Bolen's Ridemaster

With the drive wheels pivoting as the do the unit turns so short the back sulky tire pivots in it own footprint. Can you say up one row and down the next without a large aisle to turn around in? I look forward to cultivating with it.

When I have more time I'll upload some photos to a site and post back.

The original Wisconsin engine shouldn't be that hard to find for your Ridemaster - they were used on many things.

It is an old engine. I'll try to remember to get more info off of the F-M plate. Maybe it shows a model number.

I would actually guess that the engine pre-dates the 1950s, but I don't know about pre-dating Tecumseh.

My Ridemaster will be a machine put to great use hence the desire for something other than a Wisconsin. I'm actually thinking of powering a hydraulic pump and then use a hydraulic motor to power the tranmission. That way I can have great control over speed. I plan to drop potatoes down a tube into furrows, and possibly even transplants. Might also drop peanuts as I am afraid my planter would tear up the seed too badly.

Thanks for the insight, I'll see if my digital camera can capture the Fairbanks-Morse plate and the Lauson decal.

In regard to the Fairbanks Morse sticker - many pieces of equipment that Fairbanks Morse sold used Tecumseh/Lauson engines and that's probably why the sticker it there.

The riveted on data plate clearly states the engine is Made By The Lauson Company, New Holstein, Wisconsin.

The engine is Type TLC-349
Number 8-42054
Order_____ _____ _____ ___ (none given)

I find engine manuals on Ebay for the TLC model of engine.

A blurb of history provides this: "In 1895, the brothers Lauson developed the first Lauson gasoline engine. In the process they built the company that became Tecumseh Products Company in 1956. Page 13 here:>Link

I>Link am wondering if the TLC-349 might indicate a manufacturing date of March 1949? I suppose it could also indicate a 3 hp engine.

Today I mounted a different engine pulley on the Lauson and drove it around quite a bit. Even put the 5 shank sweep cultivator down and did a little digging.

Are your reverse discs in good shape? Is there a source for replacements if I did go back to a Wisconsin engine? Do you know of a source for Ridemaster decals or where I could at least get a good view of one in order to produce my own version? Last I knew Hank was out of them.

What equipment do you have for yours?
Thanks