SAVING a FREE TRACTOR from the SCRAPYARD

#repair #lawnmower #mechanic
This craftsman T1200 was destined for the scrapyard when the owner asked if I wanted to try and save it. I picked up this free riding mower in hopes of getting it fixed up and making some money. Let's see what's wrong with it and if it can be repaired.

[@robertmailhos8159]

The other spark plug might have a crack in the porcelain the valves probably do need a adjustment glad you got it from the owner instead of it being going to the scrap yard

[@67enfield]

That was a great video. I like seeing something neglected brought back. Very satisfying. Thanks

[@freedommowers420]

Glad you enjoyed it! I have fun seeing what I can do bringing these machines back to life.

[@markshuput5228]

Great job diagnosing the issues. You can probably turn that into a good profit since no major components had to be purchased. I bought a hotsey pressure washer for $100 from a rich dude that didn't run. I bought the OEM Honda carburetor and it runs awesome. It was kept in a heated garage and not run in 3 years. Gas looked like orange juice. Lol😂

[@waderigsbee6923]

good job,I like working on the craftsman and husqvarna made be AYP.I still have two about 30 years old still going strong.

[@freedommowers420]

Wow that’s awesome. Yes I like them too. They were built tough and easy to work on. Thank you for the support.

[@Maik1968]

Hy and greetings from Germany again, so interesting to see how you fix the problems. I learn a lot by these videos. Thanks for your time and sharing this rebuilds. Have a nice onward Sunday and I will come along to watch the next videos. 👍🌞🍀

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your support and kind words.

[@garyalensr]

It absolutely blows my mind that people get rid of super nice riders because they don't have the knowledge to trouble shoot the issue. Alex you got yourself a damn nice machine that's gonna bring you a decent chunk of change. Congratulations on the subs, you so deserve them. I love seeing a notification that you uploaded a vid. Keep up the awesome work and before you know it you'll have hundreds of thousands of subs, Just don't forget about us when you're KZbin famous😁😁😁

[@freedommowers420]

I won’t forget about any of the great folks that enjoy the channel. I’m just having fun making content and sharing it for others to see. I really really appreciate your constant support.

[@garyalensr]

@@freedommowers420 quick question, I have a 90 or 91 Dynamark that i restored with a 39 inch deck and I do not have the manual. Do you have any idea what the torque specs for the blade bolt and spindle bolt are?

[@randycordes464]

Looks great and runs great awesome job you done on it

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much.

[@gravelyman]

Congratulations on over 2k Alex. Keep up the good work my friend 🔧 👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you Artie. I’m trying to make videos but this heat is brutal. It’s 11am here and 109 degrees. I hope you are well!!

[@caseybszombiemowers2569]

As long as I've been flipping, I've never gotten a powermore engine. Good fixes! Later...

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. Yea I’ve never even seen one before. I have heard mixed reviews so we shall see if it lasts or not.

[@wrangler6977]

Great find, diagnosis and repair. I was waiting for you to flip over the mower deck and see if the blades were bent, needed to be sharpened or replaced. Looking forward to see some more of your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@dcrickerson7611]

Nice work! Looks great!

[@freedommowers420]

Thanks a lot! 😎😎😎

[@darrelldubree9658]

Nice, thank you for sharing your journey :)

[@freedommowers420]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesbubnick]

I picked up the Troy-Bilt Pony today w/ the 547 cc Chinese motor w/ a pull behind cart for $250. The unit is only 2 years old...runs fine is just super dirty and needs the blades serviced. The oil and air filter both looked brand new. I couldn't believe it. It's by no means a heavy duty unit but it was around $2,000 when new. The is crazy money for the machine.

[@freedommowers420]

Sounds like you got yourself a good deal. Just keep up with the routine maintenance and it should be a good unit.

[@Big_Johns]

Nice save Alex, you did good brother. 👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you John. I appreciate it brother 😎😎

[@liljoeii6091]

Thank you for the video

[@freedommowers420]

Thanks for watching!

[@MowersNBlowers]

That thing is worth a good $1200-$1500 here! Good score bro! The bad thing is it’s basically a typical MTD or Troy bronco with a craftsman hood on it. That engine is a Powermore engine from Zhongshen, it’s a POS engine, I’ve had 5 of them, all blown CONRODS.

[@freedommowers420]

Yea the mtd that everyone has their own hood on. It’s crazy how many brands have the same machine. This one turned out great and I’m hoping for a nice turn around on it. Hoping this engine survives after hearing your horror stories. I’ll be watching you sort through the last motherload pickup and see what can be fixed. Thanks for stopping by Henry.

[@williammoore5924]

Mr. Alex, I have watched a couple of your videos in the recent past and decided It’s time for me to subscribe to your channel. So, thank you for sharing your time and knowledge. Also, a long story short. I’m a newbie learning small engine repair as of January 2023. It has been lots of fun and interesting to learn a new trade. I started with walk behind mowers and smaller equipment although I ready to move Up to riding Equiptment. 😳 I think. Soooo, for an older retired fella I’m staying busy and enjoying myself. Thanks again, and keep up the great work. (Freedom Mowers)

[@freedommowers420]

I’m very excited for your journey into small engines and having some fun. I greatly appreciate you subscribing to the channel as well. I try and have some fun and show some of the things I know or learn as I go. Feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions. Take care 🙌🙌

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Another great video Alex! That one turned out super nice. I chuckle when people say all it needs is a spark plug. This time that was the case! Good call on the valves too. The Powermore engines do have a loud starter but I don't really jave any complaints about them. That will bring good money! Hopefully a good $800-$900 for you.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much Casey. Yea I rarely just see a plug go bad. Especially a NGK. It certainly needed the valves done. It wouldn’t have taken long for something to get damaged how far out the intake was.

[@danielpadgett2831]

Awsome job 👍👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@donaldfranklinjr7087]

Awesome job awesome video

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!!

[@crisprtalk6963]

I have that same engine branded as a Powermore. Not bad.

[@knighthawk86855]

Nice job.

[@freedommowers420]

Thanks for the visit

[@Ron-pu5tq]

I’m not a mechanic, but I really enjoy your informative presentations.

[@freedommowers420]

I appreciate that!

[@philliphall5198]

These are fairly good engines

[@patjohnson3100]

Nice job recovering that equipment. Waste not want not

[@freedommowers420]

I really appreciate that. I try to save what I can.

[@jamesboyd19]

You do a jamming good job

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much!!!

[@1BG0]

I know this is a long shot since this is an older video 😅 but what do you use for the headlights? I have a couple older mowers (10-20 years old) and they have some pretty yellow lens’. I enjoy the videos as well! I restore riding mowers as well and recently discovered you and cant get enough. Keep up the good work!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate the support. I use a buffer and rubbing compound to get almost all of the haze out of the lenses. I take the lenses out of the mowers and clean them up first with soap and water. I hope this helps and look forward to hearing from you again.

[@Robthebengalguy]

Hopefully you remember to unhook your battery if you are welding metal just in case

[@phillipduncan2497]

Is the fuel filter installed backwards?

[@jasonmichaels498]

You want to know how to eliminate that mow in reverse crap ? All you have to do is unplug the connector that goes to that button and you can keep it in forward on the ignition and be able to mow in reverse as much as you want. That's all you have to do. I have a Troy Bilt TB30R riding mower and thats all I did and can mow in reverse all day long.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for the tip on that!!

[@philliphall5198]

I would be fixing the nicest one and try to sale them, winter will be here soon 😊

[@freedommowers420]

That's the plan! Thank you for the support as always.

[@gearhead366]

Not sure I agree on the "not too many hours" assessment. A low hour engine shouldn't need a valve adjustment, and those valves were WAY out of tolerance. Plus, the condition of the blade brake... I think this mower has had a good long life before you got it, and hopefully it will now have a much longer life. Good job on saving this one.

[@freedommowers420]

Very true. See this is why I need folks that notice the small details. I appreciate you stopping by the channel.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Alex, that a super nice tractor! Not very often do you see a NGK plug fail. After the valve adjustment the engine sounded more like a B&S. That machine should bring top dollar. Im not a fan of working in the heat but counting the 100 dollar bills will ease the pain some. Lol. And to think the previous owner just wanted it gone! 🍺💲🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

I know I was really surprised with the NGK. That’s why I had to double check. It seemed in good shape. Sometimes it’s the little things that can trick us. Yes the heat it brutal, but making a few bucks and bringing some content to everyone is worth it to me.

[@freedommowers420]

I know I was really surprised with the NGK. That’s why I had to double check. It seemed in good shape. Sometimes it’s the little things that can trick us. Yes the heat it brutal, but making a few bucks and bringing some content to everyone is worth it to me.

[@Turningwrenches85]

I thought it was valves when it was running and hard to start nice save on this one my neighbor has a craftsman like it with the briggs engine , 💵 😎

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you John. I hope things are good your way buddy.

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@freedommowers420 had some set backs going on but trying to be positive about it

[@Robthebengalguy]

I feel dumb now LOL because you have the deck totally off the tractor to worry about ruining a battery with the metal welder

[@snoopysrc]

Nice freebie

[@marshmower]

What a pal.

[@MeganRowe-wr2ne]

I don’t know

[@rolandhutchinson8962]

Just need a pulley/belt keeper Gard on right side, $600 mower

[@philliphall5198]

Where did you get the seat cover?? Which one ?? Thanks

[@rcf8367]

Looks like a Himal seat cover logo, from fleabay

[@freedommowers420]

I got these ones on Amazon. I think it’s their best seller one. They are like $18 I believe.

[@garymeador6750]

Belt system same as troy bilt, & TSC cheap mower, more murray mess. You know that though. Except the engine.

[@freedommowers420]

For sure. Another MTD product. It’s amazing how most of these machines are just about the same besides a different hood and name slapped on it.

[@Robthebengalguy]

Hey sorry I thought you were welding metal but you are welding plastic not sure if it works the same my bad

[@philliphall5198]

Any time I see a odd ball plug i trash it, they are terrible period AllWAYS pull the plug and check for brand and spark

[@armyvet4081]

those metal plug boots are trouble-- don't like em

[@ronaldwprovo5530]

Thank you.

[@joshmurphy9747]

what's atf?

[@freedommowers420]

Automatic transmission fluid. Thank you for stopping by.

[@philliphall5198]

Watch out for the heat and drink water, it was 111 today and I didn’t open shop Because of heat 😊