OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions On Ride On Mowers Frames Sovereign: Another Simplicity Tractor

So I was poking around gumtree last weekend and found a Simplicity ride on same model as the one I want to resurrect. The Mrs agreed (she's up to something) so I went for a drive last night to collect it. Apparently there's no compression because the valves are stuck. $150 sounded far too good not to add to the stable.

That's fantastic slashnburn

I have fond memories of the Sovereign.
This is a mechanically complex machine.

I think it has a Briggs Series 32 single cylinder,
and an expensive hrdrostatic transmission.

Looking forward to more info.

Cheers
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Jack

Yeah they ran a 16hp Briggs and this one is hydro so should be a Vickers. I don't know how to tell yet. It's a model 3416H H being Hydro I also have a 3416S S being shuttle which is a 4 speed. I am planning on reserecting one of them not sure which one probably the Hydro. As a point of interest there was an option in the states that used a hydraulic ram and draught control to raise and lower the deck and rear linkage assembly that was tapped into the hydros pump. They are a very heavy machine anyone curious should have a google around they had an amazing amount of attachments available in their day like buckets, grader blades, snow blowers, weed cutters etc and best of all the attachments changed in minutes with a few pins.

G'day slashnburn

That's all very good record information.

I once had to repair one of the hydrostats. I distinctly remember its
complexity - it was of the multi-piston swash plate type. I also remember
the sound of a Delco-Remy dynamo used to start the Briggs. Much more
civilised than a noisy ring gear starter motor.

Long live the Sovereign.
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Jack

I have some understanding but no experience on hydraulics/auto trans/hydro trans so am hoping to leave it well alone. I never have understood why from the 60's Simplicity and Allis Chalmers used the Delco Remy starter/generator units but to this day I am not aware of many others that did and I don't know of anything else sold here that did. My other one that I was using didn't have the starter. I do not suggest anyone else try to get your hands in there to wrap a pull rope around the flywheel and pull. Has taken me an hour to start the 16HP before.