My name is Mike, and I am addicted to old garden tractors. I supposed there probably IS a support group to help "correct" this problem, but I don't want to find it. For some reason, I'm drawn to these old pieces of equipment. Maybe its from my upbringing. I was in the garage with Dad from my earliest memories. When I started helping with yardwork, I learned to drive an old Case Garden Tractor. That engine seized, and Dad and I rebuilt it. We plowed in the winter, and mowed in the summer. It had a hand operated hydrostatic transmission, and 16" wheels in the back. I thought I was the king of the world on that thing!
I've always been interested in mechanical stuff. Doesn't need an engine...mechanics are neat. Probably why I went to college to be a mechanical engineer. After working for 15 years though, I've been promoted into management and I don't do "real" work anymore. Tractors have become my outlet, I guess. I'd love a Wrangler, or a Corvette, but haven't been able to justify the cost (Corvette) or have a place to work on it (Wrangler). Garden Tractors are small, relatively inexpensive, and supremely useful.
All that stuff is just justification though. I didn't start out to "collect" them, or make a conscious decision to work on them. I had a friend that was going to junk one. It was a Simplicity from 1977. Solid tractor, some rust, but didn't run. I "bought" it from him for a case of beer. Brought it home, rebuilt the engine, and finally got it running right. In the meantime, I found Simpletractors.com. That site and its accompanying forum got my juices flowing, so to speak. Now, I have a list of attachments and tractors that I want...I think that means I'm a collector (my wife calls it hoarding).
I have a couple of rules...One project at a time, and they will all be workers. No show queens. I'm also cheap, so I don't go out and buy everything I see (though sometimes it KILLS me to let one slide by under my nose).
Some pictures...
7016 3-speed. I sold this one.
My 65 Broadmoor. This is one that I HAD to have, and probably when I realized I was collecting, vs just using. I love the style of this ol girl. They just don't build them like this anymore!
This is the first one. Took me a long time, 2 years, to get her running right and to be useful. This one came with the engine pulled out, and in boxes!
This is what she looks like now. I have the snowblower and trailer for her, as well as a 42" mower deck, rototiller, and a revitilizer (think big aerator). Would like to find a loader bucket for it as well!
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