Which Tractors made under the Simplicity name incl

[dlcentral]

Hello Jack, how have you been? Good I hope!We had a JC Pennys /Sim. built trac. awhile ago.It was the same as the early 700AC's and 3300 ser.Sims.Yellow in color and Penny's name on it.And we JUNKED the darned thing!It was only a plain 3 spd.trans,but it had the cast iron Sim trans. in it!Hey wha hoppened to Freddy,get lost in choo-choo land!!? dlc

[DoubleT]

Hey Jack, Up here in Wisconsin "Ag" country me and the buddies like Allis. This last year I built a pulling tractor out of a 3314V Sim and made it look like a 700 series Allis. Because of the popularity for collecting old Ag tractors my vote is the AC version is the most collectable. Note: I believe Simplicity just stated building Massey Fergusons the last few years since AGCO bought MF. MikeES

[DoubleT]

"Like they say nothing like the real thing" does this mean then that Simplicity is the real thing? It just seems to me that its just a personal thing. Something like a Firebird and a Chevy Camero "but" to me it seems as though Simplicity would have a stronger name in its self as it started building its name long before the other tractors-garden that is. But as I look at the AC B-12 I can't but think it would be a real desirible one as it seems to have an outstanding look about it. Something that says under this paint and chrome lies a real bad boy tractor with bumble bee and all. Even though I don't own a AC just something about the name sounds strong verse's a name that sounds "simply simple". But we all know there all the same underneath don't we. I just want one of each and then I will be "happyjack" forever.

[DoubleT]

One model of each brand from the orininal 700 to the 7016 sounds good to me. Now that's a "full house"!

[Kent]

I have been reading the history page and thought how interesting it is that Simplicity has made so many 4 wheel tractors for other companies. Which brand do you think is the most desirible to collect and why?? What about the Ward's tractor's being some of the first one's made by Sim.? What about the early Simplicity one's themself's like the early 7oo series? How about the AC's? Even the Homelite tractor's that in most cases were so side by side with the Simplicity tractors at the same dealerships? Let's not forget the Massy Furguson's even as they have a big tractor name along with AC. Could this make them more collectible? What about Homelite that was only made about 3 years that are very hard to find or the Massy's? Please put any input you wish about this topic as I have always wondered how everyone feels about there tractor's name even though it was made by Simplicity itself. I will give my answer separate from this message. Best to all->happyjack<-

[Kent]

I'll admit my bias first, and then offer my personal opinion.... Do NOT interpret this as "expert opinion" since I'm certainly not an expert. I personally like the mystique of the "big tractor" name. In general, I think that old AC's, like John Deeres, will hold their value/appreciate more. In comparison, look at the old heavy-duty Wheelhorse (now Toro owned) tractors -- they actually MAY be a better tractor than a John Deere, but they're worth much, much less used. John Deeres are the most expensive old ones, and I certainly can't justify this based on just the quality of the tractor -- the Simplicity-made tractors mow much, much better, and the Wheelhorse may be a "tougher" tractor when it comes to ground-engaging implements such as plows, tillers, etc. But, neither will cost you nearly as much as a JD 110, for example. I think the "Allis" name will compete better overall.... Which specific ones? The older the better, and probably the ones that are hardest to find (due to either fewer being built/sold, or that have avoided the salvage man over the last 30 years). I think virtually all B-series will hold up pretty well. The 700 series are still expensive, but that may be because they're so much newer and likely in much better shape. The real puzzling ones to me are the 300 and 400 series ACs. Will the difficulty in finding parts that fit hold the value down, or will the "rarity" of these being "true ACs" increase their value? I haven't thought nearly as much about the Simplicity lineup, so I can't speak to those. Please remember that this is my PERSONAL opinion -- certainly don't go out and buy tractors based upon it.... 8o)

[Kent]

I certainly don't want to end this thread of the discussion -- what do the others think? After thinking more about it myself, what about the later B-series? They were also assembled in the AC Lexington plant, according to Les's research. Though they obviously were assembled using Simplcity parts and engineering, does the fact that AC made them mean they're more desirable? What about other models? Which ones appeal to you -- since you're the folks collecting them -- and why?

[Al]

Ok , I think the first Simplicity tractor's will be of more value-4wheel ones that is. Why because they were the main design that got the ball rolling for Monkey Wards and AC and the others built under them. Yes the tractors that AC built on their own in their own factory should justify their worth also. But they still are a copy of the real thing-true or false??? All of the other tractors made by Simplicity basically in my opinion are just copies other wise. Change the seat-color-add some chrome and"wham-bang" look what you have, underneath the same tractor. Some people will pay extra just for the name and not take into concideration that they are not even getting anything different then the name "why" it's like Kent said the mystique of it thinking that they are getting a better product. Or is it the reason?? Could have been that in some area's only a AC was available and in other area's a Simplicity was. GM and all of the other car companies do the same thing as people are willing to pay for the name. But with let's just say GM you are suppose to get better quility from a Buick then a Chevy to which you do but you pay $$ for it. Was that the case with the AC & Sim. tractors? "NOT" that I have seen, AC & Homelite like the other copies gave Simplicity a list or blueprint on how they wanted their tractors improved or updated in their own way as to help people make this descision it's called "gingerbread". Making something availible for one from the factory but a dealer installed opion on the other a good example was the Hi-Low range that was a dealer installed opion on the Sim.-availible from the factory on the AC.. But apparently it didn't work all that well or the Homelite's would still be around as they did basically the same thing as AC. What's my point it's like I said in my last answer if I can't have one of each then I want a B-12 as I like the darn "BUMBLE BEE's" on it but untill I find one well something else will have to do.. From my point any mistakes Simplicity did in designing these old tractor's or anything good they should at least get the credit for good or bad. I am in the process of buying a 1968 Homelite T-12 to go with my 2 landlords and I can honestly say that its still a Simplicity underneath but very few were made let alone seen so its just a make do tractor for now. I just hope I made some sense here if not "delete this thing". Best to all >>->happyjack<-<<

[Kent]

I down loaded Jeff's tractor to my desktop and can "drool" at it when ever I want to. And sometimes even when I don't want to see it as I know forsure I can't have one of those puppies. Best to all->>->happyjack<-<<-

[DoubleT]

I don't know how anyone could determine what becomes the most collectible. Presently, most of us are just owners, but even the collectors seem to be using their machines. And I think the usefulness enters into what they collect. Of the four wheel models, I would venture the Simplicity 700 may become at least one of the most collectible. It's a fairly rare one from what I've seen. For now though, it's also the smallest and lacks as much usefulness as many of the other models. Some people try to collect every trinket of their favorite football team, and may even get a team tractor even if they have no lawn! That could make those very collectible, but which team in the future? Myself, I look at the picture of Jeffs 75th anniversary model in the classifieds at least once a week, and drool all over my keyboard. I wonder what it would cost to ship that puppy from New Jersey to Alaska?

[paull]

I vote for the 300/400 series. The motor is eminently fixable, the vickers tranny, well, it was about the smoothest operator made and CAN be repaired (with difficulty however), and most other parts can be obtained or fabricated with a bit of ingenuity or retrofitted from other machines. As far as the sheet metal goes, if you need it-you're probably screwed, but thats what makes a clean one so collectible and nice to find. Considering that they were the only units mfg'd at the them "state of the art" Lexington, SC plant, they are rare but hardworking machines. Paul L.