A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever

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   Thanks for adding me, I believe this is my first post.
I thought I’d just about decided on a different, earlier model , but was then persuaded to consider the 18, as more powerful and all around better. I have joined several FaceBook Allis Chalmers, Simplicity, Agco Allis groups, they seem to have a mix of real collectors and just plain users, like I will be. All seem to have skills to keep anything they own running forever. I am not on their level, I fear.

We’ll be retiring and relocating to NE Tenn next year, and will buy a small home on 1-2 acres. I intend using the tractor for mowing, tilling a garden, snow removal. I found a beautifully restored/refurbished Sovereign 18 for sale at an equipment dealer, only has a mowing deck at present, so I’ll  need to find both a tiller, then a snow blower. I am considering it.

 The owner, an equipment dealer for over 30 years did very gently remind me that there are some difficult or impossible parts to find for the Sovereign 18 - can’t recall just which ones, maybe clutch related? - if I do need to replace them. He suggested, considering my familiarity with garden tractors and lack of skills, that I consider even newer models as being easier to obtain parts for going forward, Prestige and Legacy.

Is this good advice? I am confident in doing some repairs, as I drive a 60 year old truck. But, I am 66 and realistically will be using any tractor I buy  for probably the next 15 years or so, if I actually last that long. I don’t  weld or paint (wish I could learn). 

Is the dealer correct, do I need to be concerned about not being able to find parts if I need them? Should I buy a newer tractor? I really prefer well made vintage tools, but this will be my first garden tractor. 

Finally, what would be the hardest to find parts? I will build a small shop, and could find room for a spare unit, but I’m not going to have a tractor boneyard/ warehouse of spare parts just to keep it running, neither my wife nor I want that. 

Thank you for any advice, and take it easy on me. Sorry for the long-winded intro.

Edited by ibuzzard - 12 hours 26 minutes ago at 6:44am

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ibuzzard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 12 Feb 2026 Location: Mariposa Ca Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote ibuzzard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever Posted: 12 hours 37 minutes ago at 6:33am
	Thanks for adding me, I believe this is my first post. I thought I’d just about decided on a different, earlier model , but was then persuaded to consider the 18, as more powerful and all around better. I have joined several FaceBook Allis Chalmers, Simplicity, Agco Allis groups, they seem to have a mix of real collectors and just plain users, like I will be. All seem to have skills to keep anything they own running forever. I am not on their level, I fear. We’ll be retiring and relocating to NE Tenn next year, and will buy a small home on 1-2 acres. I intend using the tractor for mowing, tilling a garden, snow removal. I found a beautifully restored/refurbished Sovereign 18 for sale at an equipment dealer, only has a mowing deck at present, so I’ll need to find both a tiller, then a snow blower. I am considering it. The owner, an equipment dealer for over 30 years did very gently remind me that there are some difficult or impossible parts to find for the Sovereign 18 - can’t recall just which ones, maybe clutch related? - if I do need to replace them. He suggested, considering my familiarity with garden tractors and lack of skills, that I consider even newer models as being easier to obtain parts for going forward, Prestige and Legacy. Is this good advice? I am confident in doing some repairs, as I drive a 60 year old truck. But, I am 66 and realistically will be using any tractor I buy for probably the next 15 years or so, if I actually last that long. I don’t weld or paint (wish I could learn). Is the dealer correct, do I need to be concerned about not being able to find parts if I need them? Should I buy a newer tractor? I really prefer well made vintage tools, but this will be my first garden tractor. Finally, what would be the hardest to find parts? I will build a small shop, and could find room for a spare unit, but I’m not going to have a tractor boneyard/ warehouse of spare parts just to keep it running, neither my wife nor I want that. Thank you for any advice, and take it easy on me. Sorry for the long-winded intro. Edited by ibuzzard - 12 hours 26 minutes ago at 6:44am

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steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 90222	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 5 hours 55 minutes ago at 1:15pm
	another option would be an Allis "B" Farm Tractor... about 2000 pounds and 20 HP.. I doubt you need a snow blower in Tenn... Maybe just a back blade ... and you can move a little dirt or driveway rockes with it also.. If the B was equipped with a 3 point hitch, you can use a small plow or disc... Finish mower or belly mower are available... Cost is probably cheaper than a large Garden Tractor.. and yes, they basically last forever.. As long as you are flexible enought to get on and off... and have the room to park it.. Edited by steve(ill) - 5 hours 52 minutes ago at 1:18pm
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.