Hello! I own a 1997 craftsman 42" hydro mower mdl# 917.258551 sn# 022097e001642 it has the kohler 15ohv engine (hyd lifters) and the mower has new battery, rebuilt starter (by me),rebuilt carburetor,new coil and just rebuilt the mower deck! it turns over slow, barely! thought it could be the lifters but found they are non-adjustable. takes charger boost to start and runs great. any feedback would be great! only parts in start circuit not replaced is battery cables and starter solenoid.
I ask because I purchased a battery from Wal-Mart a few years back. It took 6 batteries to find one that worked. And that battery was crap. Had to charge it all the time with a battery charger. It lasted one season.