Reviving a FREE Crusty Craftsman Riding Mower

[@JOEZEP54]

Came to your channel by way of YT recommendation. I restored several of these older Craftsman. Usual issue was lack of maintenance that led to bigger problems. At one time there were more available then I could pick up. Now not so much, every so often I see one listed but too far of a trip. I picked up several all ran with bad transmissions/transaxles. When I get some time I have to tear into them to check if it is a common problem. Heard you mention that some people are telling you what you are doing wrong. If you find what they say is correct thank them for their input, if they are a troll, ( usually without any videos on their channel) do not let it bother you. This video was well done and I checked out a couple of other well done videos on your channel. It is less then 2 years & your videos are getting many views keep up the good work. 👍# 201 Stay well, Joe Z

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for your support and suggestions. I really do enjoy getting feedback and learning.

[@fredyaniga]

There are a lot of guys like me out there with older Craftsmans like this, just nursing them along, year after year. Every little fix you show saves one of us slobs out there a whole lot of head-scratching. Thanks a lot!

[@freedommowers420]

Haha. I love the comment. I greatly appreciate you stopping by and supporting the channel.

[@philliphall5198]

I have over 90 setting out in the pasture on two cedars blocks I’ve removed the good seats and make sure ties are off the ground, I enjoy fixing a few every year for my grandson who has a part time yard service 😊 I’m still buying them often

[@philliphall5198]

As long as you’re out there working you’ll AllWAYS be learning, it’s a never ending journey in Mechanic work and you’ll forget alot when you get older. lol

[@freedommowers420]

I really enjoy learning, troubleshooting, and problem solving. I have a good time in the shop, and it helps my mental state. Thank you for the support.

[@JohnBoysSmallEngineRepair]

I've fixed a few of those older Craftsman riding mowers, glad to see another being fixed and not just rusting away, another good video,really like the content on your channel

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your support!!!

[@kengoodwin5906]

You are doing great with your videos. Great explanations good video and audio. Lighting is always a problem for anybody. I like your saying, "Let freedom ring! Let the small engines sing!"

[@freedommowers420]

Awesome, thank you! I greatly appreciate that!

[@treystewart544]

That lawnmower tractor is more like a bulldozer with gear shifters sounds awesome 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@kenhorne4123]

Love the videos, just scored me a free lt1000 a few weeks ago have it running and cutting good looking for more now

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Hey Alex that's a great video and an easy fix for a mower that sat a long time! I was surprised the deck wasn't completely frozen. The hood is from another mower as the side panels on the dash show it is a 16hp Briggs. And the hood brackets aren't broken! As others mentioned the Ariens is a newer model like a YS4500 and the decks are not compatible. Personally, I would grind out the grooves in the deck to smooth out the engagement, paint the deck while you have it off, put some ATF in the left rear tire, find a chute in your stash, service it and send it! You should get $350-$400 easily. Not bad for a couple hours of work and move on to the next one!

[@freedommowers420]

I didn’t even notice the side panels on here saying the 16hp 🤦🏻. Thank you for spotting that. Yea I think I’ll just get this one fixed up as best as I can and send it on its way. Still have plenty of years to run with a little TLC. Thank you for stopping by 🙏

[@Mowersofyoutube]

You are right about the LT1000’s I have one an it’s been mowing for 27 years still runnin till this day

[@freedommowers420]

I would go on a limb and say the best mowers ever for the price.

[@philliphall5198]

Once I completely rebuilt one for myself or grandsons, first thing is a hour meter and oil change every 30 hours or less 😊

[@RepairGang]

🎉 cranking them out

[@freedommowers420]

Trying to get some content rolling again. I really missed making videos.

[@SARDOG]

That's the exact same model I have ... Watched your videos and fixed it up myself.

[@freedommowers420]

Awesome. My goal is to help people out and make it fun to get some of these mowers going again. Thank you for stopping by.

[@liljoeii6091]

I guess if that I don't want to ask it a lot better shape I would take all the goodies off of this one and put on that one thank you for the video

[@lonhoschar1943]

I've worked on a few Craftsman riders same as this one. I think if you clean the carb, put on a new fuel filter, and at least blow out the tank with the air hose it will probably run fine. May or may now burn some oil. If the transmission is ok then next I'd tackle the deck. It either has a loose blade or, more likely, bad spindle bearings. I've replaced many of those. I used to get bearings from my local NAPA store for cheap. Deck idler pulleys may also be bad but you should be able to get those fairly cheap. It should make an inexpensive mowing machine that will probably run for many more years. I think you're probably about right on the price but I'd give this one a good pressure wash and maybe spray on some Meguiar's cleaner wax. Maybe that seat cover. If you can't get top dollar then you're still not out much but some labor and a battery.

[@freedommowers420]

I really appreciate all of the tips. I may just end up doing that on this one. Just get it the best I can and send it on its way. At least it would make a few dollars and get someone a running mower.

[@lonhoschar1943]

You are welcome for the tips. I think it's around mid 90's or so year wise. You have to do what works best for you. I just don't like sending good ol' equipment to the scrap yard@@freedommowers420 😁

[@baldeagle242]

When they say 3 years it’s probably 6-10 years. 😉

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Thats probably right Steve! LMAO 😂😅

[@freedommowers420]

You and I both know that!!! 🤣🤣. Hope things are good your way Steve 😎😎

[@philliphall5198]

Crazy but a good paint job and seat cover, it would bring 600 here 😊

[@dcrickerson7611]

New subscriber here. It's hard to tell on video which way to go, but at the very least you have some good parts there. Thanks for the videos.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Its always good to see new subscribers and always good to see them leaving comments as well!👍🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for stopping by the channel. I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing at this point, but yes some good parts here for sure and got it running again.

[@Rico702]

it’s amazing how many mowers you have and can fix! I have 3,Cub cadet 50 inch cut,a Murray select 2004 that is for parts since literally everything that makes it run has been taken off and a older John Deere that’s able to be fixed eventually

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for stopping by. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

[@snoopysrc]

Nice tractor 🚜

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Looks like you have a plan Alex, if the craftsman deck fits the Ariens. The craftsman is a solid tractor, but would take alot of clean up and paint before it is ready to sell. Its still another great find. ✌💲🎥🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you Roger. Someone commented saying they wouldn’t be compatible so I might be back looking for a deck. None the less it will be a good parts machine and keep the ball rolling.

[@Turningwrenches85]

Shes rusty and crusty but then engine makes it pefrect lol . Hopeful to see the parts go to good use on other projects if it goes that route 👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you John. I’m not sure what route I’m going to go on this one yet but either way it will still make some money and at least a good mower for someone 😎

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@freedommowers420 😎

[@davidweis6503]

The hood was changed not the motor. Look at the decals by the deck adjuster.

[@philliphall5198]

I got a ton of hoods but my grandson wife likes to sand and paint the whole mower to look new😊

[@jonathanb.9150]

Curious where you bought your mower Jack from ?

[@freedommowers420]

It’s a harbor freight lift.

[@billsmith1770]

another comment said the decks won't swap . you could just swap sheet metal , but the hydro would most likely be the more desirable machine , if you can find a deck for it . break off the plastic limiter on the mixture screw (diagonal cutting pliers) if it has one , and you might get the popping fixed w/out carb work . this recently worked for me on a similar briggs powered craftsman that was doing same .

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for the advice. I’m going to see what’s the best option for the ariens, but either way at least I ended up with some good parts.

[@douglasforsythe5853]

The Craftsman deck definitely won't work on the Ariens. It has a double hangar on the front where the Ariens has a single hangar. If it were a newer Craftsman, say yts4500 those decks would work on an Ariens. Love the videos, keep em coming!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for the info. It’s a bummer but I’ll probably get this one cleaned up and sold. I’ll be looking out for another deck.

[@garymeador6750]

Another one saved,!

[@freedommowers420]

I do my best! Thank you for the support 🇺🇸

[@ommah3667]

I will sell it . Older people will prefer lt1000 then ariens. A bath with a pressure washer. Some ATF will make it shiny.

[@benmichael1494]

I like to tinker with them to

[@freedommowers420]

It’s a fun hobby. Keeps my mind busy and solving some problems. I like to see how I can turn something non running or broken back to a good machine again.

[@caseybszombiemowers2569]

The Ariens is a YT YS YTS... that should only have a single hook in the front. The LT 1000 has 2.

[@freedommowers420]

Thinking about trying to weld on the center mount to an older style deck to see if it can work. Just to experiment.

[@caseybszombiemowers2569]

@freedommowers640 my buddy has done some crazy stuff enter changing decks. Good luck man! 👍

[@wtbm123]

Cool

[@toddosterhout9866]

If you think it’s worth it I think you could clean and paint it and at least get $300-400 new mowers are pretty expensive right now. I sell them kind of ugly here in Florida for $400

[@freedommowers420]

No doubt. $300-400 is still better than nothing. Mowers here are selling high right now.

[@philliphall5198]

Two hundred is a lot so I’m thinking go for the most and keep other for parts

[@scufxz6841]

I’ve got a gravely mini zt1540 zero turn same as Ariens models and I’ve replaced the key switch starter solenoid multiple times pto switch the parking brake switch bypassed the seat switch and bought a brand new wire harness and it still doesn’t crank no power to key switch

[@freedommowers420]

Have you checked the grounds or relays on it. I had a heck of a time last year on one. Ended up being a bad relay.

[@scufxz6841]

@@freedommowers420 the negative wire goes straight to the frame under the motor and it seems fine the block reads 12 bolts and their is another wire that goes to the battery I think it is the ground wire for the solenoid and the relays are brand new with the harness

[@nickflopper]

The ariens has the newer style deck with one hanger in the middle for the front where the lt1k has 2 hangers in the front one on each side. Also the rear hanger style are very different wont work😢

[@freedommowers420]

Ugh bummer. Thank you for the helpful information though. I will keep looking for a deck on that one. At least I know I have a good parts machine.

[@nickyparker1125]

The engine I think Is factory the hood Is off a different tractor there's a briggs 16 ohv sticker above the stepon the side

[@ommah3667]

They say 3 years but in reality its 6 years😂. I will say st least 5 years

[@ToiletsandTests]

My papaw has one of these

[@michaelteti5148]

I said fix it and sell it but if you were close to me I would give you $100 bucks for it the way it is right now. I need one.

[@chriseisele9969]

Hey Alex goter going . You need to do with the craftsman what makes $ sence to you Chris from OHIO gooooooo Buckeyes

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much Chris. Yes we will keep pushing forward and making some money.

[@michaelteti5148]

Fix it and sell it

[@MelvinElsea-qk6zd]

Can you give me the model no.

[@littleeagle7563]

Transplant

[@saladinekinder8161]

tractor needs to be washed with water

[@gearhead366]

I would like to watch your videos, but you have way too much "shakey-cam" going on. After about 5 minutes, I start getting nauseous. If you start using a tripod, you'd gain at least one viewer.

[@FartSuckerUmad]

Sounds like you need to just not be a viewer Do you really think even a small tripod is going to help when he picks up the camera to show you under the mower and stuff You clearly aren't well educated in photography either because he needs a gimble to stop the shakeyness Go have a sook elsewhere Karen we don't want you.