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Bolens
History
BOLENS HERITAGE SPANS
150 YEARS
Official
story from Bolens Brochures
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Founded in 1850, Bolens has grown to become the most respected name in outdoor power
equipment. Milestones in the Bolens heritage include the introduction, in 1919, of the first power-driven garden
tractor. Seven thousand of these early machines were sold to enthusiastic
customers, and Bolens outdoor power equipment was on its way to becoming
famous.
Immediately following World War II Bolens was acquired by FMC Corporation and specialization continued in production of outdoor
equipment. A progressive engineering program was begun and new designs met growing new demands as Americans in increasing numbers discovered Bolens power equipment as a means of reducing the time and effort required for yard care. In 1947, Bolens introduced the first compact
tractor. The Husky 600 made its appearance in 1961 and set a new standard for all compact
tractors. Bolens again startled the industry in 1963 with introduction of the Estate
Keeper; a unique and years-ahead concept in compact tractors.
Each product bearing the Bolens trademark is backed by this 150 year
heritage, and by the extensive research and development facilities of FMC Corporation.
Today, as in the past, the name Bolens stands for proved dependability, advanced design and the highest standard of
quality.
From
Robert Mann (Sonny's Farm, Bolens Dealer)
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Originally
started as a joint partnership as you will in Port Washington, Wisconsin the
earliest of the Bolens company was actually the J.E. Gilson/ H.W. Bolens
Manufacturing Co. working together making chair irons and garden tools.
Gilson sold out to Bolens in 1914 and went seperate path. Bolens from that
point on had become the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of Outdoor
Power Equipment. Located in the same building since 1894 they went on to
invent and make the world's first self contained four wheel riding garden
tractor, the first mulching mower design that is still patented to this very
day and one of the first hydrostatic transmission implemented on a garden
tractor (Bolens Husky 1250).
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The biggest misconception of
the Bolens Company today is that they are out of business. That is entirely
false. The Bolens company is still a very active company today, under the
Garden Way Troy-Bilt name, they are still the same. Garden Way purchased
Bolens in 1988 and purchased TroyBilt sometime before that. Although all of
Bolens equipment is under the Troybilt name, let me assure you that the
tractors and mowers are of Bolens design and standards. TroyBilt makes
tillers and accsessories...Bolens makes the garden tractors, the same way
they always did, cast iron shaft driven transmission, pto driven deck.
From Steve
Johnson
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