Comments 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.

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!

By: Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:26:00 +0000

Yes, overhaul the carburetor and replace the fuel pump.

Thanks,
Jim

By: greenink

greenink — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:36:58 +0000

I have a Craftsman garden tractor with a 2 cylinder, 26hp Briggs engine that’s only a year old. It runs perfectly but then it will just stall. It will restart if you choke it but then stall again when the choke is turned off. It will do this a few times but then it won’t even start with the choke. It started doing this last season but is getting progressively worse. The fuel filter is clear, spark plugs changed, oil and filter changed, air filter cleaned. Could it be the fuel pump. I was told the fuel pump either works or it doesn’t and wouldn’t give the intermittent problem I’m having. I was told to check the carb first for varnish to eliminate that as a problem, maybe a chunk of varnish intermittently blocking a jet. What do you think? I’ve heard maybe ignition coil could be the problem but the way it will start with the choke has me thinking it’s fuel related.

By: Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:10:05 +0000

Hi Brian,

These 3 wires can be hooked up either way. Check if the bracket that holds your clutch from rotating broke loose and tore off your wires.

Thanks,
Jim

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:46:37 +0000

Hello,

I have a Craftsman 18.5 HP Kohler Garde Tractor (model 917.258860). Recently my Electrick Clutch, and subsequently mower blades stopped functioning. When I looked under the tractor, I noticed two wires, coming from the electric clutch had been severed from the tractor’s electrical system. One of the wires from the clutch was connected to one red wire on the tractor’s system, and the other clutch wire was connected to two black wires on the tractor’s system. However, both of the clutches wires are black.

Do you know how I can tell which wire from the clutch goes to the red, and which to the two blacks?

Also, would you know how this happened?

Thank you in advance,
- Brian

By: Jim and Bonnie

Jim and Bonnie — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:05:44 +0000

I think the carburetor is okay but that Kohler engine has hydraulic valve lifters in the engine and under colder conditions the oil viscosity is heavier and holds the valves slightly open making it hard to start when it is cold. You could try using a lighter weight engine oil.

Thanks,
Jim

By: Cosmo100

Cosmo100 — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:13:41 +0000

Help.
I have a 1998 Craftsman lawn tractor with a 15.5 hp Kohler (engine model CV 15S) it runs great and easy to start in warm weather just by setting the choke. I also use it with the snow plow attachment, it will not start when it’s cold unless it’s primed, and there is no primer option that came with it. Any ideas? I called Sears, they say it needs a new carb, but since it works well in weather over 50 degrees, that’s kind of drastic. Any help is appreciated.