ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314 #1 Posted April 5, 2020 Took advantage of being stuck at the house (or rather the shop in this case) and worked on this Craftsman today. A few weeks back a friend of mine came by the shop and asked me if I wanted this old mower his boss had, he had been trying to get it running with no luck and they were tired of messing with it and didn't want to spend any more money on it. So I brought it home and changed the oil, replaced the carburetor as they stripped the threads holding the bowl on, and it still wouldn't start, all I could get it to do was turn over and backfire loudly. Dug a little deeper and discovered a sheared flywheel key. Finally got the key in this week, so got it put back together this morning. They sent me with new blades for it when I picked it up. Discovered a shot spindle when installing the new blades, so a new spindle and pulley has been ordered and should be here in a few days. Took the tractor itself out and drove it around the block, seems to run well and the transmission feels good. Hopefully with a new spindle, new belts, and a bath she'll be ready to go up for sale to finance other projects. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314 #2 Posted April 5, 2020 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,998 #3 Posted April 5, 2020 One wonders what happened to sheer the flywheel key. I had that happen on a Toro GTS 2 cycle walk behind mower. It was a big rock hiding in the long grass in the ditch I was mowing. Quit a memorable moment! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,420 #4 Posted April 5, 2020 1 hour ago, HandyProfessor said: sheared flywheel key So that's not their idea of like variable valve timing then... 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,185 #5 Posted April 5, 2020 1 hour ago, 8ntruck said: One wonders what happened to sheer the flywheel key. I had that happen on a Toro GTS 2 cycle walk behind mower. It was a big rock hiding in the long grass in the ditch I was mowing. Quit a memorable moment! I was thinking there is probably a direct relationship between the bad mower spindle and flywheel key being broken. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #6 Posted April 5, 2020 I have a number of newer box store mowers that I need to do the exact same thing to.. Only thing is, I can't bring myself to do anything to them when I have other projects! Looks like its in good enough shape and looks new enough that it ought to sell pretty easily. Would probably fetch $5-600 down here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314 #7 Posted April 6, 2020 1 hour ago, ZXT said: I have a number of newer box store mowers that I need to do the exact same thing to.. Only thing is, I can't bring myself to do anything to them when I have other projects! Looks like its in good enough shape and looks new enough that it ought to sell pretty easily. Would probably fetch $5-600 down here. I take a lot of old non running equipment in on trade and/or buy it cheap, and refurbish it to sell. Use the money to finance my tractor habits. I figure I will probably have $100-$150 in this one to get it freshened up and ready to go. And around here should be able to get around $450-500 pretty easily. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,420 #8 Posted April 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, HandyProfessor said: my tractor habits Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #9 Posted April 6, 2020 9 hours ago, HandyProfessor said: I take a lot of old non running equipment in on trade and/or buy it cheap, and refurbish it to sell. Use the money to finance my tractor habits... Nice little project Proff. I have found through the years that this method is an easy way to scratch the itch of the tractor habit without totally emptying the pocketbook. Sometimes, it even allows you to bring in a little extra plus have some nice machines an attachments on hand that are free or nearly so... well done. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob R 966 #10 Posted April 6, 2020 Good little mowers, never liked the way they cut seems like they always leave a hi spot in the middle, but they are simple and work reasonably well..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314 #11 Posted April 6, 2020 3 hours ago, PeacemakerJack said: Nice little project Proff. I have found through the years that this method is an easy way to scratch the itch of the tractor habit without totally emptying the pocketbook. Sometimes, it even allows you to bring in a little extra plus have some nice machines an attachments on hand that are free or nearly so... well done. Very true...matter of fact the 1277 and the carcass of a 701 that is becoming my two seater were both acquired this way.. ironically they are also the two that started this crazy addiction 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
