Craftsman Garden Tractors ("THOUGHTS ONLY")

[Carl in CT]

Every brand has it's duds and if it's an engine problem then it's hard to point a finger at Sears (or any other brand) since they do not make the engine.

I see your point but I have to disagree a bit. My feeling is that if you sell a mower with your brand name on it you are responsible for it's shortcomings or it's success. Sears can pick any motor they want for their machines and they need to stand behind it. If it is Kohler's or Briggs' bad motor on the Craftsman mower than it should be Sears to take care of the customer and they can go back and fight it out with the engine manufacturer. Too many customers get screwed by companies pointing fingers back and forth at each other and not making it right by the customer when they have the deeper pockets. Same goes for service agreements. If it says Craftsman on the mower than Sears should stand behind it, not blame someone else.

 

[terrierlady]

terrierlady, don't buy parts from Sears if you can help it. I just bought a new carburetor for my Toro/Wheelhorse tractor for $43 online from Tulsa Engine Warehouse. The Toro dealer wanted over $270. I got lucky to get it for $43 but you routinely see carbs like that new for $130-ish online. Look at Tulsa Engine Warehouse, Pat's Small Engine Plus, Small Engine Warehouse, etc.

I have bought from Tulsa and Pat's and they are great. Pat's helped me find the right carb for my snowblower over the phone, good people. Get the make of your engine (Briggs and Stratton or Kohler probably), the model number and series number (aka spec number). If your grandson likes to tinker, give him this info and tell him to have a blast!

Good luck and congrats on your new Kubota - heck of a nice machine there!

Thanks much for the pointers! I was astounded that the service guy quoted $350 for the carb and then stammered a little when I showed him that SEARS sold it for $235. If I can get it for less that's even better and the young mechanic can have a ball. It is a Kohler and he should be able to put it right.

 

[Baby Grand]

The GT5000 wasn't a dud, it was working fine when I got a card in the mail advertising a Sears service special - replace filters and blades and change oil for $175. When the serviceman arrived he started playing with the engine before I could get out of the house and introduce myself, then he said he couldn't perform the service because he couldn't get the machine started. Of course he wasn't sitting on the seat engaging the safety switch either, but by that time he had "adjusted" something and the machine has never started since. He wanted $700 to replace the carb (which Sears sells for $235). When I refused he demanded $100 for the "service call".

I'll spare you the rest of the aggravating details, but the bottom line is that I will never buy from Sears again because they have contracted out their service. Without a decent service dept, they are no different than the big box stores IMHO.

That guy should be charged with fraud, or at least reported to the Better Business Bureau and you state's attorney general consumer affairs office for gross incompetence. You owe it to your friends and neighbors to put the word out on street about that huckster.

I have had very good luck with Partstree.com.

 

[theMC]

My Dad bought his first Sears in 1969....SS12. Finally could no longer get mower deck parts (mandrels) so sold it to the guy across the street. Still running today. Since then, he bought a 1979 18/44", which I gave to my brother-in-law when Dad passed away last December. It's running strong. I bought an 18 hp in 1994 (Indy 500 edition) and only sold it when Dad decided to move from his DGT6000 (27hp) for a John Deere. That DGT6000 (2004) is really a Husqvarna and will work circles around that POS Deere. AND I can still get parts. Even if Sears Parts Direct doesn't have it, Jack's Small Engine will.

 

[DavidVT]

This thread popped up so I decide to give an update...
5 plus years ago,I posted my troubles with my wife's Husqvarna and putting my old late 90's Sears back to work.

Today the Husky still mows better (more wheels on the deck). It keeps doing what we need but for mowing on hills. My wife prefers it, mows hard and puts it away dirty. The hood and other components are weak and sloppy and the rear tires will not hold air. I slimed the tires recently and that seems to help.

The old craftsmen, has enjoyed my new found source of ethanol free premium gas. It continues to benefit from the electric fuel pump and oversize fuel filter. It climbs and descends almost any place where I can hang on, especially when the tires are slightly under pressure. The mower deck is real testy. Many nights I finish mowing acres, only to wake to see the lines in the yard from the twisted deck/or low tires... I have had less success with slime on those tires....

Old Kubota diesel garden tractor: I picked it up for $300 years ago and am finally having the mower deck rebuilt. It responded well to cleaning the fuel system and the engine runs like a top. It had one bad rear tire that did respond to the green slime! I have a small push plow blade and wheel weights and might install it for this winter to see how it does. The big Kubota usually does the snow but maybe we will have another mild winter.

As always YMMV...