Bob wrote:
I am buying a new riding mower to replace my eleven year old
Craftsman mower, and I don't know what to do with the old one.

Actually, the Craftsman was a pretty good mower, but parts were very
expensive, plus I had to drive fifty miles (one way) to a Sears
service store, and usually they had to order the part and charged
about as much for shipping as the part cost. I'll not get another
Craftsman mower.

The Kohler 15 HP engine runs good, starts easy, and no problems. I
tried to think of some way to use the engine, but can't come up with
a good use.
The drive mechanism (hydrostatic) works fine, have never had a
problem with it.

The reason I'm replacing the mower is that the deck is worn out.

I thought about just removing the deck and using the rest as just a
tractor, but have very little use for one.
Any suggestions on what I could do with the old mower?

Thanks, Bob-tx



I replaced the mower deck shell on my 1994 Craftsman last year due to
rust & fatigue(42" AYP/Roper/Electrolux). I transferred all of the
hardware to the new shell, the part cost was about $112 not including
the AYP spindle/quill reinforcing "rings" that I sourced a few years ago.

If I had your mower, I would part out the drive system and use the
engine, frame, fuel, & electrical system to build a nice stationary
generator with a belt driven generator head from Northern Hydraulics.
You might have to make minor pulley size adjustments, but you have the
infrastructure for a nice electric start Kohler-powered 8000 watts +
home generator.

Rob