She Lives!

Hello all,

I recently got myself a "Farmers Boy" light tractor/rotary hoe off fleabay. Just the other day I started work on it, lightly sanded the inside of the flywheel, checked the points, disassembled the carby and was very surprised at the clean condition.

I used a drill to turn the engine, no spark though....

I checked the manual and decided to investigate the earth "switch" After tooling around, turned her over and there was a big fat spark. Filled her with fresh petrol and let rip!

Well! Bugger me if she did'nt fire into life and maintain a great idle!

Very happy. Next to start de-seizing the rest of the bits..

cheers, Gareth

Happy Days Gareth! - keep the stories coming and if you can add a couple of pictures as that would be grand... I don't have much (if any) knowledge on the Farmers Boy tractors so it would be good to see.

enjoy the fleabay purchase!

Best

Hamish

Since the engine has been idling away, I have been working out getting a chain for the rotary hoe drive, and some new tyres.  Harder to find than you might imagine down here.  All the oils have been changed, even the air filter has the original filter element in place, I am guessing.


I will not be re-painting until I can get hold of a pressurised sand blaster.  Then I can get all the rust off.  For now I shall maintain the patina!

Cheers, Gareth

I got all the parts for my "Farmer's Boy" all assembled and running sweet! I have uploaded a video of her in action, plus some pics below. I also bought a Mk 10 Villiers engine cheaply for parts in case I need bits. The tires on this Farmer's Boy are larger than what was original, 3 by 8 inch. Those tires are available in the U.K but postage would kill me. I cut into the shroud to accommodate the larger tire on one side. It may be damaging originality, but I bought the rotary hoe to be a working garden implement, although it is a very cool one.

well done mate
villiers sounds the same from my side the world as ours do     
happy easter 
kev

Nice conversion - was just wondering were you taking the farmers boy for a walk or was it walking you    

Always nice to see a working engine - I agree with you - if its a work tool and it needs modified then thats what you need to do!

best

Hamish

G'day,

I will admit she doe spull pretty strong. The gear disengage lever worked itself loose, and I had to chase her for a bit to get her to stop, I will have to work on that bit.

I attached a lawn mower speed control, but it seems inaffective when the gear box in engaged, from what I can understand from the manual, the governor alters the speed/throttle control as the gears under go greater load.

I may have to alter the carb settings a little as she bogs down if I do not hold her up a little. I am not sure if they are supposed to do that, and I hate altering old carbs as they are a very dark art getting them running right again!

cheers, Gareth