Simplicity Tractor Model Identification

[dince 276]

Greetings from Down Under!

i have just acquired a very sorry looking, unloved tractor that I am sure is an old Simplicity.  The ID plate on back of the seat is covered in layers of paint that I am suceeding to remove with paint stripper, but the plate seems pretty corroded and illegible.

The motor is a Briggs 23D FB, without a starter motor.

can anyone please direct me to a previous Forum topic, or to a picture gallery, to help me identify this piece of treasure, which I would like to restore?  What particular features should I be looking for, to assist in making  an ID?

Edited December 13, 2016 by dince

[Kent 435]

If that is the original 23D engine in the tractor, that makes identification easy.  It is a 1964 Landlord, MFR # 990314.  

Here's a link to the old site, showing it, that I don't have incorporated here yet:  http://simpletractors.net/simplicity/new_in_1964/landlord.htm

They're commonly called a 9hp Landlord, since that is the only year and model that had that engine. If you search here for "9hp Landlord" you'll find more discussion about them.

[dince 276]

Wow, what a quick and very helpful reply!  Thank you indeed. I had attached two photos, but they don't seem to have come through?  What might I have done wrong?

[Kent 435]

12 minutes ago, dince said:

Wow, what a quick and very helpful reply!  Thank you indeed. I had attached two photos, but they don't seem to have come through?  What might I have done wrong?

Did you wait until they appeared at the bottom of your post before you clicked Submit?  There's a tutorial on how to attach them on the top menu.

[dince 276]

Thanks, Kent.  I will try again to attach them.  Following your advice as to my model, I have found some great stuff on the Forum!

 

 

[Talntedmrgreen 1,978]

The engine is a replacement, and the tractor appears to be a model 700 or  early model 725, circa 1961-62.

Congrats on the find, and good luck as you proceed...nice tire package she has!  If you have more questions, you have found the right place!

Edited December 13, 2016 by Talntedmrgreen

[Kent 435]

Yes, Josh is correct.  That is NOT a 9hp Landlord.  Look at these instead.

Model 700   http://simpletractors.net/simplicity/new_in_1959/model_700.htm

Model 725  http://simpletractors.net/simplicity/new_in_1962/s_725.htm

 

[dince 276]

Thank you Josh and Kent.  My plan is to check out the the 23D engine, and if OK, to proceed with a makeover of the tractor with that engine.  I guess I can trust you two fellows to keep that secret intact, in case I want to enter it into one of your shows!  Ha ha!

What are your major shows, and do they include swap meets?

Where do you source parts, further to eBay?  I probably won't need a snow blower!

[720nut 4,225]

It don't snow down under????

Welcome to the club.

Edited December 13, 2016 by 720nut

[dince 276]

Yes, it does snow in some high spots, in fact it snowed, very unseasonally, last week, on the high alps!   Felt like it here!

Edited December 13, 2016 by dince

[johnmonkey 4]

Welcome aboard, I have a 1963-4 Montgomery Ward Gardenmark Squire that looks exactly like yours with a 19d B&S engine. JH

[dince 276]

Golly, I hope yours looks better than mine!!!  I have a bit of work ahead, combined with 49 other projects in progress, including 2 Versatile 4WD tractors, yes, real tractors!!!

[dince 276]

Golly, I hope yours looks better than mine!!!  I have a bit of work ahead, combined with 49 other projects in progress, including 2 Versatile 4WD tractors, yes, real tractors!!!

Thank you to you, and others for the warm welcome to this fascinating Forum.  I hope I can be a worthwhile contributer, as well as a sponge for knowledge!

[dince 276]

Just seeking clarification... compared to photos on another Forum, my tractor looks identical to a Simplicity 700 Wonder Boy, except that mine has a 23D-FB engine.  Am I correct?

Now that I have commenced dismantling mine, and many questions come to mind as I work, is this the best Forum to use, or ought I start a new topic in the Technical Forum?

Edited December 16, 2016 by dince

[dince 276]

dince, you are so stupid!  Of course my tractor is not a Wonder Boy, they have the engine at the rear.  Mine is a Model 700!  Incidentally, I once owned and farmed with a Model 700 Versatile - what a coincidence!

[dince 276]

They say that it is easy to confuse a simple person, and that I am, yes, both simple and confused!  Is the Simplicity Model 700 also called a Landlord?  Is that included on the badges on the sides of the hood?  I have a hood, but no badges!

[dhoadley 1,747]

9 hours ago, dince said:

 

Now that I have commenced dismantling mine, and many questions come to mind as I work, is this the best Forum to use, or ought I start a new topic in the Technical Forum?

You are in just the right spot.  "Talking Tractors" is most read and a catch-all for all the questions and restorations that members have/do.  "Show and Tell" is much the same but with pictures. (We like pictures!)  Good luck, Dave

[Talntedmrgreen 1,978]

You're not crazy at all! The wonderboy 700 was the first model of front engine writing tractor that simplicity made. They dropped the wonderboy name after the first year and a half or so of production because of the confusion that you just discovered with the rear engine riding mowers.

The model 700 was simply called that... it was no longer a Wonderboy and proceeded the next model which was the 725.  That designation came when the horsepower increased slightly to seven and a quarter horse.

The landlord was an entirely different model tractor that came after the retirement of the model 725. Your machine falls within those first three models of front engine tractor. Because of a few small details I can see on your tractor, I know that it is not a Wonderboy. Each model had a few minor changes that are somewhat difficult to recognize. The main component that a Wonderboy will have, different from yours, is the PTO engagement setup on the left side of tractor. Also, because you have what is called 'low steering' on your machine, we know that it is not a late-model 725, which had a taller steering column.

 

Yours is either a model 700 or an early model 725.  These shared the same features, and only differed in model #, badges and engine. Since you do not have those original components, we will never know.  The model 700 is the more desirable of the two, so I say go with that!

[dince 276]

Thank you to both dhoadley and to Taintedmrgreen for your very helpful replies (above).  Yes, I will stay with Talking Tractors to report on progress and to ask questions.

Regarding my model, a great explaination and I am now in the picture - a Simplicity 700!  Thank you.

I have almost completed my dismantling, down to the Transmission Group, the Differential and the Bevel Drive, which I have not yet opened up.  For all the rough appearance of my original machine, it remarkably complete, apart from a couple of cosmetic bits, that can be chased later.

I truly envy those of you in the US having only UNC and UNF nuts and bolts.  We have both those, plus Witworth, BSF, and now Metric in several thread configerations!  And oboy, did the previous owner of my tractor use a selection!  Just about every bolt had a different sized nut ie needing different sized spanners all the time!  Of course that underlines the Australian addage of a good workshop - all you need is a big hammer, a crowbar and a gas (oxy) cutter, and you can fix anything!!!

I have decided to be extravagant and replace most nuts and bolts, with UNC or UNF, as appropriate!

[rokon2813 272]

In some older manuals, the 700 and 725 are referred to as Landlords, so you may find it called a Landlord occasionally.

 

[rokon2813 272]

BTW, if you decide to mow with it, the pto pulleys under the tractor are on wrong.

 

[dince 276]

Thank you, rokon 2813!  When you say the pulleys are wrong, for mowing, do you mean on my machine particularly or on 700's generally?  Anyway, I probably won't be mowing, but will looking for a cultivator for my vege garden.

I also want a broom/rake to manage my granitic sand driveway.

i note your comment re the Landlord title.  I'll just stick to 700.

What does BTW mean???

Edited December 18, 2016 by dince
Extra comment

[rokon2813 272]

BTW = By The Way.... sorry, American "shorthand" abbreviation I think.

In your picture above, it appears the small double pulley on the power take off (pto) under your tractor is on the left side, with the larger single on the right. Those are backwards, the small double should be on the right, and the larger on the left.

I have no clue what attachments you might find there, but here, there was a power broom that could be mounted to that tractor I think. Easier to find (or build) might be a belly mount grader blade to manage your driveway. Or maybe a tow behind York Rake ? = Landscape rake made here by the York Company

Sorry about the abbreviations. Sometimes I forget that many terms, abbreviations, and other things that are automatic and second nature to us may mean absolutely nothing to folks in other parts of the world.

Welcome to the club!

[dince 276]

Rokon2813, great to hear from you again and thank you for your welcome!  I like your abbreviations, learning new ones every day!  I guess I'm behind the 8 ball because I don't have a mobile (cell) phone.

I note your advice re the PTO pulley- will reassemble correctly as I rebuild my tractor.  I am about to get all the bits sandblasted, as soon as I get a couple of stubbon components apart - the coupling that connects the drive shaft to the bevel box, and the bits on the front/rear lift shaft.  I have dismantled the front wheel hubs - found two handfuls of tapered roller bearing rollers!  I also found that a split rim had been attached to each side of the hub, on each wheel, meaning the hub had to disassembled to remove both halves of the split rim.  Curious!

Do you have a 700?

As yet, I haven't located any Simplicity tractors or attachments in Aus, but keep looking on eBay and various farm clearing sale advertisments.  I will google the attacments you mentioned, as well keeping an eye on your eBay.  I plan to travel to the US in 2017 on a fact/parts finding mission, for several of my projects, including Simplicity 700 attachments.  I am intent on building up an eclectic inheritance for my grandchildren!

 

[rokon2813 272]

I do not have a 700. i have in the past and my son currently has a 725 that is very similar.

The lift shaft usually takes a good bearing separator and heat to get apart.

The coupling you should be able to get off by using 2 longer threaded bolts screwed all the way through and tighten them against the frame to push it off. It does have a set screw in it too if you didn't find that.

My ebay states I only ship to the USA, but I have shipped to Australia when the buyer contacts me first.