Bought this Gilson/MW 16 with Vari Speed today.

toppop52 · Jul 18, 2013

$200, runs and works well, hydraulics work well.

sd455dan · Jul 19, 2013

Very COOL I like the plow ... We have a (similar version ) But manual trans with the v twin briggs just for mowing and towing the log splitter.. Anyway good score. :thumbsup:

toppop52 · Jul 19, 2013

Isn't this a manual trans? It has a clutch, several speeds and a speed control lever. I don't even really know how it works yet!

toppop52 · Jul 19, 2013

sd455dan said:
Very COOL I like the plow ... We have a (similar version ) But manual trans with the v twin briggs just for mowing and towing the log splitter.. Anyway good score. :thumbsup:

This one has a 16 Kohler that runs good, If I get my Swisher bucket on it like I want to so that I can switch between bucket and blade, I may look into a later model engine swap. Or not.

sd455dan · Jul 20, 2013

When I saw the (vari-speed) i assumed it was a hydrastatic like our Co-Op mower. Our Gilson has a belt drive- back to a manual shift transaxle...
So not sure what you have- given a choice i would take the hydrastatic hands down , much smoother and very quick switching from forward to reverse and back...

Here's our old gilson needs to be repainted

If your forward/ reverse lever is separate from the speed-shift lever then i think you have the hydrastatic.
it will have a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic filter

Larro Darro · Jul 20, 2013

Randy, you got a deal there. I had never heard of the Gilson brand. When I looked it up, it seems like there are 10,000 people looking for old parts. That tells me the people who own them love them. Good luck with your new machine.

I don't have any Montgomery Ward farm equipment, but I do have one of their Hercules 12 gauge double barrels.

sd455dan · Jul 20, 2013

Larro Darro said:
Randy, you got a deal there. I had never heard of the Gilson brand. When I looked it up, it seems like there are 10,000 people looking for old parts. That tells me the people who own them love them. Good luck with your new machine.

I don't have any Montgomery Ward farm equipment, but I do have one of their Hercules 12 gauge double barrels.

as far as history - Gilson was based out of Wisconsin since 1911 and acquired by Lawn Boy in 1988 and then taken over by Toro the following year- which ended the Gilson brand name.

they are well built like many other older mowers and as you said he got a deal especially if it's a hydro model which it appears to be since the statement (the hydraulics work well)
Although some parts are difficult/ impossible to get- in my case a spindle for the mower

toppop52 · Jul 20, 2013

sd455dan said:
as far as history - Gilson was based out of Wisconsin since 1911 and acquired by Lawn Boy in 1988 and then taken over by Toro the following year- which ended the Gilson brand name.

they are well built like many other older mowers and as you said he got a deal especially if it's a hydro model which it appears to be since the statement (the hydraulics work well)
Although some parts are difficult/ impossible to get- in my case a spindle for the mower

Mine is a Variable Speed, not a hydro, it has a hydraulic pump and reservoir to run the atachments driven off the rear of the driveshaft. It is a 4 speed manual with a split drive pulley that allows the belt to move in and out on it much like an aftermarket so called toque converter or constantly variable unit. Put it in any gear and use the speed handle to change the ratio within that gear. It was good for ground engagement, etc... And I agree, hydrostatic is better overall.