Sears Suburban Backyard Tractor Club

NEW! March, 2015: Hi Gang! We have an exciting 2015 planned this year. We'll be going to our first plow day in Pennsylvania in April. Afterwards, we’ll be at the Hudson Mills Old Power Club show in June. We're also looking to make a show up in Wisconsin in August.  Currently scanning our calendar to see if we can make some Tractor shows in Indiana and Ohio as well. Nothing for sure yet, but maybe a day trip to a swap meet.  Let us know what’s going on!

February 2014: Well we did it. We rejoined the Onan club and purchased a 1973 or 74 SS/16. This is only the second Onan in the club and we sold the first a few years ago because we never could get it to run correctly without the choke on. This one is also a choker. Been researching the fix needed to get this one running right. We’re simply not huge fans of the twin motors but we made the plunge and hopefully we get it running correctly and it will change our minds. This purchase included nearly mint condition back blade, mold plow, front plow, cutting deck, a brand new looking old style snow blower, 3-point, new style wheel weights, heavy duty chains, original sears cart and a spare Onan motor. Maybe hook the sickle bar up to this one?

October 2013: 68 SS12. We’ve seemed to have a 68 SS streak going here. Went to a local auction where there were 2 Suburbans available among some Cubs and other late 60’s early 70 irons. We passed on the 1967 Suburban 10. Personally I prefer the full foot rest and not the smaller foot rest of the 66 and 67 10s and 12s but we did purchase the 68. This one runs and is my first 68 SS that runs. We were basically bidding against the scrapper guys lurking around. Once the bid went over the value of scrapping the old girl out, we were able to secure the high bid. We also picked up an old seeder/planter, plow, cutting deck, mold plow, original wheel weights, chains, 2 3-points and cultivator. Been plowing snow this winter with it.

September 2013: Score! A newer model sickle bar. Yep, we’re in the sickle mower business. Haven’t had a chance to try this out as we go into winter but look forward to attaching this to one of the Suburbans and trying it out in the spring. Going to need some horsepower for this so maybe the 16/6 or find an SS.

June 2013: An epic find! A 1969 Sears Suburban Hydro that has been garage kept its entire life. A repaint, which bums me out but runs great. No knocking (which is very good) and just a slight amount of smoke when increasing the throttle. It clears up immediately. Has all original parts except for the accent steel pieces on the steering wheel. Will change the oil soon and give it a bath and will be cutting the lawn with this bad boy very soon. Very excited about this one. A picture has been posted, check it out.

May 2013: Another 68 SS12. This one needs work and not sure when we will find time to get it running. Been sitting outside so everything is stuck. I wish I had more patience. I may try and find this one a new home. It may be only the second Suburban I’ve ever sold. For $200, it’s yours. Comes with a cutting deck. Contact us if interested.

October 2012: Picked up a 1974 ST 12. Not one of my favorites but it fills in nicely as our 2nd ST 12. The ST featured some heavy duty parts over the previous Suburbans like thicker tie rods. Nose cone is mint and that always makes us happy. Hunts a little at lower RPMs and is the only Suburban we have that does not have a perfect transmission. It has a funky noise in second gear. Look forward to giving it a closer look when the weather gets warmer. 

Do you have a story of saving a Suburban from the junk yard or; {gulp} being parted out? Send me the story. I will post it on the web site!