1989 Craftsman GT-18 Garden Tractor

Got it running pretty easily, but ended up doing more work to make things right. It's a good thing I had a spare ignition module.
The steering problem is caused by a missing tooth on the sector gear. I have a spare one of those too.
The brake band is shot. That gets fixed later.
THIS TRACTOR WAS SOLD IN MAY, 2012.

[@shanesmaineshop]

I have this as well its a great tractor. I got it brand new in 86' and its still running great

[@Daniel-lk3sy]

I considered a Craftsman 18 horse model II, to be almost like a tank. I it was built to last! I have 1

[@budthomason8890]

I have two of these with the horizontal engines and you are right about the coil. It is a bear to replace. One of mine had a steering problem and a friend turned a bushing for the bottom guide. made a lot of difference.

[@suchfunstuff]

As usual, heat's a killer for the module. The older, pre-Twin II series didn't cool as well, especially. I can believe the steering bushing thing, doesn't take much wear to make them sketchy.

[@user-yn6px4oj8z]

I have 9 of these haha. It’s become quite an obsession.

[@suchfunstuff]

I've managed to have about 5 or so at one time. Different bodies and colors though.

[@Mike-su8si]

I have 14teen alot of different ones about 3 dead green craftsmens but they still give me parts and tires if i need any off one i have it

[@brucesmith9134]

Just wanted to let you know that is the correct plow for this tractor. Need to remove the mule drive and get the brackets. I have this tractor with this dozer blade and they work great

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

I did test drive one before probably 2012? The front left tire keeps going flat it ran awsome she did cuts well it had the original discharge chute as well

[@carlalangley4668]

I have a John Deere 210 rider it sat for 15 years. I took the carb off cleaned chained the gas and it started right up.

[@muddymowers]

nice tractor man, my buddy just got one of these for free today, it was sitting behind a barn for awhile, pumped up the tires pushed it out and winched it on my brothers truck and took it back to his house. i had to break the engine loose so it would turn, problem is both intake valves are stuck open

[@anthonyelevatorguy]

I changed my started with no problem, but the reason I did I was having hard starts and killing batteries every year. I bought mine used and had it for 15 years and it was the best investment I ever made.

[@justaguywhocares4478]

All the issues you have described... I'd swear you had mine in this video...

[@suchfunstuff]

I had that one when I still lived in PA.

[@justaguywhocares4478]

@@suchfunstuff not excited about getting into that coil, but it really sounds like my issue. Drove it 6 blocks home, mowed the lawn... started acting up after I shut it down and restarted it. Mine is missing one of the shields.

[@suchfunstuff]

@@justaguywhocares4478 Not restarting when hot is a classic bad module symptom. Funny how they can run until shut off. You will want to replace the missing part of the cowling. And make sure there's not debris restricting air flow. It is a pain, but once it's done you'll probably never have to replace it again.

[@justaguywhocares4478]

I'll have to see if I can find a shield for it. It seems to run fine for a bit, then start acting like it is running short on fuel.

[@suchfunstuff]

@@justaguywhocares4478 MANY times I have seen the fuel hose rot and collapse on the inside causing the engine to gradually starve as it runs. Having had so many older GTs over the years, it became routine to just replace it as a maintainence item.

[@suchfunstuff]

@timothycor123 If you're talking about the horizontals, they are getting getting tough to find in running condition. Some verticals are still around. Problem with those is alot of folks that have them ask alot more because they know what they're worth. You have to keep your eye out for LT1000's and cheapie MTD's that had them installed. Those are common. Sometimes you can get those riding mowers for dirt cheap if they have other problems.

[@suchfunstuff]

Yup, you'd be looking for the infamous 120424X. Years since out of production. They show up on eBay sometimes. Check local junkyards, if you have them around.

[@suchfunstuff]

Free is a great price. Yea, stuck valves are a thing I'm used to. Had to fix that on alot of these l-head engines. It takes some time and patience.

[@suchfunstuff]

Thanks for the info. My Dad bought a new Yard Pro 95194 from Lowes in 1995 and the plow came with it. I was thinking there was a horizontal shaft type plow frame that differed from the vertical shaft frame. So they're the same unit, that just used different brackets on the frame? I looked up that diagram and the parts cost. You'e not kidding about the price of thowing all of that together!

[@gda882002]

i realy enjoy your vids man i also really like my 1990 craftsman gt love the style love the kohler command engine its a work horse ,i also own a dixon gt 2010 model that compared to the old craftsman is junk got a great kaw engine but you can really feel the frame flex just not made like they use to be

[@Mike-su8si]

The drive belt was hard for me to find but i found it lowes doesn't sell it if they do they don't were im at so after looking on the internet i seen lowes does have them for either 42 inch decks or 44 but i wasn't after the deck belt Just the drive belt thats good to know though incase i do need a deck belt they have those. On mines deck the left spindle is rusted corroded up all the way so i don't think there's no saving that spindle then seen the middle spindle looks bad but spins good so I'll just keep that one on til it breaks or until the old belt does from the old spindle locking up i have seen other people use newer models of craftsmen decks on these older craftsmens so i can do that to but the original deck is in good shape other than the left side spindle plus i seen someone didn't do the blade timing right neither

[@DannyBland-jh5qy]

As far as I know what I have is the 89 model a friend gave me all his old mowers except his new john Deere I didn't get that one but probably will once it breaks on them

[@suchfunstuff]

Thanks, I definately agree with you there on the frame strength thing. Your Dixon I think is make by Husqvarna Power Group. Similar to the Craftsman GTs I guess.

[@brycehillier1608]

i have a 1986 craftsmen 18hp garden tractor I have the original snow blower and tire weights and tire chains and weight box for it that my great grandfather bought new with it and I just restored it for 4h and we had it right down to the frame rails and rear ends and really big in them it looks like a Toyota car would have a smaller one.

[@harleyguyinmilw]

I have one of these tractors and i love it! its a beast!! I'm also having steering issues with it, it don't turn left, sector is stripped, started searching for parts

[@jimmyreb5589]

harleyguyinmilw Check the sector gear. Mine had teeth missing on it so it wouldn’t turn left.

[@suchfunstuff]

Look under the seat. The first six digits in the serial is usually the manufacture date.

[@suchfunstuff]

Likely a '91. I've seen them put letters in the there fro whatever reason. 1992 was the first year of the dark gray, so if it's the same style and color as the one in this vid, it's likely a 1986 - 1991. Numbers on the engine are helpful as well.

[@DannyBland-jh5qy]

Mines the same body but a 16 hp twin cylinder craftsman engine

[@nedcramdon1306]

Got the exact same one, works great but the brake shoe fell out and don't know where to find one.

[@suchfunstuff]

I've glued the brake lining back onto the band on some of these machines.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

June 23, 1989 is what I saw on the engine.

[@suchfunstuff]

@LegoLawnmowerguy Hah, got attacked by the belt, huh? Yea, between all these GT's I ended up one belt guard short. I should find another one for this tractor. Lucky that the belt hasn't gotten chewed up yet.

[@fishbone856]

That plow will work on that tractor you just need to get the side plates that bolt to the side of the frame i have the same plow and tractor and i went to the scrap yard and got them for 10 bucks

[@Hucklberry69]

search craigs list, Texas check Texas i have found several onans at decent prices just dont have the extra change to acquire them. Nice machine by the way. change the points my friend thats a simple task no removal it will make a definite improvement since you have done the rest of the tune up already.

[@Mike-su8si]

I have 2 onans one im not doing nothing with it for now its just getting rained on

[@suchfunstuff]

How much is missing/ damaged? Could salvage it if not too bastardized. The sears parts site gives a practical electrical diagram to give you an idea of what should be there.

[@josephmerkins5115]

i have a 1992 craftsman GT6000 and i am looking for a steering sector . mine is missing like 4 teeth and i am wanting to use it for snowremoval during the winter and hopefully to use in the summer but i havent been able to find a steering sector

[@mowermananymower574]

Where do you live like which town because. Would want to know about it

[@cheeze253]

where did you get the ignition coil? I've got a similar tractor (has the 4 warning lights) but same motor. and have no spark as well. can't find reliable place for parts

[@suchfunstuff]

Plenty of aftermarket ingition coils on eBay.

[@Mike-su8si]

Ebay and Amazon doesn't matter were the part is made long as it makes your machine work again or other people's machines

[@timothycor123]

Wish I could find more briggs twin motors man

[@Mike-su8si]

I have those. need to try an get this one guys locked up 18 hp briggs single cylinder off of a zero turn john deer it can't be to locked up they still sale more parts for it than they do Kohler i rather would do the work on the 18hp than this v twin Kohler engine its wiring had a shit job done on them its a mess almost every person i talk to they say they were just using the mower and something happened but they were just using it While i can tell it hasn't been used in years from how dirty the engine cover is a dry gas tank that old dry gas smell in the tank but they just used the mower people lie alot i don't know why for i paid $50 for that cheap zero turn john deer

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

You should’ve meant horizontal shaft

[@keithgreenwood-xb8vn]

You do not have to loosen or remove engine to change ignition coils.

[@suchfunstuff]

I would agree with you that taking the engine off isn't the only way to do it, but it's my preferred way. If I'm also wanting to remove and check out the starter, I just take the engine off the frame.

[@Mike-su8si]

I don't i just take off the starter taking the whole engine off is more work i don't need to do cause i got many other mowers i work on so the only time the whole engine comes off is if there's a problem in it or it needing a gasket or i make it a gasket

[@Hucklberry69]

@timothycor123 check Texas craigslist theres 2 20 hp very cheep

[@garymathews9534]

I think I need a coil also .the coils go for $15 on ebay ,$60 at sears direct .I got my 87 GT 18 for $300 ,with a snow blower ,and other good attachments .it has a 18 horizontal B&S .can I use a vertical engine mount plate ,and install a vertical engine ?

[@suchfunstuff]

+gary mathews Usually the ignitions fail by not firing once they get heat into them. Sometimes they'll work until you shut the engine down, then not fire when you try restarting a hot engine. I've had pretty good luck with those inexpensive aftermarket ignitions. Vertical engine conversion I can't say too much about. Never actually tried that.

[@cooperr1422]

Did you check the points gap?

[@suchfunstuff]

All Briggs Twin engines newer than '79 have breakerless ignition.

[@DannyBland-jh5qy]

Made in the usa and everyone talks down about craftsman mowers now. people don't like usa made products they like forien products so I have a small collection of USA made machines

[@markpatterson8863]

I have one .might be newer .briggs opposed motor . Yup it's blown want to repower but no more briggs opposed. Can they be made vertical

[@Chuncy566]

Yes they can

[@randysimmons9838]

I just bought one...it runs too slow in 3rd gear...is there a high range?

[@colesmountainbiking]

There is a high range, look for a video of someone using the high range

[@alexthebest1401]

Quick question. How many amps is that PTO fuse. Id assume 15 or 20? Let me know

[@suchfunstuff]

15 amp

[@alexthebest1401]

suchfunstuff would 20 amp work. I put a 20amp in there.havent tried it yet tho

[@suchfunstuff]

Shouldn't be a problem. If there was a short, a 20 amp fuse should provide enough protection. I wouldn't put in anything rated higher than that though.

[@alexthebest1401]

suchfunstuff Ah i gotcha. No higher than 20. Thanks

[@startingtraditionsoutdoors]

I have a yard pro like I seen in the back ground. I have a question about the drive belt size. How long is it

[@suchfunstuff]

1/2" x 98" I always keep a spare. The twist in the belt seems to make them more prone to breaking with less of warning.

[@startingtraditionsoutdoors]

suchfunstuff I tried to put a 98 on mine it's to big. Can you tell me what size is your clutch pulley is? The reason I'm asking is cause on mine it looks to have been replaced

[@suchfunstuff]

Do you have a horizontal or vertical shaft engine?

[@startingtraditionsoutdoors]

suchfunstuff it has the same motor as your Craftsman has. Just different hood

[@startingtraditionsoutdoors]

suchfunstuff horizontal

[@bonejeanjordan1686]

I have a 917255919 serial number 1659S06625 and I am trying to fix it. The wiring is not good and they don't make a wiring harness anymore for this particular model. Is there any other wiring harness that you know of that would work on this model? I just do this for the fun so I am not an expert. Thanks for any information you may be able to give me.

[@Chuncy566]

See if you can get a part # from sears or some ware and let me know what it is I've got some of these

[@nathanbrunner6026]

Do still have the craftsman gt 18?

[@suchfunstuff]

Gone a long time ago.

[@Hucklberry69]

@timothycor123 east texas region and dallas