REVIVING A FREE CRAFTMAN RIDING MOWER (YT3000)

#lawnmower #mechanic #repair
I picked up this craftsman yt3000 riding mower last year. It had already been abandoned for 4 years and was headed to the scrap yard. Lets see what it takes to fix up this crusty mower and get it back running, driving, and cutting again.

[@armyvet4081]

I have been working on lawn equipment for over 65 years- you do good work- like your videos

[@freedommowers420]

That means a lot coming from a veteran in the small engine repair field. I greatly appreciate your support.

[@mavision6525]

I had that mower for many years of good service. That mower turned out great.

[@freedommowers420]

These are great machines. Getting harder to find them in nice shape. I greatly appreciate the support 😎

[@loading5100]

i had same mower with the briggs 540cc it was absolutely nothing but engine problems but the rest of the mower was pretty good

[@EnthusiasticTruck-xh7ss]

550 sounds perfect.Thank you for the video

[@freedommowers420]

Heck yea!! Thanks for the continued support 😎😎

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Good one, Alex. I wouldn’t mind seeing some more in-depth videos of your entire painting and detailing process. Removing loose paint, cleaning rust off, prepping all surfaces for primer, topcoat, clear. Polishing. All the specific tools, consumables, techniques, etc.

[@frankzemberi4322]

You do know your stuff. Good job. Frank

[@garyalensr]

Alex you always do an amazing job with the tractors, every peice of equipment you fix turns out amazing. You my are a excellent mechanic. Keep up the great work my friend. You deserve every penny you sk for.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much Gary. I enjoy getting them fixed and looking good. Sometimes I feel like it’s unappreciated by some commenters, but you and some others show so much support. It helps me keep the drive to make videos.

[@infinity3jif]

This thing is almost identical to my crusty craftsman all the way down to the white rim on the front left.🤣🤣 I recently installed a second adjustable link on the right rear side of the deck because it was sagging resulting in an uneven cut but that fix the problem. Nice job bringing this baby back to life.

[@67enfield]

Buttery smooth steering all right you could twirl it with one finger. Another great job. That mower is very sound. Who ever buys that and takes care of it will get several years of use. Thanks for the video Alex your the best!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for the kind words as always and the support. It really does mean a lot. This one turned out pretty good for how long it sat and how scratched up it was.

[@rolltidekm]

Great work. Stumbled on to your channel while researching my problems with this exact mower. I wish I could drop mine off for some repairs😂

[@liljoeii6091]

Wow that clean up AWESOME JOB THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@freedommowers420]

Thanks for watching and supporting as always.

[@Philjr-h7j]

Great job a great mover again u did a great job on it $600 is a good price thank for a great day and work be safe today and be blessed

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. That’s about what I thought on the price for it. I greatly appreciate the support.

[@Turningwrenches85]

Nice work alex 😎

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Alex you are becoming a master at detailing. The free tractor looks and runs amazing! The tractor runs as good as the day it was new and should bring good money. It should bring $600-$650 easy. You should make good profit to put towards your zero turn project. ✌🎥🚜🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much Roger. This one I’m not going to count in the 0-2000 series. I’m working on one currently for that :). I got the ultrasonic cleaner and will be using it a lot. Thank you so much!!!

[@rogermcdonald1607]

@@freedommowers420 Your very welcome! 👍

[@fartsackjack7081]

GREAT WORK AS ALWAYS !!!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much!!

[@haroldhodge7770]

Great video

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!!

[@LaneProductions327]

Awesome Job!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!!!

[@thomasmacduff2365]

Hi Alex, I really enjoy the videos. I have a collection of 15 vintage garden tractors and really enjoy your content. Keep up the great work!

[@freedommowers420]

That means a lot. Thank you so much for the support.

[@armyvet4081]

worked on one just like it a few weeks ago- just like yours- full of gas

[@freedommowers420]

I’ve had a few of them like this. I hope you got yours dialed in, and greatly appreciate the support.

[@christopherorlando2180]

Hay take a torch to the plastic's and they will look new did mine today

[@TheHomePros6221]

Man your channel is growing, that’s great just keep doing what your doing👍👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. I hope you’re doing well and things are good your way.

[@TheHomePros6221]

@@freedommowers420 I’m doing ok just recovering my channel after it got hacked

[@philliphall5198]

Try the HF plastic gun it works nice and looks good 😊

[@MowersNBlowers]

Nice job bro! That’s like the first 21hp that doesn’t smoke! Every 21 I’ve had smoked! Shined up nice, good crack repair. That’s a $1000 dollar bill here in Long Island all day.

[@freedommowers420]

I don’t come across too many 21 singles. I have another one here that is blown up, but I wonder what the cause would be. Maybe valve seals? Greatly appreciate your stopping by Henry!!!

[@dld5537]

​@freedommowers640 I had the 21hp single in mine and it was a money pit. Finally the compression release broke and tore it all up. I went to pick up another used one but he had a 17.5 he said he'd give me. Haven't had an issue yet.

[@MowersNBlowers]

@@dld5537 the 17.5 are very reliable out of the bunch.

[@MowersNBlowers]

@@freedommowers420 yes, valve seals pop out or the guides

[@Kylebythecreek]

Nice work Alex!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much Kyle!! 😎😎

[@toroon]

love to see the steering work. Please record. Great video.

[@andyhamilton8940]

Nikki Sixx carb. Gas-gas-gas! Knockin your motor till it throws a rod! Gas- gas-gas!

[@freedommowers420]

🤣🤣. That’s right!!

[@SNIXC]

Mine is identical but has a 46 inch deck, it had been sitting for about 6-8 years and it somehow started right up when i put some oil and gas into it, both were bone dry at first

[@freedommowers420]

That’s awesome. They must have been using good fuel and ran the system dry.

[@billz410]

Your voice and mannerisms remind me a little bit of Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

[@philliphall5198]

I love the green grass there, it’s dry and dirt here 😢

[@freedommowers420]

I moved here from New Mexico. I know all about dirt.

[@atariforever2002]

My first thought was $600. Then maybe let the buyer jew me down a little then we'd both be happy. Great video as always. Can't wait for the next one!

[@freedommowers420]

No doubt. I’ll probably listen to for $650 and take no lower than $550. I really appreciate your support as always.

[@jonathansmith31]

Hi Alex, what was causing the surging? Great video

[@freedommowers420]

There was actually a little moisture in the fuel line when I hooked it back up. I pulled the carb and got the little bit of water out from the carb bowl.

[@wicked.mainah5994]

I'd throw a $600 price tag on it and take $550 if offered. That way the buyer feels like they're getting a good deal and you're still getting your $550

[@KennyWood-y1y]

im curious about the transmission on this lawn mower fixing it

[@GeorgeMcintyre-q7d]

Nikki carburetors. We'll put gas into your motor and it will mix in with the oil

[@kelvindiaz9924]

Hey I just get one of this tractor how i can contact you when i start to clean it and put some new part. Thanks.

[@zaldivarfamily8882]

I’m having an issue with the mower like this where it just turns over and has very light combustion. Could the carburetor be the issue? There’s obvious combustion because I can see a little small come out of the exhaust and the exhaust warms up, but it doesn’t start.

[@philliphall5198]

Adjust the valve lash 😊😊😊

[@KennyWood-y1y]

do you only flip ant work on transmissions

[@demcomp]

Uh-oh... Seeing it jam at the compression stroke, says it's probably toast Briggs Intek engine, common problem... The compression release breaks off

[@freedommowers420]

Yes very common. Thank you for coming by the channel.

[@michaelhinkle6648]

But how would all the gas run down in the crankcase even if the needle valve was completely removed with the fuel selanoid? Apparently the selanoid had to be stuck in the run position as well. Correct?

[@freedommowers420]

You are correct but I don’t think that the anti backfire solenoid creates a perfect seal. These Nikki carbs can also leak from around the O ring on the white plastic housing inside. That’s actually where this particular carb always seems to leak and flood the engine out.

[@fleethefacilitygamer-23]

it good

[@Musicjunkie1933]

Were did you get your little squrit bottles? Are they just plastic or the ones for flamible fuilds ? Thanks Got link to them ?

[@freedommowers420]

It’s a refuel bottle for nitro RC cars. I know they have them on Amazon.

[@deekw7519]

1000 dollars here in Nova Scotia Canada

[@allensgamingshow]

What size is your shop if you don't mind me asking

[@freedommowers420]

12x16

[@casey74500]

how many hours did you have in it and how much $$$?

[@freedommowers420]

Probably about 4 hours and $100 invested.

[@GeorgeMcintyre-q7d]

Take your bearings apart and grease them so you don't buy them

[@freedommowers420]

Yes I usually do that. Thank you.

[@philliphall5198]

That’s what I do if it’s a resale unit but I mark it with yellow markers just in case it starts making noise again 😊

[@steamboatwillie935]

$200.-$300 at best in my area.

[@philliphall5198]

The best in my area is 350 on a good day, So I’ve been fixing them and drain tank and carb , then cover with paint plastic covers and mice bait on top of engine Going to wait until next year 😊 I even block up the frame and lift tires of floor😊

[@philliphall5198]

And the battery is removed also Changed it and load test to use later on other unit

[@steamboatwillie935]

@@philliphall5198 I've seen machines, on Facebook marketplace, sit for over a year or more without selling.

[@fartsackjack7081]

BRO HAM TOE JAM ........ LIL GAS WHERE IT TAINT SUPPOSE TO BE

[@freedommowers420]

Hahahaha. That’s right.

[@LNRRidez]

Hey bro, been a little while. I sent you an email.

[@philliphall5198]

Yes seat repair would be great 😊

[@robertmailhos8159]

Hydro locked because of the Nikki carburetor on the Briggs and Stratton engine 🤬😡😔😳😞

[@freedommowers420]

Yessir. The usual Nikki carb leaking and filling the engine with gas.

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@freedommowers420 strange thing is that I have a Briggs and Stratton carburetor on my poulan XT mower and it did the same thing as the Nikki carburetor so now I shut off the in line fuel valve and let the carburetor run out of gas because it can get expensive to have to keep replacing the oil and oil filter because of The carburetor leaks gas into the oil 🛢️

[@rickhoneycutt4476]

great job .thats a 550 to 650 mower here in Ky

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. I’m hoping to get around $550

[@davidlaws1438]

So after you purged the gas out of the cylinder, you put plug back in and it turned over ok? You didn't have to adjust the valves?

[@freedommowers420]

Correct. It spun over just fine after getting the gas out of the cylinder. That’s what was causing the excessive compression. If it had not I would have done the valves next.

[@davidlaws1438]

@@freedommowers420 Thanks, I just adjusted my valves today and it started right up 👍

[@freedommowers420]

@@davidlaws1438 heck yea. Really glad to hear you for of sorted out!! 💪

[@knighthawk86855]

For welding plastic back together, don't waste your money, go out and buy staples long shank ones. Separate them heat them up with a pair of pliers regregular Or needlenose heat the staple up, press into place, wait to harden clip the legs off, and you have a strong reinforced seam.