Comments for Garden Tractor Info

Comment on Craftsman Garden Tractors by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:40:12 +0000

Yes, I think the only thing you can do is inspect each thing and replace broken parts as you find them.

Comment on Craftsman Garden Tractors by Philly

Philly — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:32:19 +0000

Hi, 2006 Craftsman YS4500 Briggs 2 cyl 22 HP Electric start auto tranny; I ran into one of my ramps and now the left steer wheel is busted. The wheel has about 2-3 inches in play when you move it by bare hands and acts like it’s popped out of joint/not engaged and has basically no steering for that side. Draglink seems to be intact, spindle assy possibly broke? I see there’s a bearing in the assy. Suggest I take spindle assy apart for broken pieces or draglink is not engaged in steering knuckle gear/plate?

Thank you!

Comment on Questions about your garden tractors by skeeler

skeeler — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:28:20 +0000

I have a Ingersoll model number 3012 – 1991 yr with a 12 hp Kohler engine. I would like to find a replacement engine. It is a vertical.. short block. Does anyone know of a engine that would fit? reconditioned or new. thank you.

Comment on John Deere 317 Garden Tractor by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:49:38 +0000

Hi Darwin,

The new safety switch should come with the new bracket already riveted together. You can order out a shop manual from a John Deere dealer with details on the complete tractor. It would have the diagrams.

Jim

Comment on John Deere 317 Garden Tractor by stratman2500

stratman2500 — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:06:03 +0000

Thanks for the reply… unfortunately the seat switch has been probably jimmy rigged under the fender somewhere from previous owner, and if the neutral safety switch I purchased doesn’t cure the issue I will have to trace the wires and see what’s going on… you would think that the tractor would not start at all if the seat switch wires were grounding out somewhere though…

Speaking of the wiring… would you by any chance have a copy of the wiring diagrams for the 317 you could fax/email me? would really help me troubleshoot this issue if you did, thanks…

Also the old neutral safety switch I removed was rivitted on to the bracket… did it come that way from factory? How careful do you have to be to re-rivit that baby back on so as not to break the switch??

Darwin

Comment on John Deere 317 Garden Tractor by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:45:11 +0000

Yes, the switches involved are the seat switch, the PTO switch, and or the wiring.

Jim

Comment on John Deere 317 Garden Tractor by stratman2500

stratman2500 — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:22:54 +0000

I have an issue with my JD 317… I just finished attaching my snowblower and found that when I started my tractor and hit the PTO switch it would kill my tractor like I had turned the key off… I assume it would not be the electronic clutch as it engages/disengages just fine when I toggle the switch and the snowblower was turning until the engine quit.

However, I am also having trouble, like a previous blogger had stated, in regards to the neutral safety switch sometimes working and sometimes not, thus not allowing me start the tractor unless I wiggle it or push the hydro stick hard towards the left… My question is do you think it’s the PTO toggle switch or the neutral safety switch or both, or possibly something else… I am going to have to replace the neutral safety switch anyways, so I guess I will start there… any advice?

Comment on Garden Tractor Modifications by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:48:09 +0000

Hi Doug,

Are you sure you have the correct part number ignition switch? Is the wiring in okay condition at the ignition switch?

Jim

Comment on Garden Tractor Modifications by dont024

dont024 — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:30:49 +0000

Jim, I have a 317 John Deere with the Koehler qt 17 engine. The problem i am having is the tractor will start and run in the crank position but will not stay running in the run position. I have replaced the battery,start solenoid,curcuit breaker and keyswitch any idea why i am having this problem…Thanks Doug

Comment on Time to Mow the Grass by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:14:24 +0000

Check your PTO clutch coil amperage draw. It should be 3 amps or less. If it’s more than that you will need to replace the PTO coil.

Comment on Time to Mow the Grass by cgreininger1s

cgreininger1s — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:56:14 +0000

Q: The electromagnetic clutch on my john deere 330 will turn on for a half second and then shut off. Any suggestions?

Comment on Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors by BrianKehrer

BrianKehrer — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:24:16 +0000

Actually, I think I found the problem. I am missing a pulley up by the drive pulley. I bought the tractor and it didn’t have it. Just need to find that piece.

Comment on Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors by BrianKehrer

BrianKehrer — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:42:54 +0000

Q: I have a 1620 Cub Cadet. Engines runs fine, but I lose ‘speed’ after 5 minutes of mowing. I can barely nurse it back to the garage. Again, motor is still fine. I figured it was the drive belt slipping. Got a new belt (954-3025), but as I’m installing it, it still seems very lose. Should the belt be very snug? Even the tensioner on it, doesn’t have much of an affect.

Comment on John Deere 317 Repower by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:13:55 +0000

You could get by with a 10 horsepower diesel but I would say the original engine would have more power than the 10 hp diesel. Yes there is a driveshaft problem with the John Deere 317′s. Deere has that engine mounted up too high and the driveshaft is at such an angle that it shortens the life of the driveshaft. I repower the John Deere 317′s with my 18 hp vanguard engine and installation kit and it turns out nice and neat. I dropped the engine down and the driveshaft is nice and straight with no angles, the driveshaft lasts forever and makes for a smoother running engine. If you would like to check out the repower options visit http://www.jimsrepower.com

Thanks,
Jim

Comment on Garden Tractors with Onan Engines by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:14:07 +0000

Hi Dean,

This control module needs to be mounted where it was, to control the correct timing for the 2 cylinders. It is triggered by a moving magnet on the crankshaft.

Thanks,
Jim

Comment on John Deere 317 Repower by teeps2

teeps2 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:05:26 +0000

I have a JD 317 with a completely destroyed Kohler KT17 (Connecting Rod broke). I have found a 10 HP Diesel that is quite inexpensive and was wondering if this would be underpowered to run the 317. The only reason I am contemplating this is because the diesel more than likely generates as much if not more torque than the KT17. I have also read in other blogs that there are driveshaft issues with 317 as well? I would like to remedy these issues if I swap in a new engine.

Comment on Garden Tractors with Onan Engines by deanregula

deanregula — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:51:30 +0000

I have a John Deere 318 with a p218g Onan engine. I have been trouble -shooting and determined the ignition module needs replacing. Since it is located on the gearcase behind the flywheel it appears to be impossible to get to without major dis-assembly. I was wondering if I can disconnect the old and add the new and mount it elsewhere on the engine top. Need to know, also, where the red and black wires connect to in order to pull this off.

Thanks,
Dean

Comment on Dixon Lawn Mower – Troubleshooting by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:27:18 +0000

You could check for a plugged exhaust system.

Thanks,
Jim

Comment on Dixon Lawn Mower – Troubleshooting by bruce

bruce — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:24:11 +0000

22 hp kohler engine on a dixon lawnmower idles but will not rev up. I have changed the plugs, the old ones were fine. I changed the inline fuel filter. There is very little gas showing in the filter. I drained the gas from both tanks and replaced old gas with premium new gas. I removed the float bowl, cleaned it, and replaced it. It starts fine, and idles, but when I try to rev it up it almost sounds like it is being choked.

Comment on Garden Tractors with Onan Engines by Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:39:25 +0000

One wire going to the positive side of the coil is correct on a P series Onan engine. Yes, there should be a module mounted close to the crankshaft under the flywheel.

Thanks,
Jim