Craftsman Owner Check-In --- Read This First!

[nine51]

Hey there. I just bought a Craftsman LT2000 Lawn Tractor about three weeks ago when Sears had them on sale. It is my first lawn tractor, but I have used many of them in my teens and 20's mowing lawns in the 60's and early 70's. We had several Bolens, Wheel Horse, Simplicity and Cub Cadet tractors over those years and I put many hours on all of them. Mowers sure have changed since then. Too many safety features, but I guess they save a few fingers and toes.

My new mower is the 2011 LT2000, 19.5 HP Briggs, Gold series engine, 42" cut, foot pedal speed control. I think it's actually built by MTD for Sears. I've mowed with it four times since I got it and it makes quick work of the yard. The foot controlled speed feature is great for creeping around bushes and shrubs. I installed a digital hour meter that I bought on Amazon.com. It has a tachometer feature that shows RPM when the engine is running. It switches to the hour meter when the engine is off. I also found the wiring for the anti-reverse mow safety switch and disconnected that, so now it can mow in reverse. No kids or dogs to run over here, so I guess I'm pretty safe.

I installed a front bumper kit, mostly so there is a place to grab it to move the front end over to get it out of the way of the car when it's parked in the garage. Also, the front hood/engine cover is a little fragile, so that may help keep that in one piece. Looks good too.

I've read lots of reviews for mowers in this price range. Many different opinions about reliability. It is very similar to a Cub Cadet that Home Depot sells. Different engine, but it is also made by MTD. Lots more $$. I guess this machine will not be used that hard and will probably be pampered like my cars and other rolling stock so if it doesn't have any overt design flaws it should last for a few years. Seems like the one good thing you can do for most of the lawn and garden equipment is either use non-ethanol gas, or use a stabilizer like the blue Stabil. That may help keep the engine running longer without problems. It's worked for my snowblowers and push mowers. I also plan to change to Mobil 1 synthetic oil after the first change at the recommended 5 hours. That also has worked well for my other small engines. I just sold an old Ahrens snowblower that I bought new in 1978 and always ran Mobil 1 synthetic oil in it and used Stabil in the gas. It still started on the first pull and always ran good.

I joined this forum so if I do have any problems, maybe there will be someone here with an answer, before I haul this thing off to the shop. I also like to mess with my machines to see if there are things I can do to make them work better.

 

[zuko53]

Greetings; I've been on another forum which I found too glitzy and more in tune with things other than nice people looking to fix their lawn mowing instruments. I'm hoping that I will get a direct anwer to my problem and I'm willing to go along with the rules and regulations. Thanks Zuko53

 

[wjjones]

I have a ys4500 54" cut 24hp v-twin Briggs.. It does its job very well considering how rough i am on it.

 

[-69-]

Was Bored and added Multi Colored Leds to mower. Changes 7 different colors, flashes to sound or does sequences. Fun For Plowing Snow At Night
(6) Streetglow Multi Colored Leds (2 - 2' in wheelwell, 2 - 2' in Hood/Grill, 2 - 4' mounted on frame) Craftsman Plow, Wheel Weights, Tire Chains, Canopy, Chrome Hubcaps, Advanced Mulching Blades.

Paid $3.99 for the craftsman front bumper at Sears brand new lol. It didnt work with the craftsman plow quick mount so had to customize it some to make it fit.

This was my frist mower ever and just wanted to make it unique with the leds. Plus it makes my teenage son WANT to use it :laughing:

 

[swinginscott]

Hello all, just joined.

I bought a Craftsman mower that wasn't starting, with a little research online figured out some basic maintenance (plug, valve adjustment, replaced starter). The mower started several times on it's own, and today after about 45 minutes of mowing, the engine feels like it's seized up.

I can't manually turn the engine with my hand at all, even with the spark plug disconnected and taken out.

Hopefully the Craftsman owners (or those that know what they are doing) can help me diagnose it.

It's a Dyt 4000, model 917 274632, same as Albionwood.

Thanks all, looking forward to it.

 

[michiganmike]

It looks like you're having a good time with your tractor......the hubcaps really set it off.
Keep up with the fun additions, really !

 

[Dangeroustoys56]

I have 6 'old skool' craftsmans- 2 '85 LT 12's ( one is parts)- an 80's LT11 ( work in progress - rebuilding) - 99 weedeater, 86 GTII and a 90's GT6000 ( for parts) .

One of the 85 LT12's was going to be a 'cruiser' - i added blue headlights,painted it dark blue and black- was going to add blue LED's to it - still might tho - im going to mod a MTD deck to fit it ( original deck and replacement decks are too far gone) to mow again.

The 80's LT11 is being rebuilt - deck still needs alot of work, i plan on making it all work, then repaint it original silver ( its a faded, peeling red now).

99 weedeater- runs and mows perfect after a total rebuild- trans was full of water, deck was needing serious work, mandrels all seized- and most important - total repaint- was a nasty purple , now its a pretty close to stock green /black color.

86 GTII was a basket case when i got it with the GT6000 - both were in rough shape - the 6000 was actually in better shape, but motor didnt run , the GTII's motor was full of water to the top of the carb ( luckily only on the intake side - didnt leak thru into the oil) - cleaned it out and the motor fired right up.

I totally took apart the GTII and repainted it , im not happy with the silver i used- eventually itll get another better paint job - used the deck off the GT6000 ( was in way better shape) . I put another set of tires on the front- actually a set of rear tires off a LT tractor - sets it at a better stance.

I figured the GT's would be worth what i paid for them- eventually id like to get a sleeve hitch or 3 point for the GTII, along with a front plow blade - increasing the value if i ever sell it ( i doubt it).


I own alot more tractors then just those tho.....

 

[papaernie]

I need to know how to replace the tires on the 42 inch craftsman sweeper-or can you -or do you need to buy the tire and the wheel??????/

 

[KennyV]

I need to know how to replace the tires on the 42 inch craftsman sweeper-or can you -or do you need to buy the tire and the wheel??????/

You can replace the tire only... They are a bit of a job... you have to heat them up in boiling water to get them pliable enough to mount....

You will likely find complete wheels stocked rather than the semi-pneumatic (almost solid) tire... material handling suppliers cary them in stock, and some tire places will have them... :smile:KennyV

 

[michiganmike]

I need to know how to replace the tires on the 42 inch craftsman sweeper-or can you -or do you need to buy the tire and the wheel??????/

Do you have the manual? If not , click here Owner's manuals and product manuals search results - ManageMyLife.com
If you decide to order wheels, click here http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action
and enter the full model number.....I used 486.24222 for the newest 42" Sweeper