jim8325
New member
I joined the site when I was looking up a Craftsman parts question online and got a pop-up message to join. What the heck, I can always use a hand when it comes to Craftsman questions and maybe even post a helpful response from time to time. I have a Craftsman DLT 2000 bought in 2001 that has a 46" mowing deck, and a 20 hp Kohler v-twin motor. I call myself a reluctant mechanic in the title because, over the years, I have discovered if I want my tractor repaired, I had better figure it out myself rather than call on a Sears repair technician. I have advanced beginner mechanical skills but found out most everything that one can fix on a lawn tractor, can be reasoned out by looking at it, reading the owners manual, AND researching the internet! I once had a Sears technician tell me the next step in repair of my electric clutch problem was to buy and install a new clutch for about $450 in parts and labor. I searched the internet and found an article about adjusting an electric clutch's air-gap. It took 1/2 hour to remove mower deck, detach electric clutch and adjust 3 bolts that control the air gap. The only tools, a wrench, and a feeler gauge. Reassembled in another 1/2 hour and the clutch works like a charm. Seems like old-fashioned repair work at Sears was replaced by the "black box" approach......just replace the whole component. If I was to buy a new tractor, hopefully not until the distant future, I would look for a different brand such as John Deer for the following reasons:
- Tech support from Sears is not good. However, I must say the technicians were very professional and courteous. I have no complaints about the techs, just the Sears system.
- Sears changes their body styles on tractors so frequently so that my tractor attachments (grass catcher, snow blower) do not fit subsequent models. If I buy a new Craftsman, I would need a machine shop to make alterations in the snow blower. I would have to at the very minimum buy a new feeder chute for the grass catcher. I can understand changing body styles on cars but why on tractors??
- Sears Part Direct (your source for genuine Craftsman replacement parts) is a rip-off. A $3 part shipped to Anchorage, Alaska can cost $27; total cost $30. They do not ship USPO, but one of the private shippers and there is no choice in what you pay depending on whether you are willing to wait longer for a shipment. I suspect the "shipping" charge is where they make the money.
