Very impressed with this website -

[JJames 0]

I'm brand new to this forum, but just wanted to say how impressive everything is, the people are so nice & helpful and the resources are Great.8D To be honest, I'd never heard of Simplicity lawn tractors till I saw a 4212 in the paper last week. Before buying, I researched the Simplicity company extensively, and found it to be huge, with a record of super quality for the vintage tractors,, so I bought this 4212 immediately, even tho the brakes and headlights didn't work. The seller got tons of calls after mine, so I got it just in time. After ordering a 4212 repair manual from Jack's S.E.R, it turns out that it just needs new belts, and the brakes & mower part will work fine after that. (It stopped & cut just fine if you held the lever so the belt was tight) The belts are in the mail to me now, so it should be able to stop & mow soon without assistance. Here's the best part: The engine in it is a BRAND NEW 12.5 HP Briggs & Stratton, so I got a great deal for $160. - delivered! The seller's grandparents moved up North somewhere, and can't ride it on the steep slopes, so they left it for him to sell. He owns a HUGE new lawn machine with a 6' cut for his landscape biz, and didn't have time for this antique he didn't know much about. I can't believe my luck, apparently these old Simplicities are like the OLD Maytag washers before they started their P.O. (planned obsolesence) line of (MayTrash) disasters. I read that the 2000 & up year Simplicity mowers & tractors are now manufactured to break within X amount of time too. SIGH...sm02 After I drain & clean the gas tank, pop in a new correctly gapped sparkplug, change out the belts, the oil & filter, this baby will be like new. Touch up paint is all it needs for looks, there's virtually NO rust. I'm building a shed for it now, since it deserves better than a carport with a BBQ cover on it! :I I'll get some new bulbs for the headlights soon, but have no plans to mow at night. Lowe's probably has some that will fit. I've had trouble tracking down specifically what year it was, but I know it's an early to mid '80's model. (ID: 1691269) I'm amazed at all the great Simplicity websites, but this one's the BEST, so I signed up. I can see why everybody here is so into their Simplicity tractors, they're like children! I'll post some pictures of "Junior" soon, LOL...:D

[Willy 2]

Welcome to the club,it sounds like your beginning to get the fever. The only way to bring your temperature down is more tractors,so build the shed,large enough to hold a small fleet.}:):D

[JJames 0]

LOL, it's being mapped for square footage now, but will only hold two squeezed in. hey, I do have a screened in porch and the dining room could hold several...sm00 It's fun to share stories of my projects with friends, but after watching their eyes glaze over listening to my Lawn tractor plans, I'm glad to find this site where I can go into detail without putting everyone to sleep...|) Yeah, that shed will be done next week, so I'll post pictures of that too. It's not very elaborate - a patio brick floor with sand between bricks, and a tin roof. It's being built in a corner against the guesthouse, (with 2 sides already there) and, a 6' fence panel making the 3rd side. Add roof & doors & floor, and voila! I'm calling it "The Baby's Room" --:D haven't named him tho. (All suggestion welcome))):D Forgot to mention that the back tires & battery were new too, also the front wheels are fine. New Engine is bright, shiny red, probably only a few months old.. The Seat has a few cracks on one side, with foam showing, but I might add a bigger, more comfortable (boat?) seat with a back. Has anyone ever done that? This is all new to me. It's my first riding lawn tractor, and I bought it to help my 87 y.o. stepdad with the lawn that's much too big for him now. He uses a push mower, dangerous in coming Summer heat, so it was time. Little did I know I'd be stepping into the World of Vintage Simplicity, what a super cool Project! I can see how people buy fleets, Willy! I plan to add a trailer hitch later too, for a cart. Also have an idea for an attachment behind the seat to hold a small sun umbrella that has a C-clamp. I just need it to be high enough to not hit me in the head, so might add some sort of metal bracket secured to the battery compartment. Ohhhhh, this is fun.....8D

[gregc 3]

Welcome aboard Jeannie. The model years for your tractor were 1985-1987. I'm sure you'll get good service from you new find. I bought a 4212H new in 1988 and it has done all my mowing since. Now going into it's 19th year strong as ever. Enjoy.

[JJames 0]

Thanks Greg! I read wonderful things about the 80's models. The 4212's seem to be one of the best around, they last forever. Ok, here's a shot taken last week. Better pictures soon,, I know you all were anxious to see the New Baby,,,sm06! (I removed the picture cause I read it's supposed to go on the Show & Tell thread, so I'll take better ones soon and post them there)

[goatfarmer 817]

Welcome! Ya like old Maytags, too? We need to talk......:D

[4xbill 2]

Welcome! This site is like a 12 step program. You may soon have 12 tractors!:O:o):D Ok, so I have 14. Anyway, enjoy!

[johnmonkey 4]

Welcome aboard. JH

[Ketchamized 2]

Jeanette, Welcome to SimpleTractors. :) I didn't know about this site myself, didn't know how good these tractors were until I actually rode one. Prior to working on AC/Simplicities, I was into Craftsman tractors. (JUNK) Anyhow, yes, you can add a new seat. It's just a matter of bolting them to the fender or the fender rails. Some seats might have a different bolt pattern. If that's the case, you'll need to drill or modify the rails or the fender. I suspect it'll be easier to buy a bigger tractor seat and have that retrofitted to your tractor, rather than using a boat seat. But that's an idea that may actually work. :o) I'm acquiring a 4211-H soon, myself. (Just like yours, except the one I am getting is a 11 HP and has a hydrostatic transmission) I believe yours originally had a 12HP engine. The 4211 and 4212 models are the "light duty" models of the Simplicity tractors. There are other models that are much more tougher. But, the 4211/4212 tractors are lighter and probably better for the lawn. They're Simplicities and that's good enough for me. :o) If you got the hydrostatic transmission then that's even better. :o) Here's some stuff that you may be interested in: http://www.simpletractors.com/gallery/4212_br.htm http://www.simpletractors.com/images/gallery_images/kt_4040_5.JPG http://www.simpletractors.com/simplicity/1982_atch/1982_attachments.htm (For the above "Attachments" page, you can see more stuff on the left top corner, there are links to more attachment pages that lists what you can use for your 4212)

[MrSteele 495]

Jeanette: You might short circuit the shipping time and expense by checking your Yellow pages for an Allis Chalmers dealer, or look to see if there is a Simplicity dealer close to you. I resurrected my Landlord from a ditch with a sign "Free" on its side, and after a few expensive, and a few cheap, and a few seat of the pants repairs, have a tractor that I use most of the time to cut my yard and a couple of others. Yours will do a lot more than you think.. Welcome aboard! PS, The dining room table makes a great workbench!!

[JJames 0]

Thanks for the welcome, everybody! What a nice place to discuss all our Tractor Babies!..:D

quote:

---

Originally posted by goatfarmer
Welcome! Ya like old Maytags, too? We need to talk......:D

---

Ah yes, Old Maytags are Great. We bought a NEW (planned obsolesence) one in 2000 because the old one looked kinda rough, but still worked Fine, of course. Sold it for $50, not knowing better at the time. The new Maytag cost over $500, and we made Maytag buy it back a couple years later for reasons too numerous to list here.. After doing some research online and speaking with a non-biased repair guy, I found that the very LAST year Maytag made good machines was during 1997. (check the model number) We now have a 1997 Maytag Washer & Dryer I tracked down in the paper. Simple, efficient, and that washer will probably outlive us, (like my Simplicity Lawn Tractor!) My parents still own a 1978 Maytag washer they bought new, and Mom still calls it her "New Washer" LOL. Someone needs to write a book on that subject, Kenny!

[JJames 0]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 4xbill
Welcome! This site is like a 12 step program. You may soon have 12 tractors!:O:o):D Ok, so I have 14. Anyway, enjoy!

---

14! You Must post a picture of all your children! I bet that's pretty with them all lined up!...sm04 Don't worry, I will buy every Simplicity tractor I can get my hands on from now on. (Hey, isn't that the Motto of this website?)

[JJames 0]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ketchamized
Jeanette, Welcome to SimpleTractors. :) I didn't know about this site myself, didn't know how good these tractors were until I actually rode one. Prior to working on AC/Simplicities, I was into Craftsman tractors. (JUNK) Anyhow, yes, you can add a new seat. It's just a matter of bolting them to the fender or the fender rails. Some seats might have a different bolt pattern. If that's the case, you'll need to drill or modify the rails or the fender. I suspect it'll be easier to buy a bigger tractor seat and have that retrofitted to your tractor, rather than using a boat seat. But that's an idea that may actually work. :o) I'm acquiring a 4211-H soon, myself. (Just like yours, except the one I am getting is a 11 HP and has a hydrostatic transmission) I believe yours originally had a 12HP engine. The 4211 and 4212 models are the "light duty" models of the Simplicity tractors. There are other models that are much more tougher. But, the 4211/4212 tractors are lighter and probably better for the lawn. They're Simplicities and that's good enough for me. :o) If you got the hydrostatic transmission then that's even better. :o) Here's some stuff that you may be interested in: http://www.simpletractors.com/gallery/4212_br.htm http://www.simpletractors.com/images/gallery_images/kt_4040_5.JPG http://www.simpletractors.com/simplicity/1982_atch/1982_attachments.htm (For the above "Attachments" page, you can see more stuff on the left top corner, there are links to more attachment pages that lists what you can use for your 4212)

---

Hey, Thanks for the info & links! I'll check out the seat idea to see what's the most comfortable, that won't pitch someone onto the ground with sudden stops. (seatbelts? nahhhh, LOL) Drilling is no problem, but it'd be nice to find something that fit with no alteration too,, I'll keep you posted. Once those belts come in, the camera's coming out! I'd already seen some of those links, but not the one with attachments, THANKS Ketch,, I was thinking of building a cart, but that little Simplicity cart is neat,,, too bad it's 4',, It has to fit through a 36" gate between the two yards, so I have to watch the size. (I must have one - I must have one - I must build one -) Uh oh, LOL

[JJames 0]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MrSteele
Jeanette: You might short circuit the shipping time and expense by checking your Yellow pages for an Allis Chalmers dealer, or look to see if there is a Simplicity dealer close to you. I resurrected my Landlord from a ditch with a sign "Free" on its side, and after a few expensive, and a few cheap, and a few seat of the pants repairs, have a tractor that I use most of the time to cut my yard and a couple of others. Yours will do a lot more than you think.. Welcome aboard! PS, The dining room table makes a great workbench!!

---

Thanks MrSteele, I did check, and the closest one (with parts) was about 70 miles away. I'd really like to find a Simplicity Junkyard and have a blast,,:D but I'll bet there isn't one because of people like all of US.. It'd be empty fast! WOW A FREE Simplicity!!! After clutching your chest in shock & disbelief, how did you ever get it home? Did you have a trailer with you, or did you drag it home with your teeth? (Like I would have, sm00) Don't tell us you left it alone to go get transportation for it...:O Congrats on your find, what was wrong with it? Believe it or not, I've been thinking about doing the work on the kitchen floor, but the dining room table sounds like a much better idea!...I can hear the husband now,,,8C LOL

[goatfarmer 817]

We have a Maytag set, that dates to about 1981. The washer and dryer came off different junk piles. The washer needed a set of belts in the 15 years we've owned it, the dryer a belt, and a blower wheel. Appliances are my sideline, I know quite a bit about the downfall of Maytag, and why they're not around anymore. Sounds like the washer you sold back to Maytag was either a Neptune, or an Amanatag washer. I'll have to show you a few classics I have in storage.

[Scott Salmons 7]

Wow, sure glad I bought my Maytags in 1996! whew that was close.

[JJames 0]

Actually it was an Atlantis, and Maytag denied there was any problem with those. You're right, it was mostly Neptunes that were total disasters. But I saw a few complaints about the Atlantis online. There was a class action suit against Maytag, that I'm sure you know about too, KL. Didn't Whirlpool buy Maytag? I know some big co. did. That's cool about finding your old maytags on junk piles, LOL,, My '97 was $100. the day before I picked it up, the policeman selling it called and said the dial broke on the washer, and it was at a repair shop for a replacement. It cost $100. to replace, lol,, We were paying $200 for his Maytag washer dryer set, and he wouldn't charge us more. So I asked him if he needed any furniture since we were moving, and ended up giving him 2 very nice small dressers for their little son. Good trade! That was 2 years ago, and both W & D work great. Yeah, Scott you have a great year, hold onto it!...:)

[goatfarmer 817]

Yes, Whirlpool now own's Maytag. The new Maytag washers are rebadged Whirlpool direct drive washers, not an entirely bad thing. The Neptunes are made by Samsung, which has had a few problems of it's own. Free Simplicity's are kinda rare, I was given a 4211H that quit running for the owner, and sat under a tree for years. I never did anything with it, and gave it to another member here. He got it running, and was going to let his kids use it to cut the grass.

[JJames 0]

It's amazing you can leave it under a tree, and it can still work fine. New ones wouldn't I bet! Whirlpool washers were rated pretty high, and we bought a set after trashing the Atlantis. We sold those with another property, because they were put into the laundry room before it was finished, and they won't come out (easily) now, OOPS. What a great excuse to snag a couple of old Maytags! I miss some of the features of the Whirlpool, but I end up washing everything in boiling hot water on the Shredder setting anyway. Anybody asleep yet? |)|)|):O|) The comparison between the old Simplicity's and Maytags are so parallel. Built simple with a plan to Last Forever. Like the old VWs used to be before they had radiators & split axles. I think their best year was the 1967 after they changed from 6 to 12 volt batteries, but before the split axle that made it ride like a truck. (On the Karmann Ghia, anyway) Yeah, I feel so lucky to stumble on that 4212 at such a great price. It's great to find another company that has that fine old quality.. I'm sure there are lots of companies out there like these. Gibson guitars is another one, look at how they cut corners now, compared to the old ones. Btw, the Belts have arrived, and we'll probably work on the 4212 tomorrow, can't wait to see it running right!

[rbw1052 0]

Welcome! I've got a two 4211's and a 4212 I'm fixing up for my son! I gave a 1964 Broadmore to my retired brother that he's fixed up nicely!It went through a flood in 1996. He took it and got it going and it's still going today. I also sold a 5010 to a friend so he'd have a good tractor. Simple Tractors is the best! Have fun with yours!

[MPH 12]

Welcome to the club of old tractor addicts. Great to see somone so overjoyed with an old tractor.