Newbie Interested in AC

[Jellyghost 5]

I recently picked up a nice 78' Wheel Horse.  I love it, but I wouldn't mind having another garden tractor.  My Grandpa was a farmer, and he preferred Allis Chalmers. My family always jokes that we are AC people.  I will never need a full size tractor, but this has me interested in AC garden tractors.

Is there a particularly reliable series of AC tractors?

A  series that has the lowest repair cost?

Is there a history of the AC models?

If I get one of these, I don't want an exotic.  I would prefer a solid model that can still be used for work.

Thanks!

 

[dhoadley 1,747]

Clark,  First, welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of information on this site and in the heads of its members.  I have a 400 series , and along with the 300 series are a well built tractor, but different from all others and therefore hard to find parts and attachments for.  The 700 and 900 series are very well built and reliable and have many interchangeable parts and attachments.  The B series is older but also plentiful in regards to parts and attachments.  Good luck, Dave

[rokon2813 272]

Welcome to the club.

Right at this particular time this club is in the middle of moving, There is a wealth of information about these tractors here

http://simpletractors.net/

that will eventually be moved here.

Almost any Simplicity or A/C garden tractor will be reliable but if your interested in vintage, stick with pre 1990 and stay away from 300 and 400 series since they are a bit harder to find parts and attachments for like Dave says.

I would also stay away from shuttle shifts and variable speeds as those are also getting harder to find parts for.

After that, stick to what we call "large frame" tractors (12" rear wheels) and you will still find there are literally dozens and dozens of models to choose from with a great number of interchangable attachments from 1960 to 1990, including 3 speeds, 6 speeds and hydro transmissions.

Prior to about 1972 there are what we call FDT's or Foot Dragging Tractors ( small foot pad for your feet and no running boards) and after that they were all RBT's or Running Board Tractor's. From either "era" almost every attachment will fit almost every model, and a few will even interchange between era's with minor changes like hitches or belt idler systems.

For example a snow blower from the 60's will fit a tractor from the 80's with only a hitch swap (2 bolts) and a different belt.

Parts and attachments are plentiful and fairly easy to find and there are a few guys here (including me) that sell parts.

Good luck in your search, and beware, they are addictive

 

[fishnwiz 3,290]

Welcome to the club. You have come to the right place for the info you seek. Take some time to look around the site and try to get an idea of what it is you may like to own. 

You will enjoy the hobby and learn alot along the way but be warned in advance,  this hobby can become an addiction and before you know it you will own more then one tractor.

[goatfarmer 817]

^^what they said^^

[GardenTrACtorguy 29]

 

5 hours ago, goatfarmer said:

^^what they said^^

I second that  ^

My B-112 below is really reliable.

Edited October 12, 2016 by GardenTrACtorguy

[TomSchmit 55]

You will be influenced by the availability of tractors in your area as well.

There were enough dealers in MO in KS so that your should be able to find something.

The poor guys in the Pacific Northwest have little to choose from.

It boils down to personal preference in, too. I grew up with FDT's here in WI and that is the style I prefer.

Have fun - get a tiller or sickle bar!

Tom

[Jellyghost 5]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

It appears that the B series tractors are before the 1972 change, and the 600, 700, 800, and 900 series tractors are from after the change.  The 300 and 400 series are transitional models.  Is that about right?  I was also wondering why the 800 and 600 models were not mentioned.

After reading these posts and poking around, I am most interested in the 700, 800, and 900 series tractors.  Are their any special engines or features that I should be looking for?

It appears that the B series tractors are the most available around here at the moment.

 

Edited October 12, 2016 by Jellyghost

[dhoadley 1,747]

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will chime in to correct me, but I think the 600 & 800 series have vertical crankshaft engines (which I think of as more "lawn mowers") and the 700 & 900 series are horizontal shaft ("garden tractors").

[B112_son 14]

Welcome. I'm no RBT expert but the 600 and 800 series tractors are considered "small frame" tractors and the 700 and 900 are "large frame". They use different engines, attachments, etc. I think your on the right path with 700 and 900 series. I always wanted 917H. I just like the allis badging. I know if you look at the 917/7117 look for the kohler series 2 engine. Good luck a nice 917H is still on my list. 

[720nut 4,225]

18 hours ago, TomSchmit said:

You will be influenced by the availability of tractors in your area as well.

There were enough dealers in MO in KS so that your should be able to find something.

The poor guys in the Pacific Northwest have little to choose from.

It boils down to personal preference in, too. I grew up with FDT's here in WI and that is the style I prefer.

Have fun - get a tiller or sickle bar!

Tom

Tom, I don't know about the pacific northwest seems CasinoJim is always finding them out there

Jellyghost, welcome to the club, I bought one then turned around and 9 more followed me home, who would have known.

[theniteowl 29]

Personally I like the round hoods of the sixties but I have two 68 B-112s, one variable transmission and one hydraulic.   I believe them to be the most solid off all though even newer ones are very solid.   Parts are highly interchangeable between years and the Simplicity versions.