BCS walk behind tractor

super 55 · Feb 16, 2015

A friend of mine had an arson fire at one of his sheds and there were 3 BCS walk behind tractors in the shed. I have cleaned up one of them and got it to fire without a carb using ether. It has an ACME engine but there is no ID left on what model it is. there is a serial number, but evidently that is meaningless since they used the same casting for different models and didn't split the numbers. From what I have found it may be a 290. I am looking for a carb, gas tank and air cleaner for the engine and a transmission breather/dipstick for the transmission. There is also a small plastic connector for the transmission selector rod that connects to the stick shift on the gear box. The tires are 5.0 -10 and seem to be an odd size. Any ideas for parts. I am talking with a place called Earthtools, that may me my only hope.

Mike (WA) · Feb 16, 2015

I think Earth Tools was where I downloaded my manual- I had occasion to talk to them one time, seemed real helpful.

The Acme engine was not well thought of- mine has a Briggs. I don't know how many parts are available. I googled bcs parts, and several outfits came up- I think I'd just start calling them. The BCS is a great machine, and sure worth fixing if you can. When you get it going, I have the "brush hog" type mower that I'd like to get rid of (I think you're in BC, not far from me, IIRC).

JOCCO · Feb 16, 2015

Not sure of engine, I looked at them once. They are nice but you could buy a farm for less. This had or was a roto tiller

rustyfarmall · Feb 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 05:03:42 02/16/15) Not sure of engine, I looked at them once. They are nice but you could buy a farm for less. This had or was a roto tiller

Yes. I also priced one. Scared me. Then I learned that price did not include the tiller attachment. If I'm going to pay that much, I want it to have a seat and steering wheel.

RGMartin · Feb 16, 2015

By the time you buy the parts you need(all are big $$$), you would be money/time/quality ahead to just install one of the Honda clones from HF.

I have a BCS, but mine just has a B&S. I think any engine with the side mounting flange could be installed with minimal effort.

JOCCO · Feb 16, 2015

If I was going to put a motor on one it would e a Honda/Subaru robin or other good grade!!! Theses things were like $5-7000 new if I recall.

super 55 · Feb 16, 2015

I'll ask the owner about the bush hog. Email me a price and I'll pass it on. I think I can get his machine running for about $300, if not I'll have to re-power it.

rockyridgefarm · Feb 16, 2015

I have half a dozen on these Acme engines laying around here. I might have what you'd need to get it going. Acme is an Italian engine manufacturer (no affiliation with Wile E.'s supplier) that was sold to Kohler for their Lombardini diesel engines. They knocked the gasoline engine department in the head, and do not offer parts. I can't guarentee any of my carbs are good, and the biggest issue you'll find is if the carb is bad. Joel will sell you a new, modified one for about $200, but has no rebuild kits or parts one (thanks Kohler). I typically recommend buying the 9.5 hp Kohler Command pro with the 6 bolt mounting pattern and the short tapered shaft so you can reuse your clutch for $545. But I can also see if I have the parts to get your 290 in shape. email me.

Regarding the high prices for Italian Walk-behind tractors, you get what you pay for. You can buy a very basic Grillo or BCS tiller for about $2700 new with a tiller. The full featured models can get very expensive when you add diff lock, steering brakes, and a diesel engine, but it's all in what you're going to do with it. These machines will run 30 or more attachments.

Anything less than a Grillo or a BCS tiller is absolute junk. Even Troy-bilt was bought in the late 90s by Made To Die and greatly cheapened up. The MTD tillers (troy bilt, yardmachines, cub cadet, etc) only do one job, do that job poorly, and they're shot in 5 years. With proper care, a Grillo or BCS will be something you can be proud to give your great grandkids.

super 55 · Feb 16, 2015

Thanks for the reply. Just looking at this tractor even when it was
burned up looked really worth saving. When I was talking to Joel
we were trying to figure out the exact engine model. He told me
you can't go by the serial numbers. When I was cleaning up the
top engine shroud today I figured I had nothing to lose buffing
up the plate on the side. When I first took the engine apart I
thought it was just a lubrication schedule. I found out that it has
the model number. It's a 330WB not a 290 like I thought it was.
Let me know if you have any parts. I am letting the owner decide
if he wants to re-power or fix the engine. By the way, when I was
looking at the mounting plate on the Acme, I was wondering if
anyone knows how to release the clutch cone off the shaft. There
is no set screw that I can see. Pics are on the link.
Acme motor pics

rockyridgefarm · Feb 16, 2015

Right down the throat of it, there is an internal hex head (allen) bolt. Everything on these are metric.

With a 330, it's most likely a 735. This would be the model with the most features - 3 speed gearbox with Hi/lo on the bottom two gears, making it a 5 speed, locking differential, and steering brakes.

I'm fairly sure I have at least a fuel tank (yours would be a late model with a plastic tank, earlier ones would have a metal tank), I bet I also have a carb, but can't guarantee it and there are no rebuild kits available

elranchito · Aug 22, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:46:18 02/16/15) I have half a dozen on these Acme engines laying around here. I might have what you'd need to get it going. Acme is an Italian engine manufacturer (no affiliation with Wile E.'s supplier) that was sold to Kohler for their Lombardini diesel engines. They knocked the gasoline engine department in the head, and do not offer parts. I can't guarentee any of my carbs are good, and the biggest issue you'll find is if the carb is bad. Joel will sell you a new, modified one for about $200, but has no rebuild kits or parts one (thanks Kohler). I typically recommend buying the 9.5 hp Kohler Command pro with the 6 bolt mounting pattern and the short tapered shaft so you can reuse your clutch for $545. But I can also see if I have the parts to get your 290 in shape. email me.

Regarding the high prices for Italian Walk-behind tractors, you get what you pay for. You can buy a very basic Grillo or BCS tiller for about $2700 new with a tiller. The full featured models can get very expensive when you add diff lock, steering brakes, and a diesel engine, but it's all in what you're going to do with it. These machines will run 30 or more attachments.

Anything less than a Grillo or a BCS tiller is absolute junk. Even Troy-bilt was bought in the late 90s by Made To Die and greatly cheapened up. The MTD tillers (troy bilt, yardmachines, cub cadet, etc) only do one job, do that job poorly, and they're shot in 5 years. With proper care, a Grillo or BCS will be something you can be proud to give your great grandkids.

I just ran across this conversation about BCS tillers/tractors. I am also working on a BCS with an ACME engine and was wondering if you still had any parts laying around. I know I am late to the conversation but just thought I would give it a shot.
Thank you for your time

BCS walk behind tractor

super 55

Well-known Member

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

JOCCO

Well-known Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

RGMartin

Well-known Member

JOCCO

Well-known Member

super 55

Well-known Member

rockyridgefarm

Well-known Member

super 55

Well-known Member

rockyridgefarm

Well-known Member

elranchito

New User

Similar threads