Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I mean they use the same engine as the Ariens and other machines, so does it boil down to the craftsmanship and mechanical issues on these blowers rather than engine problems?

I used to own an older craftsman 10 hp blower that was a rugged well built machine.  After it hit 17 years old I figured I would buy a new 11.5 hp 30in. It turned out to be a big mistake. It broke on me 3 times not including when it was delivered the auger housing wasn't  completely assembled and the auger didn't turn!!  That should have been a sign!

I kept it for 2 years, the last straw was one day when I went out to run it and found that the welds that went around the impeller housing were cracked ! I wouldn't mind but my drive way is paved ! That was it, I researched and shopped and ended up buying an ariens 11528LE.  It wasn't much more expensive than the craftsman models (11-12hp) but it was made from heavy guage steel , it has bearings instead of bushings and it has a three year warranty.  Believe me, take your time and look over the machine your going to buy before you buy it ! 

The craftsman I bought wasn't as good a deal as I thought it was.

                                                                                                                                                                        -Rob.

Majorxlr8n wrote:

I just rebuilt my 87 8/28 craftsman's gearbox, auger shaft, impeller shaft, bearing assembly,impeller fan and augers and got all the parts right from sears here in Dartmouth.

the whole unit was seized on so I just cut everything off and started anew.

the machine was built by Murray and the last two storms threw snow like a new one.

singercs wrote:

WOW - you are VERY LUCKY INDEED! Glad to hear you got yours buttoned up! Next time I need parts, I'll call this very store & hope I'm as lucky...

Marty

Majorxlr8n wrote:

I don't know about being "very lucky "about getting parts for the machine, but I do know that Sears keeps quite a few parts in stock for the older units.

when I called for the gearbox parts both gears and casing halfs along with the shafts,keys and augers they had more than 6 of each available here and more in stock at the Toronto warehouse.

how long they will be available is anyones guess however they can be had with a bit of phone work, parts can be purchased from various small engine suppliers and most would be very glad to help track down any parts needed.

The typical wait for Craftsman parts is two weeks, best thing is as written above figure out who made your machine and find a dealer who carries those parts, then eventually buy one from them!  Murray/Noma parts have been resolved and are easy to obtain from a Briggs dealer (powersource canada in ont.)

From a parts perspective, if you're in West Toronto, the Rexdale/401 Sears location has a great number of parts off the shelf.  And, yes...possibly two weeks if they don't have it.   But Tecumseh & B/S parts from a top-rate OPE shop usually take a week if it's something they don't have off the shelf.  So Sears is not too far "out-to-lunch" ... and Sears DOES have parts availability for older products - I've been very satisfied that way.   But Sears isn't cheap....there's a significant embedded charge in the price for handling... I've found ordering stuff off the web can be significantly cheaper than picking it up in person!!!   At least, that's been my experience.

*(:>)*

"Personally, The older Sears units were very tough. Most were made by Murray or AYP. The newer Sears really aren't that bad - but heres the catch. Any Murray made Craftsman currently available will be a bad choice if you need parts. Why? Murray was bought out by Briggs & Stratton & obtaining parts for any Murray product is a NIGHTMARE. - Marty "

Does this count for their riding mowers also?

Doodlefork wrote:

If they are manufactured by Murray (536 model prefix), YES!

Marty

Craftsman snow blowers have been built by many different manufacturers over the years, generally they have been of acceptable quality , some better than others. If you are buying a  Craftsman Snow Blower, Currently,   Buy one of  the models built by Husqvarna . They have excellent quality and great features.

But recently , I discovered that the Craftsman snowblowers sold in the USA are entirely different than those sold in  Canada and are  manufactured by different companies.   Here in  Canada we have Husqvarna built Craftsman snowblowers , which are not  sold in the USA. Excellent machines, Husqvarna in red.

Why do you keep posting to threads that are years old?