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 - 15 hours 55 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: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote ibuzzard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever Posted: 16 hours 6 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 - 15 hours 55 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: 9 hours 24 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) - 9 hours 21 minutes ago at 1:18pm
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

acken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Location: Minnesota Points: 111	Post Options Post Reply Quote acken Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 45 minutes ago at 7:54pm
	If you are comparing Simplicity to Simplicity, I doubt parts are any easier to find for the newer Legacy types. I say this because there were a lot more of the Sovereign,900 series AC's sold. This makes a better supply of used parts. I have both Sovereigns, and Legacy XLs, and both have their purpose, and are good machines. You could go a different color, but the Simplicity mower deck does a much better mowing job than any others in my opinion.

ibuzzard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 12 Feb 2026 Location: Mariposa Ca Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote ibuzzard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 20 minutes ago at 8:19pm
	Thanks for your replies. I would not want to try maneuvering that tractor around a yard, and in moist or wet weather it seems to me it would do some damage to a lawn. No need of a plow or disc, either. I hope to not need a snowblower, would be much easier and less expensive to buy a plow. That is just overkill for my needs, but thanks for the advice. Can anyone let me know the difficulty of finding parts or assemblies , perhaps alternative solutions for hard to source item? Thank you. Edited by ibuzzard - 53 minutes ago at 9:46pm

Leadoff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Location: Calgary Points: 310	Post Options Post Reply Quote Leadoff Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 3 minutes ago at 8:36pm
	ibuzzard I have two AC 716H tractors purchased used that were very well looked after by previous owners. Purchase price was about 600 USD each, and one came with a 48 inch mower deck. Vintage late 1970's These tractors are very well designed, strong, and easy to operate/maintain. I have purchased parts from the local Simplicity Dealer (mower deck spindle bearings, ignition points, belts) Unique replacement parts (OEM steering wheel, OEM Nelson muffler, both used but good shape) I have sourced from the Internet eBay suppliers network - a great resource for older machines I also purchased an new eBay replacement (Chinese) carburetor which works just fine I was also able to source a Simplicity/AC Deck Turbo Blower and AC Rear Mount Blower for my leaf collection system, from Internet Suppliers IMHO these machines should last for a very long time if maintained properly, and wear items (belts, bearings, etc) are available There are even used replacement Hydro Transmission units available on eBay!!! It looks like the Simplicity Sovereign 18 is very similar to the AC 716, and I would expect similar durability, longevity, parts availability Good luck with your project
	1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

ibuzzard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 12 Feb 2026 Location: Mariposa Ca Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote ibuzzard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 54 minutes ago at 9:45pm
	Thank you, Leadoff. I am strongly considering the purchase of this tractor. I actually may buy it in advance of our move, the dealer will store it indoors for me till I get moved. We will rent till we buy , so I could end up having the tractor before I have a home!