I Was Offered A No Charge Tiller

By Staff
Published on September 1, 1999
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640 Alpine Road, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339

I have a large collection of restored antique garden tractors
and tillers. I attend various shows during the summer and fall
months displaying my equipment. I have received compliments from
numerous people whom I have met at the shows.

I was offered a tiller at no charge that the person was going to
dispose of as ‘junk.’ It was described as all rust, no name
and on steel wheels. This sounded interesting enough to me as a
collector, that I ventured 75 miles to pick up what was to be
junk.

The first thing I did was search for a nameplate. In working
with the unit I came upon a six inch bronze nameplate showing model
C-3 Simar manufactured in Bern, Switzerland. I finally got the
engine separated from the unit so the engine could be disassembled.
The cages were completely rusted out of crankshaft bearings. Piston
and rings were rusted into the cylinder.

The transmission had rust throughout; some teeth were completely
missing from the gears and a number of flywheel fins were missing.
The unit must have been stored for many years where there was a lot
of moisture.

After many hours of labor, welding, sandblasting and help from
two sons, I finally got the unit operational and painted.

Some features on the unit include positive traction locks on
each wheel, air filter going through the center of the fuel tank
for cleaner air, the inside of the fuel tank was brass plated to
eliminate rust, the handles have wooden knobs for grips, which can
be swung left or right for operating the unit.

I was excited to share with you that I was able to salvage a
rare piece of equipment that is now in showroom condition.

I enjoy reading GEM.

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