Talking Tractors: Broadmoor's

[Brettw]

This forum is called Talking Tractors, so it's time to do so and get us re-engaged.  I'm going to start with one of the original Simplicities in my life, the 728 Broadmoor.  The Simplicity Broadmoor and its AC counterpart, were one of the best small lawn and garden tractors available, in my opinion.  I'm going to start with my original story, add some info, and look to have others begin to chime in.  I'm hopeful this will invigorate our members and after we reminisce and share information, stories, pictures and articles, we can then move on to the another model / series.  SO, I'm going to kick it off:

My father purchased a 728 in 1969 for our place in the country.  It had the 36" deck, and a tiller.  That tractor put in a few hard working years on that farmstead, as it cleared brush and created a garden and cut grass.  It did this until it had cut through enough weeds and old overgrown lawn and brush to out work itself.  Eventually the "grass" expanded to an amount that required an upgrade, and a 3415 came into play.  This series started with the Simplicity Broadmoor 707 in 1964.  https://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/001/8/4/1841-simplicity-broadmoor-6hp.html  It continued through the "System" 5010 in 1975? 

I began my Simplicity upbringing on a 728 and the neighbors Yeoman, back in 1967 at 9 years old.  If this thread takes off, I will add my later 5010 LTD stories, a tractor I had and used for nearly 17 years.  This picture was taken off of the net as an example.  Ours was the stock 1969 version.  As I recall the neighbors Yeoman was a 616 that I first cut my teeth on.

 

I hope to hear from you all about your stories, information, history, pictures, the AC sister equivalent and just plain old shootin' the bull.

 

Brett

[Chris727]

Well Brett, The first Broadmoor was the 6hp with black dash. These ran through at least '65 at some point they changed the dash to white with red script lettering and continued into 1966. Per the Simplicity Engine Information Manual the 707 is listed as 1967. Side panels were added to the cowling as a "refinement.' Some of these dates are blurred and contradict year ranges in the Belt & Blade manual. I have had 18 Broadmoor & Equilvalent "Small Frames" in whole or parts over the years but the only one I ever used on a regular basis is my Homesteader 8 which received a new engine and is now a show tractor as of 2024. Currently have 3, The Homesteader8, B-207, and 727 Broadmoor. 

This is not mine but I believe it to be one of the "65-66" Broadmoors, Pre -707.  Note the hole in the crankcase. Many of these small frames are on their 2nd or 3rd engine. 

[ShaunE]

I have a 717 that couldn't pass up because of how cute it was. Advertised as original but it has been freshened up some. Was in Milwaukee some time back. The radio wagon is a different story. That looked like cheese cloth after sandblasting. There may be more Bondo than metal in the bottom. Worthless as a dump trailer but just seems to aesthetically mate up perfectly. I wish the round hood Broadmoor 2 speeds had the necessary output shaft to power a revitalizer. I don’t think that was an option until the flat hood 3 speeds.🍻

[Brettw]

1983 ish.  5010 LTD  I had this tractor from ~ 1981 or 82 until I had to move on from it in 2000.  It had a 36 " deck, and the rear mounted self powered vac system (4 horse Briggs as I recall?) Simplicity trailer with a home made box built on top.  I think I had a tiller too.  Best cut ever, in my opinion, and I think the large frames do a great job.

[ShaunE]

🌞’s out 💪’s out! That’s a great picture Brett. In my opinion, the Broadmoor is what put Simplicity on the map. A mowing champion that was more affordable than the Landlords for those that didn’t need the capabilities of a true blue garden tractor. My Dad’s first simplicity was a Serf. He mowed an acre with that tiny dude every week for years. Replacing it in 1980 with  6008 Broadmoor II. The 36” deck was definitely an upgrade. 

[Brettw]

50 minutes ago, ShaunE said:

That’s a great picture Brett.

Thanks, Shaun

 

Yeah, and the young man on my lap turned 40 in December...........   Ouch!

But yes, great tractors.  And built like a tank compared to the stamped steel counterparts of the day.  I believe they started at about 6 HP in the early 60's and ended up at 10 with the System 5010?  I believe that was 1975 and the last year they were made.  I think my 5010 LTD must have been 1973 or 4?

[s_stephen]

If I remember correctly the first mower dad got me to mow the yard was a 717 broadmoor and my brother got a 616 yeoman I don’t have any photos of them from back then. Now both of my daughters have the allis chalmers equivalent a b208s and a homesteader 8

[Bill725]

Is this the tiller for Broadmoors?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/886300397363418?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aae4ced52-a362-4f08-abe3-396abff37863

[Brettw]

44 minutes ago, Bill725 said:

Is this the tiller for Broadmoors?

It is!   You can even see the mounting bracket for the frame in the pics.  Seems like a crazy price until you realize how rare an NOS tiller like this is.  Would be quite the addition to someone with a restored Broadmoor

[Chris727]

@Bill725, fits 727 and newer models as they had the 3 speed transmissions with PTO shaft. 

[Brettw]

That really is a very nice 717, Shaun.  For an old gal pushing 60+ years old, she's in great shape.

[Brettw]

So to add to the thread, I believe the original 707 came with a 32" deck and the later models expanded to the 36" deck.  The System 5010 (the last run of these I think?) could have had a 42" deck which was the same as the large frame with a different front mount.  And I am not sure if the 42" was an option or the way the System came?   I am quite sure my 5010 LTD had a 36" deck.

[Chris727]

3 hours ago, Brettw said:

So to add to the thread, I believe the original 707 came with a 32" deck and the later models expanded to the 36" deck.  The System 5010 (the last run of these I think?) could have had a 42" deck which was the same as the large frame with a different front mount.  And I am not sure if the 42" was an option or the way the System came?   I am quite sure my 5010 LTD had a 36" deck.

The 717 was the first to have the 36" deck. I looked up the operator's manual for the 5010LTD and it just states "Limited Edition Tractor w/Mower" but does not state that it came with a specific deck. It lists both 36 and 42 as available attachments. 

[Chris727]

This discussion hasn't yet addressed the most unique feature of the 1964-1975 Broadmoor series. The pivot point being between the front and rear halves of the tractor rather than the front axle as most other tractors. This presents a unique problem as many of these did not get greased and became frozen. How many of us have had a frozen pivot? I had three that I never got worked loose. 

[ShaunE]

9 minutes ago, Chris727 said:

I had three that I never got worked loose.

Definitely a very unique design. I’ll be honest the one I have is the first one I’ve ever been on. I was too young to ever operate my dad’s Serf. I had no idea of the pivot point until purchasing the above 717. I was quite surprised to learn this. In my 40’s no less.

[Brettw]

And I would assume the pivot point was only a real issue if the tractor sat for some extended period of time.  Regular use, it would seem that it would not freeze up.  Either way, it is a unique design, works just as well as the front axle pivot when it comes to the mower deck.  But now that this has come up and refreshed my memory, I do recall it could be a bit interesting on undulating terrain when your feet and your derriere were moving around differently.  It was a different ride than the front axle system for sure!

[Austin]

I've owned only two Broadmoors and both were 728's. Both have since been passed on to new owners, but the worse-off one is in possession of my one buddy. I thankfully got lucky enough on both machines that the center frame pivots were free. They were fun little things, but I definitely prefer the large frames. However, that's not to say that I wouldn't grab another one given a chance to. 

Edited March 3 by Austin

[Darl Swartz]

Good thread on the Broadmore series.  I am doing a road trip on Friday to pick up a 738 that appears in good shape with its mower deck.  I picked up a revitilizer that is for a small frame so gives me a reason to add one the the herd.  I have a 3212H w/hydro lift as its big brother (has the "wood siding" on side panels)..  I also have a "new generation" Broadmore picked up from a bone yard of a dealer.  Supposedly had a had hydro.  Was empty of fluid, had bad axle seals, and old belt.  Fixed and use most frequently for yard mowing - has the foot hydro control and is not new enough to have the reverse mower shut off safety feature.  Picked up a Regent from the same bone yard as a project (PO tried to re-wire the solenoid).  It does have a pivot/torsion spring for the rear axles like the original Broadmore so they did bring that back at least for a while.  Eventually figured out the main electrical issues was oxidized ground on the motor - not a smart place to put the ground on an aluminum engine block.

[Brettw]

And what did these little garden tractors have for attachments?  I think they had the 30 and 36" decks, and lastly the 42".  As for snow blowers and blades, what were the widths of the blowers?  30"? was there a 32 or 36?  Blades.  36"?   Then they had the tiller which I think was a 30".  The revitalizers must have been 30 or 32" (I had a few of those in my day).  The rear mounted vac setup.    What else did these have for factory original attachments, and what was available aftermarket specifically for them?   

Another pic of one I renovated for my Father in Law about 10 years ago.  This little guy gets his drivers license this year.