Picking up a FREE Craftsman GT3000 today

[rmaynard 15,461]

I was offered a free Craftsman GT3000 this morning. Not sure of the year, but I think it's around 1999 to 2001. Has the V-twin Kohler and a 10-Speed manual transmission (dual range 5-speed). 

 

The engine does not run. Owner says it was running fine and just stopped. Cranked until the battery went dead, and just left it under the deck for the last two years. Owner thinks its an ignition problem.

 

So I am going to go pick it up this afternoon. 

 

Any Craftsman owners or Kohler V-twin techs out there who might be able to point me in a specific direction to look for a "no spark" problem?  As always, I will check for the obvious and the simple as I tell everyone else on the older engines.

 

 

[oldblue1993 98]

DID SOMEONE SAY FREE, way to go. hey just try unplugging the ignition switch and plugging it back in "seen this may times people let em sit n they crap up" good luck and nice find.

[oldblue1993 98]

Hey let us know what the problem ends up being, curiosity kills.

[VinsRJ 721]

Wouldn't have cost you a thing to post a pic.... LOL!

[Bluffhunter 37]

Great deal !  Maybe something as simple as a safety switch.

[posifour11 723]

Good deal. I just dealt with a craftsman with the same problem. Turned out to be the seat switch relay. Pulled the relay and it fired right up. Doubled my money for half an hour of troubleshooting.

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Culling the Kohler Bob?   

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

Good luck with it Bob. I have a 2001 GT3000 with the Kohler 20 twin that I have had since new. Cant help you with your problem since mine has never once had a problem (knock on wood!). These tractors get plenty of bashing from the haters but I cant complain after 12 trouble free years, of course mine (none of my tractors) ever spend the night outside let alone years of being left outside.

  Did it come with any attachments? Deck? Snowplow? 

  Mike............

[rmaynard 15,461]

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Before I even picked it up, I had it sold. Never made it to my house. Came home with an empty trailer and more money in my pocket than I left with. And, since I am leaving on Tuesday for vacation, that's a good thing. (Wife's happier as well)

 

Mike - 48" deck is only attachment it had.

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

Sounds like it worked out very well! I got a ranch king the other day....wish the story was the same. They gave up because he stripped out the spark plug hole. I ran a tap through it and put a new plug in. It runs good but the head gasket leaks which falls on the muffler. It is amazing how much smoke it can make! Sometime I'll get around to fixing it but it is overhead valve and looks like a huge project. Guess I could always sell it to someone to get rid of their mosquitoes. Lol

[Don1977 604]

It may be like my neighbor JD. He stop it off after mowing his yard and it would not start the next time he tried . It had a plastic cam that broke was the reason it would not start.

[posifour11 723]

Sounds like the best deal for me!