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  1. Callahan John
    October 31, 2011

    Hello Paul,
    I have a 2010. PYT 9000, Model No. 247.28980 with about 50 hours of running time on it. It runs well and does everything I ask of it. The problem (I think) is excessive fuel consumption. While mowing a pretty, much level, lawn it uses a little over a gallon and a half of fuel an hour, plus there is a slight odor of gasoline around the engine. Can this be considered normal usage?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Paul Sikkema
      October 31, 2011

      @John, 1.5 gallons an hour is too much in my opinion. When I owned the landscape company my 26-27 hp Kolher Twins all used about a gallon and hour and the 15-18 Single cylinder ones used about 3/4 gallon and hour.

      If I remember right that tractor has the commercial Briggs with electronic fuel control. There may be a leak ,or the fuel control may be out of adjustment. I have heard of the fuel control units going bad, so you may want to have a tech look at it. (Unfortunately there are no “owner serviceable” adjustments on these carbs. They either work or they don’t.

      Reply
  2. Tony
    April 18, 2011

    Paul,
    I have a problem with an hour meter on my 2009 Craftsman GT PGT9000 that you may have not heard about. My tractor set for 2 years after I purchased it with out ever having gas put in it. This I told you earlier but what I did not know was that was related is the hour meter reading bFb.0. I just read in a GT forum that with the newer hour meters, if they are disconnected from a battery source for an extended period of time like winter storage or cutting a wire (fraud) then when power is restored either by reconnecting the hm or replacing the battery, the hour meter will give a code to indicate to a possible buyer that the hm reading is false. After running my GT for another hour. it now reads bF7.0 so the actual reading is 7.0 hrs. Guess I will be ordering a new hm but wanted to tell you about this in case you may have not heard it.
    Tony

    Reply
  3. Tony
    April 14, 2011

    Hi Paul,
    Hope all is going well for you. I have a GT that I owned but never cranked since new in 2009. Its a 2009 Craftsman Pro 9000 with the 28 hp B&S engine. Just bought it and parked it in garage for 2 years and never put gas in it. I got it out the other day and charged the battery and put gas in it. It cranked right up but ran poorley and idled roughly. Spits out the exhaust every so often at idle and at wide open throttle it seems to miss every so often. I took it to a local B&S dealer (Husqvarna) and they cleaned the carb for $55 and said that was all they could do. I can’t tell any difference in the running of it. It is as if they did not touch it but don’t think they are lying. They are not a B&S Diamond dealer but they are near by. They told me when I expressed my displeasure that all twins run that way. I don’t think so. What do you think and what should I do.

    Reply
    • Paul
      April 14, 2011

      @Tony, Does it run smooth under load?

      First, drain the gas you have in it. You can use the fuel filter connection to drain it. If the gas is less than a month old, put 2 oz of Sea Foam in a gallon and pour it back in. (You can get Sea Foam at an automotive store or farm store) Take it for a ride, mow the lawn, run it for about an hour at full throttle. Does it run better?

      Kohler’s have a “lope” at idle and with no load on the engine. The 28 Briggs usually runs smooth at idle and wants to “oscillate” or surge at full throttle with no load. Putting a load on both of them usually settles them down and they run smooth. If you turn the deck on and rev the motor up to max it should smooth out. If it doesn’t my first guess is fuel related. Run it for an hour with the Sea Foam/Gas mix and then pay attention to how it sounds.

      Let me know how it goes.

      Reply
  4. Tony
    April 12, 2011

    Hi Paul,
    Where can I get a schematic and parts list for my 2009, PGT 9000, #28974? I have the owners manual but no parts info.
    Thanks,
    Tony

    Reply
    • Paul
      April 12, 2011

      @Tony, Parts, parts list and possibly schematics (they don’t always have them) can be found at searspartsdirect.com. Click the banner in the right hand column on this page to go there. If you need to order parts use the coupon code on that banner to get 10% off your parts.

      Use the model number off your tractor to find what you need. Yours will look like 917.289740

      Reply
  5. Tony
    April 7, 2011

    Paul,
    Got another question/problem that I hope you can help me with. I have a 2000 TroyBilt GT, 22hp Briggs, 46″ cut that over the years developed a bad front tire toe end problem. New parts has not helped much if at all. My local repair dealer tells me that all TB’s develop this and other than lots of bushing, there is nothing to do. He says he will try but don’t think he can help much. What to do? I’m wondering if there is another brand GT that I could buy front end parts for that would solve the problem. It is otherwise a very good GT, heavy and has high/low range hydro. Hope you can help me.
    Tony

    Reply
    • Paul
      April 7, 2011

      @Tony, Front end problems have always been the biggest issue by far with MTD products. In particularly the welded tube axle models. I knew a repair shop that had over 150 early 90′s MTD lawn tractors stacked in a pile out back. The only thing wrong with every one of them was the front axles were wore out or broke.

      I’ve found that most toe-in problems are from the steering rods not being straight. (or bent like they were when new) Bumps, running into things and just wear and tear can cause this.

      Most of the TroyBilt’s are either a CubCadet or a Yardman depending on the model and year. I would start with a Cub Cadet dealer first. A dealer that’s been around for a while may help you find a heavier front end.

      Reply
  6. Tony
    March 30, 2011

    Hi Paul,
    What a great site! Wished I had found it/you long time ago. I purchased a 2009 Pro 9000 28974 almost 2 years ago and have not used it. It was to be a “back up” for me and I just never put fuel in it. I just put fuel in it and cranked it up and it runs so rough. Cranks well but skips at wide open throttle and spits when idleing. It will be out of warranty on 4-09 so will call them if I can’t figure it out with your help. Any ideas?
    Second question, reading your site I learned that my 28974 is a Husqvarna and the 2010/11′s are MTD. What is the difference in these and what is your opinion of the 2009 now that is has been around for a while?
    Thanks again for your site and I will certainly be going thru you for any purchases that you can provide.
    Tony

    Reply
    • Paul
      March 30, 2011

      @Tony,

      Todays fuel goes bad and will gum up the carb even if it has not been run very much. I would spray the inside of the carb with carb cleaner and then put 2 oz of Sea Foam in a gallon of fuel and run this through the tractor. If it doesn’t fix the issue you may have a bad EFI module. They will charge you if it is fuel related, but the EFI module should be a covered repair.

      The new Pro is essentially a Cub Cadet GTX 1054 spec’d for Sears. It gives Sears a little more diversification in the line over your 28974.

      Your tractor is a GT6000 with a better motor, nice bumper and a heavier deck.

      Reply
  7. Gary Huber
    February 27, 2010

    I’ve been reading your website and thus far have found it quite helpful! Anyway, I recently bought a home with about 1/2 acre land. The property appears too big (well to me at least!) to mow with a walk behind mower so I’m considering the purchase of a ride-on mower. My property is fairly flat, but there are few places around the yard to dump clippings — I think I’m going to need a good mulching mower. I don’t think I use this tractor for anything else other then a little light pulling. I want to go with Craftsman, and I’m on a bit of a budget. I don’t really want to buy more mower than I need. Suggestions?

    Reply
    • Paul
      February 27, 2010

      @ Gary,

      1/2 acre, fairly flat, and few beds to mow around, mulch. I would look at three mowers.

      My first pick YT 3000 Model 28922 This has an excellent cut and can easily be converted to a good mulching mower. Hydro, cast iron front axle. Either a 2009 model or a 2010 model is a great value.

      Second, LT 2000 Model 28908. This one has an “automatic trans” and it the cheapest. You can still find these 2009 models around and can order it online. You can also make a good mulching deck out of this one.

      Third, Model 28034 Rear Engine If you are looking for a small, agile mower to just cut the grass this mower is new to Sears but has been around for 30 years or longer. It’s simple, will cut well and is going to be one of my top picks when I finish the reviews.

      All three of these can accept baggers. Let me know if you buy an LT 2000 or YT 3000 and I’ll help you with a good mulching system.

      Paul

      Reply
      • Gary Huber
        February 28, 2010

        Paul,

        Great advice, thanks! Prior to sending you a message, I was seriously considering the YT3000. It seems like it’s to the way to go! What mulching system do you recommend for this tractor?

        Reply
  8. Marty
    October 7, 2009

    I'm looking at buying a craftsman DLS3500 (model 28812). I havent been able to find a lot of information about this lawn tractor. If I had to guess its discontinued and maybe thats why its such a good deal. Do you think it will be hard to get replacement parts if it is discontinued? Also do you know if there selling it under a different model number or name? I will be mowing appx 1/2 ac of land does this seem to be a good mower?

    Thanks for any info you can provide on this model.

    Reply
    • Paul
      October 7, 2009

      @Marty, The DLS3500 is very similar to the 2009 LT2000 Model 28910. For 2009 Sears simplified the line-up and this model is now gray in color. Sears also upgraded the deck on the 2009 to have the same cut qualities as the 46 deck Consumer Reports gave a best buy.

      All that said the 28812 is a good basic lawn tractor and will do a good job for you for years to come. Parts will not be a problem because the 2009's use many of the tractor's parts.

      I would consider a good deal for this mower about $800. You can get the 2009 version (Model 28910) for $1299 on sale and a lot less if you can find a reconditioned one.

      Reply

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