1970 Sears Suburban lawn tractor, 12HP Tecumseh

We bought this 1970 Sears Suburban tractor a few weeks ago, but never got around to doing anything with it. The guy we bought it from didn't have it that long and had no idea if it ran or not. After this video I got it running better. I found the gas tank had water in it too, and I also fixed the electrical. I swear, these old tractors are so much better built and nicer to drive then any one sold now.

[@97bonneville]

I had one of these tractors. The empty plug you found at the beginning of the video was for a starter / generator. The engine started with a belt that was connected to the flywheel via a large belt pulley. This also acted like a generator when the engine was running. It also came with a Briggs and Stratton single cylinder 12 hp engine.

[@PaulsAirsoftArmory]

That is one of the coolest tractors I have ever seen! The front grill looks like General Grievous from Star Wars III. I wish I had one!

[@placesigopeopleimeet]

that thing started up real quick amazing those old sears's are my favorite

[@Mytheoryous]

I still use the '72 version of this tractor. Built tough as nails back then. The 'electronic' ignition quit a few years back, so I modified an '82 Ford car ignition system and module onto this application. These units are well worth restoring and a pleasure to use.

[@daniellargey8430]

whenever I get a project, I evacuate the gas, clean and refill, got a siphone canister that is air operated, pull the plug clean and gap, and if looks good, reinstall after lubricating cylynder/s with a bit of tranny fluid, quick carb clean/bowl. I make sure the seat and needle is allowing the gas to flow and stopping flow when needed. I know a lot of people like to jump into and just get it running but I know if I get into it I have a vested interest in getting it up and running. I do not like to use starter fluid on a dry cylinder/s thus the reasoning on why I splash the bore with tranny fluid and love to see that smoke when I get her running..That is the fun part of being a collector or as my wife says, hoarder ... great video, and thanks for posting a nice vintage machine

[@transammike]

I just bought a 1966 suburban 12hp for a hundred bucks, and in good original shape! I can cut my lawn in 10 minutes with a push mower, and all my friends say "What do you need that for?", they just don't understand! lol

[@JHx86]

probably one of the best tecumsehs ever made

[@MustangSam]

Real neat tractor and fun video to watch! I own a 68 suburban 12. It is all original and has been mowing my lawn for about 17 years now. I love it the way it is, without being restored! Great old tractors!

[@N8-T]

looks like it vibrates more with that rocking motion

[@bigsam653]

Like the tractor. I have two of them currently I worked mine to death to the point that I am having trouble with the electrical system Same motor as yours though only a 16 horse

[@jay15kz]

great tractor though bet that will last longer than most of the new ones

[@RTdeluxe]

lol look at the thing shake when you start up. cool mower

[@gasman7777]

sears tractors where always built like tanks and are way more reliable than the ones sold today. i saw another tractor like this on ebay with the original engine except it was a craftsman engine.

[@Mike-su8si]

So im gonna have a hard time loading it up damn that sucks specially if it is locked up and wont roll That's my up coming project to do once i get it

[@giantgeoff]

Just finished swapping in a Harbor Freight 13 Hp Honda knockoff, Yeah, yeah I know, "Oh the Horror ! The Sacrilage! " (but it runs real sweet , and now I can clear my driveway)

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

2:06 that’s a good boy Starter

[@mxking118]

Suburban lover, have one myself. Hard to find them where I live. Heard the parts are hard to find. Electrical parts are even harder. North Carolina residence. I make trail hoppers out of them... Fun!! My son would like to find one local if you have any connections comment me back please.

[@Roushfan5]

That depends on who you talk to. The new engines have nice features you don't find on old engines though... I think the real problem is a lot of mowers are getting to damn complicated, so as soon as you get one problem fixed you have a long list still waiting for you. It also depends on what you mean by old. I am a 1990+ John Deere walk behind that runs pretty well.

[@1944johndeerel]

you should make another video of this lynol!!! this tractor is like the most awsome one you have!!! most rugged anyways!!!

[@giantgeoff]

The wires were for the starter generator that was used on the original Tecumseh motor 12V applied to a Delco RRemy generator created a motor strong enough to turn the the 12 hp one lunger over.

[@fidoshock321]

that thing is so cool

[@82agwayldt11]

Yea man, ur right. They dont make em like they used to!

[@MrLangley59]

that thing is bad ass

[@fidoshock321]

that thing is so cool,i wish i had one

[@legopnuematic]

what a nice old tractor my grandpa has the same cubcadet internatinal

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

See the wheels those are the markings

[@Bear1097]

that is pretty damn awesome!

[@LOGs502]

the thing you thought was a fuse looks like a starter and the goo in the carb i think is old grease

[@Mike-su8si]

i got offered one of those just have to go get it its not a sears-craftsmen model. the guy said its a 1970 he couldn't remember he said its a sears riding mower it might might not be locked up I haven't seen how bad of shape its in and don't know what all type of engines they were using back then in those so I'll know what I'll be messing with before i get it i will anyways once its here still good to see though

[@Snoopy0345]

iv got a 1969 craftsman but its got a 16hp tecumseh,and it dont wobble like a bowl of jello.and my trans sticks like that to ya just got to hit it.put it in third hi and pop the cluch i garutee it will catwalk

[@supererock69]

i would tighten the motor mounting bolts on that...

[@assante1]

nice

[@SuperKONR]

@LynolsOffice The first engines were OHV. Look up 1928 Briggs PB, theyre all OHV.

[@turneynicholas]

how many bolts are holding the engine on 1

[@SuperKONR]

@LynolsOffice Briggs make OHV engines in the 20s believe it or not

[@morepowernow16]

looks like a 14 or 16 with the OHV. i thought that the 12 was a flat head.

[@pivotboy63]

@LynolsOffice like superKONR said briggs made ohv engines in the 20s, they were little washing machine motors

[@ammonia11]

@giantgeoff ...is there a video of that tractor with the harbor freight motor?

[@johnnecron666]

it depends on where you live and what the condition of the items are. check out simular items on ebay. thats where I get parts for my ss12

[@gaspowerrules]

@LynolsOffice this look like my sear but mine has a 16 hp briggs single cast iron but same type of frame

[@NIGHTRIDER995]

i just bought a sears suburban 15,,is there some where i can buy parts or any thing like decals,paint, factory parts. please help. i payed $150 for the tractor running with plow,snow blower,disk,harrow,snow plow,mower deck runs great i even mowed grass with it when i got it home.

[@pt109m]

@Mytheoryous Can you give me any details of what engine you fixed was it a Tecumseh 12hp and what ford engine you got the module from? Paul pt109m

[@MrSuperMation]

Looks like it needs three or four bolts for the engine mount.

[@lyokocarthage]

mind if i ask what ya got under that tarp ?

[@carnypimp]

I had my carb proffessionaly cleaned, new carb solenoid, gas flows great, good fuel filter, clean gas and tank,new fuel pump and gaskets and still no gas getting to my carb. Im at a loss what to do next. I can poor gas in the carb and it will run!

[@crazykincardineite]

I never realised they made OHV engines that long ago, ive never seen one that old, did briggs make them that long ago too?

[@Mike-su8si]

Probably

[@stymye]

wow the motor sure does bounce around alot ..is that normal?

[@crazykincardineite]

i never even saw a briggs OHV older than mine and its a 1999. and ive worked on lots of engines. but it kinda makes me wonder, why, when they made them that long ago, then went to flatheads and now their all back to being ohvs again. doesnt really make sense

[@justinstearns9723]

They switched to flatheads because they were easier and cheaper to build. And now they’ve gone back to OHV because they’re more fuel efficient and cleaner running.

[@BeboAltizer]

does yours get really loud when on full throttle?

[@McCarronMotorWorks]

is the engine loose?

[@2000eclipseracer]

@giantgeoff yeah id love to see it i just bought a virtical HF engine.

[@BobbyFlanders]

Hi what do u do with all of ur tractors do u fix them up an sell them how do u get started on a buisness like that

[@MrPooters17]

I want that because of the low gear

[@retro_88yota]

some of the first Briggs engines were ohv engines

[@thermalnose]

where did u get the tractor

[@dragata1]

hey were u live and u still have it

[@BillTheTractorMan]

what did you spray in it? lol

[@kevinisam]

i want that if only the engine was orignal and electral was fine i like the teany alot

[@creel513]

do u still have this one

[@thermalnose]

what is next to the sears suburban

[@Yelnuts71]

LOL I didnt knew sears mande GMC's lol just kidding

[@D12caterpillar]

do you still have this???

[@jpswift1]

Ah yes, a Tecumseh OH120. These OH series of Tecumseh engines are a gold mine worth of parts. They're great engines with lots of torque and they're VERY durable. The only real downfall is that they've got Walboro carburetors, which are complete garbage.

[@harryray4123]

Is there a replacement to the carb, or do you know where to find a carb bulb screw? Of course, as I was warned, it fell right out. Thank you

[@Mike-su8si]

So are the new walbro carburetors you gotta buy a whole carburetor just for the right size bowl gasket for the original carburetor Because if you search for the bowl gasket it'll show the wrong gasket for the model of the carburetor you have because the gasket on the picture looks to tall while the original carburetor bowl gasket is flat and this is why i don't like walbro carburetors i still use them but i know they're gonna fuck up in about 2 years or maybe 4 Those walbro carburetors almost need 2 of the flat bowl gaskets because once you take the shit apart for a cleaning most of the time rips off they don't sell what i need ive looked bought the right stuff that says its for what i have go to put it on and doesn't fit

[@thermalnose]

do you have a deck on that

[@kevinisam]

listin on the old mowers there normaly was a choke nob not the top of throttle

[@jay15kz]

did u take any of that crap off

[@shaunk132]

Are you selling this?

[@Ford1972LT]

I'll buy it off of you, how much?

[@LordSmuggington]

Judging by what you are saying in your newer vids, you still have this thing in storage? Don't sell it! Don't sell anything Pre 1980! Also dont sell the eliminator

[@clarkdalziel4636]

Reply back I will buy the sears

[@legopnuematic]

dont run over the camera man

[@BobbyFlanders]

Did u sell that tracter if not i will give u $150.00 for it please reply

[@kevinisam]

has the engine fallen out yet =3? lol

[@microsoftfreak19]

or a onan

[@pontiacpanic79]

TURN THE IDLE DOWN. Your gonna hurt that old engine.

[@shawncapps1826]

I Do Recognize About The Original Series Lawn Tractors 2370 Sears Suburban Engine Was Refitting In 2379 The Sign Says Fuel Tank And Shut Off That's Wires Were Cutting Off I Really Know This One Wires Were Disconnected And Engine Will Powering Down And Deactivated. That Was Cause The Problem. Sears Suburban Class Lawn Tractors Are Nice Condition. Original Lawn Tractors Was On The 24th Century. The Original Series Lawn Tractors In This Time It's Still There. In Market Don't See it You Can See On The Computer On Website Online Is Sears On Market They Have The Next Generation Lawn Tractors. In the 25th Century The Original Series Lawn Tractors It Does Start And Run It's Been Over The Years In Use. By Captain Shawn David Capps Of Galaxy Class Retrofit Uss Enterprise Delta The United Federation Of Planets Future 25th Century.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Shawn Capps What century are you from the 30th?

[@kevinisam]

and he was't

[@BobbyFlanders]

plzzzz ill give u $300.00 for it

[@LOGs502]

thats discusting!

[@baymechanic1009]

do not run full throtled >:(@%$# \

[@Danny12381]

Are you selling it?