I dedicate this page to the Gilson Manufacturing Company, the
makers of my Montgomery Ward Variable Speed 14/Squire 14 Garden
Tractor. Below is an excerpt from the history of the Simplicity/Allis
Chalmers tractor book.
"Wards was the original sales outlet for the Simplicity walkers,
although not all Wards walkers were made by Simplicity. Wards
also marketed the four wheel Simplicity tractors well into the
1960's. Exactly when Wards changed sources for its' product is
not clear, but seems to roughly coincide with the Allis-Chalmers
takeover. The Wards Squire 6, Squire 9, and Squire 10 were built
by Simplicity. Wards had a strong relationship with Gilson, particularly
with snowblowers. The Wards Squire 8, 12, 14, 15, and 16 were
made by Gilson. For one year, 1972, the Simplicity Powermax was
sold as the Wards model 853."
Through much research I have discovered that the number following
the "Squire/Variable Speed" alludes to the horsepower
of the engine. And that if your model number begins with "GIL"
your tractor is one on the Gilson made. I have included a complete
run down of my number below maybe you can use this to help in
the identification of your tractor.
Model number GIL33045C Serial number; 17X51944
I have determined that this is a 1965 model Squire 14. The power
is from Briggs and Stratton in the form of a cast iron block 14hp
engine with model number stamped on block (320424 0122-01-7102011)
Use of this engine number was helpful in dating the tractor. Pictured
below is the service manual version of this tractor. I received
this tractor complete with dozer blade, front loader, cultivator,
moldboard plow, and 48" mower deck. The numbers on the mower
deck (GIL33061A 63524).
Gilson was owned by lawnboy who is now owned by Toro who will
provide owners with manuals (owners and Parts list) for a fee
of $2.00 each. Contact Toro at 1-800-595-6841, go through the routine punching all the numbers and get to customer service to order the manuals. Once you have a parts numbers you can get parts from Montgomery Ward as well as Lawnboy.
