Need non-Simplicity advice

[B-16_IC 1,029]

I have recently bought a Sears 16 horse garden tractor, I believe it is called an SS-16 judging by what I've seen on E-bay. I answered an ad in a local paper, he had an Allis 12hp with tiller which I was too late for. In the ad he had a Sears with no motor. I went to look at it and he showed me the SS-16 in the shed, nice deck, runs good $300 with three point and a plow. I bought it, need to mow grass and I'm not using the Cub Cabang sm00 I used last year! Sorry for being windy, and for talking Sears, but the "GOOD STUFF" is hard to find around here! :(! Ok I was wrong, it is a Suburban 12. Looks pretty good. I think it needs a loader!8D

Here is a picture of the SS-16 plowing sod, oh how fun! I have to get the AC going again to compare, we all know who will win;). Thanks for the help, due to the sites I know this is a 1977. Thanks again guys, I promise next tractor purchase will be Simple!

[goatfarmer 817]

Probably is a Tecumseh engine. More than likely, it's a Roper built Sears, which is a good thing. http://sears.pammar.net/ A great Sears website.

[tracktor312 0]

I have 2 custom 10 xl and I had a suburban 12 they are all tecumsah engines I like the tractors the only problems I have had are the carbs they like to leak 75. sounds like a good deal to me. cash talks

[Chris727 2,136]

The SS-16 is likely to have an overhead valve single cylinder Tecumseh model OH160 or an Onan 16hp twin cylinder.

[Tom_Byrne 0]

Try Yahoo- Sears garden tractor clubs. Lots of good info and they seem to be very active. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searsgardentractorclassifieds/ and this one- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thesearsgardentractorgroup/

[dav 2]

worked on, and used, a friends SS-12. when she has no more use for it, i acted as middleman to sell it. it is sitting because the buyer couldn't get it to start one day. next time i go to NH i plan to buy it from him. good solid machine. you should go for it!

[Chris727 2,136]

Looks Good! Looks like you've got a good upper grill too, those are very hard to find. Yes the box on top is the vavle cover, rockers are under there. Be careful to use lightweight oil mowing in the cold weather, its unseasonably cold here and many people are forgetting to change their oil to acommodate the temps.

[goatfarmer 817]

I believe I've got that same engine sitting in my garage. Is that a 6 speed tractor?

[B-16_IC 1,029]

Thanks all! I am pretty pleased with it, even though it is what it is! I was thinking of changing oil to synthetic, what weight would be good? I don't plan to mow anymore till we get out of the coat weather! Good point Chris. Do these motors usually have a little valvetrain noise? I had a new Scotts (orange mower, green lineage) a few years ago with overhead Briggs. It was noisy right out of the box, until I changed to synthetic. Ken, yes it is a 6 speed, I think I will like the high/low. Might have to find one for my A-C!

[goatfarmer 817]

Hi Lo's for AC's are out there. Might take a bit to find one, though.... That's a good looking Sears. I believe that is a Roper built model.

[EricD 0]

Hi Rich, the photo of the machine plowing the field is a ST model line. The SS16 is an Onan twin engine while the ST is a techumseh OHV single cyl. I have a SS16 with a FEL. Nice but given the size of these tractors it does have limitations. The transaxles are relatively easy to shear gears so keep those tires spinning in low when under big loads.. The SS 12 tractors have single cyl tecumpseh's. Onan was only on the SS16 and 18's.

[patrician12 0]

Good stuff is hard to find everywhere.