Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Bobcat or Bolens?
Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:34 am
Hi, I'm new here and have a quick question. I was wondering if I could have some of your opinions on which snowblower I should choose.
My father has had a Bobcat 5hp 21 or 22 inch cut for the past 20 years or so. He bought it used and the thing has been a tank and never needed anything.
Recently he was going to give me the Bobcat and buy larger machine. We came across a Bolens 1026 (not sure of the year but its red, maybe 90's?) It needed a lot of work but after a few bucks it is now in very good shape.
Well my father decided to buy a new Ariens 926LE and gave me the option of keeping either the Bobcat or the Bolens. The Bolens has a cast iron case, larger (maybe 10' tall?) tires and is in very good shape. I know the Bobcat is AWESOME but it is very small compared to the Bolens and is quite old. My driveway is quite large also, thats why I was leaning towards the Bolens.
Am I making the right choice?
Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:59 am
I have the slightly smaller brother (sister? cousin?) of the Bolens 1026, the 824 (red, like yours, so probably around the same time......mine is a 1986 or 1987). You can see another thread I started, pondering buying a new blower or just repowering the Bolens. Seems to be the popular opinion is repowering the Bolens.
I cant speak for the Bobcat, but if the best recommendation for a 20 year old blower is to re-power it, I think its a good testament to the build quality :)
Mine has a little rust here and there, but nothing is rusted thru. Keep the auger shaft greased up (4 zerk fittings on the shaft), you should be OK. Careful with the Tecumseh carbs, VERY VERY prone to clogging (trust me, Ive rebuilt mine 4 or 5 times trying to get it all cleaned out again).
I also have a Bolens lawn tractor from the same year....still going strong. I repowered that, but the tractor itself doesnt look anywhere near 20 years old.
-Chris
Date: 20 Dec 2006 3:34 pm
Hi Tunes12 & WELCOME!! :D
The key here is:
tunes12 wrote:
My driveway is quite large also, thats why I was leaning towards the Bolens. Am I making the right choice?
I say YES YOU ARE! A big machine will clear a bigger driveway in much less time. Also, the older Bolens I think were made by the old Garden Way Corp (ie: Troy-Bilt). MTD may be of help with any parts if needed. I cannot say the same for the Bobcat.
HOWEVER - not to diss the Bobcat, as they are really fine machines that move snow WELL!
Marty
Date: 20 Dec 2006 7:45 pm
As much as the BobcaT is a nifty machine OEM parts are now non existent from what I hear. At lest EDM had sold off what they had. I still need to update that feature on my page.
At least you have a prayer of some parts coverage from MTD.
Pete
Date: 21 Dec 2006 6:57 pm
Correction!
The Bobcat is actually a 7 hp and 24 inch wide, not 5 hp 21 or 22 like I had originally posted. I don't know how I got that into my head.
So do your opinions remain the same. 7/24 Bobcat or 10/26 Bolens?
Oh, and if I do keep the Bolens, where the heck do I find parts?
Also, since I'm leaning towards the Bolens ( and I'm hoping you can give me reasons why I should or shouldn't), the Bobcat may soon be for sale...
Date: 22 Dec 2006 1:53 am
I'd say the Bolens.
Date: 22 Dec 2006 2:26 am
AJace wrote:
I'd say the Bolens.
Count me in for another vote for the Bolens...
As I mentioned above, MTD might be a source for parts...
www.mtdproducts.com
Marty
Date: 22 Dec 2006 11:32 am
If you find the Bolens part # you need, just google "MTD <part number>" substituting <part number> with the Bolens #. M-and-D usually is the first hit on the list, and there they show you if its been replaced by another part.
Pretty easy to find "Bolens" parts.....I dont have much problem when I need them, was even able to find some brackets that only came with a snowblower attachment.
-Chris
Date: 22 Dec 2006 2:42 pm
Spectrum wrote:
As much as the BobcaT is a nifty machine OEM parts are now non existent from what I hear. At lest EDM had sold off what they had. I still need to update that feature on my page.
At least you have a prayer of some parts coverage from MTD.
Pete
ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
Around here, a used Bobcat is snapped up in a minute as parts are not available, so those wishing to keep those old beasts going will almost fight to buy a used one, if only for parts, to keep theirs going. Not worth it in my opinion.
The Bolens is an all round better machine, with good parts availability.
The Bobcat is.........unique.........but......painfully slow to run.
Ken
:)