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Home / Lawn and Garden Tractors / Craftsman Lawn Tractors / Craftsman GT5000

Craftsman GT-5000 Troubleshooting

The Craftsman GT5000 garden tractor was manufactured from 2003 to 2006. The Craftsman GT-5000 is powered by Kohler Command CV730 V-twin cylinder OHV air-cooled gasoline engine with a rated power of 25 Hp (18.4 kW), Briggs and Stratton 446777 V-twin cylinder OHV air-cooled gasoline engine with a rated power of 26 Hp (19.4 kW), or Briggs and Stratton 40H777 V-twin cylinder OHV air-cooled gasoline engine with a rated power of 22 Hp (16.4 kW).

The Craftsman GT5000 is fitted with 3 transmission options: Hydro-Gear 331-3000 belt-driven hydrostatic transmission, Peerless LTH2000 hydrostatic transmission, or Peerless belt-driven gear transmission with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. Max. forward speed - 5.8 mph (9.3 km/h), max. reverse speed - 2.4 mph (3.9 km/h).

The tractor was equipped with a manual steering system, mechanical disc brakes, 15x6.50-8 front tires, and 23x10.5-12 rear tires. The Craftsman GT5000 is compatible with the following attachments: 48", 50", or 54" mid-mount 3-blade mower decks with cutting height of 1.5-4.5 in (37-115 mm), and 46" front-mount 2-stage snow blower with manual lift system.

Engine Troubleshooting
Engine difficult to start or doesn't start
Empty fuel tank - Fill fuel up
Improper fuel grade - Change gasoline
Dirty fuel system - Check and clean
Disconnected or loose spark plug wire - Inspect the spark plug wire connection, replace or repair
Faulty spark plug - Install new spark plug
Clogged fuel filter - Fuel filter needs to be replaced
Brake pedal not depressed - Press the brake pedal
Carburetor is dirty - Wash, clean and adjust
Low engine compression - Inspect cylinder block and change defective components
Choke cable is damaged or not adjusted properly - Replace cable or adjust properly
Rough engine running
Cooling fins are plugged - Need to wash or clean
Ignition system problems - Inspect ignition system and change failed components
Choke cable is stuck or defective - Change or clean the cable
Air filter is blocked - Change or clean air filter
Clogged or damaged fuel pump - Service or change fuel pump
Engine starts but then stalls
Defective spark plug - Change spark plug as required
Carburetor is defective or dirty - Service or repair carburetor
Defective ignition coil - Replace ignition coil as necessary
Loose or broken valve springs - New valve springs need to be installed
Valves sticking - Valves must be cleaned
Engine overheated
Engine oil level is low - Fill up the engine oil
Engine is running overloaded - Reduce load
Clogged cooling fins - Need to clean or wash
Carburetor fuel mixture is too lean - Adjust carburetor correctly
Improper ignition timing - Adjust ignition timing correctly
Valve setting is improper - Valves needs to be adjusted properly
Engine knocks or noises
Stale or low octane fuel - Use correct fuel
Engine is running overloaded - Reduce the load
Low engine oil level - Fill the crankcase with engine oil
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Correct idle adjustment
Dirty or defective fuel pump - Inspect fuel pump and change as required
Main bearings or crankshaft wear - Crankshaft or bearings need to be replaced
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjustment procedure required
Damaged cylinder bore or piston rings - Replace faulty components
Lack of engine power
Clogged or improperly adjusted carburetor - Adjust carburetor properly or service it
Air filter element is plugged - Service or change air filter
Fuel pump is dirty or defective - Check fuel pump and replace if necessary
Ignition failure - Check ignition system and replace faulty parts
Cylinder head gasket is worn - Replace the gasket as required
Valves are stuck or burned - Clean or replace valves
Bent or worn push rod - Change push rod
Cylinder block parts are faulty - Replace defective parts as required
Engine uses too much fuel
Throttle opening is not full - Adjust or change throttle cable
Carburetor main jet is incorrectly adjusted - Adjust the carburetor main jet properly
Spark plug is defective or loose - Re-tighten or replace spark plug
Valves are stuck, burned, or worn - Change or service valves
Worn rings, piston, or sleeve - Replace faulty components as required
Valve clearance is improper - Adjustment procedure required
Excessive oil consumption
Worn gaskets or seals - Change worn parts according to specifications
Valve guides and stems are worn - Install new valves
Piston rings are seized or worn - Change the piston rings as required
Damaged cylinder liner or piston - Inspect liner and piston, fit new parts as necessary
Breather hose or pipe is clogged - Replace or service

Transmission Troubleshooting
Hard shifting
Gear shift linkage is worn or rusty - Replace or lubricate the shift linkage
Worn or bent gear shift forks - Shift forks need to be replaced
Gear shifting mechanism is defective - Defective parts must be replaced
Excessive transmission noise
Fluid level is low - Check and refill the transmission fluid
Transmission oil is dirty - Transmission oil change required
Worn bearings or damaged gears - Change gears or bearings
Transmission pops out of gear
Improperly installed or bent gear shift lever - Install the lever properly or replace it
Gear teeth are worn or damaged - Replace gears
Shift rods or shift forks are worn - Change damaged rods or forks
Transmission slips
Drive belt/shaft is improperly adjusted or worn - Change belt/shaft or adjust it
Improper brake/clutch adjustment or damaged brake/clutch - Adjust or change brake/clutch
Defective or worn drive sheave - Change sheave

Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting
HST transmission noise
Bent or unadjusted speed control pedal linkage - Adjust or repair linkage
Transmission is under excessive load - Reduce loading
Dirty transmission fluid or insufficient fluid level - Fill to required level or change the fluid
Worn or defective transmission components - Check internal transmission parts for damage or wear and replace if required
Shifting is hard
Shift linkage is damaged or loose - Replace or service the linkage
Hydrostatic pump is faulty or seized - Repair or change pump
Transmission shift control parts are faulty or unadjusted - Adjust correctly or replace
Low power
Transmission oil level is low - Check transmission oil level and add oil as required
Damaged or worn drive pulley - Install a new pulley
Misadjusted or faulty shifting linkage - Adjust properly or replace linkage
Bent or unadjusted speed control pedal linkage - Adjust or install new linkage
Transmission leakage
Transmission seals or gaskets are broken - Install new seals or gaskets
Final drive shaft is leaking - Install new shaft seals
Transmission case is cracked - Replace case or transmission assembly

Mower Deck Troubleshooting
Mower vibrates excessively
Mower deck drive sheave is clogged or worn - Replace or service sheave
Drive belt is defective or loose - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt
Cutting blades are not balanced or warped - Balance or replace blades
Loose blade mounting bolts - Bolts should be tightened
Discharge chute keeps clogging
Fast mowing speed - Use a slower speed
Long grass - Use a lower cutting height
Engine runs at low revs - Adjust throttle to full opening
Cutting level is too low - Adjust mower to higher cutting height
Mower deck drive belt installed incorrectly - Check drive belt for correct installation
Streaking of uncut grass
Cutting deck clogging - Clean mower deck as required
Blades are not sharp - Sharpen the blades
Blades are worn or damaged - Replace the blades
Ground speed is too fast - Need to slow down
Cutting level is too low - Change cutting height adjustment
Grass bag is full - Grass bag must be empty
Blades scalp the grass
Lawn is not level or bumpy - Lawn needs to be leveled
Cutting level is too low - Change cutting height adjustment
Fast mowing speed - Operate at slower speed
Deck level is not correct - Deck needs to be adjusted properly
Blades are worn or bent - Blades need to be replaced
Tire pressure is too low - Check and inflate the tires
Mower cutting is uneven
Tire pressure is too low - Inflate tires correctly
Deck is not leveled correctly - Level the deck properly
Blades are too dull - Blades need to be sharpened
Worn or bent blades - Blades must be changed
Cutting deck clogging - Clean out the mower deck
Deck housing is damaged - Replace or repair the deck
Mower spindle is faulty or loose - Spindle needs to be repaired or replaced

Electrical Troubleshooting
Battery does not charge
Corroded or loose cable connections - Tighten or service connections
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Change terminal connectors
Battery is defective - Use a new battery
Starter turns slow
Battery voltage is low - Battery is drained, recharge it
Battery won’t hold charge - Service battery or replace it
Faulty battery terminals or disconnected cables - Connect cables correctly or replace terminals
Starter will not crank
Battery is low or faulty - Replace or charge as required
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required
Low battery capacity - Charge the battery
Faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plug - Clean, gap or replace spark plug
Solenoid or starter motor is faulty - Repair starter or install a new solenoid

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