Craftsman 6.5 hp self propelled drive wheel prob.

SPIKER · Apr 21, 2004

Hi all;

I have a (2002/2003 model year but don't have actual # handy) 22" 6.5 HP craftsman self propelled high rear wheeled mower with bearings on the wheels. the front right wheel (farthest from the drive side) is not engauging correctly. the right side will SPIN on contact with the dirt and PULL ahead like it should but the LEFTR wheel will stop dead in it's tracks it does PICKUP and pull after the mower is pushed to get it starting, it is like something inside is too loose not letting the wheel gearing mesh correctly. has anyone any info no fixing this problem? it was bought in the fall of 20032 and used 5 or 6 times last fall it started great this summer but this year it seems to not be working right. all oil and maintenance has been done as required.

any help would be nice before I attempt to tear into it for a fix... or things to look for.

Thanks Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

fivestring · Apr 21, 2004

If it's a B&S Quantum engine, it's time for a new carb.
I just bought one last fall - $50. I let mine sit for 1 year before I used it. It would start, but not keep running without pumping the primer.
Now, it starts on the first pull and runs smooth.
My problem now is I bent the shaft mowing my ditchbank last Sunday. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

Gary:

What does the carb have to do with a drive wheel problem??

GerardC · Apr 21, 2004

Honestly, Craftsman Lawn mowers/Tractors are way over priced and to me are junk. My neighbor has one and it's been repaired 2 or 3 times ($150.00 +) in 3 years. Another friend had a Craftsman loaded onto his truck when he noticed oil leaking all over the place. Needless to say, he now owns a Cub Cadet.

I bought an MTD tractor and a Self-propelled 4 years ago at Wal-Marts. Tractor has only needed blades, nothing done to the S/P. Both are excellent machines.

I would either try and trade or sell what you have and buy MTD! MTD is cheaper all the way around.

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

Gerard:

No point in trading.......Sears mowers are MTD /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

GerardC · Apr 21, 2004

5030:

Are you sure? If so, why then do Craftsman have so many problems as opposed to MTD? Are they built at the same factory?

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

Gerard:

This sounds like a Mr. Funnel re-run.

Check the MTD website. Then go to sears and check the manufactuers label on the lawnmower. Sears never manufactured anything. They have no manufacturing capabilities whatsoever. The buy from the lowest bidder (in most cases).

Mowers are like mouthwash. Different labels, different prices, same contents. MTD has different grades of mowers, Sears is just at the bottom of the heap.

I'd venture to say that MTD builds at least 70% of all lawn mowers sold in the USA, no matter what the nameplate says. MTD is also a big and I mean BIG automotive stamper.

I better add that MTD has a number of manufacturing/assembly points. They are extremely diversified. Sort of like the Microsoft of the lawncare business.

Bird · Apr 21, 2004

( why then do Craftsman have so many problems as opposed to MTD? )

Gerard, I know a lot of people who would agree with you and a lot who say exactly the opposite of what you're saying; i.e., they believe the Craftsman is a good machine and the MTD is junk. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I have a father and son friends in which the father has an MTD and the son has a Craftsman and they both have about the same kind of problems, and far too many problems, but when you take the kind of care of equipment that they do, leaving them out in the weather, letting the kids play with them, "accidentally" leaving the lid off the gas can out in the rain, and a few little things like that . . . well . . . it really wouldn't matter what brand they had. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif When you hear of one brand having a lot more trouble than the other, first thing I'd do is consider who's operating and maintaining it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

shoppintractors · Apr 21, 2004

From Jack's Small Engine website:

 Ayp, American Yard Products, build lawn mowers and tractors for many named brands. Sears, Poulon, Husqvarna and more tractors are build by AYP. Many AYP parts are interchangeable from Husqvarna tractors, Poulon tractors or Sears tractors and lawn mowers. 

I don't know how current this information is, but AYP either supplies or use to supply some of Sears mowers.

Don

GerardC · Apr 21, 2004

( Gerard:Sears never manufactured anything. They have no manufacturing capabilities whatsoever. The buy from the lowest bidder (in most cases). )

5030: I know that they don't manufacture. Kenmore is usually built by Whirlpool and now I think Maytag is a big player in that game.

Now, if you say Craftsman is "bottom of the heap" how am I mistaken in saying to buy MTD. It's the BADGE on the machine that I'm referring to not so much as the manufacturer. Also fyi, Emerson makes most, if not all, of their power tools.