“My next machine will be a Kubota or John Deere 4x4 tractor. I need something in the 25-30hp range.”
What? No Mahindra. (grin)
Yes, the Simplicity was the front engine type. Cast Iron Briggs 7 HP. Transaxle all cast iron and planetary gears on the axle. We used it when we moved into the new house in 1970 and did everything with it. Got it used in the Pennysaver with W/Wts, plow, snowblower, mower. Snowblower ran off the front shaft of the motor. Had a full size Delco Generator on it like a car. They were like small versions of big tractors. Got it for 525.00 at the time.
Allis-Chalmers merged with then eventually and they were both the same machine for years. Guys in upstate NY, southern tier had thousands of them and spare parts galore. Must have been quite popular in that area.
Yes, they don’t make them like they used to.
Had a helluva time with my JD 172 cranking over slow. Found out it was all the safety switches dropping the voltage to the starter solenoid. Rigged up an auxiliary relay circuit to the starter solenoid worked beautifully and retains the safeties.
Take care
Are you from western NY?
When you said the Pennysaver I thought so.
I grew up in Orchard Park where the Bills play. Now I live in southern NH. Moved up here in the 80s.
The 1977 Simplicity 1008 Snow Away snow blower I have was actually made by Allias Chambers. It has an old 8 hp Briggs engine on it. There is not one piece of plastic on the entire machine. The first and second stage impeller are chain and shaft driven. The secondary impeller has hard rubber paddles that throw the snow up the shoot. It will throw slush twenty feet and light snow fifty. It will also throw a rock at least fifty feet. The engine burns a little oil, but I can deal with that.