Debate this
 

Found this post on a boating forum that I participate in. There was a thread in the general discussion "Dockside Chat" sub forum regarding what lawn mower to buy. I, of course, posted a pic of my 108. Another participant posted this. Found it interesting. Thoughts?

"If you can find one, the best riding mower ever built was a Simplicity Sovereign. It was not just a mower, it was a true lawn and garden tractor and you could get a whole slew of implements for it from a single bottom plow to a snowblower and everything in between. There just happens to be a special edition one for sale on ebay right now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-SIMPLI...8AAOSwdjdaL-ya

It's worth every penny. I believe it is what launched the entire compact tractor industry in the US. These things are built tough. I used one as a log skidder for many years and can;t tell you the abuse I put it through. No cheap stamped steel here, everything is thick, welded plate and cast iron. Heavy duty Hydrostatic trans with oil cooler, horzontal shaft engine with direct drive PTO. PTO clutch. driveshaft on front for accesory takeoff, class 0 3 pt. hitch. "

Link didn't work.
I had a 65 Simplicity Landlord. It was no doubt a great little tractor. I got it for 100$ I think at the time. Would I spend big money one? No way. Always seemed very over priced to me.

I think the queen of the quiet lines and Lew should answer this one. Looks like a great combination of parts in the 90s models, CH engine etc.

I am however not a fan of the early gear drives with bevel bear boxes and belts but can appreciate that they were still made very well. I had an AC homesteader 8 for a brief moment and it was pretty neat for an LT

Fixed the link in the OP. Here it is again.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-SIMPLI...8AAOSwdjdaL-ya

I liked my 75th edition, especially when I sold it. heheheh
Those Simplicity Sovereign's are great tractors, better than a Wheel Horse, but not a Cub Cadet.

I was co owner of a Simplicity franchise back in the 90s and early 2000s. I bought one of those 75th anniversary editions and drove in the Simplicity anniversary parade in downtown Port Washington, WI. There were 800 tractors in this Guiness Book Of World Records parade...mine my was #121. The three day event was a blast and I met dealers from all areas. Number 121 was equipped with that wonderful Kohler TH that was short lived. After the event, it was crated and shipped to our dealership where it sat for four years. We sold the dealership in mid 2001 and the tractor too. Simplicity Sovereigns are great tractors...I will get another one....with the Kohler Command this time.

1965 unit was mfg #990101 IIRC. It was crude but quite nice for that era. It's Cub Cadet counterpart was a much better tractor but it's mower deck sucked compared to the Simplicity's deck.

I believe that.. what the the price difference in competing tractors simplicity Vs cub in that era? Just curious

The big name garden tractors of that time...Ariens, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Simplicity and Toro-Wheelhorse were similarly priced. John Deere and Ariens were typically a little higher priced. I sold a 2000 Sovereign and same year T-Wheelhose for about $5800. I strongly recommended the Simplicity over the T-Wheelhorse. Simplicity, at that time was absolutely wonderful to work with unlike the T-Wheelhorse distributors. Sadly, Simplicity MFG was sold to Briggs and Stratton in 2004.

Does it occur to you that the poster, who is raving about this Simplicity, might be the seller of the Simplicity on eBay?