A Mercy Case

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Well, I was cruising CL and found this which I previewed in "What's in your Mirror?" I do like bee-hinds. This plus the Little Guys Show in PA next year will feature Wheel Horse and Walk Behinds. The beauty is they do take up less room.  Currently I am centering on the Midwest manufacturers (and Chicago-based retailers in this case.) Now don't get me wrong as I am always on the lookout for a Pond.

 

This is a 1951-52 Montgomery Ward "Chor Trac" with a Clinton 2 1/2 - 3 hp engine that was built by Simplicity. What I have deduced is that it is identical to a Simplicity Model M-1, only for the difference in engines. The Simplicity came with a Briggs. Just like Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward sourced "evening farmer" equipment from different manufacturers. Sears with David Bradley and MW with Midland and Simplicity. The "Chor Trac" name was also applied to a Midland model when they were the supplier. Midlands' can be identified by a wide single handle.

 

The sickle is totally frozen and the engine is questionable, especially since a tree fell on it and broke the Carter carb elbow at the head plus the Vis-O-Bath  downdraft filter. The name plate is in very good shape with just some oxidation. Surprisingly the original MW "Riverside" (MW headquarters was located on the bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River) Power Trac tire is in better shape than the Mansfield replacement. Worse case it becomes "lawn art," but the mechanical portion seems good and I may just try and re-power it. I'd like to find a snowplow as they were 30" wide and could be angled, perfect for walks with snow. Garden equipment isn't much use to me currently.

 

The color is questionable. I thought that they were Burnt Orange like Simplicity (Midland tractors were dark red with green wheels) but the underside of the paint chips shows red. The wheels seem to have been red as well. Of course, I have already ordered Burnt Orange paint before I picked it up!

 

For nostalgia, I parked it next to the "competition" from the other big retailer. Interesting are the different approaches taken with size.

Edited October 11, 2014 by shallowwatersailor

[Geno 1,929]

Very nice.  Seems like the older the equipment is the cooler it is. 

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Well after searching further, I found a 1951 Montgomery Ward catalog. The Chor Trac Special by Simplicity were red with a dark gray/black Clinton 1100 engine. It could be bought for $21.00 down and $15.00 a month, or $206.50 cash. Here is a page from the 1951 catalog.

Edited October 11, 2014 by shallowwatersailor

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

After stripping the paint, I found that the original color was Orange after all where parts had been bolted together. It must have been painted the same as a SImplicity except with different labeling. My Power Trac is still in original paint and does match what I chose. Montgomery Ward called it "Flame Red." I have used Rustoleum Chevrolet Red Orange as the closest match.

 

The gearcase was fun cleaning with the 62 year-old grease! Some of it that was in the hollow (green) of the idler gear was skimmed over but clear underneath! It must have been really packed when assembled. After a few parts come in I hope to start re-assembly. I have to say it is a "simple" tractor for parts. I actually prefer working on it over a David Bradley or Gravely.