Lawn tractors in the hood

fireball1800 · Feb 24, 2018

Well, I have a craftsman lawn mower 917.272247. 48 inch cutting deck with Kohler vtwin 20 hp... it has served it's purpose.... right at 15 years old .. i've replaced a few parts over the years and is still running good. I love the highlift blades and rear 3 bager for leaves... only issue is the hood has become brittle and is now falling to pieces. .... I live on a hill and yard is bumpy.. and every time I mow, more of the hood breaks off.. actually now I'm running it with hood off now because it has bounces around so much the hood is rubbing the engine. The deck is now getting some pin holes, and I'm looking at replacing the deck. Dont know weather just to replace the deck or just replace the mower. The chasis and engine is still in good shape and i think i can replace the deck around 200.00 but the hood is upwards of 600.00 and its still plastic. Do i just drop more money into keeping this running or bite the bullet and drop 4k for a new. I've looked at huskavarna as they still have metal hood.... I won't buy any tractor anymore with plastic hoods... Well sears don't carry the hood any more.... raw deck is 225.00.... I'll just patch the holes and limp it through this year.. any thoughts on lawn tractors with metal hoods and spring suspensions..?

4get gto · Feb 24, 2018

I think I would bite the bullet. Your tractor probably didn't cost much more than you want to put into it 15 years ago. A lot of guys talk good things about the husqvarna tractors. Nice ones can be bought for around 3k.

check · Feb 24, 2018

fireball1800 said:
Well, I have a craftsman lawn mower 917.272247. 48 inch cutting deck with Kohler vtwin 20 hp... it has served it's purpose.... right at 15 years old .. i've replaced a few parts over the years and is still running good. I love the highlift blades and rear 3 bager for leaves... only issue is the hood has become brittle and is now falling to pieces. .... I live on a hill and yard is bumpy.. and every time I mow, more of the hood breaks off.. actually now I'm running it with hood off now because it has bounces around so much the hood is rubbing the engine. The deck is now getting some pin holes, and I'm looking at replacing the deck. Dont know weather just to replace the deck or just replace the mower. The chasis and engine is still in good shape and i think i can replace the deck around 200.00 but the hood is upwards of 600.00 and its still plastic. Do i just drop more money into keeping this running or bite the bullet and drop 4k for a new. I've looked at huskavarna as they still have metal hood.... I won't buy any tractor anymore with plastic hoods... Well sears don't carry the hood any more.... raw deck is 225.00.... I'll just patch the holes and limp it through this year.. any thoughts on lawn tractors with metal hoods and spring suspensions..?

Used lawn tractors are a dime a dozen around here. Check your local bulletin board or look around. Maybe one of the neighbors has one for sale or will even give you one. Happens all the time around here.

fireball1800 · Feb 25, 2018

Thanks

fried1765 · Feb 25, 2018

fireball1800 said:
Well, I have a craftsman lawn mower 917.272247. 48 inch cutting deck with Kohler vtwin 20 hp... it has served it's purpose.... right at 15 years old .. i've replaced a few parts over the years and is still running good. I love the highlift blades and rear 3 bager for leaves... only issue is the hood has become brittle and is now falling to pieces. .... I live on a hill and yard is bumpy.. and every time I mow, more of the hood breaks off.. actually now I'm running it with hood off now because it has bounces around so much the hood is rubbing the engine. The deck is now getting some pin holes, and I'm looking at replacing the deck. Dont know weather just to replace the deck or just replace the mower. The chasis and engine is still in good shape and i think i can replace the deck around 200.00 but the hood is upwards of 600.00 and its still plastic. Do i just drop more money into keeping this running or bite the bullet and drop 4k for a new. I've looked at huskavarna as they still have metal hood.... I won't buy any tractor anymore with plastic hoods... Well sears don't carry the hood any more.... raw deck is 225.00.... I'll just patch the holes and limp it through this year.. any thoughts on lawn tractors with metal hoods and spring suspensions..?

As an aside:
I have my dad's 15HP Sears 42" rider (mfg. by Roper).
This year is it's 46th anniversary.
No plastic ! All steel.
Has cut many hundreds of acres.
Still runs/looks (repaint) like new !
Even original rear tires.

4get gto · Feb 25, 2018

fried1765 said:
As an aside:
I have my dad's 15HP Sears 42" rider (mfg. by Roper).
This year is it's 46th anniversary.
No plastic ! All steel.
Has cut many hundreds of acres.
Still runs/looks (repaint) like new !
Even original rear tires.

Gotta see a picture of that fried. I'm a old Roper/Sears guy myself.

thepumpguysc · Feb 25, 2018

I REALLY thought the thread was about "something else".. "The HOOD" Lol..
I had a TroyBilt that did that.. snapped all the hood pivot connections.. I just drilled more & used a bungy cord to hold the rest down..
I'll BET theres probably 5 old mowers sitting around garages IN YOUR HOOD.. you just don't know it..
Check Craigs List..
Look for the guy wanting "scrap metal" & give him a call.. bet he has afew mowers he hasn't stripped yet..?? & would JUMP at the chance to make a dollar selling a hood..?? Happy hunting..

Peter 315 · Feb 25, 2018

I have seen dead lawn tractor around here in peoples yards, They get another one and just mow around the broken one:confused3:

4get gto · Feb 25, 2018

thepumpguysc said:
I REALLY thought the thread was about "something else".. "The HOOD" Lol..
I had a TroyBilt that did that.. snapped all the hood pivot connections.. I just drilled more & used a bungy cord to hold the rest down..
I'll BET theres probably 5 old mowers sitting around garages IN YOUR HOOD.. you just don't know it..
Check Craigs List..
Look for the guy wanting "scrap metal" & give him a call.. bet he has afew mowers he hasn't stripped yet..?? & would JUMP at the chance to make a dollar selling a hood..?? Happy hunting..

"To the Hood...To the Hood.....To get a Hood hood hood....

You put your own music to it...:cool2: :drink:

Ken · Feb 25, 2018

I used to stop and attempt to buy old tractors .Flywheel type engines and wind mills laying on the ground after elec. pumps installed. sometime may a purchase but quickly learned when the person your talking to mentions that would have to talk to wife or some one not around at the time. I knew it was no sale no way could rot to pile of rust then hauled to dump before selling.
Have watched old mowers sit out in yard and finally just get buried in trash but would not sell.
The comment look at "junk yards " for old items unless personally know there also is no sale.
ken