Craftsman Tractors -Better Than The Bad Rap?

[bp fick]

Ron,
Electrolux is Husqvarna.
That corp has so many names and levels, but that's them.

 

[J35]

I have a 2003 42 in. cut 17 HP Kohler HST that has been a real work horse, only parts replaced has been a Idler pulley and the mower belt.

It has mowed 1 1/2 acres every week from mid April to mid Oct going on six years, we fenced and crossed fenced 15 acres into one acre paddocks with cattle panels it drug every cattle panel two at a time with a bundle of five t-posts on top to their place, the wife has used it to pull a manure spreader every week when she cleans the barn,I got chains for it so she can keep going when there is snow and ice. I have wore out two sets of plug aerator tines, it has spread every pound of granulated lime and fertilizer for are pasture (many tons), every summer we water ornamental tree's and shrubs with a 40 gal water tank on a small trailer with it, there's more but my finger is getting tired, like the wife said if it dies tomorrow it don't owe us anything. OH yea if you take two steps any where on my place you will be going uphill or down.

I treat it to a new set of blades once a year, and fresh oil and filters twice a year, it uses the same oil filter as my Toyota pick up.

Have fun

 

[Alan L.]

I frankly don't know where Craftsman gets such a bad name. They are great for the money you pay for them. And, you DO know where to get them fixed - Sears. In fact the Sears guy came out a couple of times and year and did maintenance such as blade replacement, or belt replacement. First lasted over 10 years and then gave it away still running.

Replaced that one and used the replacement for 4 years mowing about 2 acres a week, then replaced with a Scag ZTR which we use for about 10 acres or so. Gave the old Craftsman away to a friend, in like new condition.

I can't complain about them. Of course the ZTR is much faster and does a much better job, but then I could have bought 5 or 6 Craftsmans (or is it "Craftsmen"?).

 

[Scooby074]

While not as new as most of the ones discussed here, out 1986 Craftsman has heldup very well. Not fancy as the new ones so i dont know about them.

Its done everything from tilling , pulling out trees to snowblowing without any real issues. Cast Iron Commercial briggs has been bulletproof, except for some issues i had with a defective carb.

Mower deck isnt as nice as the Deeres or other high speed / high lift mowers. Plus it scalps a bit on uneven ground. But the old girl wont die.

Someday, maybe next year, i might look at a 300 series deere. When shopping i found that in order to get the same heavy frame and parts like my craftsman GT i had to look past the 100 series.

 

[DavidVT]

It is nice to see that some are indeed still happy with their Craftsman tractors.
I used to be one of the faithful and kind of wish I still could be. The old 'grey' Craftsman of which I used and/or owned four of them over the years.

Sorry, done with post 99 Craftsman (Green 50" w aluminum Kohler) and the new Husqvarna that replaced it. I can't keep that Kohler running reliably despite liking the tractor when it ran. The Husqvarna seems to have a higher center of gravity and won't hold moving down steep hills. At least it has zerk fittings.

I'd gladly trade them both for a good running older 'grey' Craftsman with a cast iron engine from the good old days!

 

[jhwentworth]

Ron,
Electrolux is Husqvarna.
That corp has so many names and levels, but that's them.

Since 2006, Electrolux is no longer associated with Husqvarna. Electrolux bought Husqvarna in 1978 but in 2006 they transferred all Husqvarna shares to Electrolux shareholders and Husqvarna is now an independent company. In 1988 the Husqvarna Group of Electrolux bought Roper's gardening group and changed the name to American yard Products (AYP). AYP now builds lawn and garden products for Sears, Poulan, and Husqvarna. Poulan is also owned by Husqvarna.

My opinion of AYP mowers is that they provide excellent value for the money. Some Sears service centers may not have the level of expertise you want, but there are so many AYP mowers out there that there shouldn't be a problem finding a repair shop. Another plus for DIY owners is Sears PartsDirect.

 

[bontai_Joe]

MY opinion for what it's worth is that it is difficult to find a better machine for the money spent. With a little patience and catching the right sale, you can get a very basic lawn tractor for just about $1000. They work well as the testimonials above show if you stay within the limits of the machine and do the required maintenance. The guys that have problems either don't grease and change oil and filters, or drive in a "crash & bash" style jerking the tractor over and through obstacles at max speed, or are continuiously asking the tractor to do WAY over what it was designed to do. I remember reading one guy cursing his tractor because it didn't cut well at full speed. His thinking was if it goes 7 MPH, then it should cut any kind or height of grass at 7 MPH in all conditions. That kind of owner would have gripes about any machine he buys. My point is some complaints are legit problems with machines, and some complaints are problems with the operators.

 

[bp fick]

Since 2006, Electrolux is no longer associated with Husqvarna. Electrolux bought Husqvarna in 1978 but in 2006 they transferred all Husqvarna shares to Electrolux shareholders and Husqvarna is now an independent company. In 1988 the Husqvarna Group of Electrolux bought Roper's gardening group and changed the name to American yard Products (AYP). AYP now builds lawn and garden products for Sears, Poulan, and Husqvarna. Poulan is also owned by Husqvarna.

My opinion of AYP mowers is that they provide excellent value for the money. Some Sears service centers may not have the level of expertise you want, but there are so many AYP mowers out there that there shouldn't be a problem finding a repair shop. Another plus for DIY owners is Sears PartsDirect.

Thanks so much jh. Following the corporate goings is interesting and thanks for clearing all that corporate stuff up in a simple way, although, what seems most important is that AYP makes all those mentioned brands, as well as the Craftsman. Yes, I do indeed love PartsDirect.

Speaking of corporate stuff and multiple brands marketed, have you noticed how many brands MTD has absorbed lately? Geeeesh.

Bottom line? Craftsman prices are indeed good. Craftsman machines are fairly comparable in quality and support to the vast majority of the brands marketed. Shoot, not to cause a stink or anything, but the little Deere that are sold everywhere are pretty basic, off manufactured thing too. Just saying, as the earlier poster said well. Buy it right. Treat it right. Maintain it right. Seems reasonable to me.

Again, almost 400 hours on mine, with no issues. That's all I can say. Would I buy another one? Why not. Didn't even buy the 60" belly mower for my Kubota. For $1800, I decided to just keep the Craftsman. Besides, the 42" deck just fits between my trees now.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Just to be a little picky, I believe American Yard Products, Inc no longer exists as a manufacturer of anything, it is all now under the Husqvarna name, and they build most Craftsman tractors, Poulan, Jonsered, Husqvarna and a few others. I'll be giving away my age with this, the first time I ever heard of the Husqvarna name was on motocross motorcycles in the 1960s-70s. Awesome machines!!!!! They no longer manufacture motorcycles, but do put their name on a line built by BMW.

 

[bp fick]

well, we must be of a similar age, Joe, cause I too fondly remember those Huskie dirt bikes of the 60's and 70's. Dang! The lucky young pups that had those were the envy of all us high school guys.