Sears by Craftsman garden Tractor has chassis problem

A

amar

New Member
Member
I purchased Sears Tractor by Craftsman. It was in 2012, YT3000 Model 917288520. Warranty was good for 3 years. My chassis is bent. It started from the beginning, and started to get worse. I noticed after 3 years that something was not right with grass. I adjusted it so it was ok. Two years later it again had to adjust. I said something is wrong. I noticed “Lawn Tractor Deck Lift” is off. I ordered new one. Then I compared new and old, it is good. I cannot compare with chassis design, so I compared it, I measured from front to back (wheel to wheel approximately 44") ground to bottom of chassis, 11" (00"), 11 1/4" (7"), 11 1/2" (20"), 11 1/2" (30”), 11" (44”). I am positive that chassis is bent. I have few pictures to show.
 

Attachments

  • 15D73C0E-3DE5-4661-AF86-4E0E1446D919.JPG
    15D73C0E-3DE5-4661-AF86-4E0E1446D919.JPG
    257.5 KB · Views: 24
  • 4CFD3A44-F7E6-471F-9EE1-E1755BC66C4E.JPG
    4CFD3A44-F7E6-471F-9EE1-E1755BC66C4E.JPG
    127.3 KB · Views: 23
on those newer stamped chassis, there was a spot in front of the back wheels that will sometimes crack and cause a lot of flexing.
 
Last edited:
I do it as Deck adjustments needed time-to-time. I have problem with chassis. As Kubota Ronin said that chassis is not sturdy. The span of the wheels with the front and the back depends on the link lift assembly (fig. 101). Chassis should be higher in the middle and link lift assembly but link lift assembly (in the original picture) is off set almost 2”, it should only ½”.
One catch is warrant, if problem is chassis then it will be beyond 3 years warrant. How can we handle.
 

Attachments

  • Lift_deck.png
    Lift_deck.png
    249.2 KB · Views: 7
One thing it worked is the modified combination of Link Lift Assembly (fig. 101) plus Rear Lift Link Assembly (fig. 91).
 

Attachments

  • 0585A43B-80F2-4084-A839-9778C1F27FED.JPG
    0585A43B-80F2-4084-A839-9778C1F27FED.JPG
    148.3 KB · Views: 6
From your pics, I can't see the issue. But this is a Husqvarna built machine and about par for the course!
 
The other fella on here that had a Husqvarna and the same type of problem except his got bent with a " johnny bucket" mounted on the front I believe. Even with the 5 year frame warranty it was still worthless.
 
Got a neighbor that has a husqvarna tractor with a bad Kohler courage on it to get rid of and I will probably be stuck with it but I don't want it. And this thread plus the other one (which became quite lengthy) don't help my "want" for that machine any either
 
I have a DYT4000 Craftsman with an engine that is about to die, just worn out, no power at cutting speed, I also have a 1998 Craftsman, this is when the frames were a lot stronger - seized engine and blown trans-axle - both frames are good, ether swap everything on the good frame, or swap the engine on the neweer weaker "bean counter optimized" frame, I am about to get rid of these.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top