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LAWN TRACTOR - Craftsman (built by Husqvarna) - $400 (DeLand, FL)
Boston Ave near Plymouth Ave
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I bought this lawn tractor last spring so my gf could drop her problematic lawn service. It needed a jump and a shot of gas to prime it, but then the owner drove it around mowing grass.
Obviously, it needed a battery, so I put one in. The seat was cracked, so I put a seat cover on it. Then I had to return to MN. I had noticed the old gas tank was leaking at the outlet, so I bought a new tank for it. My PhD gf couldn't/didn't put it in, so when I got back, I replaced the gas tank and put a gas valve, put a fresh gas filter, and a new carb on it. I accidentally sent the first replacement carb to MN, so in addition to the new carb on the engine, you will get a spare carb in this deal. When I installed a new spark plug, I noticed the wire from the coil was worn to the conductor where it had touched a fin on the engine, so I put on a new Amazon coil.
Finally it would start with just the key. I just need to get the mixture adjusted, I think it's too lean. I had my gf come out and start it so I could adjust the mixture. The starter solenoid failed the first time she started it! I put a new starter on it Jan 17.
As you can see, I'm kind of a fanatic about clean oil.
I'm just about to the end of troubleshooting, but I have a list of tasks to accomplish, and I am out of time. I must not put any more time into this. I need to get back to MN ASAP to sell the house so I can move south. The governor in MN is a psychopath. My property tax is nearly $10,000/year, which is nearly six mortgage payments. I've got to get out of there.
I'd trying to get most of my money back out of this lawnmower. I have about $500 in it.
It's straightforward to find part numbers on Sears Parts Direct and then shop on Amazon and Ebay for those part numbers. They sell for about half price on those platforms vs Parts Direct.
Please be patient with me. I'm out working in the yard, before I have to back up north. The print on my phone is too small for me to read without my reading glasses. I probably won't see your inquiry about the mower until it gets too dark to work in the yard.
Note: Somewhere along the line, the black plastic inserts for those holes in the hood fell out. Plastic is fine in its right place, but not so great in things continually exposed to the sun. Those inserts were missing when I got the lawn tractor.
Note: Husqvarna made riding mowers for Craftsman (including this one) until Sears sold the brand in 2017. They made and sold a megaton of these, my neighbor across the street has two on the carport. As you might expect, there is a lot of parts in common between Husqvarna riding mowers and Craftsman riding mowers during this era.
Husqvarna, founded in 1689 as a Swedish weapons factory, evolved over centuries into a global leader in outdoor power products, motorcycles, and household equipment.
Husqvarna’s roots trace back to the 14th century with the Rumlaborg fortress and its mill, later called “Husquernen” (House’s Mill) in 1528, which inspired the company’s name. In 1620, Jönköping’s Rifle Factory was established, formalizing weapons production. By 1689, a drilling works was set up beside the waterfalls in Huskvarna, southern Sweden, to support Sweden’s growing arms industry, marking the official founding of Husqvarna as a rifle factory. The factory was privatized in 1757 and became known as Husqvarna Rifle Factory, later forming a joint-stock company in 1867.
As demand for weapons declined, Husqvarna leveraged its precision engineering expertise to branch into civilian products. Sewing machines were introduced in 1872, followed by kitchen equipment in cast iron, including stoves and ovens, in 1874. Bicycle production began in 1896 and continued until 1962, while motorcycles were added in 1903, establishing Husqvarna as one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world. The motorcycle division gained fame for lightweight, high-performance machines and racing victories before being divested in 1987.
Husqvarna acquired Norrahammars Bruk in 1918, adding boilers and manual lawn mowers to its portfolio. The first engine-powered lawn mower was produced in 1946, and chainsaw production began in 1959, reflecting a shift toward forestry and outdoor equipment. In 1969, Husqvarna pioneered the first chainsaw with an integrated anti-vibration system, emphasizing ergonomics and user safety. The company also developed power cutters in 1968, laying the foundation for its construction equipment division.
Electrolux acquired Husqvarna in 1978, focusing on outdoor products. The first in-house riding mower was produced in 1986, and in 1995, Husqvarna launched the Automower, the world’s first solar-powered robotic lawnmower. Husqvarna became an independent, publicly listed company again in 2006 and expanded its product range through acquisitions, including Gardena in 2007.
Today, Husqvarna is a global leader in robotic lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, and garden equipment, while licensing its historic motorcycle and sewing machine brands.
Husqvarna’s history reflects continuous innovation, from firearms to household appliances, bicycles, motorcycles, and outdoor power tools. Its iconic “gun sight” logo honors its origins, and the company remains a symbol of Swedish engineering excellence, blending centuries of craftsmanship with modern technology.