What tractor is this? What’s it worth?

[FLtractor 232]

Evening, 

Another marketplace listing, 

Seller add states ward tractor but I see a simplicity badge. The hand lever is both the brake AND steering? She’s asking $50.00. Would it be able to tow a cart around yard if I had small metal tab hitch added?

[ebinmaine 80,755]

I'd be SUPER curious to know exactly how it drives but I would NOT attempt to tow anything with it.  

Save the $50 for fixing your own Wheelhorse.  

[FLtractor 232]

33 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I'd be SUPER curious to know exactly how it drives but I would NOT attempt to tow anything with it.  

Save the $50 for fixing your own Wheelhorse.  

Apparently the Lever. Forward =forward

back=back.. so perhaps middle is brake?

read on eBay ad.. 

[adsm08 5,149]

Looks like a broomstick.... Appropriate, given the month I suppose.

[Ed Kennell 47,385]

OSHA approved.     Take a ride...lose a limb.

[FLtractor 232]

25 minutes ago, adsm08 said:

Looks like a broomstick.... Appropriate, given the month I suppose.

Hahahah. Limbuster 2026. Here is a photo the seller also posted of what it looks like when it has deck

Edited yesterday at 01:31 AM by FLtractor

[FLtractor 232]

2 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

OSHA approved.     Take a ride...lose a limb.

Shall call it the Limbuster 2026.

Edited yesterday at 01:31 AM by FLtractor

[8ntruck 9,305]

I guess it has a mechanical joy stick control system. 

[Streetrodchev 1,178]

Simplicity, but I forget the model name. 
 

Here is another one. 

[Achto 32,765]

10 hours ago, FLtractor said:

The hand lever is both the brake AND steering? She’s asking $50.00. Would it be able to tow a cart around yard if I had small metal tab hitch added?

 

The strait steering handle indicates that it is a 1957 Simplicity Wonderboy. In 1958 they put a slight bend in the steering handle like the one pictured above.

 

I would not recommend using it as a tow tractor and here is why. - It has 1 speed forward and one reverse. The steering handle is also the clutch. Pull back on the handle to make it go, let go of or push the handle forward to disengage the drive. There are NO BRAKES !

The only thing that stops it is the friction of the drive system.

 

Would still be a fun ride around tractor for an adult for the money. Would not recommend a kid drive it unless you rigged a better place for them to put their feet.

Edited yesterday at 10:53 AM by Achto

[FLtractor 232]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

 

The strait steering handle indicates that it is a 1957 Simplicity Wonderboy. In 1958 they put a slight bend in the steering handle like the one pictured above.

 

I would not recommend using it as a tow tractor and here is why. - It has 1 speed forward and one reverse. The steering handle is also the clutch. Pull back on the handle to make it go, let go of or push the handle forward to disengage the drive. There are NO BRAKES !

The only thing that stops it is the friction of the drive system.

 

Would still be a fun ride around tractor for an adult for the money. Would not recommend a kid drive it unless you rigged a better place for them to put their feet.

Most interesting design.. thank you for the info Acto!! 

[peter lena 10,071]

@FLtractor for 50 bucks or less , the ammount of related mechanical goodies , is easily worth it . easily turn that into , extra parts / spares , regularly did that  , my  grandson , certified submarine welder /  truck frame builder  ,  would be all over that  , pete

[ri702bill 13,075]

Definetely not the ride of choice for one of those "Here, hold my beer" moments....

I dub it "Death on a Stick". 

Edited yesterday at 12:28 PM by ri702bill

[953 nut 69,406]

Go ahead, buy the best hospitalization insurance policy you can find, jump on, hang on, let us know how that works out.           

[Kenneth R Cluley 705]

The added "weights" to discourage wheelies would be my first alarm. Hook anything to the back behind the axle and you could definitely end up vertical! 

[ri702bill 13,075]

2 hours ago, FLtractor said:

I would not recommend using it as a tow tractor and here is why. - It has 1 speed forward and one reverse. The steering handle is also the clutch. Pull back on the handle to make it go, let go of or push the handle forward to disengage the drive. There are NO BRAKES !

The only thing that stops it is the friction of the drive system.

 

Words of wisdom there. It can barely stop itself on level ground - whatcha think it's going to stop a half ton load on a trailer going down hill??

Maybe have to use the Fred Flintstone brakes?? Yabba dabba don't.

 

[ri702bill 13,075]

2 minutes ago, Kenneth R Cluley said:

Hook anything to the back behind the axle and you could definitely end up vertical! 

It just adds to the driving experience!

[FLtractor 232]

2 hours ago, Kenneth R Cluley said:

The added "weights" to discourage wheelies would be my first alarm. Hook anything to the back behind the axle and you could definitely end up vertical! 

Good point 

[FLtractor 232]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

 

Words of wisdom there. It can barely stop itself on level ground - whatcha think it's going to stop a half ton load on a trailer going down hill??

Maybe have to use the Fred Flintstone brakes?? Yabba dabba don't.

 

Good point .. small trailer was before I didn’t know no brakes 

[R Scheer 524]

I don't know, put a set of wheelie bars on the back and you'd have a real conversation starter!

[Rick3478 468]

WonderWhy was the joke name back in the day.  Monkey Wards carried Simplicity for awhile.  I actually had one of these many years ago.  Someone has repowered this one, and it looks like the drive pulleys have been changed for more speed.  Mine was a pretty good wheelier with the stock drive ratio, so the added front weights are probably needed.  There's not much to hold onto except the handle, and leaning on that makes it turn, so you have to get the feel of it pretty quick.