Morning,
No worries, My main concern is this is possibly one of the earliest examples of the HD8, Its lasted at least 53 years so far, it would be a crying shame to see it cut up and or abused now.
Certainly looks like its had a rough life, chassis has been welded in the front end, you can tell the engine mounting isnt right, the right side is bolted through the frame! also that center pulley has been mounted in a I'm going to say artistic? way... I don't know why you wouldn't just fit a longer belt and do away with it it that is what they were going to use it for.
We are going to have to come up with a better war of identifying these early ones. I am beginning to think something along the lines of
all red machines Mk. 1 starting 1966
Mk. 1.0 Lewis' machine 25" cut
Mk. 1.1 This one
Mk. 1.2 You're other one (flat chassis, slotted grill)
Mk. 1.3 Flat chassis, slotted grill, one piece rear cowling
Mk. 1.4 Stepped chassis (to fit the bigger G65), dog clutch, Mesh Grill
Mk. 1.45 Steel deck
Then they went Yellow 1971
Mk .2.0 Standard Yellow machine (traction drive straight from engine, extra idlers for it) 25" cut
Mk. 2.1 Standard yellow machine 28" cut
Mk. 2.2 Fuji Engine
Mk. 2.3 Wide wheels, forward tilted rear guards
Mk. 2.4 HD10 (briggs and stratton)
Then tractors came about 1975-6 ish (not 100% on that one)
And I'm sure there are more variations out there!
