Craftsman 6.5 hp self propelled drive wheel prob.

5030 · Apr 23, 2004

Dave:

Except me. I just want a down payment on a Hustler with the diesel option, or a Grasshopper with a Kubota engine.

I do have an excuse for having a TSC cheapie....I can't mow the yard with the 5030. It's way to big.

I almost bought a Hustler last year. It's just that I can buy about 4 TSC cheapies for 1 Hustler. If I can get 5 years out of the cheapie, that's 20 years of mowers and I am not going to live that long. At least I hope not another 20 years that would make me 75. Don't want to even think about that. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

skent · Apr 26, 2004

While I'm aware that many think they are junk, I have gotten 12 very hard years out of my craftsman self propelled, and while it uses oil, I was able to get it at closeout price (less than $200) and with the exception of a tire and blade from time to time, I'm happy with it.

Did you ever check the wheel gear on yours yet?

stuart · Apr 26, 2004

I agree with Gerard. My MTD is 13 years old and still runs very strong. Have changed blades, plugs etc. Did also need a new starter about 5 years ago. That is all. For the money I spent (1K) it was a great purchase. Have just bought a Home Depot L 120 because I wanted hydro and tall seat back amongst other creature comforts.

SPIKER · Apr 26, 2004

sorry I have not checked it yet it has been raining on & off and I've been stuck doing everything BUT what I need to do emphas on what I NEED to do) it still is working and I have a NEW blade to install too. I missed out a a steal at sams this week. once used mower bagger which someone over tightened the handle and bent the little tab parts so the handle moved up & down about 12" instead of staying put. honda 6.5 hp sale price 99.00 /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I was in the womans car and it had enough grass that I didn't think she would like it in the trunk... Oh well have enough mowers already! lol.
the engine I could use though.

Mark M'

SPIKER · Apr 28, 2004

ok couldn't edit the previous post, so anyhow pulled the wheel, (hubcap off and one 1/2" nut then slides off.) easy off. the wheel has molded in gear teeth and about 1/2 of them are stripped. possably form raising forn wheels and turning corner and then dropping mower too fast onto ground. this stops the wheels long enough to cause tire damage... other possablity could be hitting objects with wheel fench or swing set (remember it wedgeds into 4x4 which is in at an angle and wheel wedged into it once...

anyhow attaching a photo.

Mark M

megha_jones · Apr 28, 2004

all craftsman lawn mower are built by American yard products. they are the number one selling and always have one of the top 3 rated push mowers. Last year consumer report rated one with a Honda engine to be the best for the money. the reason oil came out was because it was on its side and all mowers will do that.

GerardC · Apr 29, 2004

( all craftsman lawn mower are built by American yard products. they are the number one selling and always have one of the top 3 rated push mowers. Last year consumer report rated one with a Honda engine to be the best for the money. the reason oil came out was because it was on its side and all mowers will do that. )

A lawn Tractor /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?!?! Don't think so.

BRIGUY · May 1, 2004

Is their a manufacturer out their that makes a lower quality product than MTD???
Last year I needed machine to cut 1.25 of my 1.5 acre yard. We had just bought the house and rental property needing repairs, so we were low on cash. Thought long and hard about a Crapsman Machine (price).

All the guys I work with swear by their MTD and or Crapsman machines. They also swear at them and often call me at home, needing advice or repairing their POS.

So I thought back to growing up with my dad's old Wheelhorse garden tractor. I have never seen a piece of equipment put up with so much abuse and so little maintenance. It hauled a trailer loaded with 1/2 cord of fire wood 2+ miles down muddy skidsteer roads several times per year, plowed snow and rock, mowed our I acre lawn + other mowing jobs I had locally. moved our shed. I won pulling contests with every other GT on our road. And was the neighborhood wheelee Champ. Dad learned about all of his tractors accomplishments after I grew up and move away from home.
So I purchased a used 1991 312 (1800 $) with a cast iron Kohler (not cast iron sleve) the motor weighs 130# This one has proved as durable as dad's. I have folowed in my fathers footsteps and we are now establishing a long line of abusing wheelhorses. (my brother in law just purchased a used 1998 after I rolled mine over mowing an area on my land that you can't drive down with out sliding out of control) He was impressed that the only damage my tractor had was a scratched fender.

Dad moved to South Carolina and still has the old 1979 Horse. It now mows 2.5 acres. Last year he repowered it (his had a briggs motor) He put on a bigger one.

He called me up last month and complained that his drive belt was starting to crack (because he rides the clutch to create a variable speed when trimming) and that he was going to replace the blades 17 years old (he sharpens them up several times a year) I told him to call Toro because that origional drive belt shouldn't be cracking after only being on there for 25 years and 4000 hours. Every thing except the seat cover is origional.

GerardC · May 1, 2004

Anything that was built decades ago was (is) going to be better than what you get (have) today. You'll never find appliances or implements today that have the quality of yesteryear. Just talk to your grandparents. They've seen a lot of change in their time.

Gatorboy · May 1, 2004

( Anything that was built decades ago was (is) going to be better than what you get (have) today )

Yeah, I sure wish I could get my hands on a Yugo. They surely don't make cars like that anymore.