Export thread

Finally got my neighbor's old Suburban. 16HP Onan twin (flathead, full pressure lube). Six foward speeds, two reverses (via hi/lo range). Cast iron transaxle. Clock-style hour meter. Wheel weights included. Runs great! $100!!!

Eat your heart out, Wheel Horse! :biggrin:

My mistake. The transaxle is aluminum. Aluminum trannies worked for Hemicudas, didn't they? :wink:

Well, a new seat is $100, and a new fuel pump/carb kit is another $100 - but it'll be worth doing. I can recoup the money when I sell it.

Great thread, twall!

Gee, thanks! The response has really been overwhelming.........

Didn't see the post until now -- usually if it is sears or craftsman power equipment I ignore it...... Looks like NICE Tractor --- Good for You !!!!!!! :thumbsup: :biggrin:

I need to try to remember that they DID have some good stuff.

I have generally liked Craftsman tools am still a Craftsman Club member.

I guess the reason I got turned off to Sears power equipment is because I had a POOR experience with a Sears Craftsman "Garden Tractor" Try to keep story short.... about 1985 Ordered and got the tractor for 1/2 acre lawn at the time. Delivered on pallet with mower deck on 2nd pallet....... 3 hours to get deck on tractor ...... 1st mowing, every spot that was not perfectly level was scalped to dirt with deck set at about 3" (yes, it was installed and adjusted properly). Called Sears and told them to pick up their JUNK........ Sheet metal frame about 12 ga. --- Got a loan and a Gravely (Steel FRAME) - Drive over deck (this deck was thicker metal than the frame on the sears) and hook up PTO (about 3 min. max) No scalping + a Snow/Grader blade that mounted clear back to Cast Iron rear Axle. Used the Gravely for about 10 years and sold it for nearly what I paid.

The Suburban was about their best tractor. Actually, it was the only 'real' garden tractor they had. Anything with the Craftsman name on it (the suburban was NOT a Craftsman) was a cheap lawn mower, and nothing more. The decks were finickey, but could be adjusted to cut adequately. Trouble was, you'd generally have to adjust them every time you wanted to change the height.

I have no beef with the Craftsman line. They're just super light-duty, that's all.

This tractor is comparable to an Allis Chalmers, Wheel Horse, or other true garden tractor - even the JD 110.

My 77 looks just like your with the exception of the decals. I simply says SS/16. Definitely a rugged tractor. Why would you want to sell?

fastback said:

My 77 looks just like your with the exception of the decals. I simply says SS/16. Definitely a rugged tractor. Why would you want to sell?

Click to expand...

The previous owner repainted the hood. It originally said "SS 16" as well (Sears Suburban 16hp) They were produced like this one from 1974-79. In 79, they changed the color to the famous silver and black.

I'll sell it when i tire of it. I've gotten lucky on deals lately, and now I have too many. FAR too many. Since I really love my Snapper, I'll keep her, and sell off the rest to build a little shop.

I replaced the seat on my tractor I was able to get one at Lowes the price was around $50.00.

I know what you mean about a workshop. They are nice to have infact my wife and I are currnetly adding a small addition and I get the cellar it's a walkout. Although, I already have adaquate shop space (a 30 x 30, 2 story barn and a 22 x 22 garage coverted in to a wood shop) I am looking forward to this one since it will be part of the house and I'll be setting up my metal shop in it. This one is 14 x 20, just right for a lathe, BP, surface grinder and bench, as well as a vertical bansaw, drill press and horisontal saw. I won't need to go out in the cold in the winter. Oh, did I mention it will be air conditioned:thumbsup:

i just bought one!...keep us updated on what your doing to it...im looking to semi restore mine:thumbsup:

Have not heard from Twall from some time he must be fast at work on the 74.

i hope so:thumbsup:

reddragon said:

i hope so:thumbsup:

Click to expand...

I don't have it anymore - gave it to my dad, but I'll be working on it here and there. Had some zoning problems, which I'm sure you're aware of by now.

well...at least its in the family:smile:

reddragon said:

well...at least its in the family:smile:

Click to expand...

He just bought a fuel pump for it, and it runs great!

I was going to fix it up and give it to him anyway. So all is well. He'll have a ball with it in the garden next spring. Told him you can get a 3pt hitch for it, and his eyes lit up....:laughing:

Today, my wife and I were driving some back roads in the town of Rehoboth, MA. Its an old farming community not like the ones out west, but its stlill pretty rural. Anyway, there is a guy that sells used equipment from time to time. Today he had an older Sears (70's vintage) He was asking $450.00 it came with a plow, 3 point hitch and something else??. The tractor looked original no new paint etc. it had a 16 horse engine. Not a bad price for a 35 +/- tractor. BTW, I got mine for free.

Hey Twall, I didn't know you were gone:laughing:

Yeah, was for a few days.

It was a reaction to - um - an administrative oopsie.....:wink:

All better now! :thumbsup:

Do you folks know who manufactured that 1974 Suburban for Sears?:licking:

i believe it was ROPER..... Vintage Sears Garden Tractors

Thats a nice tractor. I wish mine was that fancy. I had been using my box blade until my right rear tire gave out.:frown: It experienced massive tread separation. Does ANYONE have an idea where to get a pair at the right price? 21.5x7.5/12. I would not mind a slightly taller or inch wider. I have been looking but cant find them anywhere. any Information would be greatly appreciated. I happend to see a deep lug but cannot find it anymore.:frown:

I also recall seeing a husquvarna with 22x7.5/12 Is this true. GOD SPEED LMF.

i dont know what you have but i just bought a pair of 23x10.5x12 for the rear on craigslist for $30

I have a sears suburban from around the same time. I made a mistake, the stock rears are 22.5x7.5/12, and not 21.5
I never see any kind of tires for this purpose on cl. I did see a husquvarna with near the same size tires. I believe they were 23's

i would look at the "all for sale" category....and try garden tractor tires or just "tires"....got any pictures of your rig?

I don't have any pics on this computer but 2 youtube vids. <iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hV7X5Exsgdk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

this is after the rebuild but it still knocks a little.

if that doesnt work here is a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV7X5Exsgdk

same video..but this is it YouTube - Sears Suburban Box Blade ...that looks like fun...your driveway should be 40' wide by now:laughing:

There is another vid on my channel before the rebuild of the wisconsin. I suppose it could be that wide with new tires. lol. I did have one hell of a garden until the drought hit us. I had 2 thirty foot rows of every thing from alvocados to zuccini until one day no rain.....:frown: alot of frowns for me today.

pray for rain in texas.

no doubt! :frown:...i love alvocados :wink:

Still no lick on tires on craigslist, but lots of other cool stuff. I really need my machine up and running. Can anyone recommend any tire sites or a chinese site that may have cheap prices?

rer said:

Still no lick on tires on craigslist, but lots of other cool stuff. I really need my machine up and running. Can anyone recommend any tire sites or a chinese site that may have cheap prices?

Click to expand...

All I can offer is the obvious Google avenue. By the way, I just bought a 1978 Sears GT 18 for $50.00, it's pretty much all there, as far as I can tell, but I don't know if it runs. I think it is worth close to $50.00 in scrap value alone, but I'd hate to see it go to the recycler. If the 2cyl. Onan is toast, I may put in a B&S Vanguard.

I'm not sure if anyone cares about a 33 year old tractor, but I got the 18hp Onan opposed twin in my 1978 GT 18 running smoothly yesterday:biggrin:. I'd forgotten how smoothly these boxers run. Now, on to the rest; need to see if the trans and diff. work, and have to get my electrically operated 3pt. hitch unfrozen and operational. One step at a time, I guess.:smile::thumbsup:

awsome:biggrin:...you can still get parts for the engine here and others Onanparts.com, Your Onan Parts Solution

reddragon. thanks for the link:biggrin:! So far, I've spent about $22.00 on consumables on this thing, and another $16.00 on a tube for the left front tire. I got the choke cable freed up today, with the help of a little heat and someone else's elixir mentioned here on LMF about ATF and acetone. Heat, patience, a hammer, and some elixir.:biggrin: Tomorrow I'll see if the transmission and differential work...I'm hopeful and optimistic.:smile:

i need pictures! :biggrin:...how can i help you get some posted?

reddragon said:

i need pictures! :biggrin:...how can i help you get some posted?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I think our digital camera is on permanent holiday. I'll have to do a quick battery check and reboot, or whatever it might need. The good news is yesterday I gently rolled the GT off the stand, fired it up, and it works in all gears, high and low range. It feels to me like I'm driving a Peterbuilt 379 or equivalent long-haul truck! The steering is surprisingly light, and the hood is the exact opposite of all the new style mowers; big, square, and gains height as it goes away from you to its big, tall squared off nose.
Remarkably, even the hour meter works. 546 hrs. show on the face. It took me a while to figure out what I was looking at..:confused2: The Onan runs at least as smoothly as the 16hp Vanguard that I have in my Cub Cadet 2164. It feels like it'll be good for other 600 to 900 hrs. with any reasonable care.
Left to do;
Pull the deck (ugh) replace/recondition spindles as necessary, sandblast, repaint (probably with POR-15)
Get the 3-point hitch working
Get the lights working
Find the one piece of cast aluminum eek lower grille that's missing
Repaint the body panels
It's all good, clean fun.:biggrin:

they are definitely a whole different experience to drive.....i like how heavy they are....you dont get knocked around like newer lighter mowers....and your butt is is practically hanging off the back! :laughing:

reddragon said:

they are definitely a whole different experience to drive.....i like how heavy they are....you dont get knocked around like newer lighter mowers....and your butt is is practically hanging off the back! :laughing:

Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. I think this thing is up towards 800 lbs. It has two wheelweights on the rears right now, and is the only tractor I've had to winch on to my trailer so far. The rest I've just pushed or wrestled. That first gear, low range max. speed of .6mph makes one feel fairly invincible.:biggrin: I'll get a couple of photos out here fairly soon.
:biggrin:

twall said:

Finally got my neighbor's old Suburban. 16HP Onan twin (flathead, full pressure lube). Six foward speeds, two reverses (via hi/lo range). Cast iron transaxle. Clock-style hour meter. Wheel weights included. Runs great! $100!!!

Eat your heart out, Wheel Horse! :biggrin:

Click to expand...

Anyone ever accuse you of stealing. Looks like a great find. Good luck with it. I have five of them.

benski said:

You're absolutely right. I think this thing is up towards 800 lbs. It has two wheelweights on the rears right now, and is the only tractor I've had to winch on to my trailer so far. The rest I've just pushed or wrestled. That first gear, low range max. speed of .6mph makes one feel fairly invincible.:biggrin: I'll get a couple of photos out here fairly soon.
:biggrin:

Click to expand...

I have a 1975 Sears Ss16 with a predator 22 hp. that I just finished retrofitting on it. I have electric lift and angle on the front and rear. Dual SUNF AO33's on the rear. A 60" blade on the front. A 46" to 76" adjustable width blade on the rear. New high backed seat. 420 CCA battery. Added headlight's. Etc. Just re-painted. 48" three blade mower deck with new blades and belts. New tractor drive belt. I am thinking about adding a Billet Flywheel, and heads, and a competition cam. This would increase the total hp. to about 38. Performance 670 has the cure for weakness.