| Vintage Sears Garden Tractors |
The year was 1977. Jimmy Carter became the President of the United States, the Son of Sam killer was active and Rumors by
Fleetwood Mac came out. The author was to graduate high school this fine year! The Sears tractor line-up was going through some
changes. The Custom series tractor was now gone forever. Replacing it were various tractors from Roper and The Murray Ohio Mfg.
Company. Looking back on the change from today's perspective, people such as me recognize this change as the beginning of the
"throw away age" where things were generally made cheaper and lighter.
Looking at this line-up, you have to wonder why there was such an overlap in the model offerings. Perhaps other years had more
models, but I just don't get why you would offer this many machines for sale in such a seemingly narrowly focused buyer group. Maybe
the Sears buyers were generating competition among their suppliers. Or maybe, like what seems to be a Sears tradition, some models
were carryover machines from the year before. Model year designations on Sears tractors have always seemed to be a bit blurry to
begin with.
The data on this page comes from the official Sears Merchandise List, Selling Information publication dated 12/22/76. I wish I had the
space here to publish the entire document, as it is a true gold mine of information. I didn't include the rear engine riders, but did include
the lawn tractors. Sears classified the Garden Tractors as "mid power" and "High power." The older, Suburban style were the High
Power units.
Fleetwood Mac came out. The author was to graduate high school this fine year! The Sears tractor line-up was going through some
changes. The Custom series tractor was now gone forever. Replacing it were various tractors from Roper and The Murray Ohio Mfg.
Company. Looking back on the change from today's perspective, people such as me recognize this change as the beginning of the
"throw away age" where things were generally made cheaper and lighter.
Looking at this line-up, you have to wonder why there was such an overlap in the model offerings. Perhaps other years had more
models, but I just don't get why you would offer this many machines for sale in such a seemingly narrowly focused buyer group. Maybe
the Sears buyers were generating competition among their suppliers. Or maybe, like what seems to be a Sears tradition, some models
were carryover machines from the year before. Model year designations on Sears tractors have always seemed to be a bit blurry to
begin with.
The data on this page comes from the official Sears Merchandise List, Selling Information publication dated 12/22/76. I wish I had the
space here to publish the entire document, as it is a true gold mine of information. I didn't include the rear engine riders, but did include
the lawn tractors. Sears classified the Garden Tractors as "mid power" and "High power." The older, Suburban style were the High
Power units.
| The 1977 Line-Up |
| Model: 917.25083 Craftsman 36" Front Engine Lawn Tractor Source: Roper 3 Speed Transaxle, one reverse 36" Twin blade mowing deck Engine: Tecumseh Wheels: 15X6 front 18X9.5 rear Steering: 4 to 1 ratio Dimensions: 64 1/4 long 48 wide (mower deflector) 36" high Color: Red Price: $799 |
Model: 502.25089 36" cut
502.25084 42" cut
LT 10 Lawn Tractor
Source: Murray Ohio Mfg.
3 speed transaxle, one reverse
36" or 42" twin or triple blade mowing deck
Engine: Briggs and Stratton
Wheels: 15X6 front, 18X8.5" rear
Dimensions:
59" long
50" wide with deflector (55" for 42" deck)
39" high
Color: Silver 13 ga frame material
Price: $799 and $899
502.25084 42" cut
LT 10 Lawn Tractor
Source: Murray Ohio Mfg.
3 speed transaxle, one reverse
36" or 42" twin or triple blade mowing deck
Engine: Briggs and Stratton
Wheels: 15X6 front, 18X8.5" rear
Dimensions:
59" long
50" wide with deflector (55" for 42" deck)
39" high
Color: Silver 13 ga frame material
Price: $799 and $899
| Model: 502.25120 ST 8 Garden tractor Source: Murray Ohio Mfg. Peerless 2300 Transaxle 4 forward, one reverse Engine: Briggs and Stratton vertical shaft Wheels: 16X5.5 front, 22X7.50X12 rear Steering: 5.3 to 1 81" inside turning radius :-) Deck and attachments are separate 36" deck recommended because of low horsepower Will not take 10" plow, sicklebar mower, tractor cab or front end loader. Color: Silver Price: $899 |
Model: 502.25130
ST 10 Garden Tractor
Source: Murray Ohio Mfg.
Same specs as ST 8, but with 10 HP B&S and
headlights.
42" mower deck recommended
10" turning plow recommended
Price: $999
ST 10 Garden Tractor
Source: Murray Ohio Mfg.
Same specs as ST 8, but with 10 HP B&S and
headlights.
42" mower deck recommended
10" turning plow recommended
Price: $999
| Model: 917. 25140 10/6 Garden Tractor Source: Roper Roper produced transaxle, 6 forward, 2 reverse gears Engine: Briggs and Stratton 10 HP horizontal shaft Wheels: 16X5.5 front and 23X8.50X12 rear 10 Gauge frame material Non-solid state ignition Attachments/deck extra. Will not handle sicklebar, tractor cab, or front end loader. 5.75 to 1 steering ratio, 55" turning radius Plastic drip tray under battery 7 quart gas tank Price: $1199 |
Model: 917.25150
12/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Same as above except:
12 HP Tecumseh engine
Solid State Ignition
9 Gauge frame material
Price: $1349
12/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Same as above except:
12 HP Tecumseh engine
Solid State Ignition
9 Gauge frame material
Price: $1349
| Model: 917.25160 14/6 Garden Tractor Source: Roper Same as above except: 14 HP Tecumseh OHV engine Solid State Ignition Price: $1449 |
Model: 917.25170
16/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Engine: Tecumseh 16HP Overhead valve
8 Gauge frame material
Steering ratio 5 to 1, 64" turning radius
3.5 gallon under-seat fuel tank
16 X 6.50 front and 23 X 9.50 X 12 rear wheels
Will handle all attachments sold by Sears.
Price: $1699
16/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Engine: Tecumseh 16HP Overhead valve
8 Gauge frame material
Steering ratio 5 to 1, 64" turning radius
3.5 gallon under-seat fuel tank
16 X 6.50 front and 23 X 9.50 X 12 rear wheels
Will handle all attachments sold by Sears.
Price: $1699
| Model: 917.25180 16/6 Twin Garden Tractor Source: Roper Engine: 16 HP Onan Twin All other specs the same as above. Price: $1899 |
Model: 917.25190
18/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Engine: 18 HP Onan Twin
Elapsed time meter in dash
16 X 6.50 front, 23 X 10.50 X 12
Price: $2099
18/6 Garden Tractor
Source: Roper
Engine: 18 HP Onan Twin
Elapsed time meter in dash
16 X 6.50 front, 23 X 10.50 X 12
Price: $2099
Note that the images hosted on this site are
intended to be used for educational or
reference purposes only. Owners of Sears
tractors often are interested in what
year their tractor was manufactured. Also of
interest to owners are the color
schemes and decals originally applied to the
tractors. It is the hope of the owner of
this site that the images may be of use to those
interested in restoring their tractors
to their original condition or who are merely
curious as to when they were made.
This site is strictly non-profit in nature. The
funds used to purchase the material on
E-Bay and to host this site are contributed by
the site owner at his personal
expense.
intended to be used for educational or
reference purposes only. Owners of Sears
tractors often are interested in what
year their tractor was manufactured. Also of
interest to owners are the color
schemes and decals originally applied to the
tractors. It is the hope of the owner of
this site that the images may be of use to those
interested in restoring their tractors
to their original condition or who are merely
curious as to when they were made.
This site is strictly non-profit in nature. The
funds used to purchase the material on
E-Bay and to host this site are contributed by
the site owner at his personal
expense.