Eres un crack Taryl ,sigue así ,te has convertido en uno de mis mejores mecánicos favoritos ! Un fuerte saludo desde Andalucía ( España 🇪🇦) Una lastima no poder comprar en tu tienda online desde Europa 😢😢😢. Un saludo!!
@@TarylFixesAllCommon sense should dictate that the factory ought to stop putting all those unnecessary holes in their frames, unless they would like to be swamped with warranty claims.
if i had this tractor, I would order the kit even if it wasn't broken...it's only a matter of time....we ran into this stuff ALL the time in the auto/truck industry....pre-emptive repairs because you knew eventually it was going to happen
Makes sense. Installing the kit before frame breaks will result kit+frame, both holding. Installing it after - kit alone holding the frame together, unless frame is welded but probably wont be the same again, at least visually.
Funny you showing this. I just fixed the frame on husky a week ago. Less than 2 years old. Broken twice on her now. Dealer didn't want to warranty it. I basically built her a whole new frame with good materials.
You have to weld it. Without welding it, all of the pressure will be on the bolt holes. With such thin metal, the bolt holes will get wallowed out. If you have to weld it, there is little point to these things. Because where it broke was likely random. If it wasn't and these breaks always happen at the same spot, then adding these to the weld repair is a great idea. But, you can just buy 2 pieces of steel and not pay a fortune for these stamped parts.
@@tarstarkusz Welding is a skill one has to learn, bolting on a couple of plates no skill needed. if you spread JB weld on the plate before bolting it will be as strong as a weld.
@@tarstarkusz Yeah.. These parts are for people without a welder. I guess it gets them back on the lawn-- but I think guys should just get a cheap cracker box flux core mig welder for stuff like this. Welders are far too useful not to have one.. Like you said, you could beef it up with any piece of scrap metal.. Even just some rebar; anything.
Great job! I have an old Craftsman/ATP/HUSQVARNA DLT3000 lawn tractor from 2004. No frame problems, but the deck rotted out toward the end of its 20th cutting season last September. I looked at the price of an equivalent new one ($2300+) and said the heck with it and ordered a new stamped deck through Sears Parts Direct. The price was good and I got another discount. The best thing is that they only charged $15 for shipping. Every other vendor wanted $150-250 for freight shipping. Within 10 days, I had a new deck direct from Husqvarna, bought two new spindles, new bolts and nuts, and moved everything to the new deck. I had a spare belt and installed that. Less than $500 to fix. It runs like new. It h had an 18.5HP Intek+ engine that I did some work on in 2019. I think it's now better than a new one would be.
Your 2004 is for sure better than what's being sold now. I just got through refurbishing the mower deck on my 1967 Sears Suburban garden tractor. All the spindle and mule drive bearings were common numbers available at any auto parts store. It does a great job mowing and was under $100 for bearings, paint, belts and new gauge wheels. Don't think I'll ever buy another tractor.
I found this kit and bought a few years back when I discovered the frame had cracked on my Craftsman version of this tractor. The mower had gotten to the point where it wouldn't move in reverse... because the frame was cracked, the mower was sagging in the middle changing the mechanical advantage of the reversing mechanism. As soon as I installed the kit, the sag was fixed and the mower moved just fine in reverse. Thank you Kwik Fab! And thank you Taryl for the entertaining video.
Had this problem years ago with my gt6000. Welded it up, ground down the welds on the outside to make it look clean and haven't had an issue yet. Use a moldboard and 5 spearhead cultivator every year. Just wanted to see how long it would last without fishplates and I've been pretty surprised it's held up!
A week after watching this video I was working on a friend’s 2010 Craftsman GT5000. He was having trouble with a non functioning hydrostatic reverse. An inspection revealed a big crack on both frame rails just like the video. I can report that the Kwik Fab kit works on the Craftsman too. I had to drill a few more holes but it worked great! Reverse pedal is working fine now. Thanks Taryl!
This is the first I'm hearing of this. I'll inspect my frame. I bought a Husq Garden Tractor 2548 in 2003 or 2004. If any of them should have a cracked frame it's mine. I have a sleeve hitch and tire chains to run a mold board plow and discs. I also have a trailer To haul fire wood. This tractor has been good for me. I service it every year and the only major problem I fixed myself was head gaskets on the 25hp Kohler. I've patched the mower deck because of sandy soil. My next jobs on it were going to be new tires and steering gears. Pretty good for 20 years of service.
Hang on to your 20 year old tractor, the frame is probably 2 or 3 times heavier than the junk they sell now… (not just Husq, all of them) plus plastic parts are ridiculous.
@@hughbrackett343 There is absolutely *nothing* great about it. No matter how it is used, it is junk. Look at the "Cybertruck" as a test... which it actually indeed is. ( I don't mean that metaphorically, either.) And, simply put, if you buy one, you *fail the test.*
I bought one of these tractors unknowing the frame was broken but I did know the tractor needed some work. After seeing the carnage of the frame I just pulled the motor off and put it on the tractor I had with the blown engine. I only paid $300 for the POS Husq but on the plus side my old tractor went from 17hp to 22hp and I got 4 tires that were a season old but the down side I won't be able to use the 52 in deck that came off the Husq so I have to settle with my 42 in deck on my Ranch King but it still beats push mowing.
I would put this kit on there first (like he did)--- and then just lift the mower up or lean it over.. and weld the cracked frame on the inside... Then again, I would probably weld around the whole plate and then keep the bolts for something else.
@@calholli If there's ever a time you need to do a plate job on anything there's no need to weld around all of it. All you need do is place beads at intervals. It may seem counter intuitive however i asked a content creator about it (chucke2009) as to why he didn't weld all around a job he did. He said if i recall correctly it won't make it better. He is a qualified engineer fabricator. If you watch other weld channels or even gold rush they do it too i.e beads at intervals rather than weld the whole thing. Been doing it myself & it does work as intended. That said i too would weld the crack first due to amount of flex at the point on the chassis. Had a rideon that was two years hold & the tubular steel chassis snapped in half so the front collapsed lol. Yeah i had welded it a few times before & after that i'd had enough & scrapped it whle using the motor on a large self propelled walkbehind. Learnt a valuable lesson don't buy metal mowers unless the steel is 3mm thick = 07/64in
I’m in the metal fab biz I’d do that too they call this done on trucks fish-plating or scabbing when extending a frame yes I’d weld first and grind flat and paint too . On my heavy haul tractors we build a double frame to carry the extra weight of large machinery.
That particular model of Husqvarna has the SINGLE SIDE ANTI-SWAY bar mount. That's one reason why it cracked there. Husqvarna makes a DUAL SIDE mounting bracket for these type of mower frames. If you notice the BAR too the right of the Anti-Sway mount, that is the left side transmission mount, there is also one similar to this on the right. The other type of anti sway mount that mounts across and attaches to both sides of the frame, It also has a place to attach the front of the transmission. This gives the trans a lot more support. Mounting points at the axle, mid point of trans and the Front. It also spreads the "DECK Start-Up FLEX" of the Anti-Sway bar to both sides of the frame. I just did a a FRAME SWAP on a 2016 LGT2654. This one had the single sided Anti-sway bar mount, like what is in the video. I installed the Dual Sided AntiSway bar setup on it and it is now working great. A lot less "Deck Start-up Flex" with this setup. Seeing this Kwik Fab HD Frame Kit has me to wanting to install one. But since my setup goes all the way across to both sides of the frame, I think I will have issues with the spacing of the Dual sided Anti Sway bar mount.
Like the other guy said it’s consumer grade and I meant to go to a repair shop like this repair shops are a thing of the the past It’s just as bad as running a Pc repair business still
I had a husqvarna tractor with a broken frame like that. Only had 163 hours on it. Made one heck of an engine donor 🤣. I put that engine on a scrub cadet zero turn and sold that. And I sold the transmission on eBay.
I bought one of those HOP Mowers from Sears almost exactly like the one you have in this video ( the owner's manual had both the Craftsman Model number and the Husqvarna Model number in it). That was about 14 years ago and it is still going strong. At the shop where I worked we were also a Husqvarna dealer and I often had trouble getting them to authorize warranty repairs. However, a couple of times the customer called Husqvarna's customer service line after I told them that Husqvarna denied the warranty claim, and magically the claims were approved. I agree the Husqvarna products were not that good; they were the same quality as Craftsman (same assembly line). HOP, Electrolux, AYP, Roper, etc. Oh, I forgot; HOP also produces Ariens.
I wish I knew about a product like that a few years ago!! I ended up doing a motor swap to a different mower and due to different years It was a nightmare due to the pulleys routed differently on the older mower frame. We spent over 300 dollars on parts to complete the swap! Im glad someone came up with this kit!!
We had a MTD with a cracked frame. Both sides. Had it welded on both sides, then scabbed. No further frame issues. Think it was less than $100. Currently using a Cub Cadet zero turn commertial grade with no issues.
the 1/2 and 3/4 inch have made auto / truck mechanics so much nicer when out and about.. over the weekend was rescuing a vontage bus from a storage unit where theres no power and no air.. in the past it wouldve meant lugging a pancake compressor and a generator around to e able to change a tire.. but even hub pilot lug nuts are pretty easy with the milwaukee..
I got a 2010 Craftsman version of this same mower and have never thought about the frame breaking. I'll have to check mine even though it's not throwing deck belts. I have had to weld the left rear deck bracket twice from hitting something. I ended up making some L shaped brackets bolts the deck bracket to the frame instead of welding it back. I made them out of aluminum kind of like as a shear pin on the flywheel. The first set lasted four years. I just unbolted the broken ones and installed the copy I made. Saved me allot of time.
Cool product - what a great idea! It reminds me of the steel wear plate kit Toro offered for the old Recycler aluminum mower decks with the worn height adjustment detents.
I have a 2012 Craftsman GT6000 Tight Turn and have never had a frame issue and parts of my yard are a bit rough bump wise. The only issues I had was with the front wheel toe in which I resolved by shimming the front axel pivot point and installing adjustable end links. I retired the rider last year at 450 hours in favor of a Ferris Zero Turn, I will never go back to a rider. I did a mini restoration on it this year and parked it in the shed for future use just in case. I think I will get the HD kit when you get them in stock, $100 is cheap insurance.
When you said story time my eyes must’ve lit up like a little kid. I have one of these mowers. I’ll be picking one up when it comes available on your store. Good looking out Taryl! The things I learn from you never ends. Thank you!!!
Hey Teryl. I just had to fix again my hustler raptor for the second time broke the frame in half once in front of the rear wheel and in the Back next to the engine wish I could add pics. Those are nice frame kits
Hello Taryl & GrassRats. Some time ago, I had purchased a Gilson manufactured Ford LGTH-17 garden tractor that for a garden tractor had a very weak frame. This tractor had the issue with the mounting ears being broken away from the aluminum transaxle casing. Whenever I had purchased the tractor, Someone had fabri-cobbled 2 angle iron brackets extending from the axle flange to the side of the tractor frame within the area where the original transaxle bolts were bolted through the frame. The tractor was very nice to operate until one day when I was going to back up and I started hearing a terrible noise. I limped the tractor back to the house and placed the tractor upon blocks where I could inspect from underneath and I pulled the hydraulic filter bracket where I could see inside from the top and I could not believe what I was seeing. The broken aluminum casing ears on both sides had been glued with Epoxy and the transaxle had dropped down enough that the driveshaft was rubbing against the crossmember and other spots. I also noticed that a vertical weld joint on the left side of the frame was broken. I have never seen such a weak piece of junk like the frame was on this tractor which was set up for a 3 point hitch and had a hydraulic mower deck lift. When I seen the video regarding the Husqvarna tractor, I was instantly reminded of my ordeal with the Ford/Gilson garden tractor.
Taryl you are no doubt a top notched repairman. You just don't begin throwing parts at a problem, you take time to find the cause. And explain every thing you do so well. I love your videos.
i worked on 1 last year,,wondered why the fan blade broke,,when the frame cracks all the weight goes up,,junk frame is so thin,,,get what ya pay for,,i love my wheelhorses ,,1972 still runs and does its job,,to each his own,,great help Daryl,,crip in ohio
Get'em Taryl! Tell it like it is. Corporations want our money with junk products. There should be some sort of law that stops this. Sadly, someone has to file suit and make them do what they should have been doing all along.
Yep Taryl remembers when I called him I had the same problem. Busted frame also broken holes where the axle mounts too all cracked. Call the headache days 😆
Well done. Its amazing they lasted that long. I owned a small engine shop for 20 years and 80% of the Husky's came in with blown transmissions right around the 400 hour mark. The Craftsman PYT's are just as bad. They use a two piece welded frame that makes one of the drive belt idlers impossible to change. They put the idler on prior to welding the frame sections together making access to the nut that holds the bolt that secures the idler impossible. A big beefy looking machine dubbed as "Professional" but is just another throwaway machine.
I'm thinking about buying one of these mowers new. After watching this video I contacted Husqvarna and asked about the frame problem. I was told that the kit and installation was provided free at the dealer. The dealer had to contact the Husqvarna representative. We shall see how that goes. Really appreciate and enjoy these videos and if this kit install happens then this video will be super helpful !
Now have to check all the Husky tractors that come in! I know they had issues with transaxle mounting brackets breaking as well shifting the axle forward loosening up the drive belt so it won't move. Good Job AYP!
Husq should contact this guy and arrange for these to be free with model and serial number. I can't imagine this not breaking unless the designers thought it was an throw away mower and the rest wouldn't last longer than the frame.
The welds will most likely crack in time. The metal around the weld is made very brittle from the heat of the welding. A little flexing and you'll have a crack right next to the weld.
I have a Husqvarna push mower and a Husqvarna Rancher chainsaw that fell off of a truck, that I later, found on the side of the road. Those 2 machines are beasts!!!!! They’re pretty old, and they still run strong.
I had one of those Husqvarna garden tractors and the front axle split right in the middle. Also the front PLASTIC wheel bushings kept wearing out. Finally sold it for the engine when the transaxle went out.
yep i've had a few huskys with broken frames in my shop, i wish i had known about those repair kits, would have saved me a pile of time fabbing them up
working for Sears, we couldn't weld the frames, so we swapped the frame. with 2 men it was 5~7 hours depending on what attachments it had to swap the frame. also did a bunch of frames because they bent right behind the front axle. at times the repair kits for the trans mounts could be hard to get, so sometimes ended up doing a frame swap for that.
A month ago I used some old bed rail to fix cracks over the transaxle on a 1999 model mtd…still working great.i have yet had to do any work on a 1987 model mtd…runs great!
I had that happen last year on a on our 9 year old Husqvarna 48” mower. So had to fabricate I fix with pieces os scrap metal. No welding experience! It came out great, but took forever! This kit sounds like the hot ticket! Thanks for the video bro!👍🏻🔵☮✌🏻
I ran into the same issue customer was mowing and wedged him between he couldn't get off the mower very easy. I bought a kit maybe from same person but it has outer and inner plate for both sides. It worked well to repair the issue they have with the crappy swiss cheese frame.
Thanks Taryl! I wish I would have known about this kit sooner because I have repaired several of those fecal matter subjects over the past couple of years. I came up with my own design, which is part welded and part bolted design, which works, but requires more work to install. The tractors with baggers on the back are much more prone to breakage due to the weight, but they all break eventually because they are all the same Swiss cheese design that is really stupid. I have a 1996 GT200 with 2700hrs. I am still running daily over rough terrain that hasn't had any frame issues, but it doesn't have all those holes punched into it either. It still has the original Kohler Command 20hp engine and the only repairs I have made to the engine was the magnet came off the flywheel and wiped out the alternator and adjust the valves. All the Husqvarna stuff has went to crap as well as many others going to throw-away units.
I had the same mower 5 years ago.... same thing... frame broke .... ill never own another Husqvarna... my neighbor has the same mower , frame ok but he never has liked the mower... hard to start and hard to steer....enjoy your channel....
It happens. My 94 John Deere where the transmission bolts to frame lx188. Bolted angle iron to the frame it fixed it. It would be great to weld too but if you don't weld. TSC has everything you need.
Yeah I pulled my 07 f150 uphill up my driveway 250ft with my 445. No frame damage. Front end loader beat the piss out of it, no frame damage. 600lbs of counterweight, no frame damage. You want a garden tractor now, get ready to shell out 13000 to 20000 dollars. You can buy a 1025r for the price of an x758. The x300s are pooped. Buy a bx or a 98-99 445 or any year 455. If you want something with pedal drive for 2000-6000 that will go 3-5000 hours with proper maintenance. I saw a craftsman made by husquavarna with the frame broken back by the trans.
I've recently installed two of these kits on neighbors tractors. These kits are very well made. The tractor, not so much 😊 I do pull the broken frame together, and mig weld it in a few places, before assembly of the kit. I also use loctite on all of the bolts 👍
Probably twisting of the frame caused by the leverage of that mower support bolted over that spot caused the fracture. The strange part is that the crack did not connect the 2 bolt holes. The bolts pulling the frame tight against the thick brackets must have prevented the steel frame from flexing close to the holes, so it cracked a millimeter away. I would have bet money that the crack connected the bolt holes, but it didn't. Welding the crack shut might just cause another crack to eventually form right next to the weld. Steel plates bolted on both sides of the frame are the best permanent fix.
i have 2 husqvarnas,, both of them needed repairs on the angle where the transmission mounts,, thank god i havent had to encounter this repair yet, but probably will at some time because im pretty rough on the mowers with the land i have . Thanks Taryl for the great video
I own this model tractor & cannot thank you enough for this content. Also, your endorsement is of the highest regard; I will be purchasing this kit. Is there an ETA when this kit will be sold through your website?
I have a 2010 craftman gt5000 use a 4 ft blower in winter, frame broke , did a weld job and plates, works ok now,wish they made these pates 5 years ago. Merci Taryl Grande-Digue nb Canada
I went and looked at their garden tractor this year. The frame is a joke. No different than the lawn tractor. Husqvarna also had frame issues in the front of the garden tractors. Everyone was fixing them by putting a little piece of metal bolted to the frame. It happened so much that if you go look at a new one on the side of the frame towards back of engine that Husqvarna actually puts a piece of metal there from the factory now lol. I looked at Cub Cadet and their lawn tractor has twice the frame of a Husqvarna garden tractor. But I ended up getting a GR series Kubota diesel. Lots more money but best decision I made that day and I love that thing
watched video last night. just went out to check my Husqvarna damn if it wasn't starting to break. it's a 2014 I'm putting my order in now. thanks, Taryl, for putting out videos and info.
I agree that this "kit" would be a great mod, IF done BEFORE the frame cracks. As for fixing a cracked frame, it's a "band-aid" solution, unless the plates are welded. Also, those fasteners should have some "locktite" applied to keep them tight!! Love your uploads. Keep up the GOOD work!
I don't like those self-tapping screws that much. Easy for manufacturer but they sometimes destroy the threads if touched, especially when doing them gut-und-tite.
I went back in 2012 and helped my elderly dad pick out a commercial grade husqvarna zero turn mower with a Kawasaki engine. A few months later, the engine back fired and caught fire. Husqvarna warranty department sent some guys out and they agreed to just replace the whole mower. They went to Lowe’s and got a pos home owner grade and scammed my dad into taking it in place of the commercial one. I was out of state working so naturally when I saw what they’d done I was irate. Never done any good just beat him out of several thousand bucks.
My YT3000 broke in a similar spot on both sides of the frame. First the right side cracked and split and then a year later the left side developed a crack on the bracket that holds the rear drive axle. Cheap garbage. Never pulled anything with it since it was new. I scabbed on some bed frame iron patches that are still holding up for now.
I think if you carry the kits, get the kits that have the back plate too. I would want the front and back plate installed if I had that tractor, for preventative measures.
A Hole adds a stress concentration. So that is where cracks often start. ie a Fatigue failure. Each loading cycle cracks the crack more and more. There are a dozen hokey variables. Surface finish; hole radius; paint and plating; the place where the "crack starts" has the broken area polished;. ie each load cycle rubs it some. If the rider is Bubby who weighs 400 Lbs then the crack grow quicker!
I have a Husqvarna YTH1542XP, bought from dealer not big box store. 22 years old with over 1000 hrs. Kindasucky 15hp Vtwin. Has been excellent mower except frame did same thing about four years ago and I had to weld it. Neighbors larger hardware model did it too.
Hey Taryl ! I went to local JD dealer here (Indiana). Bought genuine JD parts. Both pulleys I got were made in China. The drive belt, from Thailand. Sure is hard to buy American!
Great repair as usual and loved the video. The factory guy needs to comprehend when a person is NOT looking to have a complete rebuild of the lawn mower but is asking to just acquiesce to a quick fix and remuneration. Taryl, for some reason the video had some synchronization problem with the lighting or something that caused a wavy fluttering like appearance during the undercarriage shots.
ive had 2 24v48ls. both broke. i repaired the first by welding a bed frame to it. it worked and the other i bolted L brackets where it broke at the axle flange. that work too!
In about 2020 we had two of those broken frames come into the shop. I don't recall the production dates, but the first one, Husqvarna fixed under warranty no problem. I put all the customer's old parts, engine deck, etc. on that new frame. About two months later a second unit came in. Broken in that same place, Husqvarna didn't want to have anything to do with that one. The customer took it back home still broken. I am also wondering if the tractor is this video was built in 2017, I am thinking both of those I saw were built in 2017.
I have seen poor welds on the deck hanger frames on the deck on these as well. We had one in recently and one of the deck hanger frames had snapped off. The welds looked really weak and like the chassis frame it wasn't thick metal either.
I bought a HD TS 354 XD ... frame flexes like swiss cheese .... i am sure it will break at some point ... just bought a Green painted one ... frames are 4 times heavier!! Does the KF 1000 HD work for mine...?
My 2009 Craftsman has the same holes punched in the frame! I might get 1 of those kits to reinforce it before it cracks, because once it starts, it is guaranteed to eventually break in half. And if I just welded the crack shut, it would probably just crack near the weld, due to frame weakness. The frame should be a tiny bit thicker, or have a double plate in that area.
We now carry these frame kits in our online store!! Grab one from us at the link below:
www.TARYLFIXESALL.com
Grab some sweet Taryl Apparel straight from the horse
Don't spend so much time whining about everything in life.
@@markd9105 GFY
Another story about a grass rat and his fecal matter . Where will it all end ?
Eres un crack Taryl ,sigue así ,te has convertido en uno de mis mejores mecánicos favoritos ! Un fuerte saludo desde Andalucía ( España 🇪🇦) Una lastima no poder comprar en tu tienda online desde Europa 😢😢😢. Un saludo!!
I could listen to Taryl stories all day long!!
I got plenty lol
@@TarylFixesAll More Taryl stories please!!
I already know how to clean a carbatrator!!!
really really good story teller. I love the accents!
@@TarylFixesAllCommon sense should dictate that the factory ought to stop putting all those unnecessary holes in their frames, unless they would like to be swamped with warranty claims.
@@TarylFixesAllMe thinks it would be a very good idea for Husqvarna owners to by one of those kits BEFORE their frame cracks.😉
if i had this tractor, I would order the kit even if it wasn't broken...it's only a matter of time....we ran into this stuff ALL the time in the auto/truck industry....pre-emptive repairs because you knew eventually it was going to happen
And ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure.
Makes sense. Installing the kit before frame breaks will result kit+frame, both holding. Installing it after - kit alone holding the frame together, unless frame is welded but probably wont be the same again, at least visually.
Not me. I would buy some steel and drill holes in it or better yet, just weld it on.
I think I'll order the heavy duty kit so my LS swap doesn't break the frame.
Ya ain’t gonna find that in no Husky parts catalog. Priceless advice!
That’s a good looking kit. Looks very sturdy,but I would still weld before putting the plate on.
Funny you showing this. I just fixed the frame on husky a week ago. Less than 2 years old. Broken twice on her now. Dealer didn't want to warranty it. I basically built her a whole new frame with good materials.
Huskee or Husqvarna ?
@@GTObearclaw1 Husky is common abbreviation of Husqvarna. No one abbreviates Huskee and it is far from Husqvarna in similarity. Huskee is MTD
It's good that someone came up with a solution........
I think the HD version would be better
How do guys not own a welder?
You can get a little cracker box mig for 200 at pawn shops all day.
You have to weld it. Without welding it, all of the pressure will be on the bolt holes. With such thin metal, the bolt holes will get wallowed out. If you have to weld it, there is little point to these things. Because where it broke was likely random. If it wasn't and these breaks always happen at the same spot, then adding these to the weld repair is a great idea. But, you can just buy 2 pieces of steel and not pay a fortune for these stamped parts.
@@tarstarkusz Welding is a skill one has to learn, bolting on a couple of plates no skill needed. if you spread JB weld on the plate before bolting it will be as strong as a weld.
@@tarstarkusz Yeah.. These parts are for people without a welder. I guess it gets them back on the lawn-- but I think guys should just get a cheap cracker box flux core mig welder for stuff like this. Welders are far too useful not to have one.. Like you said, you could beef it up with any piece of scrap metal.. Even just some rebar; anything.
Great job! I have an old Craftsman/ATP/HUSQVARNA DLT3000 lawn tractor from 2004. No frame problems, but the deck rotted out toward the end of its 20th cutting season last September. I looked at the price of an equivalent new one ($2300+) and said the heck with it and ordered a new stamped deck through Sears Parts Direct. The price was good and I got another discount. The best thing is that they only charged $15 for shipping. Every other vendor wanted $150-250 for freight shipping. Within 10 days, I had a new deck direct from Husqvarna, bought two new spindles, new bolts and nuts, and moved everything to the new deck. I had a spare belt and installed that. Less than $500 to fix. It runs like new. It h had an 18.5HP Intek+ engine that I did some work on in 2019. I think it's now better than a new one would be.
Your 2004 is for sure better than what's being sold now. I just got through refurbishing the mower deck on my 1967 Sears Suburban garden tractor. All the spindle and mule drive bearings were common numbers available at any auto parts store. It does a great job mowing and was under $100 for bearings, paint, belts and new gauge wheels. Don't think I'll ever buy another tractor.
@@TheSaturnV sears suburbans are the best!
2004 Lt 2000 I own, looks and runs like new..Good move. I would have done the same.
Are those water hose attachments worth a darn to clean them out ?
I use it every time but I'm sure I should check under there before seasons end.
thank you taryl and crew for your time making these videos exposing these and other issues
I found this kit and bought a few years back when I discovered the frame had cracked on my Craftsman version of this tractor. The mower had gotten to the point where it wouldn't move in reverse... because the frame was cracked, the mower was sagging in the middle changing the mechanical advantage of the reversing mechanism. As soon as I installed the kit, the sag was fixed and the mower moved just fine in reverse. Thank you Kwik Fab! And thank you Taryl for the entertaining video.
When I worked for Sears, in the 1990's, I installed similar kits on AYP products, back then.
Thanks for a great Tip. Warranty's nowadays aren't Worth Wiping your Butt with.
Had this problem years ago with my gt6000. Welded it up, ground down the welds on the outside to make it look clean and haven't had an issue yet. Use a moldboard and 5 spearhead cultivator every year. Just wanted to see how long it would last without fishplates and I've been pretty surprised it's held up!
A week after watching this video I was working on a friend’s 2010 Craftsman GT5000. He was having trouble with a non functioning hydrostatic reverse. An inspection revealed a big crack on both frame rails just like the video. I can report that the Kwik Fab kit works on the Craftsman too. I had to drill a few more holes but it worked great! Reverse pedal is working fine now. Thanks Taryl!
This is the first I'm hearing of this. I'll inspect my frame. I bought a Husq Garden Tractor 2548 in 2003 or 2004. If any of them should have a cracked frame it's mine. I have a sleeve hitch and tire chains to run a mold board plow and discs. I also have a trailer To haul fire wood. This tractor has been good for me. I service it every year and the only major problem I fixed myself was head gaskets on the 25hp Kohler. I've patched the mower deck because of sandy soil. My next jobs on it were going to be new tires and steering gears. Pretty good for 20 years of service.
Hang on to your 20 year old tractor, the frame is probably 2 or 3 times heavier than the junk they sell now… (not just Husq, all of them) plus plastic parts are ridiculous.
The Ebay auction says for 2015 and later models. So they just screwed up a 30 year old design. Have a 2010 Ariens here ,
The Cybertruck will need this kit soon!
🤣
So true!!
The cybertruck is great as long as you don't try to do truck things with it.
The what?
@@hughbrackett343 There is absolutely *nothing* great about it. No matter how it is used, it is junk.
Look at the "Cybertruck" as a test... which it actually indeed is. ( I don't mean that metaphorically, either.) And, simply put, if you buy one, you *fail the test.*
I bought one of these tractors unknowing the frame was broken but I did know the tractor needed some work. After seeing the carnage of the frame I just pulled the motor off and put it on the tractor I had with the blown engine. I only paid $300 for the POS Husq but on the plus side my old tractor went from 17hp to 22hp and I got 4 tires that were a season old but the down side I won't be able to use the 52 in deck that came off the Husq so I have to settle with my 42 in deck on my Ranch King but it still beats push mowing.
I like the idea of pulling the 2 pieces together and welding them before adding these
I bet the plates on the back side of the frame, in the heavy duty kit, would negate the need to weld. For this kit, I probably would too.
I would put this kit on there first (like he did)--- and then just lift the mower up or lean it over.. and weld the cracked frame on the inside... Then again, I would probably weld around the whole plate and then keep the bolts for something else.
@@calholli If there's ever a time you need to do a plate job on anything there's no need to weld around all of it. All you need do is place beads at intervals. It may seem counter intuitive however i asked a content creator about it (chucke2009) as to why he didn't weld all around a job he did. He said if i recall correctly it won't make it better. He is a qualified engineer fabricator.
If you watch other weld channels or even gold rush they do it too i.e beads at intervals rather than weld the whole thing. Been doing it myself & it does work as intended. That said i too would weld the crack first due to amount of flex at the point on the chassis.
Had a rideon that was two years hold & the tubular steel chassis snapped in half so the front collapsed lol. Yeah i had welded it a few times before & after that i'd had enough & scrapped it whle using the motor on a large self propelled walkbehind. Learnt a valuable lesson don't buy metal mowers unless the steel is 3mm thick = 07/64in
I’m in the metal fab biz I’d do that too they call this done on trucks fish-plating or scabbing when extending a frame yes I’d weld first and grind flat and paint too . On my heavy haul tractors we build a double frame to carry the extra weight of large machinery.
Doesn’t seem if a thin metal frame broke that bolting another thin metal plate over should be a permanent fix.
That particular model of Husqvarna has the SINGLE SIDE ANTI-SWAY bar mount. That's one reason why it cracked there. Husqvarna makes a DUAL SIDE mounting bracket for these type of mower frames. If you notice the BAR too the right of the Anti-Sway mount, that is the left side transmission mount, there is also one similar to this on the right. The other type of anti sway mount that mounts across and attaches to both sides of the frame, It also has a place to attach the front of the transmission. This gives the trans a lot more support. Mounting points at the axle, mid point of trans and the Front.
It also spreads the "DECK Start-Up FLEX" of the Anti-Sway bar to both sides of the frame.
I just did a a FRAME SWAP on a 2016 LGT2654. This one had the single sided Anti-sway bar mount, like what is in the video. I installed the Dual Sided AntiSway bar setup on it and it is now working great. A lot less "Deck Start-up Flex" with this setup.
Seeing this Kwik Fab HD Frame Kit has me to wanting to install one. But since my setup goes all the way across to both sides of the frame, I think I will have issues with the spacing of the Dual sided Anti Sway bar mount.
Good to know Husqvarna dosent stand behind their products.
Thanks Terryl
Like the other guy said it’s consumer grade and I meant to go to a repair shop like this repair shops are a thing of the the past It’s just as bad as running a Pc repair business still
I had a husqvarna tractor with a broken frame like that. Only had 163 hours on it. Made one heck of an engine donor 🤣. I put that engine on a scrub cadet zero turn and sold that. And I sold the transmission on eBay.
You shoulda fixed it with the Kwik Fab repair kit, dummy, and doubled your money.
I bought one of those HOP Mowers from Sears almost exactly like the one you have in this video ( the owner's manual had both the Craftsman Model number and the Husqvarna Model number in it). That was about 14 years ago and it is still going strong. At the shop where I worked we were also a Husqvarna dealer and I often had trouble getting them to authorize warranty repairs. However, a couple of times the customer called Husqvarna's customer service line after I told them that Husqvarna denied the warranty claim, and magically the claims were approved. I agree the Husqvarna products were not that good; they were the same quality as Craftsman (same assembly line). HOP, Electrolux, AYP, Roper, etc. Oh, I forgot; HOP also produces Ariens.
I wish I knew about a product like that a few years ago!! I ended up doing a motor swap to a different mower and due to different years It was a nightmare due to the pulleys routed differently on the older mower frame. We spent over 300 dollars on parts to complete the swap! Im glad someone came up with this kit!!
Sounds like a you issue.
We had a MTD with a cracked frame. Both sides. Had it welded on both sides, then scabbed. No further frame issues. Think it was less than $100. Currently using a Cub Cadet zero turn commertial grade with no issues.
1/4 inch and 3/8 electric impacts have made the small engine mechanics life 100% easier. Unsung heros of the industry
That 3/8 Milwaukee short Fuel electric impact is worth its weight in gold. Small yet powerful.
the 1/2 and 3/4 inch have made auto / truck mechanics so much nicer when out and about.. over the weekend was rescuing a vontage bus from a storage unit where theres no power and no air.. in the past it wouldve meant lugging a pancake compressor and a generator around to e able to change a tire.. but even hub pilot lug nuts are pretty easy with the milwaukee..
Yeah thanks a lot, now we have to get even more done in a shorter period of time! 😂
Awesome kit, and video, Taryl! Thanks!!!!!
What a great video! I love it when we can get a quick and easy fix! Thanks again!
I got a 2010 Craftsman version of this same mower and have never thought about the frame breaking. I'll have to check mine even though it's not throwing deck belts.
I have had to weld the left rear deck bracket twice from hitting something. I ended up making some L shaped brackets bolts the deck bracket to the frame instead of welding it back. I made them out of aluminum kind of like as a shear pin on the flywheel. The first set lasted four years. I just unbolted the broken ones and installed the copy I made. Saved me allot of time.
Cool product - what a great idea! It reminds me of the steel wear plate kit Toro offered for the old Recycler aluminum mower decks with the worn height adjustment detents.
taryl you can not stop making repair videos your amazing top notch mechanic my god.
I have a 2012 Craftsman GT6000 Tight Turn and have never had a frame issue and parts of my yard are a bit rough bump wise. The only issues I had was with the front wheel toe in which I resolved by shimming the front axel pivot point and installing adjustable end links. I retired the rider last year at 450 hours in favor of a Ferris Zero Turn, I will never go back to a rider. I did a mini restoration on it this year and parked it in the shed for future use just in case. I think I will get the HD kit when you get them in stock, $100 is cheap insurance.
When you said story time my eyes must’ve lit up like a little kid. I have one of these mowers. I’ll be picking one up when it comes available on your store. Good looking out Taryl! The things I learn from you never ends. Thank you!!!
Hi Taryl.
Great shout out to a small company that solves a corporate caused problem 👍
Hey Teryl. I just had to fix again my hustler raptor for the second time broke the frame in half once in front of the rear wheel and in the Back next to the engine wish I could add pics. Those are nice frame kits
Hello Taryl & GrassRats. Some time ago, I had purchased a Gilson manufactured Ford LGTH-17 garden tractor that for a garden tractor had a very weak frame. This tractor had the issue with the mounting ears being broken away from the aluminum transaxle casing.
Whenever I had purchased the tractor, Someone had fabri-cobbled 2 angle iron brackets extending from the axle flange to the side of the tractor frame within the area where the original transaxle bolts were bolted through the frame. The tractor was very nice to operate until one day when I was going to back up and I started hearing a terrible noise. I limped the tractor back to the house and placed the tractor upon blocks where I could inspect from underneath and I pulled the hydraulic filter bracket where I could see inside from the top and I could not believe what I was seeing. The broken aluminum casing ears on both sides had been glued with Epoxy and the transaxle had dropped down enough that the driveshaft was rubbing against the crossmember and other spots. I also noticed that a vertical weld joint on the left side of the frame was broken. I have never seen such a weak piece of junk like the frame was on this tractor which was set up for a 3 point hitch and had a hydraulic mower deck lift. When I seen the video regarding the Husqvarna tractor, I was instantly reminded of my ordeal with the Ford/Gilson garden tractor.
Taryl you are no doubt a top notched repairman. You just don't begin throwing parts at a problem, you take time to find the cause. And explain every thing you do so well. I love your videos.
i worked on 1 last year,,wondered why the fan blade broke,,when the frame cracks all the weight goes up,,junk frame is so thin,,,get what ya pay for,,i love my wheelhorses ,,1972 still runs and does its job,,to each his own,,great help Daryl,,crip in ohio
Get'em Taryl! Tell it like it is. Corporations want our money with junk products. There should be some sort of law that stops this. Sadly, someone has to file suit and make them do what they should have been doing all along.
What a beautiful kit! Husqvarna ought to use the kit for their warranty claims.
Nice repair kit!
Yep Taryl remembers when I called him I had the same problem. Busted frame also broken holes where the axle mounts too all cracked. Call the headache days 😆
Well done. Its amazing they lasted that long. I owned a small engine shop for 20 years and 80% of the Husky's came in with blown transmissions right around the 400 hour mark. The Craftsman PYT's are just as bad. They use a two piece welded frame that makes one of the drive belt idlers impossible to change. They put the idler on prior to welding the frame sections together making access to the nut that holds the bolt that secures the idler impossible. A big beefy looking machine dubbed as "Professional" but is just another throwaway machine.
I'm thinking about buying one of these mowers new. After watching this video I contacted Husqvarna and asked about the frame problem. I was told that the kit and installation was provided free at the dealer. The dealer had to contact the Husqvarna representative. We shall see how that goes. Really appreciate and enjoy these videos and if this kit install happens then this video will be super helpful !
Used to run into this problem on road tractor frames cracking at the fifth wheel.
Now have to check all the Husky tractors that come in! I know they had issues with transaxle mounting brackets breaking as well shifting the axle forward loosening up the drive belt so it won't move. Good Job AYP!
Cheap lousy metal !!
Good chinese metal. They're laughing at us.
Have a friend who had the frame on their Husq. break a couple years ago. I hadn't seen such as that before. I was stunned.
Gonna buy a kit now before my frame breaks. Thanks Taryl.
Husq should contact this guy and arrange for these to be free with model and serial number. I can't imagine this not breaking unless the designers thought it was an throw away mower and the rest wouldn't last longer than the frame.
Got 27 to 59yr old Simplicity's and never broke a frame and mow every week in a rough yard on a 18yr old Legacy.
Thanks Taryl for info. I probably would weld several small beads anyway since I’m already there.
The welds will most likely crack in time. The metal around the weld is made very brittle from the heat of the welding. A little flexing and you'll have a crack right next to the weld.
I have a Husqvarna push mower and a Husqvarna Rancher chainsaw that fell off of a truck, that I later, found on the side of the road. Those 2 machines are beasts!!!!! They’re pretty old, and they still run strong.
I had one of those Husqvarna garden tractors and the front axle split right in the middle. Also the front PLASTIC wheel bushings kept wearing out. Finally sold it for the engine when the transaxle went out.
yep i've had a few huskys with broken frames in my shop, i wish i had known about those repair kits, would have saved me a pile of time fabbing them up
Taryl would make a great voice over for Buggs Bunny. lol!
working for Sears, we couldn't weld the frames, so we swapped the frame. with 2 men it was 5~7 hours depending on what attachments it had to swap the frame. also did a bunch of frames because they bent right behind the front axle. at times the repair kits for the trans mounts could be hard to get, so sometimes ended up doing a frame swap for that.
A month ago I used some old bed rail to fix cracks over the transaxle on a 1999 model mtd…still working great.i have yet had to do any work on a 1987 model mtd…runs great!
I had that happen last year on a on our 9 year old Husqvarna 48” mower. So had to fabricate I fix with pieces os scrap metal. No welding experience! It came out great, but took forever! This kit sounds like the hot ticket! Thanks for the video bro!👍🏻🔵☮✌🏻
I ran into the same issue customer was mowing and wedged him between he couldn't get off the mower very easy. I bought a kit maybe from same person but it has outer and inner plate for both sides. It worked well to repair the issue they have with the crappy swiss cheese frame.
Tim Thank you!
Thanks Taryl! I wish I would have known about this kit sooner because I have repaired several of those fecal matter subjects over the past couple of years. I came up with my own design, which is part welded and part bolted design, which works, but requires more work to install. The tractors with baggers on the back are much more prone to breakage due to the weight, but they all break eventually because they are all the same Swiss cheese design that is really stupid. I have a 1996 GT200 with 2700hrs. I am still running daily over rough terrain that hasn't had any frame issues, but it doesn't have all those holes punched into it either. It still has the original Kohler Command 20hp engine and the only repairs I have made to the engine was the magnet came off the flywheel and wiped out the alternator and adjust the valves. All the Husqvarna stuff has went to crap as well as many others going to throw-away units.
Send this story on over to chickanic, she seems to have a direct line to the higher ups from what I seen not to long ago. Thanks for sharing!
FYI Had same issue on a John Deere GX255, the break was along the side of a weld right at the transmission.
I had to do the trans mounts on mine, guess i should take a gander at the frame next time i have it out.
Thanks Taryl !
I had the same mower 5 years ago.... same thing... frame broke .... ill never own another Husqvarna... my neighbor has the same mower , frame ok but he never has liked the mower... hard to start and hard to steer....enjoy your channel....
It happens. My 94 John Deere where the transmission bolts to frame lx188. Bolted angle iron to the frame it fixed it. It would be great to weld too but if you don't weld. TSC has everything you need.
Yeah I pulled my 07 f150 uphill up my driveway 250ft with my 445. No frame damage. Front end loader beat the piss out of it, no frame damage. 600lbs of counterweight, no frame damage.
You want a garden tractor now, get ready to shell out 13000 to 20000 dollars.
You can buy a 1025r for the price of an x758. The x300s are pooped.
Buy a bx or a 98-99 445 or any year 455. If you want something with pedal drive for 2000-6000 that will go 3-5000 hours with proper maintenance.
I saw a craftsman made by husquavarna with the frame broken back by the trans.
Thank you for sharing. Very nice repair kit👍
I've recently installed two of these kits on neighbors tractors. These kits are very well made. The tractor, not so much 😊
I do pull the broken frame together, and mig weld it in a few places, before assembly of the kit. I also use loctite on all of the bolts 👍
Scott is a hero.
How do these frame break I never seen a lawn tractor frame break before this is new to me and great interesting
Probably twisting of the frame caused by the leverage of that mower support bolted over that spot caused the fracture. The strange part is that the crack did not connect the 2 bolt holes. The bolts pulling the frame tight against the thick brackets must have prevented the steel frame from flexing close to the holes, so it cracked a millimeter away. I would have bet money that the crack connected the bolt holes, but it didn't. Welding the crack shut might just cause another crack to eventually form right next to the weld. Steel plates bolted on both sides of the frame are the best permanent fix.
i have 2 husqvarnas,, both of them needed repairs on the angle where the transmission mounts,, thank god i havent had to encounter this repair yet, but probably will at some time because im pretty rough on the mowers with the land i have . Thanks Taryl for the great video
easy just to make some gussets/ plates mig some over the area even 5 inches is enough on it
That's a great idea ! Thanks for showing us
Great information as usual but for me 2 years to late. Had to reinforce with angle iron. At least now I know it wasn't my fault.
I own this model tractor & cannot thank you enough for this content. Also, your endorsement is of the highest regard; I will be purchasing this kit. Is there an ETA when this kit will be sold through your website?
I have a 2010 craftman gt5000 use a 4 ft blower in winter, frame broke , did a weld job and plates, works ok now,wish they made these pates 5 years ago. Merci Taryl Grande-Digue nb Canada
I went and looked at their garden tractor this year. The frame is a joke. No different than the lawn tractor. Husqvarna also had frame issues in the front of the garden tractors. Everyone was fixing them by putting a little piece of metal bolted to the frame. It happened so much that if you go look at a new one on the side of the frame towards back of engine that Husqvarna actually puts a piece of metal there from the factory now lol. I looked at Cub Cadet and their lawn tractor has twice the frame of a Husqvarna garden tractor. But I ended up getting a GR series Kubota diesel. Lots more money but best decision I made that day and I love that thing
Kubota seems to use real soft metal, must watch wear points.
watched video last night. just went out to check my Husqvarna damn if it wasn't starting to break. it's a 2014 I'm putting my order in now. thanks, Taryl, for putting out videos and info.
I agree that this "kit" would be a great mod, IF done BEFORE the frame cracks. As for fixing a cracked frame, it's a "band-aid" solution, unless the plates are welded. Also, those fasteners should have some "locktite" applied to keep them tight!! Love your uploads. Keep up the GOOD work!
They came with nylok nuts.
I don't like those self-tapping screws that much. Easy for manufacturer but they sometimes destroy the threads if touched, especially when doing them gut-und-tite.
I went back in 2012 and helped my elderly dad pick out a commercial grade husqvarna zero turn mower with a Kawasaki engine. A few months later, the engine back fired and caught fire. Husqvarna warranty department sent some guys out and they agreed to just replace the whole mower. They went to Lowe’s and got a pos home owner grade and scammed my dad into taking it in place of the commercial one. I was out of state working so naturally when I saw what they’d done I was irate. Never done any good just beat him out of several thousand bucks.
Real mechanics figured it out. Good job Taryl. Husky listening?
My YT3000 broke in a similar spot on both sides of the frame. First the right side cracked and split and then a year later the left side developed a crack on the bracket that holds the rear drive axle. Cheap garbage. Never pulled anything with it since it was new. I scabbed on some bed frame iron patches that are still holding up for now.
I think if you carry the kits, get the kits that have the back plate too. I would want the front and back plate installed if I had that tractor, for preventative measures.
Great info!! Thanks for showing that to us.
Weird how the crack went around the holes. Thanks for the fix.
A Hole adds a stress concentration. So that is where cracks often start. ie a Fatigue failure. Each loading cycle cracks the crack more and more. There are a dozen hokey variables. Surface finish; hole radius; paint and plating;
the place where the "crack starts" has the broken area polished;. ie each load cycle rubs it some. If the rider is Bubby who weighs 400 Lbs then the crack grow quicker!
Your a good man Tarel !! Love your channel .
I used to have one of those mowers. I’m glad I got rid of that POS before something like that happened!
I have a Husqvarna YTH1542XP, bought from dealer not big box store. 22 years old with over 1000 hrs. Kindasucky 15hp Vtwin. Has been excellent mower except frame did same thing about four years ago and I had to weld it. Neighbors larger hardware model did it too.
Hey Taryl ! I went to local JD dealer here (Indiana). Bought genuine JD parts. Both pulleys I got were made in China. The drive belt, from Thailand. Sure is hard to buy American!
Even if the parts are made in America you will still find a Chinese made bearing in them
Great repair as usual and loved the video. The factory guy needs to comprehend when a person is NOT looking to have a complete rebuild of the lawn mower but is asking to just acquiesce to a quick fix and remuneration. Taryl, for some reason the video had some synchronization problem with the lighting or something that caused a wavy fluttering like appearance during the undercarriage shots.
ive had 2 24v48ls. both broke. i repaired the first by welding a bed frame to it. it worked and the other i bolted L brackets where it broke at the axle flange. that work too!
great video, I better go to check up on my husqvarna 20 hp/48 inch deck
That was really clever how Husky pre punched the frame for a future fishplate repair.
How very considerate.
That's what happens when you base 137 different mowers on one frame😂
Nice kit and repair for that. 👍👍
In about 2020 we had two of those broken frames come into the shop. I don't recall the production dates, but the first one, Husqvarna fixed under warranty no problem. I put all the customer's old parts, engine deck, etc. on that new frame. About two months later a second unit came in. Broken in that same place, Husqvarna didn't want to have anything to do with that one. The customer took it back home still broken.
I am also wondering if the tractor is this video was built in 2017, I am thinking both of those I saw were built in 2017.
I have seen poor welds on the deck hanger frames on the deck on these as well. We had one in recently and one of the deck hanger frames had snapped off. The welds looked really weak and like the chassis frame it wasn't thick metal either.
Bought the GT with a broken frame cheap, reinforced the frame with steel from old bed frame 10 years ago, still being used.
Yup, I too had a frame issue with my husky. I ended up parting it out and buying a cub cadet
I bought a HD TS 354 XD ... frame flexes like swiss cheese .... i am sure it will break at some point ... just bought a Green painted one ... frames are 4 times heavier!! Does the KF 1000 HD work for mine...?
good info. My Mower is about 10 years old. so far so good
My 2009 Craftsman has the same holes punched in the frame! I might get 1 of those kits to reinforce it before it cracks, because once it starts, it is guaranteed to eventually break in half. And if I just welded the crack shut, it would probably just crack near the weld, due to frame weakness. The frame should be a tiny bit thicker, or have a double plate in that area.
Yep, I replaced the rear part of the frame on my Husqvarna riding mower as well.