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Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

49K views 379 replies 25 participants last post by  Forest Gump 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Pictures of the 917.273100, I was doing research at work and it looks like the Transaxle may give me some trouble. I was able to locate the Operators Manual (L0010518) and the Engine Service Manual (CV22S-75534), but all I can find on the (222-3010L) transaxle is a parts breakdown. Looking for service procedures resulted in a mess of "Not Serviceable" to "It can be serviced but not easily".
I do plan on removing the transaxle at some point in the restore process, so this may make it easier.
 

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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Making room in the Man Cave to bring this monster in.
So, I pulled the deck to make the tractor smaller to fit in the shop. After blowing the clippings off here is the initial evaluation.

1. Craftsman got away from the fully enclosed belt cover, Yaa
2. Deck shell looks good except for Shute area damage.
3. One plastic shield has a gouge, wonder how that happened. Plastic weld will fix.
4. Dent behind the front roller. Rollers look good.
5. Bottom is clean.
6. One mandrill felt loose, but it looks like the blade bolt is loose.
7. Chute side skid is MIA.
8. Discharge shoot is missing.

Overall, I think this can be repaired with some welding and parts. Still need to check the pullies. Idlers, belts, and mandrills when I dissemble to get the shell repaired.
 

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#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Plan to weed whack in the morning, then pressure wash the tractor and let him dry. then bring him into the shop.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

looks like a great deal.
 
#44 · (Edited by Moderator)
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Thanks All! Pressure washed, and checked things out. Started surprising easy, only idles tho. I think the throttle cable is broke. I tried to move it and it felt like it wanted to but no-go. Dummy me, I forgot to move the free travel lever. Charging the battery again for another try.

 

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#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Thanks for the correction, I should have looked at the engine tag. I was going by the compliance date. 10 years younger than RED.

Can someone update the thread title?
 

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#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

I think the biggest challenge will be fixing the deck. I have a second 50" Craftsman deck but the mounts are different. took a lot of tear down pictures, and PB Blasted all the bolts so to strip down to the shell. Hopefully can find someone that can make this look like my other deck.
 

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#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

I think the biggest challenge will be fixing the deck. I have a second 50" Craftsman deck but the mounts are different. took a lot of tear down pictures, and PB Blasted all the bolts so to strip down to the shell. Hopefully can find someone that can make this look like my other deck.
Just beat it back into place and add some metal. Way easier that swapping decks. Plus IT'S FUN! :tango_face_devil:
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Mower deck is a shell now. Bearings look good... But I'll need to drill 4 bolts out of the mandrills.

 

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#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Working on a replacement shell. I will work on getting the bolts out of the mandrills today, Drill Press is your friend here.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

OK, we busted 4 mandrel bolts and a finger yesterday, Here is how I fix these.

This method works well on mandrel through hole broken bolts.

Start off center punching the broken bolt as close to center as possible.

Make the part as level as possible, I used a stack of washers to achieve this.

Use plenty of oil, sharp bits, and clean often. Drill all the way through, and check it didn’t drift.

Step up the drill size till the hole will accept the tap.

Use the same drill / washer setup to “Manually” start the tap in a couple turns.

Finish up by hand tapping, One down three more to go.
 

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#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Mandrills are drilled and tapped. Dosn't look like the replacement shell will work, so on to Plan B, or C.
I have BOH's orginal deck stored, He is currently using a Free rebuilt 50" deck. I will talk with my neighbor on the feesability of.

(B) Cutting the brackets off the broken deck and welding them on to the good deck. or
(C) Cut the bad area off the bad deck, cut a matching area off the good deck and weld it up.

Either way I'll have spare deck parts.
 

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#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

been there done that with the broken bolts.

I say cut out the bad, weld in the new. :tango_face_devil:
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Found another doner deck, hope this will work for the repair metal.
 

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#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Neighbor said he didn't have the right kind of steel to repair the deck. I am in the process of stripping a Sears SS 50" deck and see if he can transfer the steel from it to the Craftsman deck. I don't want to trash a good working 50" deck on BOH. Critter approves of the Craftsman Pro.

Anyone need parts of a SS 50" deck?
 

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#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 2000 Estate find

Moving on. Hood is a PITA to remove, 88's just slip over pins, this one is bolted. Draining the questionable gas. Stopping for this evening.
 

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#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Craftsman 917.2731002000 Estate find

I talked with a person at the company (Mastercraft) that fabricated the muffler and welded the auger on my Roper. Showed him the pictures of the damaged deck. He has to get with his boss, but thinks they can fix me up.
 
#25 ·
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 1998 Estate find

My process is to do one or two things to the Tractor each work night. Here is the progress so far. Foot Rests, Fender pan, Gas Tank, and steering wheel removed. It is a much nicer process to not deal with rusted bolts. The more I look at this the less I am thinking of a full restore, but just go with the mechanical repairs. I'll leave the engine and transaxle attached and do a detailed frame pressure wash. Change all fluids filters, and fuel lines, and go over all the steering bushings.
 

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#26 ·
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 1998 Estate find

:thThumbsU
 
#27 ·
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 1998 Estate find

Battery and Dash removed. Need to dig deep to check the steering bushings. Engine and Steering tower will need to be removed. Many detailed pictures taken for re-assembly, here is a few.
 

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#28 ·
Re: Craftsman 917.273100 1998 Estate find

Tonight's progress. PTO and Engine is removed. The engine mounting bolts were knuckle busters. Looks like the drag link and tie rod ends will need replaced as they are pretty sloppy. Plan to take the "rolling chassis" out again for another pressure washing. Pool needs some water too.
 

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