Simplicity Legacy Tractor?

[Hexa Fox]

Hello again guys,

So I was hoping to start a conversation about this. I already did some reading and saw some mentions of this tractor line being recently discontinued by Simplicity. I can see some truth to that because I believe they are saying the Prestige is now "the top of the line tractor offered". However, I do see listing for 2023 Legacy tractors. Something else that I noticed is that they are not holding their value very well and seems like they are everywhere for sale.

I would love to hear from people that know more about them. I have been in the market for a small 4x4 machine for quite some time. Not to mention a lot of these Legacy tractors are just simply awesome looking.

1.) I can see attachments are around and seem like they are still readily available from Simplicity.

2.) I noticed some of the Legacy tractors are gas while others, especially older ones are diesel. Is there one that is much preferred over the other? The diesel probably?

3.) Does anyone know if someone else is manufacturing these tractors for Simplicity?

I have always wanted a little machine that I could do a lot of stuff with and it looks like I could get one of these cheap and do everything I want to do. The FEL's for these tractors can lift what a Ventrac does so no loss there. They have a tiller, snow blower and rotary broom which are some of the top attachments I have always wanted. I would even love to hear your guys' thoughts on other similar tractors such as the the John Deere X700 series tractors. I have been looking for something that will mow steep hills easier. I think a 4x4 will achieve that. I have spent a long time looking at Cub Cadets with Synchro Steer, Altoz, Grasshopper 900Ds, Ventracs and even Kubota F series tractors. However, with all that stuff easily clearing $15,000 for something that you can only mow with these Simplicity tractors are looking really palatable. The Ventracs are easily clearing $30,000 for just the tractor. You can get one of these Legacy tractors used with low hours for under $10,000 with a mower deck easy.

 

[Paystar]

I think Simplicity is owner by Briggs&Stratton now last time I saw one? They used to have something to do with Massey Ferguson didn't they?

Come to think of it, yes they are Briggs now because my friend that lives out here is a B&S dealer and I was asking him if he was ever going to carry the Simplicity line now.
I was looking at lawn tractors last year just to get something lighter than my Kubota for mwing over the septic field.

Simplicity had one model that actually has suspension. I thought that was cool.

 

[skramer360]

I worked at an outdoor power dealer a while back (5 yrs) and we carried Simplicity. Paystar is right, they are owned by Briggs. They seemed well built, but I only worked there for a year after we started carrying them. So I didn't see if there were followup issues. We did sell a couple Legacy tractors while I was there.

 

[Carl_NH]

If you look on Tractor House there are 18 for sale, some with loader and mower deck, and some with Diesel (Daihastu) and some with Kawasaki liquid cooled too and a mix of 2WD/4WD. Most tho seem to be air cooled though and range in price $5K to $13K depending on options.

The concern I would have is availability of accessories as these could run up the price.

IMO, a Kubota BX used can be found for $8-15K with 4WD, Loader, deck etc. and these have a lot of available options for add on accessories in the market. Long term resale value would be better.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yeah, a 'better buy' would be to go with a true subcompact. Basically any of the tractor manufacturers offer one. IMHO, even a used Kubota BX1880 would be a better choice, just because of parts availability.

 

[MichiganIron]

Yeah, a 'better buy' would be to go with a true subcompact. Basically any of the tractor manufacturers offer one. IMHO, even a used Kubota BX1880 would be a better choice, just because of parts availability.

Owned a Simplicity Legacy years ago. Had remote hydraulics, Front Loader Attachment, 3-point Hitch and Rear PTO. Thought it was a really nice machine except 2 issues; ours was a 2wd version, and had a Kohler 25hp Command gas. If that tractor was diesel and 4wd, we would probably still have it around now. It was really well built and absolutely trouble free. If you want a small tractor without paying for a true Subcompact, it's a great little machine. The 2 wheel drive version is useless with the Front Loader.

 

[BigBlue1]

Yeah, a 'better buy' would be to go with a true subcompact. Basically any of the tractor manufacturers offer one. IMHO, even a used Kubota BX1880 would be a better choice, just because of parts availability.

I guess it depends on the OP's use cases. For more lawn-related stuff I think this size/style tractor wins out over a SCUT. I'm relating this based on Deere x7-series vs 102x SCUTs, but the issues are similar regardless of brand. The garden style tractor with AWD is lighter and more lawn friendly than a SCUT with MFWD and, typically, R4 tires. Sometimes with tighter turning radius too. But if you really want to do loader stuff or dirt-engaging then a SCUT may win out.

 

[Hexa Fox]

I think Simplicity is owner by Briggs&Stratton now last time I saw one? They used to have something to do with Massey Ferguson didn't they?

Come to think of it, yes they are Briggs now because my friend that lives out here is a B&S dealer and I was asking him if he was ever going to carry the Simplicity line now.
I was looking at lawn tractors last year just to get something lighter than my Kubota for mwing over the septic field.

Simplicity had one model that actually has suspension. I thought that was cool.

Yes they are Briggs but I think there is some sort of acquisition happening for Simplicity, not 100% sure though. Anyway yeah all those mowers are made by Briggs, Snapper, Ferris and Simplicity. Just to me it is kind of odd to have such a 'large' true lawn tractor that is out of your niche market you know? I own a Ferris 2100Z now and I absolutely love it. Just it is a zero turn so it is not great on hills and all it can do is mow.

If you look on Tractor House there are 18 for sale, some with loader and mower deck, and some with Diesel (Daihastu) and some with Kawasaki liquid cooled too and a mix of 2WD/4WD. Most tho seem to be air cooled though and range in price $5K to $13K depending on options.

The concern I would have is availability of accessories as these could run up the price.

IMO, a Kubota BX used can be found for $8-15K with 4WD, Loader, deck etc. and these have a lot of available options for add on accessories in the market. Long term resale value would be better.

I agree with this totally. I need to look at the Kubota tractors again. The problem I always have with Kubota is that I always keep convincing myself that I need a larger one. I also need something small. The Simplicity tractors have a small form factor and are available in 54" decks. Right now what is getting me is the price of these Simplicity tractors seem to be very low.

Can anyone tell me how the FEL hooks up? Because I see them for sale online but I do not see the linkage on a lot of Simplicity tractors to hook it up.

 

[Hexa Fox]

I guess it depends on the OP's use cases. For more lawn-related stuff I think this size/style tractor wins out over a SCUT. I'm relating this based on Deere x7-series vs 102x SCUTs, but the issues are similar regardless of brand. The garden style tractor with AWD is lighter and more lawn friendly than a SCUT with MFWD and, typically, R4 tires. Sometimes with tighter turning radius too. But if you really want to do loader stuff or dirt-engaging then a SCUT may win out.

Yeah I have already done a ton of research. When you compare the Legacy or a John Deere X700 series tractor with a FEL even a tiny 1025r makes them look like children playing in the dirt. I heard this is because you can put the 1025r in low gear which makes a significant difference. The John Deere X700 series tractors do not have a low range and I am not sure about the Simplicity.

Another tractor that I keep coming back to is the 2025r but I do not like that they use the same engine in it as the 1025r. I would like a bigger engine to come with the slightly larger tractor.

This is my problem I always start to talk myself into something bigger. The truth is I need something with a 54" deck. I am considering a 60" but there are tight places where the 52" on my Ferris makes all the difference.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Unless you get one hell of a deal you don't want a Legacy.