Checking in from Utah!

Roger here, checking in.  Got a freebie Craftsman Lawn Tractor a few months ago.  Finally getting it running, even though I don't NEED a riding mower.

Model 917.271011, seems to be a 1998 model Lawn tractor. Is it a LT1000? 2000? I don't know...

There is a local offroad race for mowers, but they must be completely stock. I missed that event. And now plan to use it for the summer to mow and winter to plow. Then race it next Spring...

Me, retired Navy. Engineering Tech by trade, Jeep guy for play. So, I can fab some if needed.

Found this site and was quite intrigued. I might be looking for another mower and maybe the remains of a dead ATV... Might be interesting to take a mower on the old Pony Express Trail...

Those ayp chassis are pretty solid frames. It would make a nice build or mowing machine. Welcome to the forum!

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Those ayp chassis are pretty solid frames. It would make a nice build or mowing machine. Welcome to the forum!

Thanks! Trying to catch up on terms, what is AYP?

Ayp is a company, they're husqavarna now. New mowers are either made by mtd or ayp, those are the two big companies that bought out all the others. But weedeater and craftsman of that vintage have the same chassis, and the older craftsman II, rally, and weedeater are very similar.

I prefer ayp to mtd. They're just built heavier and most people on this site agree that a multi gear transaxle is better than the fnr with a vari-drive.

Oh and ayp stands for American Yard Products. I forgot to mention that

Cool to know that bit of background. Enjoying what some of you guys come up with, even the youngins'! I have a few other power projects I want to get into soon. People seem to give me stuff now and again. I have a 4000 watt 8HP generator, needs the governor shaft replaced. And a wheel kit. And a bigger fuel tank... I have a Chinese 150cc dirtbike that is donating it's engine, trans and wiring for a single stage snowthrower project, replacing a 2 stroke 3.5hp engine... Yeah... I have an old washing machine engine, has a kick starter, that is setup with a 1 wire alternator for charging batteries for camping (not quite finished but works...). And a 1963 Bonham Tote Gote. Needs a carb for the 6HP B&G and me to finish sand blasting and get it back together...

I was offered another LT, similar to mine, but no mower deck or engine... Got me thinking... And maybe I should get it and use the Chinese dirt bike engine and trans, fabricate a live axle setup and chain drive. Just thinking out loud....

When it rains... The guy offering another LT, is now going to give me 2. I got mine running, but the brake pads are toasted and worn, the pins in the caliper were corroded. I asked this guy if he had parts, and now he has 2 tractors to give me. I never get anything for free...

Welcome!

I should getting both tractors today. One is almost identical to mine, had the same Kohler engine, but has a hydro drive in it. No deck. The other is also a Craftsman... Unkown what model or drive. No engine, no deck. Something is going to get a chinese dirt bike engine and 5 speed transmission. And big brakes...

I would love to wheel my bolens tractor and k5 tube buggy in Moab some day. Definitely bucket list item.

Welcome,
I'm a jeep guy also, got an 84 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It's my daily driver.

Well. I might be buying a Chinese ATV just for the suspenion. $100 and it runs, mostly... Just need the sawbuck in hand first. As luck has it, right across the street from me... Miscommunication keeps me from picking up those mowers. But now at leadt. My Go Cart Mower project has some teeth...

Need to get a new starter for MYmower.  I got the other LT today, 917.259556.  Missing a lot more than I expected.  And it IS a hydro transaxle.  I also got a Craftsman II, 917.257570.

I don't get to keep the engine.  Considering stripping this one for spare parts for my own LT.  I have a bunch of stuff to take the recycler's anyway...


This one has a similar transaxle to mine.  So of course, it will be a good spare.


Got the hoods for both LTs...

Not sure at present which mower to modify for speed or which to recycle.  I just do not have room for a bunch of lawn tractors, modified or not... And I still don''t know if my original is an LT1000, LT2000 or what...

I need to clear stuff up some.  So I have decided to keep the Craftsman II machine, but use the LT series hood.  The LT will be yanked apart the rest of the way...


Or, I could use the Craftsman II hood with this killer LED...

 
And I removed the plow attachment from the LT.  I found a complete proper model plow for $100 I need to pick up, missing the mounting hardware and bracket...

Personally, I like the Craftsman II hood. If I were to build another offroad craftsman, I would use a square body or a craftsman II hood like you have. I got a newer craftsman I'm building for the street that has a newer style of hood.

If I had the headlight setup for the Craftsman II shell, I might keep it. I like body of the II, so this one stayes, but gets some Chinese dirt bike engine and 5 speed trans. Maybe even some Chinese quad suspension with front brakes... I still haven't seen what 6 speed it is, but it too will be set aside

The LT is getting scrapped, but I am stripping all the parts I can use for my original freebie. I'll set it's hydrostatic aside for something else later. And look at beefing up a front axle if I don't do the suspenion on the II. The LT steering is tightervthan mine is, all that will be swapped out.

My son picked up the snowplow for me. I'll snag it tomorrow when we go see their new foster baby... 1 month old and unwanted 3 week preemie.

Otherwise, I Had me knee scoped and cleaned out Thursday, and I am taking it easy... So far.

As luck has it, missed a Gilson tractor and snowplow for $50. And missed a free 95 Caravan by three hours, it was donated beforecI could snag it...