Craftsman life span

[grainger12002]

We bought the bottom of the line 10hp craftsman in 1985-used it all the time-changed th oil only when it got low or black,it is still going and works well,it has many hours on it,the steering is not the best but the tires,engine and lights still work,the cost was under $800 at that time,a bargain-yes I would say so. RUN IT, Thats what it likes !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JDgreen227]

Welcome to TBN, and while I dislike to be critical of someone I don't know, your neighbor isn't too bright. The Kohler engines are well made and you can expect at least 1000 hours out of your tractor if well maintained and not abused.

To me, a riding mower is a rear engine machine with a pressed steel front axle and a 32 inch cutting width, I have never owned one and never would consider owning such a cheap collection of scrap metal. If someone tried to pass one of those off as a "tractor" here on TBN they would NEVER live it down. But basically, your Craftsman qualifies as a tractor, so enjoy yourself here.

WARNING: Tractor ownership can be addictive, so ignore the well-meaning advice of the members until you decide for yourself if you need a larger one. We DO enjoy spending other member's money for them. Take heed !!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[fishman]

Some questions: Do you drive it around about midnight after a couple 6-packs? Have you removed the muffler to get that throaty roar so many like? Do you engage the blades in the driveway and sling gravel into the neighbor's new car?

Just razzing you. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif It's possible he's just trying an ill concieved plan to reduce your tractor time for his own reasons. Don't listen to him! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BillG_in_TX]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( a riding mower is a rear engine machine with a pressed steel front axle and a 32 inch cutting width )</font>

cowsgomoo,

As JDGreen227 has pointed out, a riding mower is a different animal from your fine piece of hardware. Tell your neighbor that you have a Garden Tractor, that was "born to be rode". /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

From a Consumer Guide review:
"The Sears Craftsman 23-hp, 50-inch 27503 garden tractor is one of the top guns of the Craftsman line, and for the power and features offered, it’s also at a nice low price. The 50-inch deck is about the tops in size among noncommercial lawn mowers, as is the 23-hp rating. A six-speed, dual-range transaxle gets things to the ground, and a 3-1/2-gallon tank keeps even this size mower on the lawn for a long time. There is an electric clutch, and the frame is heavy-duty 11-gauge steel. The cast-iron front axle has Zerk fittings for greasing. There is an ammeter to monitor battery power, and the rear tires are 23 inches in diameter by 10-1/2 inches wide to ease the effects on the lawn. The Kholer Pro engine is a V-twin with cast-iron cylinder liners. Three cutting blades aid in producing a smoothly cut lawn, in a range of 1-1/2 inches to 4 inches, while two deck gauge wheels help prevent scalping. Turning radius is a modest 27 inches, reasonable for this size garden tractor with mounted mowing deck. The 27503 weighs 695 pounds. "

 

[normde2001]

"I have a Craftsman Garden Tractor, 23hp Kolor Pro. Got it two years ago. I really enjoy using it, and riding it around (even in the snow ;-) but my neighbor told me that i should use my tractor more sparingly because riding mowers tend to only have 300 hours life spans."

On the other hand, as we all know, all machines begin wearing out from day 1. That's what breaking in, seating rings, etc. is, after all. If it were mine I would try to delay the wearing process as long as possible. By the way, are we talking about a garden tractor or a riding mower, and what is the difference?

 

[Bird]

I agree that "excessive" (whatever that is) use will wear an engine out sooner, but I'm also of the opinion that frequently running one is better for it than sitting for long spells without being started and run long enough to get thoroughly warmed up.

 

[rambler]

> Some questions: Do you drive it around about midnight after a couple 6-packs? Have you removed the muffler to get that throaty roar so many like? Do you engage the blades in the driveway and sling gravel into the neighbor's new car?


What I was going to say. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think your neighbor might be trying to reduce your riding time....

Everything wears out, the more you use it, the shorter it's lifespan. Lifespan is dependant on maintenence, you can blow yours in 300, 1000, or 4000 hours. Oil changes, maintenence, and abuse.

--->Paul

 

[NIXON]

My brother in law bought a used craftsman mower . I believe it's in the 22-25 hp range(kohler engine ) . It's got the hydro trans and 54' deck . He uses it to mow around 10 acres of lawn . It seems like he runs that thing 4-6 hrs a day 4-5 days a week during the summer . It's never let him down .He's been using it that way for the last 5 years . So, I've got to say your neighbors 300 hr. mark is a bit off . John

 

[Inspector507]

I have had a Craftsman LT4000(guess that qualifies it a Lawn TRACTOR 14HP Kohler for the last 12-13 years. Lets see.....1 new tire, a dozen new blades, oil and filter somewhat regularly, 3rd battery and a few little items here and there I guess. I used it all year round when we lived in town, to mow, mulch and collect leaves, plow snow......etc. I've probably abused it, and it sits most of the time now, since I got my TC18, although it still gets used to mow our slope to the road every few weeks. But if I had to count the hours.....whoa boy.......that's a lot of hours on the machine.
Now.......if I had to purchase another LT or GT.....I'd buy another Craftsman in a heartbeat. My needs have changed since I bought that one or I'd still use it weekly. And I'm sure it would still be purring along.

 

[JJT]

My 18 horse Craftsman is over 20 years old. Briggs and Stratton, air cooled, belt drive, 6 speed manual transmission. I wore out the front tires and a drive belt. I've replaced the battery and blades about 4 times, the seat's been replaced, I've changed the fuel filter twice and I've put 3 - 4 sets of spark plugs and air filters into it. No other parts have been replaced. I think the muffler is an empty shell, heck I wear a radio headset so it doesn't bother me. For the first 10 years I mowed 2.5 acres every 5 days in the summer and used it to push snow off a 200' driveway in the winter, (upstate NY, lots of snow). Since we moved to the farm and gotten a real tractor, it's been doing lawn duty only on about 4 acres. This tractor doesn't owe me a thing, it's been a real workhorse. It easily has over 2000 hours on it, with several hundred of those hours pushing a snow plow or pulling a landscape rake.