What did I just get...? Older Craftsman II

jwcva · May 4, 2009

I've only briefly looked online, but hoping to take a shortcut with input from the forum here...

It's a big old craftsman II... Though I haven't found a match yet, the build and style seems consistent with mid-80'ish type garden tractors. Discerning features are big (to me) 23 in. rear tires, 18HP horizontal Kohler, 3 speed w/reverse and Hi-Lo selection, electric PTO engagement. I don't have pictures but maybe someone is familiar enough with the older craftsman II that this will ring a bell?

Any help pointing to manuals - either parts or sevice - is much appreicated as I have a bit of work to do on it - lol

J

engine2quarters · May 4, 2009

I've been looking at a few similiar units in the Boston area. Many were bought as lawn mowers, but I believe they are more sturdy, more on the line of a garden tractor, but mow just fine.

If you know the model number and serial, instruction books are available at sears.com and also on eBay.

Do a search on eBay for Craftsman II or even just Craftsman Tractor, and you can see what parts are around.

Nathan Werneburg · May 4, 2009

hey way to go jwcva thats a pretty decent unit u got there i got its predecessor sitting in my yard a GTV 16 it runs but needs a rear so if u need a running engine i got one man

Tractor-Holic · May 4, 2009

Sounds like one of the last Roper's Sears had,or possibly an "FF" series,with that engine in it..sounds like a keeper!..

engine2quarters · May 5, 2009

Welcome back T-H.

bluwrench · May 5, 2009

Definitly a GT if it has the 2 spd. transaxle.

hivolt07 · May 5, 2009

Look like the one in my Avatar?

jwcva · May 5, 2009

Thanks for the info all. I have looked at the tag but it is dirty & weather enough I can't quite make out the model number.

hivolt - yes, look very much like the one in your avatar... but not near as pretty - lol. Do you have any online links to parts/service/other manuals?

I want to keep it and make it my 'main' mower/tractor.

J

hivolt07 · May 5, 2009

Well get the proper manual for you tractor you need to get your model number.

Try to take a thin piece of paper, put it over the tag and rub the paper with a crayon. Sometimes the numbers will show through.

Once you get that number the guys here can usually help you find a manual.

Depending on what parts you neeed, some are still available from www.searspartsdirect.com
other parts are available from a number of distributors like outdoor distributors, or mowparts.

gravelyman · May 6, 2009

That sounds like the big brother to my old Tiki Tractor, the real garden tractor line that Craftsman II sold in the 80s. 18 horse Kohler is cool, never heard of that, I happened to have seen one this weekend with an 18 horse briggs horizontal twin, pretty cool and tough tractor. I'm not positive but I think the good craftsman II garden tractors had a sears suburban {roper} gearbox which makes them tough and reliable compared to some of the murray-built junk they made and better than any of the new AYP garbage. Keep it!

DrDave1958 · May 6, 2009

Jwcva,
Your description matches my 1991 Craftsman II GT6000 to a tee. Mine has the 18hp Kohler Magnum, 6 speed hi/lo tranny, electric PTO, & 23" tires.
If it helps, my model number is 917.255950.

On a side note, these things are built like a tank. I got mine in 97 after it had been completely submerged in a flood and it's still going strong.

Dave

What did I just get...? Older Craftsman II

jwcva

engine2quarters

Nathan Werneburg

Tractor-Holic

engine2quarters

bluwrench

hivolt07

jwcva

hivolt07

gravelyman

DrDave1958

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