Fixing Up a FREE 1975 Sears Lawn Tractor From Craigslist
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2020
- I attempt to fix up and start a 1975 Sears lawn tractor that I got for free on Craigslist.
OTC compression tester: amzn.to/330Hpw1
Compact, powerful impact wrench: amzn.to/2ZYJvcG
Grease gun that I use: amzn.to/3gxdNJY
Instagram: / waldowelds
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My neighbor had a 1972 sears mower similar to this one he used it all the way up until he passed away in 2018. The family gave it to us because it hadn’t ran in a couple years because the last few years they payed someone to mow their lawn. But me and my father got it running again and it was real special how happy the family was to see that old lawn mower still in service 50 years later. Therefor I would say those were some long lasting engines!
Sears would be very proud of you and your mechanical efforts, you've allowed that mower to last longer than Sears did
Um....you can still buy things from Sear's
This fix was a great example of irony. I watched you repair a very complicated Range Rover timing chain and in this video it looked like a tire change was more challenging! Good job.
I had a Craftsman 1975 16 HP Onan engine tractor. I used a 12" plow and a 36" disk, with a 48" sickle bar mower to farm 3 acres. Best garden tractor I ever had.
I have a 1976 with Onan engine, 12" plow and 36" disk. I don't use it much anymore - just use my rear tine tiller. They are tough made!
You know what I like about Your videos, your videos are honest , your video titles are honest. Seems like a lot of RUclipsrs make fake videos with misleading titles but everything about you seems real and I like that keep up the good work. Even though I probably couldn't do half of what you're doing I still enjoy watching your videos
Riding lawn mower tires are harder to change than regular tires. My local shop charges $20 for changing full size truck tires and $30 for riding mower tires. Also - when I have tire off -
I thoroughly clean - wire brush and paint the inside of the rim with product called Xtra Seal Bead Sealant. Good video!
My grandfather had 2 of those. They took about anything you could throw at them. I cut down grass taller than the mower itself before.
love the lawn tractor videos better than the trucks videos thanks
That might be the most redneck tire change I have ever seen. Excellent!
Great job on that sweet old mower. Little tire trick- put some dish soap on the bead and it’ll slide on and off super easy. I’d change oil, spark plug, air and fuel filters next. Spoil her a little. Also recheck compression. After putting the oil in and running it, if it had a stuck or sticky ring it may have loosened it up. Keep these awesome vids coming!!!
Thanks, Pete! Yeah, I should check the compression after an oil change when the engine is warm. It seems like the hesitation starting is largely due to the choke position and possibly carb tuning issues, so I may not have to worry about the compression at all
I kept saying to my computer "get a Sawsall, cut the tire off" and you finally heard me. Hahaha
Wow that brings back memories. My dad had one a long time ago! I remember mowing with it when I was kid and taking care of it.
My brother said it wasn't good and electronic ignition or something kept going out so dad got rid of it.
I just love tinkering with and fixing older riders. They were built to last!
An epoxy tip: use a Post It note pad and a toothpick. I keep a pad and toothpicks with my JB Weld. There is always a fresh mixing board and mixers that way and the toothpicks are also excellent applicators! I always enjoy your videos. I would have likely dipped into my expletive reserve with that tire.
Good tip! And yeah, there was plenty of swearing...luckily it's not audible with the music and time lapse 😂
Look at the old tractor go ! A real gem, great work !
Thanks, Scott!! 👍
What a cool mower to tinker on and fix up
Having done these small tires by hand myself. Was great to watch someone else struggle with this so much like myself LOL
I watch your channel often andI just stumbled across this video about the Sears Craftsman LT-10E mower. When I was just barely a teenager my father, who passed a few years ago, bought on of these. We were not the richest folks in the world so this was a big deal to have a new riding mower and these units were true Cadillacs at that time. We had it for many years in Ohio until we moved to Florida and no longer needed it having a normal family home and lot. Lots of good times and memories with that little machine. THANK YOU Waldo for sharing.
Hey Waldo, great vid. I had a craftsman mower just like that back in the day. Those smaller tires can be a bear to deal with. Your backhoe loader is a great help. I have used the bucket to seperate beads from the rim. Also, if you set something under the rim, you can hold it steady with the bucket or an outrigger while you fight the tire back on thee rim. Hope this can help you in the future.
Thanks for the tips! Having a backhoe/loader really comes in handy, huh? 😂
I feel a little bad saying this but I chuckled a bit when you hit the wheel with the sledge! lol
We had that same garden tractor mower for about 10 years until we moved. Worked excellently.
Man I use a metal car ramp to break beads on tires. Set the ramp up close to the bed and rim as you can get and then ease your truck up on the ramp it’s breaks them most of the time really easy.
What a feeling taking something from A to Z. Nice video.
You did good work getting this up and running. This machine will last you a lifetime with that Tecumseh engine. They often get a bad name, but I find that they are excellent small engines if they are cared for. As you might know, you can still look up most parts on the Sears Parts Direct website just by using the model # stamped on the tag at the back of the unit. I suspect that it is is a "917" model prefix. Sears also had units produced for them under the "131" model prefix, that was Rally. The "917" models in 1975 would have been made by Roper for Sears. Eventually "131" and "917" were combined into "Rally Roper" and eventually, they became American Yard Products. At one time, the facility in McCrae, Georgia was the largest factory of its' kind and was spinning out all sorts of variants of units for different customers. American Yard Products also went by Electrolux, Electrolux Outdoor Products, among other names. Once you have the part # in hand from the parts list, you can shop that part # online or locally to source it, and see if it is still available or superseded. In the case of your tensioner pulley, you did the next best thing to buying new. You made it new again.
I believe today, whatever OEM product support is still available would be through "HOP" or Husqvarna Outdoor Products who makes units at their plant in South Carolina if I remember right. If it's a "502" prefix model, Murray made it for Sears. The first three digits of a Sears model # denote the source code and who actually made it for Sears. There are various lists online that denote what these codes are.
As other said, it uses a standard Indak key which can be bought online just about anywhere and Stens, Oregon and Rotary (the "Big Three" of the small engine aftermarket) all offer them in their line. HOP might even still be able to send you a copy of the original owner's manual. While most times, you can figure things out with some common sense, it does help to have the manual, as some of these models had some quirks and unique features at the time which when you read the manual you'll say, "Oh, so that's what that is and how it works". Also, the reference for parts is easily found as back then Sears insisted that their vendors always include a full exploded view and parts list with their products. Over time, most folks were able to save money and figure out who was making a given product for Sears and go there for parts versus paying the Sears markup. For instance, most appliance repair parts and repair people knew that many Kenmore appliances were made by Whirlpool for them under the "110" model prefix, among others and knew to go to that source for parts. Most vendors that supplied product to Sears still will support them even today, even if they haven't supplied product to them for years. I've had very good luck going back to the OEM even on Sears products made for them some 50 years ago.
When you had trouble with the tire, I was saying to myself, "Why doesn't he just cut off the old one with a reciprocating saw in pieces and just lift it out of the way?" LOL. Of course that doesn't make installing the new one easy, but it does take half of the job and make it easier.
I hope you'll keep this one and run it for many years, just doing simple TLC like oil changes, filter changes and keeping it in good running order. I think you'll find it to be a good backup. I find equipment at the curb all the time and with very little effort and money, they are up and running again with no issues and I've been running them for years and years.
Thank you, and thank you for the comment!
@@WaldosWorld It's always good to see old equipment up and running again. After you shot this video, I wound up picking up a 1984 vintage Sears Craftsman engine analyzer from someone online that had no use for it. It's never been used, probably never been turned on and had all the attachments. It was missing only the owner's manual which I found quickly online, so it's now 100% complete.
Great job in bringing that old riding-lawnmower back to life!
It's always amazing what you can do with a little bit of work on a well built machine.
I really admire your can do attitude, and your careful explanations on the repair process.
Well done!
We use a floor jack to break beads on our farm. Not one of the wheeled ones, but the ones with a flat end and a "hook". We put the "hook" under a tractor and the flat side on the tire, while someone stands on the tire to keep it from moving, the other person starts pumping the jack and the weight of the tractor pops the bead with ease
Hey Waldo nice video. You have incredible patience. I would have thrown that front tire and rim with frustration but you persevered. Haha. Good work. Looking for to a Dino vid. Keep the videos coming.
Thanks, Scott! Yeah, that tire was very frustrating. There was definitely some swearing that didn’t make it into the final cut 😂
Impressed with your enthusiasm and talents.
Hey Waldo,that mower is so vintage!! Show it some love and give it a new seat and paint job!!!!😉👍🤘🤘
I wonder how much a lawn tractor would cost today if they made it to the same quality standards of this machine?
Also Waldo if it only runs on half choke, the carb is too lean. This could be caused by float position, or jets dirty. You may be able to adjust carb screws to get it to riches up. Also I love your little French voice telling the time passage. Lol
Good point, I’ll try adjusting the fuel screw outwards for more fuel 👍
@@WaldosWorld.
Check out some of Mustie1's videos on his channel.
He does really good tutorials about rebuilding carbs.
Usually saying "we're going in"
He has a demeanor similar to yours with a serious dose making fun of himself.
I think you'll enjoy watching him if you have the time.
The bottom fitting in the carb that holds the bowl on usually has a tiny pinhole in the side that gets plugged, poke it out with wire. its usually that if it runs and then dies.
Thanks, that was very interesting to follow your diagnosis and actions.
Over here in the U.K. we have any number of lookalike mini lawnmower tractors ( we call them "ride-on" ) with very similar build - used one that could be yours' British cousin 8hp engine, flimsy pressed steel cutter deck - soon progressed to 12, 16 then 20h.p. better built jobs with powered brush cuttings pick up.
A tip after seeing you struggle so much with the tyre - for crying out loud! Take it off the axle and stick on a short bar in a good vice (that's probably a vise to you ) and you'll find it much easier for the working height alone. Second thing - when sharpening the blades of any mower - it pays to keep an eye on the balance.
Wow! That works really good! Great job.
Thank you!
Sweet little unit... Man those gotta be rare. I've only seen a handful. I had a 1977 MW that was a 4spd Rare Heavy duty as hell like a 2-Stroke Detroit heavy!!! My Neighbour has a GE Electric lawn mower which are Very rare for a fact.
Had one just like that. Built like a tank. Wish I still had it. It had a brigs ,but I did replace it . I kept it till 1997
We had that same model rider. It only lasted for two years. I was twelve or thirteen and sort of a daredevil-scientist. One day while mowing the ditch I decided to try to do a wheelie. So I drove up the ditch bank in third gear, when I got to the road edge I clutched the mower letting it roll down into the ditch and I popped the clutch and the rest was history. Pieces of the cast iron grill were scattered around and the hood was crushed along with the steering wheel. That got my ass tanned. Dad replaced it with a 15” push mower with a tiny 2 stroke. Our yard was almost acres. Boy did I learn something in the name of science
On a side note....... yes the deck was engaged and I didn’t get killed but very well could have.
Wow, that's quite the story! I imagine you were the one who had to mow the lawn with the push mower?
Yes I was the one. I got away with a good amount of stupid but that was the straw lol
There's another Fry.
Nice!! So satifying to get something for free and get it running with a little effort and cost. Nice work! Looking forward to Dynahoe too!
Thanks for watching ‘til the end! 😉
Ah here, i love it when you add the Laurel & Hardy music along with the Chop Saw to remove the tyre 😂😂
Its a proven fact that the smaller the tire the more aggrevating they are ...i can change a 27.00 R49 haul truck tire faster than i can a dang lawnmower tire
I know, right? These put up a much bigger fight than I expected! 😂
you are right james G the smaller tires are the worts ones
This was my favorite mower when I was a kid currently looking for one to get running to take to tractor shows
A squirt of oil before checking compression can always help. As for the key, it's a standard Indak key for the old ones.
Love the Sears mower. My Dad has 2 Onan Twins, that are Sears Garden Tractors (SS16 & SS18). I'd love to our Sears Mower Collection.
Good job on the pulley Waldo ! I was yelling into the computer to take it apart and fix it !😊🌵
Yeah, I’m really glad I decided to take it apart. I still often learn new things, and that was one of them! 👌
great video mate, keep those old carbs no matter what the knock-off sucks big time for small engines. for small lawn tractors, I just use a tube, only have to break one bead that way, and costs a little down. and I use jb weld steel epoxy for fuel and oil stuff, you have to let it fully cure and i have never had a problem once it is fully cured. if in cold( with the winters I get) double the cure time.
I enjoy your channel. Well done. thanks.
Dawn is your best friend when removing any tire...
We had a 76 craftsman garden tractor that we ran for about 25 years. We wore her out, she was the best mower we ever had.
Turn the jet on bottom of bowl all the way in then out bout a turn n half....then try 2 turns.
A trick I use when breaking the bead on tires it to use the backhoe outrigger like you did with driving over the sidewall, and for really stubborn beads I use the rear bucket and push down with a tooth at the intersection of the tire and rim. Last week a friend stopped over on the hottest day of the week and asked me to help remove tires from the scrap rims, I asked my son (7 years old) to run the backhoe and help with breaking the beads.
Friend was blown away he could run the machine so well, it was like a well oiled machine. I will try and grab the video off my security camera and upload tomorrow on my Channel
Oh wow, that's cool the your son is so good with a backhoe! Also thanks for the tip! 👍
Sorry Waldo but I had to laugh at your struggle with the tire.. But I went through the same struggle. Dish washing liquid soap makes a good lube for tire work.
That's okay, I'm glad to be your source of entertainment! 😂
very useful... great job
i work at o'reilly auto parts in Indiana , glad to see you got what you were looking for, you videos are very enjoyable keep up the great work
Waldo, it’s a lot easier to remove and install a tire if you use dish soap on the bead it will slip together really easy
Brings back a lot of memories my Grandparents lived on200 acres of land inUpstate New York and aside from a fleet of CubCadets and accessories they did like the 1970s Craftsman riding mowers my favorite one to cut with was a red Craftsman very similar to yours except it did have a different gear selector and I think it was like 14 positions Believe it used that engine you have because after my Grandfather passed I would visit my Grandmother and get everything running for her other wise she would try and push the lawn cutting ? In her 80s they were so rural that usually the only parts I could get was whatever the local gas station garage had in stock which he did have most of the bets in stock so I could stock her up on mower deck belts if I didn’t want to drive 4 hours for other parts
Hi Waldo, this is one of your latest subscribers, about 2 weeks now and have been binge watching and awaiting the finish of the goose neck trailer too, hoping to see the build of your new garage soon as well, and very impressed with you mechanically inclined skills, how gratifying for you, keep em coming & thanks for the entertainment.....Javi G. Tucson, Az
That tractor in the background is sweet
That front wheel…..😂 nice video👍👍👍
Good video Waldo, I have a 1997 snowblower with a Tecumseh 8hp engine that sounds the exact same on start up and running and the carb is almost the same ,LOL , just goes to show youth the more things change the more they remain the same in some areas of life, I think i need a carb kit for my snowblower to along with an inner tube to fix 1 tire, 👍
Yeah, in my research, it seems like the Tecumseh carburetors largely stayed the same for quite a few years!
When it comes to smile on my way Tires, a bench vise can be very helpful. Sometimes I use a Ratchet extension in the vise pointing straight up and slide the center of the rim over it to secure it while removing the old tire, you can even use the voice to break the bead
Hi Waldo I’m loving your videos. This video is one of my favourites Nick from Adelaide. 2:26pm
Those electric bead breakers are awesome tools, when it comes to old stubborn tires. 👍
Yeah, it might be time to invest in a bead breaking solution 😂
Great job!
Now I feel like working on my lawnmower 👍🏻
What are you doing on RUclips? Get out there and work on it! 🤣👍
Lol was taking a break “”
I thought I was the only guy having hard time on replacing a tire on a ridingmower lol
Thanks for the videos 👍🏻
That’s a nice lil old mower
Next time on swapping out the tires in the riding mowers in the past I’ve used old school bumper jacks to break the beeds from the rim. Just sit the base of the bumper jack onto the tire allowing that the base of the Jack just clears the rim and proceed to jack up the car. The downward pressure from the base of the jack will force the beed of the tire to pop loose. Good luck
Very nice!
The fight with the tire gave me PTSD. Been there, done that, never again. New tire and rim well worth the $.
great video thanks
If every neighborhood had a Waldo, we would never have to throw anything away. I don't think the economy could survive if we still knew how to fix things!
Thanks for the fantastic video , here in UK we have briggs and Stratton or Suffolk mowers and it's always the carbs , idle jets get blocked and corrosion from storage in winter , great tyre fight , you won in the end , can't wait to see the Detroit running again , catch you in the next episode !!
Hahaha I don't always win tire fights, but when I do, it's probably because I went to the tire shop to have them do it for me 🤣🤣
Excellent video 👍❤️
watching you change that tyre was hillarious :D
i worked on gocart track, so i changed a lot of those tyres by hand, if you have more than one lawnmower, you should invest in one of those tyre changing tools, its really cheap, and it would make your live easier 👍
LoL. I was totally rooting for this little guy to start. Very cool mower.
Being that you’re in NH as well there’s a good chance those Timken bearings came from the factory right here in my hometown of Lebanon, NH! Love the channel fellow Granite Stater!
Your videography is good. Keep it up.
Finally an honest tire xhange video 😂😂❤❤
First time stumbling across this video you seem like a giant on that mower but awesome vid
A tip reference Simple Green. It reacts to aluminum and also leaves residue, which is why it's prohibited for use in aeronautical industry. Simple Green makes different formulas, one in particular which is okay to use on aluminum, and it's commonly used as a gun cleaner by many gun manufacturers. It's also used as a degreaser on bike and motorcycles parts.
That tire segment was painful to watch...those front tire/wheels can be a pita. I found a piece of metal rod or even an extra tire tool that has the same diameter as the axle when run through the hub and secured horizontally in the jaws of my workmate will hold the tire assembly secure when pressed up against the workmates work surface. With the wheel properly secured, the tire will usually pry off easily. Also makes mounting the new tire a breeze.
Nice tip! 👍
Little truck for stubborn wheels beads is to lay it on side and add an ounce or so of gasoline around bead and let sit for bit this will ease it for sure.
Hey if you want to up the compression without doing a rebuild use some engine restore when you do an oil change. I have used it with tested actual results so I definitely recommend
Thanks for the tip! That actually could make good content for a video 🤔
Waldo's World yes that would be awesome, add another testimonial to the engine restore with perhaps a before and after test!
Small mower tires like those need put into a bucket of VERY hot water to soften up. Does make a difference.
Had on works great
You can temporarily wrap that fuse in tin foil and reuse that fuse ✌️👍
That's a good tip! 👍
@@WaldosWorld it's also a good way to start an electrical fire. The fuse is rated to blow at a specific amperage . what is the tinfoil amperage rated at?
You used the right scissors to make that gasket. I've done that on several occasions.
I have this exact same mower
Nice !
If you make a "ramp" with a 2x6 or 8" you can lay it on the tire near the wheel and drive up on it part way to break the bead. The stuff that the PO used on the rim was probably a commercial bead sealer. Liberal amounts of dish soap help to seal the bead.
Interesting stuff
Rebuild kits for these carburetors are fairly cheap and another bowl is easy to find
You oughta consider getting an old IH Cub Cadet garden tractor.. Built like tanks! Plus you already have IH stuff. 😉
A _what_ swap!? Oh, you said "Cummins swap". I misheard you at first.😄
Lean plug looks great ill use it looks in plug whole even tho he can se e nothing but valves looks great down there oml 🤦
Jbweld "waterweld" putty can be used with petroleum!
I got that machine's big brother for free last year. 1977 sears 12/6, which is the garden tractor version of this with the horizontal shaft motor. Same color scheme, hood vents, red graphics, etc
Very cool! 👍
My grandfather had this same tractor. He bought it new in early/mid '70s. After he passed, my brother inherited it and it still runs like new. Great lil tractor. His has the mower and also a front plow and a rear plow setup. Love the channel and the content. Stumbled on it a few weeks ago and have watched every video you have done.
Mine is a 74 with a plow 👍🥰
Back when things were built simple and made to last. No efi or computer bs.
"Better than I expected."
RAISE your expectations.
I was getting frustrated early in the video. Was that a teaser or what? Take the carb off, out it back on, take it off ,put it back on again. Hey! Did you clean out the gas tank?Anysay you ended up doing a good job. I gave you a "Like" . I will be back for more lol
Thanks for the like!
Waldo look up online 1975 Sears Cub Cadet Lawn mower parts because thats the model of the lawn mower
"The first thing I've noticed is the tires flat" 😂