Montgomery Ward lawn tractor

Anonymous Poster · Nov 3, 2002

I have an old monkeywards 16hp riding lawn tractor that still runs as good as the day it was built. However I would like to find one that is reasonably good shape for parts.

I need a drive shaft (shaft between the motor and rearend) and a set of blades. or a whole deck assembly

Does anyone still even have one of these fine pieces of machinery or do I have one of the lasts ones..?

Rick Jay · Nov 4, 2002

Handyman,

Did Montgomery Ward actually make the tractor, or did they just "rebadge" other units? My dad has a 1973 16 hp Gilson tractor with mower, snowblower and roto-tiller that's still going strong. I seem to remember that at the time Montgomery Ward was rebadging some of the Gilson products...but that was a long time ago and I was only 13 then! Not quite as "tractor savvy" as I am 30 years later.

What else do you know about the tractor?

~Rick

Anonymous Poster · Nov 13, 2002

Hey Rick,

From what I understand is MTD finally bought the rights to the mower several yrs ago.

What I do know about mine is that it has the old huffy rearend, (almost indistructable). I still have info and the # for Montgomery Wards for parts, but some things aren't available any more. Right now all I need to get is 3 new blades and a drive shaft and air up a tire and mine would still probably out last all the John Deeres in the neighborhood.. LOL

pajoube · Nov 14, 2002

Check with Sears Service Center, I heard that they have taken over the repair and service of Wards lawn products.
PJ

r0GuE · Nov 18, 2002

W o w... Who would have thought it would outlive the monkey! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Soulnds like you got an exceptional value there. Good luck with the parts quest.

ChuckinVA · Nov 18, 2002

I understand that Simplicity manufactured some garden tractors for M.W. through the mid sixties. You might post a note at www.simpletractors.com those folks may be able to point you in the right direction for parts etc.

robert_f · Jan 21, 2004

Hi Rick !

Is there any chance that you could send me a copy of the manuals for the Gilson tractor ?
I recently purchased one without manuals.
Best regards
Robert

Rick Jay · Jan 30, 2004

robert_f,

Did you have a Gilson tractor or a Montgomery Ward? Do you have the model number?

I'll check with my dad to see what manuals he has.

His Gilson has been a good machine for almost 31 years now. His single cylinder Briggs 16 hp engine has only needed minor tune-up work so far. Other than belts, it's mostly original.

~Rick

jinman · Jan 31, 2004

The Montgomery Wards tractor was made by Gilson which was bought by Toro and now owned by Lawnboy. You can still get some parts for those old mid- '70s models, but some things you have to make, adapt, or find an old tractor for parts.

There is a Yahoo! user group for these tractors at:
Gilson & MW Tractors
Recently this site has been the target of a lot of SPAM and XXX Crud, and a new group has sprung up to conteract the smut peddlers. Drop an email to jackofonetrade@yahoo.com and he will set you up with info on the new group.

Don't dispair, there is a whole family of Gilson lovers out there that want their tractors to last for many more years. They are dedicated to helping with just the kinds of parts you need. Check out the picture of my Gilson in the attachment.

rtb · Feb 2, 2004

Hey Rick my name is Richard . My grampa has a M.W. tractor m#gil33154c s#12388, 16hp lawn tractor. I would really appreciate it if you could maybe see if your dad has a manuel on this he could e-mail me. I am especially interested in the electrical schematics since my dad and gramps are trying to figure why they dont have a spark and neither are familiar with sort of beast. I dont know if my e-mail is post so just incase . peanut732688@hotmail.com. Thanks a lot either way appreciate your consideration. nice sight too. hope to talk more in here.

robert_f · Feb 5, 2004

Rick,
I have the Gilson Hydro 16.
The model no. 58021 44092 or 53021 44092.
It´s hard too read the number.
Serial no 278

My tractor is in a bad shape, but it runs ok.
I am trying to rebuild it bit by bit, but still use it.
Last week we had 50cm of snow, here in sweden.
I use it with a snow blade this time of year.
Hope that you can help me with the manuals.

Regards,
Robert

Rick Jay · Feb 11, 2004

Richard,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I keep forgetting to check this thread.

Next time I'm over my dad's I'll check to see what he has for manuals. He did have a puzzling ignition problem a few years ago. He eventually solved it, but I forgot what he did.

If you haven't tried it yet, I'd try replacing the points ignition with one of those universal electronic ignition replacement kits for Briggs engines. See if that gets it started.

I'm at work (sort of /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) now. I'll call him when I get home today and ask him what he did to solve his ignition problem.

Take care,

~Rick

Rick Jay · Feb 11, 2004

Robert,

My dad's is the gear model: 4 forward, 1 reverse. I have no idea how different the gear and hydro models are. If you need help with the hydro unit, then he might not have any information.

I should see my dad within the next week. I'll check to see what he has for manuals for the tractor.

I like your pic. My dad's Gilson has a "cream" colored hood and he uses a snowblower. He also has the cab for it.

The front blade is a nice unit. He has one, but only uses it if the snowblower should break in the middle of a storm. This has only happened once in 30 years, so he has very little hours on the blade, but it is a nice, well built blade.

I'll contact you when I have more info.

Take care,

~Rick

richy · Jun 30, 2005

hello my name is richard and i have a montgomery with deck.
was u looking for the trac.get a hold of me mr_mudslide_01@yahoo.com ok talk to u soon

GerardC · Jun 30, 2005

Richard: If you look back at the date, the original post was posted on 11/03/02. You may still get a bite but I doubt it. Always good to post though as someone else may be looking for what you have.
Welcome to TBN.

gmsssi · Jul 1, 2005

My neighbor had a 16hp MW tractor in the late 70's and he use to win small tractor pulls at local fireman fairs with his stock machine all the time, they were a workhorse!

Russell_doty · Jul 4, 2005

Hello forum ,I have a montgomery Wards tractor also and have the manuals for it.I have a 14 hp that has had a 16 hp replaced on it . My grandfather had it at my great grandmothers farm for mowing grass and removing snow.I also have the bottom plow mount without the plow.I am writtin gthis forum for info on ordering parts or locating parts.I need a spring that fit inside a pulley for the drive system on the tractor.I will post picture's and part #s as I learn how to do so.(I am new at this posting Item's and photo's.)

Dataway · Nov 16, 2005

I've got a Wards/Gilson snow thrower for sale..model number GIL-33053A....in the unlikely event anyone is interested. I'm in the Albany NY area. Rusty but seems very solid, still moves nice and free.
Email me at: jbranson(at)nycap.rr.com (replace the (at) with @ of course).
JohnnyB

jed1950 · Nov 26, 2005

are you still looking for the torque spring for the transmission pulley

bobpino · Dec 19, 2005

Help, I cant find the serial numbers or part numbers of my tractor...It Is a Montgomery WARDS 16 HP RIDE ON, yellow in color, I think its about a 1974 but Im not sure--is this a Gilson?
I need a torque spring that goes behind the drive or transmission pulley, without this it does not move..
Can any point me in the right dirsction to get some parts for this tractor?

thanks!!!!