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Hi there,
My wife, daughter, springer spaniel, 2 cats and I live on top of the hill above the Delaware River valley, a few miles south of the Delaware Water Gap. Right after I retired in 1999 I had a heart attack and suddenly needed some mechanical help for chores around the yard. Being retired (read: poor), I looked at some of the inexpensive new machines (and wasn't impressed with their lack of utility) but when I saw a decent looking little tractor with a deck AND a snow plow along side the road, I stopped and checked it out. It appeared in darn good shape considering it was almost 25 years old, so I bought it. I found Gilson Brothers hadn't made a tractor in quite a while, but their machines had a good reputation. Unfortunately, the third time I used it, the engine blew (yes, it had oil... fresh, too). I ordered a new crate engine to install, and in the meantime, On eBay, I spotted a very mediocre Monkey Ward labeled tractor that was vitually identical to my Gilson. It was listed as "ran last year, can't start this year; holes in deck, missing one blade, newer belts". I bid a very small amount for the heck of it and "won(?)" the darn thing.
I drove over across the Tappanzee Bridge and picked it up. After rebuilding the carb and hanging my good deck on it, I used it for mowing, and in the winter put my lift kit and spring loaded tilt blade on it and plowed my drive. I've been using it ever since!
The original tractor was completely dissassembled and is slowly being totally refurbished, along with some customization. (Ever see a Harley Davidson "chopper"...of grass?)
A while later, I saw a running 1967 Gilson M-7 garden tractor, (very close in size and design to a first iteration JD 110) for sale, down in WV. It now lives with us too, awaiting it's turn at refurbishment. My "newer" Gilsons are well built (IMHO) but the M-7 is a TANK, having lots of cast components. I bought a 3rd tractor like the first two strictly for parts, but even though it is virtually identical to the others from 20 feet, it is a couple of years newer and some what cheaper built. I DO have the basis for a project, now though!
I have since traveled to Troy NY to pick up an 18hp Twin powered Gilson built MW tractor that will take over most chores.
I recently broke (my) tradition by buying a real cute 1967 Simplicity Serf....sigh... but my LATEST acquisition was 12hp Gilson RER!
Martie

I live in: United States

My zone is: z6 far east PA

My favorite forum 1 is Tractors.

First registered on March 28,2003.