydayProjects]

Nice blue belts. Wow, they don't make them easy to access...good that there's two to share the load...they'll probably last longer that way. Sometimes I've heard that if the belts are in a tough spot, you can install a spare around the shaft but tie it out of the way. If the belt breaks out in the field you can slip the new one on with little trouble and not have to remove all the covers. This may not work on all machines but it is a trick used on my CASE 580CK tractor because a fan belt change necessitates the removal of the hydraulic pump of all things!! Glad to see you got the cameraman involved--he may get that pay rise after all.🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. The belts are Kevlar and made by PIX, we have installed these on a number of our tractors and find them to be very good. I have not heard about that belt tip before, it sounds like a good idea. The cameraman is always looking for a pay rise :-) Take care

[@EverydayProjects]

@@GardenTractorBoy Kevlar belts will last the lifetime of the machine (and they'll be bulletproof!).😆

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Joseph, Nicely explained... I am sure that will help many people in future years... Great stuff. Take care. Paul,,

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks Paul. We have been asked a few time about how to do this so we though it was time to make a video. Take care

[@kimber1958]

GREAT JOB JOSEPH

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much. Take care

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Great job done, them old belts have done there time👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 You are right, I think we got our money's worth out of the old belts. Take care

[@HuntingFarmerOfficial]

That is a bit of a chore. That one old belt had very little life left! Good maintenance eye to catch that before it tore and possibly caused more damage. 👍

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 We would have changed them a long time ago if we knew how bad they were. On this type of tractor, when they start to break up they can damage the wiring so it is always best to catch them early. Take care

[@twinbrookacres]

Great instructional video, Joseph! Overall, the belt replacement process isn't too bad, but it seems like they could have designed it a little better. By coincidence, the belt on my table saw broke a couple of days ago. Like you, I did not notice how bad it was.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We check out equipment regularly but we still missed the condition of the belts. We have been asked a few times about how to do this and although it is not difficult, I hope showing it on a video helps someone. Take care

[@steveholmes4185]

Outstanding Thanks for Great Videos!!!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. The 1972 Bolens 1054 will be going into the workshop for more work soon. Take care

[@kooldoozer]

A friend of mine had a Bolens Husky and I remember helping change the belts. What a terrible design. Your video brought back memories. Getting the square shaft and the universal joint on for the mowing deck was another terrible pain in the rear. It was always coming out of it's socket. I know you love these tractors, but I have no love for poor engineering designs. All I remember was the frustration. Maybe my friend's tractor was a clapped out mess and that was the reason for the problems. His dad was working on it a fair bit of the time too, and he was known to "rig" things. So maybe is was not the tractor's fault per se. But your video for sure took me down memory lane. -----Doozer

[@GardenTractorBoy]

We made this video as it is not obvious how to change the belts and I hope people have found it useful. It is not the best design but it is a lot easier to change the belts on a Bolens compared with a newer machine that has the belt going from the engine to a transaxle. The biggest frustration we have found is the difficulty fitting one of the heavier attachments which can be time consuming and a bit of a struggle. I think you are right about your friend's tractor, I have never known the PTO drive to come out of the socket before, I can only assume that the deck linkage was very badly worn. Take care

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Yes sir, you got the full service life out of that one !

[@GardenTractorBoy]

We did not realise how bad the old belts were otherwise we would have changed them a long time ago. Take care

[@henrymurawskibigdogrepair]

Great video keep them coming

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much. Take care

[@larrybl]

Boy, you got your moneys worth out of those belts! Not a bad job, I have to remove the deck, electric PTO, several belt guides, and the rear fender pan on RED to change his drive belt. Take care.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

We really did not realise how bad they were. I forgot about the fun changing the drive belt on a vertical shaft engined tractor. You tractor lift must help a lot with this job. Take care

[@CountryLivingWithTheHarnishs]

great job .the pullys looked a bit rusty and soon needs replacing but it was hard to see .You could give your sister does belts for Christmas lol🤣

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks 👍 That is the best idea I have heard for a long time. I will have to search through the bin to find the old belts but I am sure she will be pleased with them for Christmas :-) Take care

[@ChânLýHay]

Chia sẻ tuyệt vời 💛💛

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you very much

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great video Joseph. I don’t have s bolens, but still interesting. You don’t say what length or size the belts are. ? I’m a bit behind on watching videos still. Getting our tractor fleet ready for winter and servicing the summer ones so will be less to do in the spring. Storing the summer ones away and still cleaning up after hurricane Fiona. Have a good day.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. The belts for this model of Bolens are 1/2"x34", we tend to fit kevlar ones 4L340. It sounds like you are very busy and I am sure it is a lot of work clearing up after the hurricane. Take care

[@gvbalajee]

Wonder how hard task

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thank you. It is a lot more complex than you would have thought it would be. Take care

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

quite a job getting those belts off and on. Not a lot of room to work in there.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Yes you are right, it is a lot more difficult than you would expect it to be. I hope by making a video of the process it will help someone who has not done it before. Take care

[@victoryfirst2878]

Could you tell me what size shaft and nut thread size Sir??? Thanks

[@GardenTractorBoy]

It takes a 7/8" socket which I think means it is a 9/16" thread. The shaft measures 3/4". I hope that helps. Take care

[@victoryfirst2878]

Thanks fella, it does !!@@GardenTractorBoy

[@philliphall5198]

Seat got a few cheek miles

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Yes, this tractor gets used a lot. Take care

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yes they are not all that easy to change, I have had to change mine several times. I notice you don't have the pto assembly attached, that also adds to the problems when it is in place.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Thanks. We should have mentioned the PTO as you are right, this tractor does not have a PTO fitted and the PTO belt(s) can add to the fun. Take care