How to identify tractor with no badges.

[Relivken]

I have been given a garden tractor with no visible #'s on the engine or tractor itself, except Squire Tractor on the label on the underside of the hood. That was enough to get me here. My original intentions were to just do what was necessary to be able to use it as a tiller since that was on the tractor. While accessing the belts for replacing I found the unit was for the most part well dismantled. The next question was how far to go in assessing the real condition of the entire unit. I now have a fully disassembled unit that is ninety percent sandblasted and ready for new primer and paint. Along the way I have found some parts that could be left to fail and address a fix later or replace them now. The torque/vibration coupler on each end of the drive shaft and the the spring loaded main drive pully at the tranny. I am sure there will be more before I finish... I now enough about knuckle busting to probably understand your replys but not enough to have said no to "free". Any help will be welcome.

[steve-wis]

HI,

I would post pics of your tractor. The guys on here who have Wards tractors will be able to identify it and help with specific questions.

Steve

[BLT]

If it looks anything like this, it's a start.

http://www.simpletractors.com/wards_1962/squire.htm

[Talntedmrgreen]

Most likely a Gilson built tractor. Simplicity built Squires have no labeling under the hood, and earlier machines did not offer tillers, that Im aware of.

[Relivken]

Thank you all for the support and ideas.

I found the serial # on the engine while sand blasting the shroud. It is 302431 0020-01 7210021, so now I at least know that the engine is a 1972 model and probably the tractor also... The unit has the hydraulic lift so that maybe makes it the Squire 12Garden Mark...Does that sound reasonable? Now for some shop schematics for parts identification and #'s. I would post a pic but I did not take any before it became a lot of pieces.

[rokon2813]

quote:Originally posted by Relivken

Thank you all for the support and ideas.I found the serial # on the engine while sand blasting the shroud. It is 302431 0020-01 7210021, so now I at least know that the engine is a 1972 model and probably the tractor also... The unit has the hydraulic lift so that maybe makes it the Squire 12Garden Mark...Does that sound reasonable? Now for some shop schematics for parts identification and #'s. I would post a pic but I did not take any before it became a lot of pieces.

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id="quote">

id="quote">That does sound reasonable. If it is a 72 tractor, it is not Simplicity built, but rather built by Gilson

[Brettw]

Welcome aboard, Ken!

quote:I found the serial # on the engine while sand blasting the shroud. It is 302431 0020-01 7210021, so now I at least know that the engine is a 1972 model and probably the tractor also...id="quote">

id="quote">

Certainly a good place to start, but keep in mind these tractors are 40-50 years old, and could very well have been re-powered. A few pics will help us to better get an approximate age and / or verify your conclusions.

[BLT]

Here is another place to look. http://www.mytractorforum.com/264-gilson-montgomery-ward-mfrs/184758-montgomery-wards-garden-mark-squire-10-16-family-reunion-today.html

[Noly]

Didn't Allis Chalmers build some Garden Mark Squires?

[rokon2813]

The History of Montgomery Wards and Simplicity Garden Tractors

http://gardentractortalk.com/articles.html/_/history/the-history-of-montgomery-wards-and-simplicity-r145

[Talntedmrgreen]

quote:Originally posted by Noly

Didn't Allis Chalmers build some Garden Mark Squires?

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id="quote">

id="quote">No

[Relivken]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am going to become a paid member so that square when I start picking your brains for garden tractor info to plant in my garden of garden tractor ignorance. I am also trying to figure out how to get my pics size down to what is desired...Trouble is that I have not much time to move forward on this project. A time for everything and everything in its time I guess.

[Relivken]

The best I can do for pics now is for anyone to go to Flickr and use the key phrase 1972 Squire Garden Tractor

[casinojim]

Anything like these

called just wanting the rear tires off the gilson and got there and he wanted both gone for 200$ the wards is a runner with hydro lift so going to pull that 16 HP and put it in the gilson not sure what to do with the wards. will that hydro pump work on any AC/simplicity tractors.

all tires hold air

[Relivken]

Similar but no cigar. I have to join up then learn how to down size my pics so everyone can see...

Right now its back to getting ready for our annual Easter family and friends get together..

[Chris727]

Wow, two tillers for $200. Not bad!!I just got these last week. The one with AGs is newer, maybe a '75 with a 16hp gear-start B&S. The connecting rod is broke. The one with turfs has a 16hp B&S with starter generator and runs quite well after a little work.

These tractors were no longer called squires. I suspect the squire is gold in color? It will have different fenders from mine as they are running board tractors and the older squires had foot rest only.