If you need a larger riding mower, the Craftsman DLT 3000 could be the perfect fit! The Craftsman DLT 3000 sits at a nice middle ground between smaller riding mowers and full-sized tractors, making it easy to use without taking up too much space in your garage or shed.
The Craftsman DLT 3000 is an efficient and reliable lawn tractor that can tackle the toughest mowing jobs. It features a durable 42-inch deck, heavy-duty front, and rear wheels, a powerful Briggs and Stratton engine, and easy-to-use throttle control.
Read on as we explore how this garden workhorse stacks up against competing products, its specs, actual customer feedback, and more.
Craftsman DLT 3000 Lawn Tractor
User-Friendly
The Craftsman DLT 3000 lawn tractor is perfect for small to medium-sized lawns. This machine features an easy-to-use design that allows you to maneuver it around your yard easily and finish the job in no time.
Powerful Engine
This lawn mower has a powerful engine that can move through thick grass and weeds without causing damage to the machine or turf. It also has a built-in bagger attachment to collect clippings as you work.
The Craftsman DLT 3000 riding mower is designed for homeowners needing a reliable machine that will work hard for them daily. It’s durable enough to handle tough jobs but light enough that it won’t wear you out when cleaning up after mowing the grass.
Key Features
Its key features include:
- Automatic transmission;
- Cruise control;
- Snow thrower/snow blade for 1-year utility, and is sold separately;
- 10-location adjustable cutting deck;
- A top speed of 7.5 MPH;
- 4-cycle 22 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum engine, which means there’s no mixing gasoline and oil;
- Integrated cup holder;
- 6-inch turning radius;
- Machine cuts while in reverse;
- Frame and front axle come with a 5-year warranty, including a 2-year overall warranty on the tractor; and
- Equipped with a stamped steel frame with a cast-iron front axle for long-lasting reliability and durability.
Attractive Design
The Craftsman DLT 3000 is unquestionably one of the most attractive riding lawn mowers I’ve ever seen. Even when the mower is at a standstill, its traditional Craftsman red paint job and strong lines look downright fast.
It’s a welcome improvement from the classic riding mower that your father and grandfather used for many years.
Other Features
In addition to its stunning appearance, this lawn tractor is equipped with all the bells and whistles you could desire, including:
- An hour meter on the dash to track maintenance intervals;
- Headlights for late night or early morning lawn care;
- Adjustable seat; and
- Integrated cup holder.
While I could go on about this riding mower’s forward and reverse capabilities, its 6-in. turning radius, or its 42-in. cutting deck that you can adjust at ten heights — the cup holder is the design element is the one I liked the most.
It also received good feedback from others who tried and tested this mini tractor.
Craftsman DLT 3000 Specs
1. Lawn Tractor, Riding Mower, and Mower
The Craftsman DLT 3000 is a lawn tractor, a machine used for mowing grass. It is also a riding mower or lawn tractor designed to be driven while sitting inside the cab. Also, the Craftsman DLT 3000 is a mower that cuts your lawn with blades attached to its wheels.
2. Engine
This Craftsman DLT 3000 has a powerful engine to quickly move your lawn mower around the yard. The power comes from its fuel consumption, which is pretty efficient compared to other engines in this class:
| Engine | Gasoline; Briggs & Stratton 407577; 2-cylinder air-cooled |
| Starter | Electric |
| Displacement | 656 cc; 40.03 ci |
| Gross Power | 22 hp; 16.4 kW |
| Bore / Stroke | 2.97 × 2.89 in; 75 x 73 mm |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Spark Plug | Champion QC12YC |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.040 inches (1.016 mm) |
3. Mechanical Specs
Again, the Craftsman DLT 3000 has an impressive and powerful engine with hydrostatic transmission and a tight turning radius. The large wheels have deep treads, which provide stability and maneuverability in tight areas.
| Steering | Manual steering |
| Chassis | 4×2 (2WD) |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic automatic (hydraulic fluid) |
| Cab | Open-operator-station (OOS) |
4. Capacity
| Fuel | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) |
5. Transmission
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear Transaxle 314-0510 |
| Gears | Infinite Forward / Reverse |
| Type | Hydrostatic |
6. Electrical Specs
| Ground | Negative |
| Charging Amps | 5 (headlights); 3 (battery) |
7. Battery
| Number | 1 |
| Volts | 12V |
| Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) | 280 |
| Group | U1R |
| Ampere Hours | 35 |
8. 42″ Mower Deck Attachments
| Type | Mid-mount Craftsman; 2-blade with manual lift |
| Belt | AYP-144959 |
| Cutting Width | 42 in. (106 cm) |
Features of the Craftsman YT3000
Craftsman DLT 3000 Price
Costs Between $1,500 and $2,000 Online and in Stores
Any homeowner would consider buying this riding mower, which costs between $1,500 and $2,000 online and in stores. Not everybody has the means to spend that much money freely.
This Craftsman lawn tractor proved to be everything I had hoped for and more during my testing. Even though the reverse gear could have used a bit more power, this riding lawnmower was a great deal.
Second-Hand Craftsman DLT 3000
The average asking price on Craigslist is $650 with comparable models, which run between $1200 and $1600 at Sears.
Craftsman DLT 3000 Problems
The Craftsman DLT 3000 lawn tractor is a dependable machine that many customers have enjoyed using for years. However, there are also reports of some problems with this model:
1. Difficult to Find Parts
This lawn tractor is undoubtedly one of the most well-liked in its class. But it has one weak point: parts are not readily available. There is no method to repair an engine or transmission because these parts are no longer readily available.
If something goes wrong with your tractor, you’ll need to buy a new one or find another way to fix it. You might want to choose a different brand if you’re shopping for a new tractor.
2. Uneven Cut
Another issue that some customers have had with this machine is that it does not cut evenly. This issue can be particularly problematic if you’re trying to get your lawn ready for reseeding or other maintenance work because it will leave patches where no cuts were made.
3. Uncomfortable Seat
Some customers have complained about the seat being uncomfortable and not having enough padding. You can buy a replacement seat if you want something more comfortable, but it’s not completely necessary unless you ride it for hours.
Again, when did Craftsman make the DLT 3000? Craftsman produced DLT3000 from 2004 to 2006. This lawn tractor has similar features to the Craftsman LT2000, including a hydrostatic automatic, a heavy-duty deck, and a good seat.
Craftsman DLT 3000 Customer Feedback
The Craftsman DLT 3000 lawn tractor has a lot of positive reviews from customers, but some say it’s not the best choice for them. We will look at the positive and negative reviews and see what we can learn from them:
Positive Reviews
Started Flawlessly and Performed Well
“This is a tractor built for Sears by Husqvarna. It has a hydrostatic transmission, which is a plus for hilly terrain. So far, I have made modifications to add a heavy-duty hitch-drag bar, bar tires with weights, and Gator blades. The tires and weights help negotiate the many hills I cut.
It started flawlessly and performed well. I think the only flaw is the lightweight factory hitch, which bent when I backed up a weighted aerator into place for storage (thus, the new HD hitch).”
Owned for Five Years and Still Functional
“My wife and I bought this lawn tractor used and have owned it for five years. I never had a problem with it. I replaced the battery when I got it, and since then, have done routine maintenance, including adjusting the overhead valves, which seem to hold within specs very well.”
Extremely Durable
“Bought this 2005 model in 2006, and this thing is extremely durable. Mine came with an 18.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton. I have used this thing every spring and summer since I bought it and miscellaneous things like hauling a little trailer for yard work and trash.”
Cheap Maintenance Tractor
“This thing has been put to work, and yes, I do maintain my tractor, but the only things I ever replaced on this were the battery, blades, oil and filter, fuel filter, drive belts, mandrel belts, air filters, and a mandrel that got messed up somehow.
Everything else is the same: tires, light bulbs (that still work), transmission, springs, mower deck, etc. All in all, this thing has been a cheap maintenance tractor for what this thing is.”
Negative Reviews
Uncomfortable Seat
“The cons are probably the only two things that are ‘non-functional’ items I can think of, which is why I have four stars on features. The seat doesn’t leave enough room for bigger guys to comfortably fit behind the steering wheel.”
Doesn’t Come with an Automatic Choke
“The only thing that isn’t great about this tractor is that it doesn’t come with an automatic choke — you have to do it yourself each time you start your engine manually.”
Trouble Starting the Tractor
“A few times this summer, I had trouble starting the tractor because it wouldn’t stop running long enough for me to start it up again.
It’s an issue that I’ve been dealing with since buying my Craftsman DLT 3000 lawn tractor in 2007. Thankfully, I have a skilled mechanic friend who came over and fixed it up just fine!”
Craftsman DLT 3000 Lawn Mower – The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Good
Has an Incredibly Powerful Engine
Let’s start with the good. The Craftsman DLT 3000 has a potent engine and is easy to use. It’s reliable and won’t break down when it matters most.
6-inches Turning Radius
The 6-in. turning radius claimed by Craftsman for their Turn Tight lineup of lawn mowers is a real feature. Although this lawn tractor is not a zero-turn mower, it can turn on a dime, eliminating the need for post-mowing edge trimming and weed-whacking.
Can Also Handle Tricky Landscaping
This riding mower can also handle tricky landscaping, including turning around trees, bird baths, and other obstacles, surprisingly well. It can turn 66 percent tighter than its rivals owing to its 6-in. turning radius. This tractor is ideal if maneuverability is a concern for you.
Bad
Now, on to the bad parts of this mower that make it less than ideal for everyone: it’s heavy and can be a bit cumbersome to maneuver, especially around tight corners or hillsides. If your yard has inclines, then holding onto this beast will be no easy feat.
Also, bigger men may not have enough space in the seat to sit comfortably behind the wheel.
Ugly
And now for the ugly part of this story: this thing can get loud. Listening to that buzzing sound all day long sounds like torture, especially if you get headaches from loud noise.
And lastly, one final gripe about the Craftsman DLT 3000 is it’s expensive even if you bought it second-hand. So if you’re looking for an all-around, good, and used mower at a low price, then the Craftsman DLT 3000 may not be the best choice for you.
Pros and Cons of the Craftsman GT5000
Frequently Asked Questions – Craftsman DLT 3000 Mower
Is Briggs & Stratton a Good Lawn Mower?
Engines that are dependable, cutting-edge, and simple to maintain are the cornerstone of Briggs & Stratton’s reputation. Even the thickest grass has no chance.
Where Is the Choke on a Craftsman DLT 3000 Riding Mower?
The throttle lever on a Craftsman LT 3000 riding mower is connected to the choke. It will activate the choke when you pull it above the fast position. The actual choke is situated not far from the carburetor’s air filter inlet. When the choke is activated, a plate will restrict airflow.
What Years Were Craftsman DLT 3000 Made?
2004-2006 for the Craftsman DLT 3000. These models have features comparable to those of the LT 2000, including a hydrostatic automatic transmission, a heavy-duty deck, a nicer seat, and other things that set it apart (or not) from other models.
What Year Is My Craftsman Riding Mower Manufactured?
Take note of the mower’s serial number’s first six digits. The mower was made in the month indicated by the first two numbers. The next two numbers are the manufacturing day, and the last two indicate what year it was manufactured.
How Long Will a Craftsman Riding Mower Last?
The average life expectancy of riding lawnmowers from brands like Craftsman, John Deere, Toro, and Husqvarna is pretty high. These machines can last up to 20 years with the right upkeep and care.
Are Craftsman Engines Any Good?
Craftsman self-propelled lawn mowers provide practically every type of homeowner with good performance in total cutting power. The engine performs a great job of maintaining the blade speed high, whether you cut once a week or occasionally let things run a little too long.
Is Craftsman a Good Brand?
Craftsman is a competent tool brand with a wide range of equipment in many different areas. Many people appreciate Craftsman for its versatility.
Is Craftsman Made in the USA?
With its factory in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Craftsman is proud to keep growing its presence in American manufacturing. Select V20 power tools are made there by the company’s employees using global materials. Their employees are proud to be Craftsman family members.
Conclusion – Craftsman DLT 3000 Lawn Mower Review & Specs
If you’re looking for a solid riding mower that can get the job done, the Craftsman DLT 3000 is a great option.
Unfortunately, it does have some drawbacks. Some customers complained about the lack of parts available for sale when they need them most. Although this may not affect everyone, it’s something to consider before purchasing this model.
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