Whats wrong with buying a Sears/Craftsman?

[T J Blazek]

Good choice with the Gravely.I looked at one; 50" 3yr.warranty; 42something. It was more than I wanted to spend..

 

[motoman]

My only lawnmower ever is the Cratsman DYT 4000 which failed after 2 years of tender care. Since then I have cooled the Intek 24 and it is much happier. NOTHING HAS FAILED IN 500 HRS BUT THE ENGINE. I think the Intek head design/ cooling is faulty, and that a Kohler with hydraulic lifters would have been better, but I can't prove it. Paid $1800 new in 2004.:thumbsup:

 

[CauZey]

How often did you use it in those two years?

 

[motoman]

How often did you use it in those two years?

Weekly through fall , then garaged 'til spring again.
Less than 150 hours-1-1/2 acres, grass, some weeds, hauling with light trailer. O yeah, also raking and fertilizing.I still have the original drive belts and blades on. I guess after being on this forum for 2 years I know it is a low end unit, but it was a high end to me , and I'm only now forgiving the failure (on wood).

 

[Ric]

I do know their riders are made by Husqvarna and their push mowers are made by MTD; made to their specs..

Actually craftsman riding mowers with the first three digits of the serial number being 250 were made by MTD. There LT Series is also MTD

The Craftsman Yard Tractors or YT series is made by Husqvarna a long with there GT series. There 2012 ZTR was made by MTD and 2011 and before believe it or not were made by Briggs and Stratton
Most of there professional series stuff that most has been discontinued was made by both Husqvarna and MTD.

The problem with the question of who makes what is totally confusing because places like Sears changes manufacturers almost yearly because of one company buying out another or some company going out of business. The only way to no who makes your craftsman mower is to check the prefix number, The first three will be the manufacturer.

 

[T J Blazek]

Very good point Ric. Again both the riders I had were good; but my gripe was the their parts and service.

 

[Ric]

Very good point Ric. Again both the riders I had were good; but my gripe was the their parts and service.

That's one of the big problems with buying from Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and places big box stores like that. Service and parts can be a problem. If you find a shop that will do the service or do the repair you need to have done, your most likely to wait for weeks to get the work done and the reason being they will service what they sell first. Most shops will take care of the commercial guys needs first then there homeowners that buy from them then the walk in guy that has a mower they don't sell.

 

[motoman]

I will add as a homeowner "only" that my owner's manual is a disservice with "weasel wording" regarding heat. I am still of the opinion that "small" air cooled engines are always near the edge of one or another kind of head failure due to overheat (cyl head warpage,blown gasket, valve seat loosens, valve guide loosens, pushrod dislodges etc).

The engines should have as a minimum a head heat sensor with a dash mounted warning lite. The manual should warn innocent homeowners to shut down and rest the mower until the lite goes out.
IMO this simple fix would allow diligent owners to extend the life of the "low end" units indefinitely. From the little I have seen Kohler did use such a failsafe in form of cutout switches. Replacement cost starts at $75/kit online. This means factory install /retail cost adder should be less than $50. Elsewhere in this forum I discuss them at $25-$50 diy.

My Intek was apart twice and the components looked good both times except for the head (and the missing exh cam lobe). I believe that "the industry " is used to air cooled failures and accepts them. No offense to that industry, but expectations play a big role. Flame suit is on. :2cents:

 

[T J Blazek]

Ric you're batting a thousand! Very true on who gets serviced first. At least being 2nd in line and getting it serviced at a dealer should (hopefully) shorten my down time.

 

[T J Blazek]

Moto; your thought is good;and would be helpfull to some. however; some would find a way to bypass it or just think its another idiot light. You have given me an idea. I have a very good digital meter. I'm going to tape the wire to the block; and see what the temp will be. I will probably be surprised.