Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor Review

I purchased this tractor primarliy to use to haul yard debris.  I use it occasionally to mow with.  When I first used it, I hit a rock and broke the Mandrel Housing on the right side blade.  I called Sears up and they came out in a few days and repaired my mower for just a $20.00 house call.  WONDERFUL!  A few weeks later, I was mowing again and managed to destroy the left side Mandrel Housing this time.  I called Sears again and they came out but  would not repair this one for free (under warranty).  Ok, no problem.  It was my fault after all.  So I call Parts Direct to order the replacement part and fix it myself.  Well, here comes the problem.  After three weeks I still don't have the Mandrel Housing that I need.  I did receive two shipments of Mandrel Shafts!  It seems that the parts warehouse has the shafts listed under the Mandrel Housing part number, and it is impossible (at least so far) to get some one to look at my order for a Housing and realize that a shaft is not the same thing.

Good Luck to any one else needing this part for any repairs. (#192872).

All in all, I like the machine itself.  It hauls materials pretty well with the optional cart, but it could sure use a serious update to the mowing deck.  My Troy Built mower performs extremely well, even after splitting rocks into pieces with the blades.