Craftsman LT1000 Reviews

Breaks Every Year
Model Year: 2006

We bought this Sears LT2000 new. Every year we have had it we have had something break. It is just constant repair. We would never again buy a Craftsman mower.

Pros: Easy to use
Cons: Very unreliable

Craftsman LT1000 Lawn Tractor
Model Year: 2006

Replaced a Murray 12 hp riding mower that I bought at WalMart and had for 12 years, which gave me good service over those years. First season with the Craftsman, the engine went out due to a "plastic cam that Briggs used on the 17 hp engines", according to the Sears technician who came out and put in a new 18 hp I/C engine "that won't fail like the last one". He was right, the engine is good, but the transmission went out in season 4, then assorted ailments like 2 starters and a carburetor replacement. I have also gone through 2 blade drive belts and one motion drive belt, two batteries and several sets of blades, plus one blade bearing assembly.

Pros: I can find replacement parts for it fairly easily online.
Cons: Original parts all seem to wear out faster than they should.

Good Lawnmower
Model Year: 1998

We've owned this lawnmower for fourteen years, and for those fourteen years, it was a great mower. Unfortunately, though, the engine has developed a problem within the last year and now it just plain doesn't work. We think it's a problem with the carburetor, but we'll see.

Pros: It was a really great mower with adequate power for 14 years.
Cons: The 16 HP B+S engine broke.

My 20 HP LT1000
Model Year: 2004

Well I will say more about my lawn mower when I have a full keyboard.

Pros: Good power.
Cons: Wish I had hydraulics like my FF/20 does.

Craftsman LT 1000 Automatic
Model Year: 2000

I purchased this mower new in 2001 (I think. It has a Kolher 18 H.P. pressurized oil system. This engine still performs great. I do keep a good yearly maintenance program on the engine. The only major problem I had after 7 years of mowing one acre, sometimes twice a week, was the rear end. It began slipping and in short time quit pulling at all. Out of desperation I pulled it out and flushed it out with kerosene three or four times then replaced with 90 wt. gear oil and a little bit of oil stabilizer then put it through the purging process nearly 30 times. Still going.

Pros: Engine.
Cons: Too many safety switches.

Craftsman LT1500 Lawn Tractor
Model Year: 2011

For the amount of time I've used this tractor, I am satisfied with the way it performs. My yard is a hilly and rough terrain and I have had no problems with it. Not only does it mow well but I have a homemade trailer that I use to haul firewood and the tractor has no problem with full loads. I can't lower the mowing deck and need to keep it up as high as possible because lowering it just scallops. The highest setting works well though. Also, when changing the oil, I need to tip the tractor up high from the right side and take the plug out and insert a short pipe 3/8 pipe nipple with an elbow then lower the tractor to drain. Otherwise oil goes all over and makes a mess. Once a year is tolerable for me. Other than those two issues I am very satisfied. One other thing though is that I bought this new with intentions of putting on a snow plow but later found out that it is not compatible because the tractor does not have a cast iron front axle.

Pros: Starts easy, runs great, mows very well and hauls loaded trailer well.
Cons: Issue with oil changing and must keep mower at highest setting and not compatible with snow plow application.