Re: Craftsman lawn tractors

Any Sears tractor is made by AYP or American Yard Products, these tractors are sold as many other brands and are servicable tractors for MOWING, but if you use it for real work it WILL fall apart within 3-5 years. A john Deere 300 or 400 model will last forever, it is the difference between a hyundai and a mercedes. I have owned a sears top of the line, and now own a Deere, if you can afford one don't be cheap, spend the 5k more and never buy another tractor...

: I replaced my 15.5 Kohler powered Craftsman 42 inch Lawn Tractor that I bought used (Sears rebuilt)for about $1000. After 5 years of very dependable service mowing my 1 acre lawn I sold it to my neighbor for $500 and bought a new Sears 20HP Kohler powered Garden Tractor because I wanted to play with "ground engaging attachments". I now own the Rear Blade (for snow removal and dirt leveling, it works very well.), the Sleeve Hitch, a Brinly-Hardy Didk Harrow (It is effective for preparing the yard for reseeding, as long as you use plenty of weights. I have 200 lbs of old "scale weights" that fit the tray perfectly. I have the wheel weights and chains. They are mandatory for snow removal work.

: With both tractors I have experienced excellent service. I do my own work, and change oil twice a year. I use Mobil 1 and have never had any problem with starting, battery charging or any other non-scheduled problem except replacing the stamped steel front axle on the lawn tractor after striking a tree a little too hard and bending the darn thing. The larger tractor, with the cast axle is a big improvement, but the problem was due to my inattention.

: Parts have never been a problem. I have very sandy soil and usually mulch, so I am kind of hard on blades. (two on the lawn tractor, three on the garden tractor). Both tractors are equipped with manual transmissions, so the relaibility is excellent. Kohler engines are the way to go.

: Another neighbor has a $10,000 John Deere (400 series, I can't remember what) with all-wheel-steer. Except for the turning radius, my $2000 tractor will MOW as quickly, as well and as reliably as his. I do like the hydraulics on th e JD, but can't justify the extra $6K or $8K to get them.

: : :
: : : Folks -

: : : Are Craftsman lawn tractors any good ?

: : : I'm concerned about quality of built ?

: : : How would you rate them with the big guns .. Toro, JD, Ariens ?

: : : Sears prices can't be beat .. any comments ???

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: Any Sears tractor is made by AYP or American Yard Products, these tractors are sold as many other brands and are servicable tractors for MOWING, but if you use it for real work it WILL fall apart within 3-5 years. A john Deere 300 or 400 model will last forever, it is the difference between a hyundai and a mercedes. I have owned a sears top of the line, and now own a Deere, if you can afford one don't be cheap, spend the 5k more and never buy another tractor... : : I replaced my 15.5 Kohler powered Craftsman 42 inch Lawn Tractor that I bought used (Sears rebuilt)for about $1000. After 5 years of very dependable service mowing my 1 acre lawn I sold it to my neighbor for $500 and bought a new Sears 20HP Kohler powered Garden Tractor because I wanted to play with "ground engaging attachments". I now own the Rear Blade (for snow removal and dirt leveling, it works very well.), the Sleeve Hitch, a Brinly-Hardy Didk Harrow (It is effective for preparing the yard for reseeding, as long as you use plenty of weights. I have 200 lbs of old "scale weights" that fit the tray perfectly. I have the wheel weights and chains. They are mandatory for snow removal work. : : With both tractors I have experienced excellent service. I do my own work, and change oil twice a year. I use Mobil 1 and have never had any problem with starting, battery charging or any other non-scheduled problem except replacing the stamped steel front axle on the lawn tractor after striking a tree a little too hard and bending the darn thing. The larger tractor, with the cast axle is a big improvement, but the problem was due to my inattention. : : Parts have never been a problem. I have very sandy soil and usually mulch, so I am kind of hard on blades. (two on the lawn tractor, three on the garden tractor). Both tractors are equipped with manual transmissions, so the relaibility is excellent. Kohler engines are the way to go. : : Another neighbor has a $10,000 John Deere (400 series, I can't remember what) with all-wheel-steer. Except for the turning radius, my $2000 tractor will MOW as quickly, as well and as reliably as his. I do like the hydraulics on th e JD, but can't justify the extra $6K or $8K to get them. : : : : : : : : Folks - : : : : Are Craftsman lawn tractors any good ? : : : : I'm concerned about quality of built ? : : : : How would you rate them with the big guns .. Toro, JD, Ariens ? : : : : Sears prices can't be beat .. any comments ???

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