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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor

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Rob N Va

06-21-2004 19:17:23




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Well, the craftsman crapped out again. I was all the way at the bottom of my hill when I smoked the drive belt (20 bucks) but the good news is that I got to use the 8N to pull it back up the hill. So once again I seek the ever expanding wisdom of this board. But I did try to mention my short seat time to try to not make it so totally O.T.!
Here's the scenario: After I removed the mower deck and replaced the drive belt I noticed, as I was putting the deck back on, that the blade spindle was cracked, and almost broken off. This is a frustrating re-occourance, as every time I snap one of these rediculously made blade spindles, I get 45 bucks poorer!! This is the 5th one I have replaced on this 3 year old mower, and there is no end in sight! The last one I broke on a pile of grass clippings. I asked the local lawnmower fixxer upper guy, and he told me it was just a poor design, and there was nothing I could do to fix the problem, except buy a few of them to keep on hand. I don't like that solution. I even tried welding it directly to the deck, but there's only a thin bolt hole that comes close to the deck for which to weld. Have any of you ever had this problem with a crfatsman (Sears) lawnmower? How did you fix it? By the way, this is a 42 inch cut with a 19.5 briggs engine. Any, and I mean any, thoughts are very much appreciated!! Thanks!---Rob

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Bob - MI

06-22-2004 18:15:52




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
As luck would hav it I was at the MTD plant today in Kentucky to look at some machining equipment they use for their blade spindles. There are about 30 different MTD designs and some of theirs are pretty robust. Your Craftsman mower was made by AYP (American Yard Products) and I am going to assume that they also have an array of spindle designs to choose from. I would try an internet search and see if you can contact the factory directly and check and see if you have another design option offering from them.

I buy mower parts from Jack's Small Engines (internet search again)and they have been very helpful over the past. I have a very old Ranch King tractor that I use for snowblowing and I have had to replace some odd-ball parts. They may be able to help you.

I have yet to break a blade spindle on my 5 yr old Yard Man (cheap mtd product) but I have hit a fair amount of stumps and things to break a few kevlar belts and bend some blades. Sounds like you have obsticles in your yard that are tearing your mower up and you may want to get them out. I rode 14 hrs in a car with a guy today that said his brother hit something while mowing and stopped the whole thing so quickly he broke the engine connecting rod.

Also try a post on the garden tractor section of this site. Those guys are eager to help.

Best of luck

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steve19438

06-22-2004 14:28:51




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
i bought my sears craftsman II 18hp GARDEN tractor in july of 89. i mow my two acres with it and have mowed countless acres of little league fields also. other than belts the only thing i have replaced is the starter and batteries.(the second one lasted 8 years) one of the best pieces of equipment i have ever owned! FWIW



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Scott

06-22-2004 12:56:55




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
This may or may not be of any help, but I had a drive pulley problem with a MTD riding mower. It has the variable ratio belt drive. I treat it pretty rough, went through two OEM drive pulleys. I happened to be in Agri-Supply and found that they carried a lot of replacement parts for all kinds of mowers. The pulley I got there had the shaft made from bar stock whereas the OEM was all stamped steel. And Agri-Supply was almost 50% cheaper too. So far I haven't had any more trouble with it.

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Apollo

06-22-2004 10:55:21




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
The easiest fix is to replace that Crapsman with a John Deere. I have a 9 year old 325 and never a minutes problem. Do they cost a bit more? You betcha. Are they worth it? Depends. If you like the headaches your Crapsman gives you then no. If you like trouble free operation and durability, yes.



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d.brown

06-22-2004 08:25:22




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
As you know Sear/Craftsman does not "make" their lawn tractors. try researching the web or their parts people and find out who does make the lawn tractor and see if they have a beefier model on the market or one that will cross over to your specific model. Good luck.



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Bill in WI

06-22-2004 04:31:10




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
Can’t help you with your current problem; just wanted to weigh in as a former Craftsman owner. I had one once, and that was plenty. Very cheaply made, and if you need replacement parts, you are at the mercy of the Sears parts outlets. They would be much better off sticking with something they do decently; namely making hand tools. I think it is an example of what happens when one company tries to do it all. Something has to be the weak link, and unfortunately, I think you found it with their lawn tractors.

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9NKen

06-21-2004 22:51:28




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
Hi Rob,

I have a Crapsman mower with a 42" deck too, and it is what it is. I have learned to keep on hand an entire spindle assembly and an extra blade. The spindle housing is flimsy and the spindle itself is a joke with its cheesy torx like blade attachment. I have replaced the darn pulleys too. The whole unit is suspect! Sorry I don't have any suggestions for improving the system. If the spindle housing was any stronger it would probably shred the deck!

Caveat Emptor!!

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Stress..John,PA

06-21-2004 21:49:25




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 Re: O.T. Craftsman Lawn tractor in reply to Rob N Va, 06-21-2004 19:17:23  
Rob..Maybe you are stressing-out your craftsman product. Mow more often and keep the stress levels down on your "CRAFTSMAN". Hope this helps ya.



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