Comparison 1969 Simplicity/Montgomery Ward riding mower still going

[packardv8]

In 1969 my FIL bought a new 8hp Montgomery Ward riding mower. He used it a couple of years and sold it to me. I used it for thirty-five years, mowing an acre of rough lawn and plowing snow in the winter. It was worked hard, but maintained well

Little things did wear out. The front spindle where the drag link connects required several repairs. The transaxle shafts wore deep grooves in the housings, so I turned them one-eighty and installed bronze bushings. The deck blade arbors required reaming and shimming. The motor mounting plate required welding a couple of times. The rear deck alignment bracket required welding. The brake caliper broke years ago. The front wheel bearing areas wore out, so I installed bronze bushings and shimmed them with washers.

The amazing thing is the Briggs and Stratton still is running strong. The whole machine was getting tired but I couldn't bear to scrap it, so I parked it in the attic of the garage. After several years, my wife said it was time. Today, I got it down and out, aired the tires, poured in some gas, connected a battery. It started on the first spin, runs strong and idles down to counting the licks. It mows just fine.

Simplicity and Briggs and Stratton can be proud of this one. It's been a tremendous value for the money.

Jack Vines

 

[mechanic mark]

You're absolutely right, quality does matter! Great post, thanks.

 

[packardv8]

Thanks. If I could find the little disc brake caliper and linkage, I'd probably keep it forever.

Simplicity is the key word. This great little mower has served well for forty years without any lawyer switches. Its replacement Cub Cadet 2135 daily gives trouble with the various electrics and switches. I've slowly replaced them all and rewired the entire machine. Because there's nothing there, they can't cause problems on the Simplicity.

jack vines

 

[mechanic mark]

Thanks. If I could find the little disc brake caliper and linkage, I'd probably keep it forever.

Simplicity is the key word. This great little mower has served well for forty years without any lawyer switches. Its replacement Cub Cadet 2135 daily gives trouble with the various electrics and switches. I've slowly replaced them all and rewired the entire machine. Because there's nothing there, they can't cause problems on the Simplicity.

jack vines

Please post all numbers and we will try to locate parts: tractor model number, serial number, as well as all numbers from engine.