953 nut 51,827 #1 Posted April 14 Economy Power King Economy Tractors were designed to be an affordable garden tractor which could be serviced by the owner. Simple straightforward construction utilizing readily available parts resulted in a machine that was dependable and easily maintained. Company founder James E. Turner had been a designer for the Red-E tractor company. He was the son-in-law of one of that company’s founders and in 1946 decided to strike-out on his own to build four wheeled garden tractors at his newly formed Engineering Products of Waukesha (EPW) company. The concept of utilizing off-the-shelf parts and subcontracting manufacturing of castings and machine parts was rather revolutionary at the time. EPW was designing and assembling the tractors while most of the expensive overhead for machining, casting, metal stamping and other costly processes was borne by the subcontractors. The first year was devoted to design and engineering of prototypes and very few tractors were sold. Early models had cable steering which was later replaced with chain steering and eventually a steering gear was utilized. Early units were not fancy, they were devoid of any sheetmetal and had a cast-iron seat without padding. They had a Wisconsin air-cooled single cylinder engine attached to a modified Crosley bell housing, clutch, and transmission. The transmission unit was modified by adding pulleys for belt power transfer. A modified Ford Model-A rear axle assembly with reduction gears at the axles, much like the Red-E tractors, was used as a final drive. The Economy tractor was tested at the University of Nebraska in 1952 under test number 483. Economy tractors also carried the names Power King, Country Squire and the Jim Dandy along the way. Country Squire Garden Tractors were built from 1951 to 1962 and sold by mail-order through magazine advertising and sales booths at state and county fairs. They were powered by 9HP Briggs & Stratton or Wisconsin 9.2 HP air cooled single cylinder engines. Jin Dandy joined the ranks in 1964 and a part of the Economy line of tractors through 1977 It was a bit smaller and more affordable than the Country Squire. The Jim Dandy could be equipped with 10, 12 or 14 horsepower engines. The larger Power King line also came along in in 1964 being offered in 10, 12, and 14 horsepower Kohler engines. In 1977 the Economy name went away and a new numbering designation using rear wheel size and horsepower to derive the model number. As an example, a 1612 has 16” rear rims and a 12-horsepower engine. Power King was sold to Support Services International in 1990 and production moved from Waukesha to Beaver Dam. Production continued until the late 1990s when Power King was sold again. Eventually the Power King assets were sold to Yazoo-Kees and production ended. Mission Manufacturing now owns the rights to Power King and supports the tractors. Country Squire 9 hp 30/48" deck 1951 – 1962 Jim Dandy 10HP 10 hp 48" deck 1964 - 1967 Jim Dandy 12HP 12 hp 48" deck 1965 - 1970 Jim Dandy 14HP 14 hp 36/48/60" deck 1968 - 1977 Power King 10HP 10 hp 48" deck 1964 - 1967 Power King 12HP 12 hp 36/48/60" deck 1965 - 1970 Power King 14HP 14 hp 36/48/60" deck 1968 - 1977 1212 12 hp 42" deck 1982 - 1990 1214 14 hp 42/48" deck 1988 - 1993 1217 17 hp 42" deck 1983 - 1987 1218 18 hp 42/48" deck 1988 - 1993 1218HV 18 hp 48/60" deck 1994 - 1999 1220HV 20 hp 48" deck 1997 - 1998 1612 12 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1983 1614 14 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1993 1616 16 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1983 1617 17 hp 48/60" deck 1984 - 1988 1618 18 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1983 1618 18 hp 48/60" deck 1988 - 1993 1618GV 18 hp 48/60" deck 1994 - 1999 1620 20 hp 48/60" deck 1989 - 1993 1620HV 20 hp 48/60" deck 1994 - 1999 2414 14 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1988 2416 16 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1983 2417 17 hp 48/60" deck 1984 - 1988 2418 18 hp 48/60" deck 1977 - 1983 2418 18 hp 48/60" deck 1988 - 1993 UT620 20 hp 48/60" deck 1989 - 1993 UT620HV 20 hp 48/60" deck 1994 - 1999 6 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 7,850 #3 Posted April 15 I have an Economy Jim Dandy, bought it in 1985 when I was 15 ! It’s been in my basement for over twenty five years now. I keep thinking I’m going to restore it but I really should sell it, as I’m not sure I’ll ever get to it. Every so often I shoot a little Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark plug hole and turn the engine over a little so the rings don’t get stuck. 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
