This 1998 MTD Lawn Tractor gets 'The Works!'

Yard Machines Lawn Tractor by MTD 15.5hp 42" deck

0:00:00 Intro / my SUV won’t start
0:01:40 First look at the tractor
0:03:02 Trailer winch
0:05:37 Attempting to start the tractor and get it off my trailer
0:12:19 Unloading off my trailer
0:13:02 Diagnosing the starter and coil
0:22:02 First start!
0:25:11 First test drive / seized deck spindles
0:34:58 Removing the deck and the spindles
0:42:27 Removing the spindle bearings
0:48:49 Grinding down the mowing deck / undercoating
0:50:46 How to replace MTD Variable Drive belts
0:57:19 Test drive with the new after-market belts
1:01:17 Installing new spindle bearings
1:07:09 Assembling the refurbished mowing deck
1:11:24 Demonstration of slipping drive belts (after-market belts)
1:14:37 First test drive with OEM MTD Variable Drive belts
1:17:16 Finishing up the mowing deck
1:19:30 Power wash
1:22:32 Oil change
1:23:59 Full assembly and test drive
1:27:20 Replacing the carburetor
1:30:22 Final test drive and demonstration
1:32:45 Detail cleaning / headlights!
1:36:15 Outro

[steveb.]

Great watching your channel. It’s great to see someone with family values and a great work ethic. I’ve been fixing up lawntractors, mowers and pressure washers as a hobby for at least 25 years now and really enjoy doing it. It’s a hobby that keeps on giving lol. Looking forward to future full length videos.

[WorthlessNickores]

I really love the work you do, your demeaor and attitude and the remarkable conditions you restore your mowers to. Great job, glad I found this channel. Thank you for teaching me so much!

[jamesrichardson]

I can't believe you can do that" with one hand !!!! 🙏👍🙏👌🙏👌👍🛠

[Andy-nmdw]

I am surprised you were able to remove the spindles. Quite a risk, I normally leave them on the deck and pound out the spindles and knock out the bearings still attached to the deck.

[lawrencenolan]

Did a mower identical to yours, gave it to my daughter 4 years ago still works great, I remember that bracket blocking belt install, nice job Kyle great video.

[Andy-nmdw]

The issue you had with the carburetor is the low speed jet needs to be removed from the side of the tube that holds the main jet in those style carburetors. It is also brass. Ask me how I know. LOL took a few before I realized the low speed jet threads in to far and prevents the main jet from coming out. Hope this helps. I think the reason I enjoy your Channel is because like me you care about how well they operate after they are sold as well as your positive attitude and always learning new stuff. Thank you for sharing.

[davidlaws]

It really turned out great man, great job. The older MTD were a great mower 😊

[jamesrichardson]

You did a Very" nice job Man 💥 Outstanding 🛠 👍

[rickbroerman]

I'm like you Kyle, I do everything!!! Great job 👏

[darrelldubree]

yeah, those belts are a pain. i learned that the hard way. i replaced transmission one time, all it was that i was cheap and put a standard belt, same length. put another transmission in and it did the same, would not shift properly. anywho, put the proper belts on they worked perfect. v belt guys sells those, much cheaper than OEM. Thanks again for sharing your journey, have a blessed day, my friend :)

[philliphall]

Nice seat and that is a first unless it’s new 😊

[jamesweidinger]

I had that exact mower with a 16.5 B&S opposed twin, made in '02. Not a bad mower for an el- cheapo box store unit, mine served me well. I sold it back to the guy I bought it from when I bought my ZT.

Using factory belts is a must for the drive, but MTD wants $90 or more for the deck belt these days. I crossed it to a Gates 6974, got one from Rock for $18 delivered and it worked flawlessly for years.

[VikingShipExplorer]

That riding mower is in very nice shape. $500.00 to $600.00 is a fair price for it I would think. You probably have about $170.00 ish into it I'm guessing?? Two OEM Belts, 4 bearings a headlight kit, some paint and a bunch of elbow grease. So I would say you did very well on this unit. Great video

[Andy-nmdw]

The brass hammer from harbor freight works good for knocking the spindles out especially if you leave the nut on.

[HellboundAmerica]

I watched a video about my cub cadet I just purchased.... 9 videos later....😂😂😂 thanks buddy. New subscriber

[kansascowboy]

I bought the after market belts for my mower too. I had the same issues as you! Live and learn 👍🏻

[Lawnmowerman]

It came out real nice ! But it's still bottom of the barrel MTD . I know you need content but it's so much quicker and easier to remove the bearings from the spindles while attached to the deck . The machines I've worked on at least one bolt snaps off, sometimes all of them and you know how tough the extraction process can be . A little tip for painting, use light grease and an art brush to lightly coat what is not to be painted and the paint won't stick .

[melmen]

Your videos are awesome. And helpful thank you!

[Rein_Ciarfella]

First of all, the length of a video is irrelevant. All I care about is that the subject is covered completely.
Next - I agree with another commenter - driving bearings into place should be done using the outside race, not the inside one. Find any round, hollow tube to do the job, as long as it fits the outside race. You can use a socket, a section of steel pipe, a section of PVC drain pipe, whatever.
Next, Kyle, you’re struggling with removing bearings and the center shaft because you’re not driving straight down onto a surface with enough mass to resist the force of the hammer blows. Bolt your vice down securely and use that. Or use solid wood blocks. Do this at the corner of the workbench above a leg so there is more support.
It’s obvious you learned the hard way about hitting threaded shafts without thread protection. I hope we don’t have to yell at you ever again about THAT, young man! 😁🔧😂👍

[brianandrews]

People don’t give those MTD machines much love, but I have been mowing with them from since the late 1990s and, if you take care of them and don’t abuse/neglect them, they’ll last a good long time. I can’t speak to the quality of the newer ones (they switched from Briggs engines to Chinese off brand engines so I don’t know anything about those engines) but my only real complaint about the older models in the turning radius is fairly wide compared to some other makes I have owned or used.