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

[dukesoz]

Hi I have an LT2000, had it since new, main problems I see, is belts stretching.
I have a current problem,which I will talk of in main forum.
I am glad I found this forum, lots of help here by knowledgable people.

Dukesoz

 

[Carscw]

Hi I have an LT2000, had it since new, main problems I see, is belts stretching. I have a current problem,which I will talk of in main forum. I am glad I found this forum, lots of help here by knowledgable people. Dukesoz

Which belt is wearing out?

Belts do not stretch they wear out and give the illusion of stretching because they sit deeper in the grove of the pulleys making them loose.

If your belts are getting wore out fast you need to look at your pulleys. Make sure they are smooth and not bent. A pulley can also be wore out letting the belt sit to deep. Make sure all idler pulleys turn free.

 

[dukesoz]

Which belt is wearing out?

Belts do not stretch they wear out and give the illusion of stretching because they sit deeper in the grove of the pulleys making them loose.

If your belts are getting wore out fast you need to look at your pulleys. Make sure they are smooth and not bent. A pulley can also be wore out letting the belt sit to deep. Make sure all idler pulleys turn free.

Thanks Carscw, mainly the cutter adjustment belt, lucky if I get 1 and a 1/2 seasons out of it.
Thanks for the good info.

dukesoz.

 

[slu]

Hi,

Just bought a Craftsman hi-wheel, self-propelled mower, brand new from the local Ace store. Briggs 190cc Gold up top. Big Mistake.

Fresh gas and the included oil added, the engine started once, and ran for a brief period and I shut it off to make wheel height adjustments. I was unable to restart it after multiple tries...yes the presence lever was engaged. Even after breaking for lunch, it would not start so I started to try to get hold of Sears. It can't be done as far as I can tell. I got bounced around to various operators who all spoke English as a second or third language and none of whom had help to offer. I finally got a number that I thought might work but then, the automated system told me I had to register the warranty and refered me to another number. When that automated system answered, I was told that they were closed due to inclement weather. I will have to wait to Monday to try again.

I took the mower back to the Ace store where I bought it and miracle of miracles, it started and ran fine...4 times...so I put it back in my truck and drove the 18 miles home. Do you think it would start? Not a chance. The Briggs promise of starting on one or two tries every time is a bold faced lie. Sears service is a bad joke.

Grrrr!

 

[silvrbreez]

Hi,

Just bought a Craftsman hi-wheel, self-propelled mower, brand new from the local Ace store. Briggs 190cc Gold up top. Big Mistake.

Fresh gas and the included oil added, the engine started once, and ran for a brief period and I shut it off to make wheel height adjustments. I was unable to restart it after multiple tries...yes the presence lever was engaged. Even after breaking for lunch, it would not start so I started to try to get hold of Sears. It can't be done as far as I can tell. I got bounced around to various operators who all spoke English as a second or third language and none of whom had help to offer. I finally got a number that I thought might work but then, the automated system told me I had to register the warranty and refered me to another number. When that automated system answered, I was told that they were closed due to inclement weather. I will have to wait to Monday to try again.

I took the mower back to the Ace store where I bought it and miracle of miracles, it started and ran fine...4 times...so I put it back in my truck and drove the 18 miles home. Do you think it would start? Not a chance. The Briggs promise of starting on one or two tries every time is a bold faced lie. Sears service is a bad joke.

Grrrr!

My 10 yr old Craftsman 21" mulcher push mower with the 190cc still cranks in one or two pulls every time. I've been on a 38" Snapper ZTR for the past two years, but when I pulled out the old Craftsman to use it on a whim, I put in some fresh gas and it cranked right up on the first pull.

 

[slu]

My 10 yr old Craftsman 21" mulcher push mower with the 190cc still cranks in one or two pulls every time. I've been on a 38" Snapper ZTR for the past two years, but when I pulled out the old Craftsman to use it on a whim, I put in some fresh gas and it cranked right up on the first pull.

In fairness, it seems that it must have had an airlock in the fuel system. I left it to set overnight and the next morning it started right up and has done so ever since. The curret B&S engines with automatic choke do not have a priming bulb for the carb. I would expect this to be a fairly common problem for new mowers but it was impossible for me to reach any intelligent life at sears on that afternoon. They did have an ice storm in the area of the service center so I suppose it is understandable...but very frustrating and Sears deserves some butt kicking for not enclosing decent troubleshooting advice with the mower.

It does run like a champ now,,,actually a bit faster than is comfortable for me. I find myself doing a lot of tipping back and forth on the rear wheel to regulate speed.

Slu

 

[wjjones]

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

Now I have another one its a 24 hp v-twin Briggs 48" cut.

 

[xjken]

Hello everyone. This Wednesday my new Craftsman T2200 will be delivered and for the first time in over 40 years I will riding instead of pushing a mower. Here's the link to the Sears site, hope this works.

Craftsman Hydrostatic Turn Tight Tractor: Own Your Lawn with Sears

I did a lot of research before I decided on this tractor, I looked at Cub Cadet, Airens, Troy-Built, Husqvarna and John Deere. When I finally went to my local Sears store to check one out in person it fell above the Ariens and Troy-Bilt but below the Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and the John Deere in price. When the salesperson (quite knowledgeable, and helpful) explained the Family and Friends Program and that with the point I would receive I could get a 3 year service contract and a rechargeable trimmer and blower combo ($440.00 value) free I couldn't pass it up. Today I used the trimmer and the blower with great results. Hopefully I get a lot of trouble free years from all of them. I welcome all comments and criticisms from fellow T2200 owners, your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

Hello. Another newb to the forum. I have a 1991 Craftsman II push mower. My Grandpa bought it new to mow my Aunt's yard. He passed away in '04, and it wasn't used since she gave it to me in 2010. All I had to do was rebuild the carb and put a new blade on it. It still fires up with one or two pulls. Massive Tecumseh 3.5hp engine on it. I also picked up the bagger setup that mounts along side the handlebars. Just got her all cleaned up earlier today after I mowed. Here's a short video I put on YouTube.

L8R,
Matt

 

[hkc3]

newbie

Hey everyone, I've got a 735 rider I've had for four years, loved it till it messed up, an old cub cadet, and a troybuilt rider I don't care for.