Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

[Mark42]

My Sears 18 hp tractor is about 12 years old. Got if from my sister/bil 3 years ago when they bought a house with a small yard. A bearing is going on one of the mandrels. Makes a racket. So I get a price from Sears Parts for $77, then search the web for better price (AYP made this Sears machine) but can't find the same part by AYP cheaper. Added two belts seeing as I would be removing them anyway. <br /><br />Just thought I would plug Sears for having good price on the part.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Ooops! I spoke too soon. Aftermarket mandrel is only $65.00 (not oem AYP part) <br /><br />Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused

 

[Laddies]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mark, get a NAPA or Prime Line small engine parts book from your local parts store, I have found both the bearings and the complete asm. for my old Massey mower in there books, plus alot of other parts that I use---Bob

 

[gewf631]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

I have a MTD, and had to replace both spindles (mandrels) last year. I knew when the first one was going, so I picked one up off of eBay. I figured I have to replace the other eventually, so I did some checking. Found the best prices at AgriSupply <br /><br />Page 54 of their catalog has Craftsman spindles, and they seem to run $15-$30.<br /><br />Usual disclaimers, just a happy customer.

 

[KM2]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

I have always thought Sears sticks it to you on parts.

 

[ae708]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

We bought a 42" rider from Sears back in '99 and got the maintenance contract with it. I have had them repair this thing so many times. Last Monday the guy came to replace one of the bolts that hold up one side of the deck that broke. While he was looking it over he noticed that one of the front tires was soft..checked it, found dryrot and replaced it. Then while looking over the belts and pulleys he noticed a real small hole worn in the deck I guess from sand or rocks or something. So he ordered a new deck with new pulleys and idlers, etc. That stuff came to the house today and he'll be back Monday to replace it. I sure can't gripe about Sears. Oh, and the last time he was here he replaced the starter solenoid and put in a new battery...all under warranty.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Here what kills me about Sears. The sales guy where I bough the Trimsaw sawall drill/scredriver/light combo said to get the 2 year warrantee. So I asked Why? He said if 1 of the tools breaks bring all 4 back and they will give you 4 new ones! I have tried and tried to break 1 but them tools is tough!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Most of the riding mowers like MTD are light duty and have about a 5 - 7 year life expectancy. I am not a fan of Sears power equipment. But I have to admit the 18 and 20 hp tractors they sold as the "GT" line are tough as nails. Manufactured by AYP, it has the Briggs horizontal opposed twin motor that lasts forever and 3 speed hi/low range trans that just never give out. All frame and hardware is heavy duty. I like this one so I'm not complaining that a mandrel went after 12 years.<br /><br />My last machine was a Kmart 12hp 5sp 38" cut rider. Lasted 5 years before the chasis just had too many stress cracks to be fixed. Still have the motor and trans, the rest is in the dump.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mark are you complaining about prices again?<br /><br /><br />Easy, easy fella I am just kidding.<br />Peace.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mark, we sell small engines, parts, and lawn equipment parts.....I just looked up the spindel assem for that and we sell the entire unit, spindel (shaft), bearings and cup mounting flange for 33.00....<br />Even 60 bucks seems way out of line...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mod1,<br /><br />I am waiting for the Sears part to come. If it is a heavier-duty part than the $28 to $33 parts I found, I'll keep it. If its the same part, it goes back. <br /><br />Thanks for the update.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mod1, who is we? I need some parts for my rider, with BS 17hp

 

[moderator1]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

No, It's not iboats, "Crappyman"....Home business I'm involved in....<br />Oh, did I spell your nick-name right??? I'm sorry, that should have been Crappieman...I will read closer next time. I apologize for that, Nate...

 

[moderator1]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mark42, we are a direct distibutor for OEM on most all makes...these are not aftermarket, they are what is built by the vendor for the OEM equipment. In most cases, our parts are 2 times the thickness of aftermarket parts, and we buy in bulk. we cover about a 200 mile radius to many AYP, MTD, Murray, Cub Cadet, sears, Grasshopper, walker, Dixon, allis, toro, snapper, etc...pretty much the whole works..<br />With your zip-code, I could give you a dealer of this line and extend the same prices from them.<br />I can't do it myself as you well know, but I can suggest a dealer in your area.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Got the sears part. $77 plus tax and shipping. Compared it to pics of the spindle with matching part number from AgriSupply, looks identical. Ordered the part from AgriSupply, $35 with shipping. Returned the Sears part to the local store.<br /><br />Mod1, next time I need a part, I'll drop you a line. Thanks for the offer.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Roger, 42.......

 

[DC698]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Mark, not to take over your thread but I have a 20 year old Sears 11HP tractor that has run flawlessly since new. Do all the regular maint. on it, new belts etc and its been good so far. But two days ago, while I was dethatching the lawn with it, it started to squeal real badly. I threw on some new belts and continued dethatching with NO squealing...until 15 min. had passed, and the squealing started again.. could this possibly be the bearings in the mandrels also? I was either thinking that or worse, the transmission. Drove it today for about an hour to suck up the old thatch, and it never squealed?!? Any ideas?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

DC698<br /><br />If the mandrels are going, it is easy to check. Disconnect the spark plug wire just to be safe. Then raise deck and reach under and grap the blade in the center by the mounting bolt and give it a shake sideways. If it moves or rattles, the bearing is going. They make a "marbles in a tin can" sound when going.<br /><br />Squealing is generally belts or something rubbing. Also check that none of the heavy wire belt retainers got bend and is rubbing a belt. Also check the idler wheels on the drive belt and cutting deck belt, the bearing in it could be goint too.

 

[DC698]

Re: Ordered parts for Sears tractor. Surprised by price.

Thanks for the info Mark. I will check out the belt retainers and idler wheel today.