OT-Simplicity Sovereign 3416H?

[Hewalog16]

Somebody gave me this tractor and I can't see any serial numbers or model numbers on it. It's definitely a simplicity and the sticker across the back has says "sovereign." It has a 16 hp, single cyclinder briggs engine. It has a hydrostatic transmission. Apparently it ran when it was parked seven years ago outside. Engine turns freely. Any advice on gettin' this thing running? Age? Are parts still available new?

 

[Hewalog16]

My pic didn't post so here's the second try.

 

[Del Huebner]

I have one just like yours. Purchased it new in 1991. Parts are available but very, very expensive. Couple of years ago I needed a muffler and it was $220.00. Recently inqiired about a seat and they (Simplicity Dealer) wanted almost $200.00 for that. Mine has a 48 inch mowing deck and still runs good. I have a newer mower so don't use it much any more. Thought about restoring it but thought it would be cost prohibitive.

 

[Hewalog16]

Well that stinks, cause I need a seat and a muffler!

 

[Ultradog MN]

There are some very good LGT discussion groups on Yahoo. They will require you to join but that is pretty painless. Also try the LGT board here at YT.
Generally though it is just another infernal combustion engine and you know the drill on what they require - ie, fuel, air and spark. Some compression helps too.
Original manuals are often to be found on Ebay and parts are generally easy to get at a Briggs and Stratton dealer.
I picked up a vintage 7 hp, 30" cut lawn tractor last fall and lately have been giving some thought to a spring tune up on it too.

<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=simplicity+garden+tractors" target="_blank">Search Yahoo Groups for Simplicity</a>
<a href="http://www.ytmag.com/gardent/wwwboard1.html" target="_blank">YT Garden Tractor Forum</a>

 

[Hewalog16]

Thanks, Ultradog! It appears to be a 1973 model. I'll see if I can find some OEM parts on the sites you recommended.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I would think a muffler wouldn't be too hard to make. If you have a oxy/acet welding torch or wire feed, drill and a few pieces of 16 guage metal you could fab one up. Not original of course but would do the job.
Also keep an eye on Craigslist. I see lots of LGTs for sale or parts listed there when I search for tractors etc. Try searching for Simplicity.
Here's the tractor I bought last fall. 32" cut not 30" as I mentioned earlier. I did get the manuals with it - lucky. Printing date says 1976 so the tractor must be around that vintage.

 

[Hewalog16]

Nice tractor. Did you buy it in that condition? I might just have to give the muffler fab a try. Thanks.

 

[Paul in MN]

Re parts availability, they are more available than you think. But as the others have said, the tractor manufacturer (and dealer) holds them up for high ransom. Seats are made by a seat company, maybe Michigan seat, but they are available as a generic item from many places like Fleet Farm or Northern Tool or TSC. The last high back one I bought new was about $50, but that is a few years ago. Mufflers are made by a muffler company, often Nelson muffler company. Exactly what your tractor needs is unknown to me, but I have taken a stock muffler and made some modifications with torch and MIG to make it work for the specific application. You could also buy a small aftermarket muffler for an IH Cub, small Allis, or 8N Ford and modify it. These small tractor mufflers are in the $20 to $30 range. Most small engine mufflers do not have any packing material inside, but are just some shaped "can" with possibly a baffle, but many do not even have a baffle.

As to the single cylinder Briggs, they are like a Harley... they run but they sure have a lot of vibration. On my H11XL Bolens tractor, I finally got rid of the 4th Briggs single cylinder engine and upgraded to a Briggs Vangard 16 Hp twin cylinder engine. Now I have a mowing tractor that isn't trying to shake my dental work loose, and it doesn't run out of power. The hydrostat trannys can easily handle the extra Hp (Usually an Eaton model 11, cast iron hydro).

If you can fix the BS engine cheaply, then do it, but I'll bet that you'll never regret putting a Vangard 20 Hp in that same tractor.

Paul in MN

 

[ASEguy]

michaelstractors.com deals exclusively with Simplicity/Allis Chalmers. Great site.