A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Garden Tractors
Forum Description: A great place to discuss the Simplicity and Allis Chalmers Garden Models
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=210217
Printed Date: 14 Apr 2026 at 6:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever
Posted By: ibuzzard
Subject: A C Sovereign 18 - Can I Keep It Operating Forever
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
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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. |
Replies:
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 at 1:15pm
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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..  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: acken
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 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. |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 at 8:19pm
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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.
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Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 at 8:36pm
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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 |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2026 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! |
Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2026 at 12:06am
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ibuzzard Do you have some pics of the tractor? Sounds like a keeper....... Here are mine with the two blowers. https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/topic206924.html" rel="nofollow - Allis Chalmers Mower Blowers - AllisChalmers Forum I hope you purchase the tractor!! ------------- 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 |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2026 at 8:44am
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Leadoff, I do have a few photos from the dealers ad, but do not know how to post them on this site, since I’m a rookie here. Can you give me a few tips? I am keeping this under my hat from my wife at present, I’ll bet a few of you at least are familiar with this tactic. No use having perhaps a months’ worth of discussions on the matter when I can just buy it, pay for it and inform her after the fact. It’s over in one hour then. Ask for forgiveness, not permission. One of the strategies learned in 44 years of marriage, works for me.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2026 at 9:13am
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at the bottom of this post, on the left side, is a BOX that says "POST REPLY"... Click on that and you will get another pop up page.... Look for the GREEN TREE ICON on the heading of that page... Click on that and you get ANOTHER POPUP that you can search your Photo Files on your computer or phone.... upload from there. Click CHOOSE FILE ... then pick the file Click on UPLOAD ---- your photo will apear on the right Photo must be under 2 MB to load... change size to 800 x 600 to fit this SITE Post the photo with the "OK" button on the lower right.  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2026 at 11:56am
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ibuzzard Steve (ill) Looking forward to your pics..........excellent procedure from Steve (ill) Yes, I have used your purchasing approach several times and always worked out well. Married 47 years, and my lovely wife uses the same approach for items in her department Forum sponsors excellent for parts............. https://stores.djstractorparts.com/" rel="nofollow - Allis-Chalmers Tractor Parts ...............(DJS Parts) https://www.sandylakeimp.com/parts" rel="nofollow - Outdoor Power Equipment Parts | Mercer County, PA | Parts Shop .........(Sandy Lake) Here are a few good reference Internet sites......... https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/" rel="nofollow - Yesterday's Tractors Forums https://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/003/0/0/3005-simplicity-sovereign-18h.html" rel="nofollow - TractorData.com Simplicity Sovereign 18H tractor information https://simpletractors.com/" rel="nofollow - Home - Simple trACtors http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/default.asp" rel="nofollow - Michael's Tractors (Simplicity and Allis Chalmers Garden Tractors) https://www.partstree.com/" rel="nofollow - Parts Lookup and OEM Diagrams | PartsTree ...........good reference for part numbers YouTube.........lots of excellent AC/Simplicity Garden Tractor vids on many topics.... https://www.youtube.com/@ZippoVarga" rel="nofollow - Zippo Varga Small Engine Medic - YouTube Zippo specializes on AC/Simplicity This Forum is great for answers, don't hesitate to ask ------------- 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 |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2026 at 12:29pm
| Steve - thank you for the tutorial. A couple things : the file sizes are too large, don’t know if there’s anything can be done about that. I only have this iPad. Also, I do not know how to resize. My wife may have a clue, I am a tech-tard, I guess. I will try a little later - it’s my birthday and my wife has be doing a few chores, plus, I am doing a few for myself. I asked her what she was making me for my birthday supper tonight , she replied “You’re smoking us a couple steaks on the pellet smoker”. Yes Ma’am. She is, however making a New Orleans Style Bread Pudding W/Bourbon Sauce instead of a birthday cake.That’ll work. |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2026 at 10:18pm
| I am hoping my wife and I can figure out how to compress those files enough to post them here. It could be the weekend before we get time to try it, but we will. Would rally like your opinions on it. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2026 at 10:57pm
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im no expert on PHONES... but the guys say you can SEND the photo to yourself, then OPEN it up and RESIZE on the phone.. I dont know how to do that... Phones take photos about 5000 x 4000 pixels... and 5 MB in size... You need to be under 2 MB to get onto this site.. Better to be at 100- 200 KB in size... and about 800 x 600 pixels... If you SEND the photo to your kids or someone with a COMPUTER, they can open in PAINT, RESIZE and send it back to you...... but it can be done on your phone by sending to YOURSELF and then RESIZE. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2026 at 11:00pm
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GOOGLE........... https://www.google.com/search?q=Alternative+Methods&oq=how+do+i+resize+a+photo+on+my+cell+phone&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCTEzMTgyajBqNKgCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfCxXT5Q3eETk5FuKRXKLeSwni4Gdrc6uWnjOIn5iYTrW28H6r6ESPpGL7DeHJvkCctx_e8_IMubwocpebYHlssC9UPbPcd7j4lEgAMalEBPnoP7Zp0CdrGy8WywqdrvWMlTTVznNP_V2ksDY_XdpZka0b4yLHnkIf2sRgEsatgT9yA&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwiw25zi-IKTAxVH1fACHTwCDI4QgK4QegQIBhAB" rel="nofollow - Alternative Methods
------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2026 at 11:12pm
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ibuzzard Open "Paint" or equivalent type program on your computer or ipad - open the picture file you want to resize using the Paint program - the picture should appear in the working screen area of the Paint program - look for the Resize and skew icon and click - a pop up should appear with resize options - select "pixels" - usually 800 horizontal by 600 vertical works well for this Forum for size - click ok, save the resized pic file on your computer Then follow the steps from Steve (ill) to post to the Forum ------------- 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 |
Posted By: ibuzzard
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2026 at 8:43pm
| We’ll have a go at it this weekend. In the evenings after work, our old brains are about fried and not up to the task. I am pretty tech illiterate, anyway. Thank you for the tips. |