Time To Replace The 20 Year Old Craftsman Riding Mower

[PontiacHO]

As the title says….it has been a good one. I’m looking for a new riding mower with a 42 inch mowing deck that has 4 anti-scalp mower deck wheels. All that I can find (Deere, Cub, Craftsman, Toro, Husky, etc.) anll only have 2 anti-scalp wheels on a 42 inch deck. It appears that to get that it has to be a 46 inch or wider mower deck. Simplicity and Snapper had 4 wheels on their 42 inch decks but they are out of business, at least in the USA. My old Craftsman is a 42 inch deck with only 2 ant-scalp wheels and it leaves some unsightly scalp ruts when on uneven terrain and in sharp turns. I have Bermuda grass so the deck is always set low.
Can’t find any kits that allow for brackets and wheels for newer mower decks.
What am I missing?

 

[ls1mike]

46 inch is too big? That is what I ended up with when I picked up my Cub, for basically the same reason. there wasn't much difference on my lot.

 

[skyactiv]

I'm sure you know it, but not every member does, that Briggs & Stratton owns Simplicity and Snapper.

 

[PontiacHO]

46 inch is too big? That is what I ended up with when I picked up my Cub, for basically the same reason. there wasn't much difference on my lot.

I reckon I’m just stuck in my antiquated thinking. I have some slopes that I thought may be easier to navigate with the 42 inch deck. Sounds silly when I typed that….

 

[PontiacHO]

I'm sure you know it, but not every member does, that Briggs & Stratton owns Simplicity and Snapper.

Yes. Perhaps the higher cost drove folks to the big box stores for mowers. That could be why they’re no longer in the USA. The suspension system (Simplicity) and the fabricated 42 inch floating deck sounded ideal for my uneven yard to include the slopes…. Likewise, MTD makes Deere, Craftsman, Cub, etc. etc…..
I assume Husky is their own setup although I am assuming.

EDIT: I stand corrected…

2024 SIMPLICITY BROADMOOR 2344 For Sale in

2024 SIMPLICITY BROADMOOR 2344 For Sale in at www.boonetractor.com. SIMPLICITY BROADMOOR 2344—LAWN TRACTORSThe Broadmoor lawn tractor has what it takes to create the best-looking lawn on the block. And by marrying performance features, like Simplicity’s Free Floating Mower Deck, with comfort...

www.boonetractor.com

 

[pbm]

My 42" Craftsman is a 2007 with an 18 HP B&S Intek motor. It has always run great but this year it started fouling the spark plug (apparently running rich) making it hard to start. If I take the plug out and clean it up it starts and runs fine. Does anybody know if these carburetors have an adjustment?

At any rate, changing the oil and filter at the end of every season has the motor going strong.....I use 10w30 synthetic and a 3614 filter and it doesn't burn a drop of oil. I'd estimate she only runs about 10 hours or less between oil changes mowing my 3/4 of an acre.

 

[ls1mike]

I reckon I’m just stuck in my antiquated thinking. I have some slopes that I thought may be easier to navigate with the 42 inch deck. Sounds silly when I typed that….

My 42" Craftsman is a 2007 with an 18 HP B&S Intek motor. It has always run great but this year it started fouling the spark plug (apparently running rich) making it hard to start. If I take the plug out and clean it up it starts and runs fine. Does anybody know if these carburetors have an adjustment?

At any rate, changing the oil and filter at the end of every season has the motor going strong.....I use 10w30 synthetic and a 3614 filter and it doesn't burn a drop of oil. I'd estimate she only runs about 10 hours or less between oil changes mowing my 3/4 of an acre.

Nope. I was the same way. The new Cub works great.


Also I have that exact 18hp mower out back. I picked up a brand new OEM Nikki carb off of Amazon for 105 shipped. It is a 594593. Just get The model number off the engine, Google that number and go to the part # to verify the carb. They can be adjusted and rebuilt, but 105 bucks was worth it.

Single cylinder?

 

[pbm]

Nope. I was the same way. The new Cub works great.


Also I have that exact 18hp mower out back. I picked up a brand new OEM Nikki carb off of Amazon for 105 shipped. It is a 594593. Just get The model number off the engine, Google that number and go to the part # to verify the carb. They can be adjusted and rebuilt, but 105 bucks was worth it.

Single cylinder?

Yes it's a single cylinder. I've replaced the belts and blades a few times but the motor keeps on purring. I can buy a carb on Amazon for a lot less than $105 (about $30) but I'm sure it's not the same quality as the OE.

PS: The (hard plastic) rear bagger finally broke from taking it on and off after every mow......I bought a replacement (it wasn't cheap) and now I leave it on all season by putting it in the garage (and leaving our newest vehicle, the 2016 Escape, outside). The mower won't fit in my shed with the bagger attached.

 

[ls1mike]

I tried the cheap one first...adjusted, messed with it. Blah. The original had a crack, or I would have gotten a rebuild kit.

 

[gman2304]

MTD makes Deere,

Not Unless MTD started building the big box Deere in the last year or so, though ICBW .

 

[PontiacHO]

I’ve read it both ways…..Big box stores selling residential Deere mowers made by MTD. None are made by MTD. I do know that Deere mowers sold through an actual Deere dealer are more expensive. That seems odd if all things are equal?

 

[Arch Stanton]

MTD does not make mowers for John Deere. JD makes all of their riding mowers whether sold in a box store or at the dealer. The box store mowers are typically lower cost with less robust engines, transmissions etc.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I gave my son his grandpa's 1977 J,C. Pennys 42 inch cut with 11.5 HP Briggs motor this spring cause all of his mowers had issues. The motor has never been apart for anything and neither has the carb. I have had to replace deck spindles. It has a 3 blade deck instead of 2 blades. It still cuts good but does smoke a little when it finds a heavy patch of grass. It was made by Murray back then. Has a front blade kit with it too.

 

[4WD]

46 inch is too big? That is what I ended up with when I picked up my Cub, for basically the same reason. there wasn't much difference on my lot.

I think right now that puts you with a Kohler or … I’ve had my Cub LT42 for 18 months (happy with it) - but those at TSC now have in house motors and just wonder where they are from
Mine is 5400 Series Kohler …

 

[jeepman3071]

MTD does not make mowers for John Deere. JD makes all of their riding mowers whether sold in a box store or at the dealer. The box store mowers are typically lower cost with less robust engines, transmissions etc.

+1

MTD does not make any mowers for Deere. The box store Deeres are definitely built to a lower price point though. Honestly I would avoid anything from a box store, and anything MTD, Cub Cadet, newer Craftsman, and the like. A Husqvarna riding tractor is probably the cheapest machine I could actually recommend these days.

 

[ls1mike]

I think right now that puts you with a Kohler or … I’ve had my Cub LT42 for 18 months (happy with it) - but those at TSC now have in house motors and just wonder where they are from
Mine is 5400 Series Kohler …

Mine has the in house carbed 679cc engine. Season 4, 150 hours. Has been solid. I had a reverse problem turned out to be grass jammed in between the frame and the gas/reverse pedal. I was so mad and they I looked up in that area and I was like "Oh look at that" Cleaned it out no issues.

 

[walterjay]

Not Unless MTD started building the big box Deere in the last year or so, though ICBW .

MTD does not make any Deere equipment.

Like jeepman said...consider Husqvarna if you are considering Big Box stuff. I have seen a couple in action and not bad for their price.
I do however recommend John Deere X series. It will be the last tractor you will ever need to buy. Search for a relatively new used one.

 

[Tdbo]

MTD does not make any Deere equipment.

Like jeepman said...consider Husqvarna if you are considering Big Box stuff. I have seen a couple in action and not bad for their price.
I do however recommend John Deere X series. It will be the last tractor you will ever need to buy. Search for a relatively new used one.

No they don't. They have a plant in Tennessee:

John Deere Factory & Test Site in Greeneville, TN

Photos from our visit to the John Deere, Greeneville, TN factory where they produce the D100 series, EZTrak and S240 Sportster riding lawn mowers.

charlesandhudson.com

 

[Exhaustgases]

+1

The box store Deeres are definitely built to a lower price point though. Honestly I would avoid anything from a box store,

Totally untrue. The exact same machine that the dealer has. Like yeah JD is going to spend millions more on an assembly line to make junkier JD Mowers for just the box stores. Come on.

I like the S100 it works for my needs. Some here act like 42 inch is huge, not at all, and these tractors maneuver almost as good as the zero turns do, and you can have one hand free.

 

[wavinwayne]

A John Deere X330 would be a very solid choice if OP could live with a 48" deck. It's not cheap, but it's not going to fall apart soon either.