truckin88 104 #26 Posted March 26, 2012 I HAVE TO DISAGREE W/CRAPSMAN COMMENTS.....SURE THEY ARE NOT REAL TUFF BUT I CURRENTLY HAVE 1 LT1000 16 HORSE KOHLER W/ FILTER,BOUGHT IT IN 1995. I DO NOT TAKE REAL GOOD CARE OF HER, I MOW 3/4 ACHER WEEKLY. TOW,PULL AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER FRONT WHEEL BEARING BATTERY AND BLADES, OTHER THAN THAT THATS IT. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE. $900.00 DIVIDED BUY 17 YEARS. $53 PER YEAR. NOT BAD AND SHE STILL RUNS GREAT, USES VERY VERY LITTLE OIL. I DO NOT ADD OIL IN BETWEEN CHANGES. WOULD I RATHER HAVE A WH FOR MY WEEKLY MOWER (YES) NOT UNTIL CRAPSMAN DIES. Good luck gettng any resale out of it though. Craftsman have some that were decent since they contract our their manufact. Currently it is Briggs and they are rebadged Simplicity's (Briggs own that). There is a perspection that they are throw away junk. My neighbor has one going on 11 years of service, so I don't think they are junk, they just aren't the build quality of WH's, JD's, Cub GTs...etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #27 Posted March 26, 2012 this subject has come up before about lawn mowers,both of my neighbors have cheap lawn tractors,one is a crafstman and its 20 years old and still mows good,no it doesnt do what my horses do but it does and has mowed alot of grass,so for the money my neighbor is happy,i wouldnt be seen on one but thats me,no personal attacks on anyone that has a lawn tractor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #28 Posted March 26, 2012 I know all about the Craftsman tractors, I have worked on many of them, Dad has owned a few thru the yrs and Dads were good tractors. One was an LT 1000. This was over 25 yrs ago, I cut MANY lawns with that tractor and it was always good to me. They are what they are, for every 10 they make there is bound to be at least a few that last at least ten yrs. with half decent maint. I can still remember Dads next door neighbor buying a new one back 20 yrs ago. He had the Sears service tech out to his house every other week because it wouldn't run or it would butcher his grass. It wound up catching on fire. HHMMMMM???? I think the point I was trying to make here is this, I don't really care who makes the new 5500.00 dollar Sears tractors for them. What I'm trying to figure out is why does Sears think there is a Market for these things? Who goes into Sears and throws down 5500 bucks on a tractor that says Sears on it? For that kind of money I'd be taking myself to a dealers show room floor, whether it be Simplicity, John Deere, Toro or Cub Cadet, somewhere I can get some decent service if it needs repairs. And don't get me wrong, for that guy that wants to lay down an easy grand for a lawn tractor to simply cut his grass Sears does sell something decent to get that done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darren 49 #29 Posted March 27, 2012 What's the thing on the rear fender and next to the seat, in the top picture anyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RCTruckDaddy 8 #30 Posted March 27, 2012 That's a cupholder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Challenger 27 #31 Posted March 27, 2012 One year ago I sold a 2005 with 48" deck and 43 hours for $2700. The buyer was the only person to respond to my ad after 3 weeks. He had previously owned a 312-8 and appreciated a traditional Wheel Horse. - Challenger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNYFIX 13 #32 Posted March 27, 2012 Because of the high price the Wheel Horse tractor sales declined very quickly in our area at the end of production although people have quickly learned that those other T- named ""tractors"" that are pictured in the one pic are certainly not the quality once associated with that name. Not speaking as a (once WH/Toro) dealer, the last production 315's just didn't ""feel"" like a WH tractor. It was the combination of the steering wheel/higher positioned seat and those pedals I believe. Those Simplicity tractors at Sears are lacking features that were on models made earlier like power steering and hydo-lift. The metal quality of the previous model is much more substantial as well but it was also a $7,500. tractor (w/mower) !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNYFIX 13 #33 Posted March 27, 2012 I know all about the Craftsman tractors, I have worked on many of them, Dad has owned a few thru the yrs and Dads were good tractors. One was an LT 1000. This was over 25 yrs ago, I cut MANY lawns with that tractor and it was always good to me. They are what they are, for every 10 they make there is bound to be at least a few that last at least ten yrs. with half decent maint. I can still remember Dads next door neighbor buying a new one back 20 yrs ago. He had the Sears service tech out to his house every other week because it wouldn't run or it would butcher his grass. It wound up catching on fire. HHMMMMM???? I think the point I was trying to make here is this, I don't really care who makes the new 5500.00 dollar Sears tractors for them. What I'm trying to figure out is why does Sears think there is a Market for these things? Who goes into Sears and throws down 5500 bucks on a tractor that says Sears on it? For that kind of money I'd be taking myself to a dealers show room floor, whether it be Simplicity, John Deere, Toro or Cub Cadet, somewhere I can get some decent service if it needs repairs. And don't get me wrong, for that guy that wants to lay down an easy grand for a lawn tractor simply cut his grass Sears does sell something decent to get that done. Sears is going to learn a very hard lesson about that I believe especially with the financial situation they're presently in. (Wal-Mart learned it with Snapper). Who is going to buy a tractor that certainly doesn't look quality made (metal wise) for $5,500.00 when sitting right next to it is a tractor that sells for $1,299.00 (same horsepower/cut). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #34 Posted March 27, 2012 Was driving through. Flushing Mi. Today and out of the corner of my eye i see something red on my way back i stop and look what i found.. It is for sale and ues the hourmeter says 2.4 Per the posting rules i can't give the contact info but pm me and i will pass it along They also have a 2 stage blower for it still in the crate They want 5k i think Great find! One of my friends have one of these and it is a sweet tractor!!! Too bad I don't have the 5k to buy it!! :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darren 49 #35 Posted March 27, 2012 Thanks RCTruckDaddy :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rooster 191 #36 Posted March 27, 2012 Model # makes that a 2002 315-8... I had a Craftsman LT1000, had a 20HP Briggs opposed and 6 speed 2 range Peerless. I used it at our R/C Flying club, it was the one that got chosen over the John Deere and Cub Cadet owned by other members...It could cut faster and better than either of them! Fact is, you get what you pay for, and your equipment runs as good as you make it run. taken care of, most lawn tractors when only used for cutting smoothe lawns will last a long time if taken care of. I have seen many 20 year old cheap Murrays and MTD's that cut almost like new! I'd rather have a pampered Murray than an abused Deere! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #37 Posted March 27, 2012 Fact is they all need oil and they all need maintenance, some more than others. The trick is to use them for what they were designed to do! I am still amazed seeing what some guys do with our little Horses here. Class III hitches rated for 500 lbs. Maybe they are the exception to the rule but they are pretty tough for their size. My neighbour has a 100 series Deer, 160 I think and he mows 2 acres every 4-5 days and has for about 5 years. The tractor does no other work!. His hydro now is as loud as his engine...time to put the hydro into our landfill or hopefully recycle the alloy ...can't repair it, throw away ...too bad this is what we have become. :twocents-02cents: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #38 Posted March 28, 2012 gee gary i only pull my 1800 lb skid steer float around with mine,pull huge logs and pull harrows with 150 lbs on them,thats not too much is it :eusa-whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tgranthamfd 29 #39 Posted March 28, 2012 Model # makes that a 2002 315-8... I had a Craftsman LT1000, had a 20HP Briggs opposed and 6 speed 2 range Peerless. I used it at our R/C Flying club, it was the one that got chosen over the John Deere and Cub Cadet owned by other members...It could cut faster and better than either of them! Fact is, you get what you pay for, and your equipment runs as good as you make it run. taken care of, most lawn tractors when only used for cutting smoothe lawns will last a long time if taken care of. I have seen many 20 year old cheap Murrays and MTD's that cut almost like new! I'd rather have a pampered Murray than an abused Deere! Hey Roost, that is the grey area I was talking about. Mine is a Model 73450, SN 2500000332. It is, for sure, a 2005. Not sure if the serial number denotes the actual year, or what. :confusion-confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelhorse656 20 #40 Posted March 28, 2012 My grandpa bought his first riding mower back in 1985. It was MTD ranchking. Probly one of the cheapest mowers built back then but it is what he could afford. anyways it has seviced us 27 years and still runs and cuts great!! It has is oil changed once a year and new plugs plugs put in. tranny oil drand and new put in. Blades sharpend and deck cleand 2 times a year and it rund better than the nabiors deere That spits and sputters and has alot of problems. ( he never tuens it up and always leaves it outside. It was bought in in 1998 and it runs like junk!) My point is if you take care of your mower it will always take care of you!!! NIce looking 315!! I wish I had 5K to blow on one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites