Craftsman Tractor resale value

[Marcus_go]

I was wondering if someone knows what a 8 year old Craftsman lawn tractor is worth. Here are the details: 18hp Kohler engine, 42" deck, rear baggers, electric start. New parts: drive belts, muffler, mandrel pull, spark plugs, fresh oil. Tractor has a little rust under seat and some spot rust on the deck. I paid $4200 cdn in the summer of 96. The only problem with it has been starting. It will take a while to start when its cold, sometimes up to 15sec of cranking. When the engine is hot it won't start. I've been told that it could be the engine coil that has a small hairline crack in it. What would a new one cost for this tractor? How long do these tractors last and what is a good tractor? I cut 2.5 acres which is mostly hills but it has some flat spots. I also have a large garden with lawn pathways. Thanks for your help.

[Srgnt Bilko]

I bought an 18hp used Craftsman a couple years ago for $350. It also had trouble starting. It didn't have the rear baggers. I fixed the starting problem, used it for a year, and gave it to a nephew who sold it but I can't remember for how much. I liked it - big tractor - plenty of umph - but it didn't turn good - the front wheels sometimes "skidded".

I wouldn't pay more than $350 for yours at this point with the baggers. 15 seconds of cranking is not acceptable. The best source I found for used prices says yours lost half it's value the first year.

[Marcus_go]

What did you do to fix the starting problem? On average how long do the Craftsman tractors last? What tractor do you recommend for my cutting guidlines? Are the John Deere tractors Ok as far as reliability and durability in the long run? I looked at the John Deere L130 at the Home Depot and it seemed like a fairly nice tractor for the money, what do you think?

[Srgnt Bilko]

Sorry - I miss spoke - it was a running problem rather than a starting problem. It fired off fine but then had trouble continueing running. It would only run when choked - and they already had the carburetor rebuilt - that hadn't fixed the problem.

As discussed in here a number of times previously - the tractors frequently outlast the mower decks.