FINALLY uncovering and starting the 1968 Sears Super 12 tractor

Here it is: Tractor Land's pride and joy! KZbinr's have been waiting years for me to show them this tractor in action, and now I finally have a reason to use it; the Zagray Farm Fall Festival this coming weekend, and this tractor will be going with us to go in the show area. This tractor hadn't been started since spring of 2007, and that was only for a half hour.

[@kfiscal01]

Believe it or not, those tractors were beasts! And last forever. My favorite as a youngster.

[@samgarofalo2461]

We had this tractor back in 68, with Mower deck, blower & Snow plow. It was a beast, the largest Sears made at the time.

[@borod5571]

I have a SS14. I Grandpa bought it new from Sears in the 1971, the same yr I was born. It still running today. I going to totally restore it. That SS has survived many Hurricanes and all other kinds of bad weather living south of New Orleans. Long live Sears

[@DavidSmith-fr1uz]

I spent many an hour riding on a SS15 mowing the lawn and cutting around fields. Good times.

[@robertmailhos8159]

That classic tractor has head lights back when head lights were head lights.glad she brought out of retirement

[@dnsmithnc]

I have an SS15 that is now in storage. I used it for years and it held up well. It just had a 42" deck which I think were standard size. They were heavy well made decks with greasable spindles and large bearings. The front of the deck bent a couple of times when I hit a stump or something. I mean, I used that mower like a bush hog. I welded on a thick piece of metal around the front of the deck to keep that from happening and used it for scraping and mowing. Did a great job. Those mowers were good old girls and certainly worth restoring.

[@VintageGearMan]

Back when America "made something", and something good. The best! Thanks for the Video.

[@alpine9996]

Back in 1968 we had a Sears Custom 6 and then got a Sears 10XL. They were great tractors. Roper made great stuff for them.

[@outlawadkins1286]

I love them old sears,roper,Craftsman tractors

[@marinjeanprovost9583]

That is a beautiful tractor from a great era. And it is the best.

[@Monster404ftp]

These things are built like tanks. I have a 1968 Sears suburban 12, but it too has a tail light in addition to the headlights.

[@atc_outlaw8334]

I sure do miss you guys and the tractor vids

[@GarageCrazy]

These are the videos I like man! Keep them coming, even if their just updates on tractors and stuff i don't mind. Thanks guys, have a good one.

[@CraigArndt]

I really like those old Sears tractors. What a classic GT you have there.

[@shaneparker8145]

Craig Arndt shnpokeryuwercll

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

If you guys ever have a Suburban you want to sell hit me up. I will take the ride from NJ to come get it. The SS/12 like that with its original Tecumseh speaks to me. But personally I would get a deck and put it to use. These are good Tractors, true classics and too many people are buying them up, keeping 10 that will never see the light of day again. I would actually use it. I would not buy 10 like some people, one or two and one I would put to use thats it.

[@RooneysSears01]

I have a 68 too Lynol its my favorite outta my 4 sears i own because Sears really put detail into that year the wood grain all over the stainless steel inserts in the hood the color and the styling just awesome.

[@michaelbenoit248]

Man that thing runs good. Wish my Kohler K301 ran that good.

[@mtbiker50]

What a BEAUTY! and it sounds great!

[@cowboydan86]

i had one of those but i put a 16 horse briggs on it and ran a tiller with it. it had a three point lift on it. good old tractor. i miss it

[@MustangFastback]

Man, love that blue paint!

[@darmp64]

hey! ..i have one those behind the barn,i bought it at a yard sale for fifty bucks for my son to use to cut my grass so he would'nt tear up my international cub cadet..he used it twice and the transmission locked up...he said it just stopped...but later the neighbors told me he was out there drinkin my beer and poppin huge wheelies....thats my boy!...lol..kids!..its got the 48" deck and it is heavy for one guy to handle!

[@KYKAYAKER274ey1]

thats sweet how much good to c ure making vids again

[@cristianpricebuckkiller3472]

Man grinding gears

[@ParanormallyCorrect]

I'm writing a story where one of my characters has one of these and kills a bunch of monsters with it, and you have no idea how helpful your video is for my research lol!

[@mznxb9872]

Wow, it's got a tail light! Thats pretty cool!

[@rangerbuddy1066]

I bought an ss12 today for 150$, turn key ready from a local tractor puller. Awesome 60s styling like the wood grain dash and heavy use of alluminum such as the gas tank

[@The_Mace]

Nice video, great tractor. It was a little tough to hear you explaining some of the features on the tractor while it was running (at least for me), but still very cool.

[@Detroit12v71TT]

Awsome Sears you have there Lynol. I have the same identical tractor with original deck, snowthrower, weights and chains. Its all original in every way right down to the cigarette lighter. You should see about joining the sears tractor forum online, You'll learn anything or everything there is to know about the old Sears.

[@barberjeff67]

Cool tractor!

[@Searsnut11]

That mower deck will mow REALLY nice

[@AaronJackson325]

got a Sears suburban super 8, 1976, that my grand pa is looking to sell, would you guys have any ideas regarding a good market to enter it in?

[@dukes20084]

That cool. Im getting me a Cub Cadet 128 here soon. My grandpa has a bunch of 128 frames we just have to put it back together. :)

[@markjohnson7508]

. Thought Points and condenser need replaced then it cleared up. Sweet. Probably converted over to electronic ignition .

[@samgarofalo2461]

ITS ALIVE 💪💪

[@jathquigley1]

i totaly agree with you on that

[@LordSmuggington]

I got a 1970-72 (Dunno exact year) Suburban 12 that came with a working 44" mower, 30 inch snowblower, and tire chains. Runs great mows great, blower needs some adjustments. Mine even has the exact same engine as yours,

[@NomaDairy]

that a nice tractor you got there!!

[@elgatol4203]

Did they use orange paint on the 1968 or could it be primer

[@pdfogle0529]

To the one that said he heard rod knock. That's a 1960s era tecumseh engine. It's likely got well over 100k hours on it. I'd expect it to be wore out. You're more likely hearing piston slap than rod knock.

[@sabbath7081]

Sounds like a Tecumseh, LOUD!

[@Mike-su8si]

Thats great im always smoking and working that's how i do my work

[@eddieallen8982]

I'd love to have one of these tractors.

[@ghostmail100]

i have one with a plow thats a 18 horse still runs dam good for the age has plenty of power to plow up to 2 foot of snow

[@cindykoran9148]

I have the exact one.... love it. Get chillsjust getting on it and driving around. Also bought a Sears gt 16 1976? Dont know much about restoring but hoping to someday. Also have a late 1950 Rugg.......

[@muddymowers]

there was one of those in a rare hydro version at the blue mountain gas and steam show in pa for sale, nice tractor

[@midnightmtb]

I have one of these I just got it running in my auto class and he’s giving it to mr

[@jonesbrent85]

That's sweet

[@Peppercatkeith]

wow same year as my Wheel Horse Special i picked up last weekend

[@bulldog0046]

I just received two sears tractors an SS 12 and a GT 18. The 12 is running but the 18 has an Onan motor and I have a problem with it the gas getting into the oil. On top of that the oil/gas mixture is blowing out the vent tube and into the air cleaner. Do you or anyone else that reads this know why it may be doing this? The best part though is they were both for free and delivered. They only come with snow plows though.

[@The5upermann1]

Check out the tractor that Sear's biggest competitor Montgomery Ward put out for sale against Craftsman in 1968. Montgomery wards wasn't playing around!

[@Andersons_old_iron]

I just bought a case 130 and a case 222 and am curious on any tips on rebuilding the kohler k301

[@PatrickBaptist]

8:45 LOL Man they were trying to think of everything....

[@ryanjames170]

nice tractor, i am going to be converting one of these to Diesel :)

[@michaelbenoit248]

ryanjames170, nice you’ll get really good fuel consumption. & there’s no need to winterize since diesel fuel doesn’t go bad you just need to put the diesel fuel additive for the lack lubrication in the fuel. It’ll prevent premature injector failure.

[@RooneysSears01]

Here's another interesting fact about that tractor Lynol,if the engine is white that means it was replaced by Sears at some point because the original engine should be the same color as the rest of the tractor.

[@dannysapp5559]

is there any way you could tell me what is the model number of your tractor i have one just like yours but the model number is rubbed off i would greatly appreciate it

[@traviscalhoun8983]

That’s cool I plan buying one from a guy. Hopefully he still has it when I get the 800.00 for it

[@ayp1938]

800 is not a good deal there only worth about 400-500 mint I only paid 250 for mine

[@traviscalhoun8983]

ayp193 thanks I went with a Troybilt pony

[@lawnmoweredneck101]

i got a sears 1973 my grampa bought it new and gave it to me i am putting the fourth trans in it and it has a second engine in it now

[@JodBronson]

OMG, looks like a JD

[@mitchelkane2641]

I collect them. I have three like that

[@kevinisam]

i know right LOL i wish they still made them like that i like the shift and all i wish that thing was mine but i might be getting a bolens 770 of of kijiji

[@JonsGarage89]

@LynolsOffice Yeah...most guys just convert it over to a car coil when the solid state goes bad. There are actually conversion kits offered now. I ended up having to get a carburetor for mine. Theres a show up there in pennslyvania I think its in april, that me and a buddy are headed up to. He'll be bringing his MTD990 and Ill bring my suburban and Dyanmark hopefully. Maybe yall can make it to that one. Would be awesome to meet yall.

[@GenerationXT]

Nice, you would need to spend some serious coin to replace that with something of equal quality. They used the same paint scheme on some of their push mowers.

[@robberthess3989]

nice

[@jeffmullinix7916]

Your wrong about the cigarette lighter . It's a factory installed for a CB radio . Not to smoke .

[@43128lucky4]

good look finding a coil if that one goes bad, they will just randomly stop working

[@Nickster7ROR]

Nice tractor! You should show a video of the tractor with the deck on. What's the largest mower you've ever had in tractorland?

[@dpl1108121]

@gatrwrks ? it sounds fine. remember the thing is from 1968. things back then were louder back then. They sure don't sound like the tractors now a days

[@cj15941]

Love the ole Sears! My first mud mower/tractor is a '72 SS16 (original Onan blew up years ago. It now has 10 horse tecumseh on it). Why don't y'all bring that big ass Sears. I think it's a SS44 or FF44 or something like that??

[@GMCsierra1500]

I don't think the parking brake is supposed to hold the clutch petal down. The 70 something ss12 I borrowed from a friend would do the same thing.

[@cristianpricebuckkiller3472]

But beautiful tractor

[@jdman1930]

Those starter generators do crank slow but its not the windings nor the battery trust me i have a 70's cub cadet with a starter gen. on it and i hooked a dump truck battery on it and it didnt go any faster.

[@Searsnut11]

Nice super. Wish mine had a good engine in it haha

[@kevinisam]

if that was mine id be on it almost every day (but not rain and snow)

[@joeyf504327]

what happened to you sears suburban tractor?

[@MediaWatchDawg]

Just another suburban Sunday morning. o.0

[@redneckbryon]

Sweet old tractor, do you gave a deck for it?

[@69ChevroletNova]

Do u own any Rare 1961 to 65 IH Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor? or even 70's

[@colesoncox6142]

69ChevroletNova I had one

[@bulldog0046]

@MrMechanicjr Thank you, I was thinking that, I was just wondering if someone had another more cheaper idea. I have to say though the way it is coming out that vent tube into the air cleaner the rings are gone or the piston has a big hole in it. The way I could describe it is like taking a plastic quart oil jug and squeezing it real hard. It comes about like that. Allot at a time.

[@byte-nibbler]

I wish I could hear the conversation but they left the motor running.

[@mhtube01]

Nice tractor guys! It runs great too! Now, can you pull out the Big Gilson too??

[@sbuzz5889]

built to last in 60s /70s. end of machinery 1974- on .cars included= the pinto? the k car? emission changes etc. cant even get a 2008 tractor to stay in one piece

[@suchfunstuff]

@LynolsOffice The Suburban 12 is the one that has all those crazy instructions and rigged wiring, right?

[@thomascoolbaugh252]

I just bought one of those with a snow plow blade on it

[@mkvohland]

can i ask what you paid for it. i have one for sale and im trying to see if my asking price is reasonable.

[@thomascoolbaugh252]

The SS12 came with wheel weights and studded chains on both sides, and the snow plow attachment. Everything works except the headlights. I did add two headlights and a head lite bar on the front. Also added a winch 2,000 lb for $55. new from CA. to run the plow up and down. So far I have $175. in this project, and might be plowing snow this weekend. Oh yes, I also installed a new drive belt for $10. I bought on Amazon. I will fix or replace the orig headlights for $22. from E bay, giving me 4 headlights, and two neon red tubes on the back for back lights. I think I got a good price, as I have seen these tractors for sale without the plow, or wheel weights, and no engine for over $500. people are collecting them so they can look at them. I bought this one because I'm getting too old to walk behind a snow blower. So far I love the tractor and probably will not sell it until I can't get on it any more. Maybe sometime I will put a short video of it on youtube ? if anybody wants a pix of it, hit me up at [e-mail]

[@mkvohland]

good luck with it

[@tractorboys11]

I saw one of those at a flea market in pa except it was hydrostatic, the guy wanted 250 for it

[@shaneparker8145]

Deere Hunter shnpokerwe2000

[@TimODon87]

I live in CT too

[@MrBn45]

How much do u want for the Sears Super 12???

[@jameslandon4126]

There is some really nice technology out there but it's very poorly executed. There are innovative attachments that install easily and some decks even have garden hose ports for easy cleaning where you don't have to jack it up to clean it. The problem is, they manufacture these bright ideas with cheap parts so they are engineered to fail after a few years so you have to buy a new one. The same thing applies to automobiles.

[@btpearce]

Sounds like it needs oil, I hear a bit of rod knock. Cool tractor though ( I like it)

[@conan6868]

Disengage the parking brake! I leave mine on sometimes.

[@doginstine]

Thses are real seal beam headlights. Not the little clear back up light bulbs.

[@joeyf504327]

Finally some vids its been a while man where have you been?

[@Fredjones-by5ms]

Why are the lights so bright

[@twright7ful]

ill take it if you ever want to sell it where do u get aa the tractors for free i want one

[@JuliaCV9]

say... I think I have one at my house

[@pacificdrumma]

I have a 69 Suburban 12 for sale running and driving if you are interested. I can try and make it to Zagray if necessary

[@Mike-su8si]

Oh well i can swap out that starter charging problem wont need it wired that way it all ill make more like a cv model Kohler engine and Kohler parts

[@paddywagons104]

i have a cigarette lighter on my Montgomery ward tractor .

[@shanem9192]

it knocks a little bit but thats a tecumseh for you.

[@Darklordkime]

Where are you ? cole chester is like 1 hour from me

[@gatrwrksMarshall]

It sounds like it is not running well.