Rebadged Simplicity?

[Bruker]

I have a JCPenney rototiller that I'm guessing is at least 15 years old. It's a 5hp front tine tiller with a cast worm and worm wheel gear box under it. Did Simplicity manufacture tillers for JCPenney?

[mowerman1193]

They could have as they did manufacture some of there tractors..I think it was in the mid 70's though..

[Bruker]

I noticed on ebay that there is a rototiller identical to mine but it's labeled a Dayton rototiller. http://cgi.ebay.com/Tiller-5-HP-Walk-Behind-Dayton_W0QQitemZ7760552170QQcategoryZ29519QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Kent]

I don't know about the Dayton tillers, but I've seen Dayton garden tractors that were made by MTD, and were big, tough, impressive machines. The ones I've seen had a 16HP Briggs castiron engine, hydraulic lift for center and rear attachments, rear 3-pt hitch, high/low castiron tranny (similar to Sears Suburban), etc... All in all, an impressive looking old machine, but I'd guess finding parts for it would be a nightmare... [img]http://www.antiquetractors.com/gphotos/3266.jpg[/img]

[goatfarmer]

Do you have a model #? I just sold a Wards tiller,which was made by Gilson,and the model # started with GIL.

[Bruker]

I just checked for a model number and I found a label on the frame that said model 3008A B. Made for JCPenny Co.

[BLT]

The one in the E-bay auction that Buker hyper linked is a an MTD. That unique reversing belt system gives it away. One of my co-workers had one follow him home last fall and his winter project ws getting it ready for this spring. It took two weeks to chase down the manufacturer. Anyway, customer service had a micro fiche sheet at his desk to help our guy out.

[Bruker]

BLT, I just checked the MTD website and their info only goes back to 1985, do you know what year your co-workers tiller is?

[BigSix]

Bruker: I have that identical Dayton tiller (and it's a good one!). The funny thing is, I also have a parts tiller for it, idential except for "badging" and paint--and it's a Sears. Big Six

[BLT]

That is older then 85, 70's maybe and my guy got his info from a local MTD dealer who got his info from the factory. If you get a Sears number from BigSix you might still be able to view a parts list.

[BigSix]

Well, guess what? Here is the Sears model number off of my Dayton-identical, Sears parts tiller: 247 297750 1227 Now, the fun part: usually, there is a period after a series of numbers, in a Sears Model No. I can't see any period here, but I'm not sure there isn't one after the 247. I did look up parts on a Sears website's exploded parts diagram on these machines, a couple of years ago, so somehow I got the number to work. I'd take BLT's advice and give it a shot. Let me know if you need more or ? (There was no serial number on mine....) Big Six

[goatfarmer]

The period is usually after the first 3 numbers,that shows the source for Sears.

[BLT]

247.297750 MTD is the maker however the unit is a chain drive not gear drive. I was at Sears' site and number still comes up. You might have to try an MTD dealer around you for help.