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Hey All,
Need your help. I have a Model Number 917.270622 Craftsman, 15.5 Electric Start, 42" Lawn Tractor with a Hydrostatic Transmission. The shift lever has worn out. Had the Lawn Mower Shop come pick it up to repair. They allows as to how they cannot find the necessary part.

I told them that I was subscribed to the Lawn Mower Forum, that you guys have always been helpful, and that you all might be able to find this part for us.

In the Owner's Manual, Page 38 shows an exploded view of the "Ground Drive". The part needed is: Key Number 81, Part Number 161081, Asm, Shaft.

We searched the Sears Parts Website, but they don't find the aforementioned 161081 parts number.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hope this finds you all doing well.

JCAllison

You have the correct part number listed. It is available from any Husqvarna/poulan dealer.

I looked up your tractor on Sear's site, and it came up fine.

ILENGINE said:

You have the correct part number listed. It is available from any Husqvarna/poulan dealer.

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Hey Mr. I,
Thanks for the prompt response.

Alas, living in the deepest, darkest part of the Deep East Texas Pineywood forest, there are no Husqvarna/Poulan dealers in the area.

Googled Craftsman 161081 and got an Amazon listing by a 4.85 (out of 5) stars rated merchant called MowTown. They have the part. $16.99 + shipping. Ordered that puppy. It is supposed to be here between August 28, and September 6, 2013. Am awaiting confirmation from Amazon by E-Mail to find out what they are charging for shipping.

Anyway, thanks again for the reply. You guys have always been VERY helpful.

Take excellent care.

JC

Fish said:

I looked up your tractor on Sear's site, and it came up fine.

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Hey Mr. F.,
But did they have the part? Googled Sears Craftsman Riding Mowers and did a search for a 161081 Asm Shaft, and they had no listing for the part.

Also, the guys at the Lawn Mower Shop said that they were unable to get one from Sears because the Craftsman Lawn Tractor is a 2000 model and it is just too old. It's in great shape for being as old as it is, but it's just wearing out piece by piece.

Anyway, thanks for the prompt response. It is sincerely appreciated.

JC

JCAllison said:

Hey Mr. I,
Thanks for the prompt response.

Alas, living in the deepest, darkest part of the Deep East Texas Pineywood forest, there are no Husqvarna/Poulan dealers in the area.

Googled Craftsman 161081 and got an Amazon listing by a 4.85 (out of 5) stars rated merchant called MowTown. They have the part. $16.99 + shipping. Ordered that puppy. It is supposed to be here between August 28, and September 6, 2013. Am awaiting confirmation from Amazon by E-Mail to find out what they are charging for shipping.

Anyway, thanks again for the reply. You guys have always been VERY helpful.

Take excellent care.

JC

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Heck, any mower shop is a Poulan dealer, My dist. could dropship you that part and you would have it by Mon.

Just checked, my dist. has it on backorder, as does your Amazon source, which is why they gave a long estimate.

Here, let's see if this comes up.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...Desc=TRACTOR&blt=11&shdMod=917270622&keyId=81

Fish said:

Just checked, my dist. has it on backorder, as does your Amazon source, which is why they gave a long estimate.

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Hey Mr. F,
Got an E-Mail from MowTownUSA and they have canceled the order because the part is no longer being produced. Found another listing by M&D and they are listing the part for 29.75 including shipping. They may be out of the part too and just don't know it yet. We'll just have to wait and see. They said that it would ship within 5 to 10 days.

Isn't this fun you guys?

JC

Did you click on the link I put up in my last post? Sears said that they had it in stock.

Fish said:

Did you click on the link I put up in my last post?

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Hey Mr. F,
Yes.

Sears said that they had it in stock.

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Have been away all day dealing with health care providers, and just got home. Have ordered the 161081 Asm Shaft from Sears, per your link. They are saying that the 161081 will be here next Tuesday.

Want to thank you for the link. Am hoping that they don't send an E-Mail like the last place from which the 161081 was ordered saying that the part was going to have to be back-ordered and would take three weeks. Have cancelled that order.

I'll hang in here if YOU'LL hang in there.

JC

I am confident that if Sears says it is in stock, you should get it!!!

Fish said:

I am confident that if Sears says it is in stock, you should get it!!!

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Hey Mr. F,
It was ordered with expedited shipping. They allowed as to how it should be here next Tuesday. Checked with the tracking that they supplied and it says that it has been ordered, but no indication of it being shipped. Will let you know how this plays out.

Again, thanks for the GREAT help. What would I do without you guys?

JC

Naw, I have been selling parts online, and have found that the vast majority of sellers online "claim" to have these parts on hand, when they don't
at all. They will take your money and then do the "backorder dance". The bona-fide sources like the shop's dist. and Sears are pretty reliable.

If Sears claims to have it, then they should, as so much of their stuff is now NLA, but I may be wrong.....

Fish said:

Naw, I have been selling parts online, and have found that the vast majority of sellers online "claim" to have these parts on hand, when they don't at all.

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Hey Mr. F,
Am hoping that Sears will come through for us.

They will take your money and then do the "backorder dance".

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Have had that happen before.

The bona-fide sources like the shop's dist. and Sears are pretty reliable.

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Have found Sears to be really good. Love their Craftsman stuff. And have their hot water heaters and microwaves.

If Sears claims to have it, then they should, as so much of their stuff is now NLA, but I may be wrong.....

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NLA?

JC

Fish said:

Naw, I have been selling parts online, and have found that the vast majority of sellers online "claim" to have these parts on hand, when they don't at all. They will take your money and then do the "backorder dance". The bona-fide sources like the shop's dist. and Sears are pretty reliable.

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Hey Mr. F,
Checked on the 161081 Asm Shaft today. It says that on 08/18/2013 that the part was: "Backordered. The part is temporarily out of stock and is scheduled to ship on 08/16/2013."

The Part is: $14.19. Shipping is: $16.97 (and was supposed to be here on Tuesday, August 20, 2013). Tax is: $2.57. Total: $33.73.

If Sears claims to have it, then they should, as so much of their stuff is now NLA, but I may be wrong.....

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NLA? No Longer Available?

So what is going to happen now?

Will just have to wait and see.
What will be will be.
Time will tell.
Be well.
JC

Yes, NLA= No Longer Available

This is bad, Sears usually has been pretty honest, but they are struggling here lately too.

I actually parted out a Craftsman tractor on e-bay a few years ago, sounds like it is time to start doing it again.

Sorry for your trouble, they are bailing on a lot of their stuff, part wise.

Fish said:

This is bad, Sears usually has been pretty honest, but they are struggling here lately too.

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Hey Mr. F,
Just got the following from Sears:

Dear James,

The item(s) ordered on 08/16/2013 is (are) temporarily out of stock and a backorder has been placed on your behalf. You will receive an email notification when the item(s) ship(s). We apologize for the inconvenience.

The estimated ship date is available per item. Please review the status of each line item.

If the estimated ship date is not known, the supplier will provide an estimated ship date as soon as it is known.

If you prefer, we will issue credit for the backordered item(s) and bill your account upon shipment of the item(s). Contact Us if you would like to receive credit for the backordered item(s).

161081 SHAFT ASSEMB
No Estimated ship date available
You will be notified when an estimated ship date is available.

I actually parted out a Craftsman tractor on e-bay a few years ago, sounds like it is time to start doing it again.

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That may get to be a pretty good thing to do.

Sorry for your trouble, they are bailing on a lot of their stuff, part wise.

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No apology necessary. This isn't YOUR fault. It appears that this is just the way that things are going. Wonder how long it will take to get it from whomever they backordered it?

It may NEVER come through. In the meantime, my grass is getting higher and higher!

"It's always something." (Roseanne Roseannadanna/Gilda Radner)

Anyway, hang in there.

JC

Hey Mr. Fish, and everyone else,
This is starting to get serious!

Mentioned what was going on with the Craftsman Lawn Tractor over at the Ford Muscle Forum, and the good people there who are really sharp at doing searches found the following:

AYP 161079 Cross Shaft From Craftsman 917 259530 Lawn Tractor Good Used Part | eBay

917.270641 Craftsman 16 HP 42 Inch Mower Automatic Lawn Tractor

Craftsman 16HP Shifter | eBay

So now, the question is: Are any of these parts the same at the model 917.270622 161081 part? The JPGs of these parts look remarkably similar, but don't know if they are interchangable. If anyone here knows, would appreciate the information.

Thanks in advance

JC

Hey All,
Just got an E-Mail from Sears saying that the 161081 Asm Shaft has been shipped! It is listed as having expidited shipping. There is as yet no tracking information, but previously, it was ordered on Thursday, August 15, 2013 and was supposed to be delivered on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. So, if it takes three days to get here, it should be here by either Friday or Monday. Don't know who the carrier is. Am hoping it is either UPS or FedEx as the shipment is to be delivered to my street address and the USPS doesn't deliver to my house but to my P.O.Box. Am going to have to call the Post Office and tell them to keep an eye out for it and if it comes USPS for them to put a notice in my P.O.Box for me to pick it up.

Anyway, will keep you all updated. Am hoping that this is not a faux notice.

Will have to wait and see.
What will be will be.
Time will tell.
Be well.
JC

Good luck!!!

Fish said:

Good luck!!!

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Hey Mr. F,
Thanks. Am just hoping that this is genuine! Was by the Lawn Mower Shop yesterday and talked to Billy. Told him the whole saga. He said that I was going through what he had already been through. BUT, if this latest E-Mail is actual, then I'm a step further than he got. He went through all this and then dumped it on me! Haven't yet informed Billy of this latest development, but want to see his face when I walk in with a NEW 161081 Asm Shaft.

Anyway, thanks again for the assistance. Hope this finds YOU doing well.

JC

Hey All,
Just had a knock on the door. Got to the door in time to see the UPS delive guy about half way back to his Brown Truck. Sitting next to the door was a box containing the 161081 Asm Shaft. I'm going to be taking it to the Lawn Mower Shop as soon as I post this note.

As Willie Shakespeare said: "All's well that ends well."

JC

Yah, you need to go easy on the guys that order parts/fix mowers for a living. I put in some extra scrounging time because I am semi-retired, and am semi retired because no shop around here wants to pay a good parts guy more than $8 an hour.

These shops usually frown upon their employees spending an hour or two trying to scare up a part, and I really cannot blame them.

They however hold little value for the old guys that can locate a part/part number quickly, they encourage us to educate kids that don't give a chit.

I was just trying to help you out a little here, don't go in and attack your local parts guy, you will need him soon enough.

Fish said:

Yah, you need to go easy on the guys that order parts/fix mowers for a living.

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Hey Mr. F,
Well, Billy is a really good guy. We've been friends for many years. Just got back from taking the part to him. He was quite surprised that it got here as quickly as it did.

I put in some extra scrounging time because I am semi-retired, and am semi retired because no shop around here wants to pay a good parts guy more than $8 an hour.

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I know what you mean. There is an over-all general readjusting of the pay scales for the lower classes going on. In Greece they call it "austerity", and everyone got up in arms over it. Here in the USA, it's called "the sequester". The government is cutting funding across the board, and the way that they instituted it made it to where there wasn't anyone blame-able.

These shops usually frown upon their employees spending an hour or two trying to scare up a part, and I really cannot blame them.

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Well, this is just a single guy and he has his teenage son helping. They are good people.

They however hold little value for the old guys that can locate a part/part number quickly, they encourage us to educate kids that don't give a chit.

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The uneducated kids are also willing to work for less pay.

I was just trying to help you out a little here, don't go in and attack your local parts guy, you will need him soon enough.

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Didn't mean to leave the impression that I was in any way upset with the local parts guy. He's a friend, and I don't get upset over stuff like this. But I did kid him a little. I told him that if I could help him with anything else to just let me know. After all, I'm here on the LawnMowerForum, and I told him that you guys are "HOT"!

Billy said that he's have Karel, the Craftsman Lawn Tractor to me later this week. Hope I can afford what he's going to charge.

Anyway, things seem to be working out.

Hang in there.

JC

Hey All,
Update on Karel, the 42" Craftsman Lawn Tractor:

Billy, from the LawnMowerShop delivered Karel back yesterday morning. He said that the DieHard Battery is toast. Will have a replacement for it today. Have to remove the OLD Battery to trade in as a core.

Billy said what had happened to the 161081 Asm Shaft was that apparently over the years, the Battery had leaked electrolyte down onto it and just ate it away. Told him that I had never noticed that the Battery was leaking. He said ALL Batterys leak!

Nonetheless, the Asm Shaft was $33.73 delivered. The installation of the Asm Shaft was $87.48. NEW Battery will be under $40.00, so for less than $160.00 Karel is back up and running.

Am going to remove the Blades from the MowerDeck, sharpen them, then reinstall, and then if it's not too hot, will mow the lawns.

Again, want to thank everyone for the responses. Will be in touch. Hope you all are well..

JC