I found a Rider model YTH-2448 with a blown engine. It comes with a V Twin 24hp engine, this one has a broken crank. Guy wants $200.
They offer an 18hp model with a 42" deck.
I have an 18hp B&S boxer 2 cyl. that will bolt in. How's the rest of the thing? Deck, bearings, bits & pieces, parts availability, etc.?
as far as I understand.....most of the mowers of this vintage are damn near the same underneath.
Quite frankly that whole thing looks mechanically identical to my craftsman LT1000 from what I can see. (same deck, deck mounting, exhaust heat shield, steering linkage, its probably the same frame. hell the body looks the same except for the hood.)
I bought mine a few years ago from a co-worker, 20hp v twin, all I have done is add fuel and change plugs and oil when it gets to looking questionable. Loaded the tires with liquid ballast and wheel weights and it goes anywhere. I added a cast iron front axle because the oem stamped one was bent, spindles and wheel bushings were shot.
Parts availability very good. find yourself a free PDF owners manual and it will have every part number and diagrams. Google the part # to find a vendor with good prices.
Its a lawn tractor, its not as good as garden tractor, I probably use mine beyond its designed capabilties every time I mow my back yard. But I cant complain. I would buy another one to scavange parts from if anything happend to mine.
I would check Sears Parts Direct to see if the model is listed. If its there you can find almost any part for it, or check part numbers from other sites.
Do you have any more info on the engine?
The B&S V twins have governor problems, but if caught before allowed to overev to failure can be fixed.
The gov on my 20 HP let go and it took a couple afternoons and about $40 to fix it.
The 24hp has a broken rod on one side. I'm replacing it with the 18hp Briggs boxer that I already have.
If you need parts off the 24 let me know.
Dan
Why do I feel like you need to hotrod that baby?
I don't know what year that one is, but late model Husqvarna and Craftsman are the same mower, and very good.
one thing I really like about this vintage mower is they aren't completely nanny-ized yet. my neighbors cub cadet with all the bells and whistles doesn't let you mow full speed in reverse, and if you so much as shift your weight on the seat it tries to shut the motor off.
I can mow the side of the hill in my back yard with my mower with only one cheek on the seat and leaning to one side for balance. Like this guy but on a hill lol
I love mine.
My father in law (RIP) bought one a few years ago, and since his passing in January I've been cutting mom in law's lawn (3+ acres) with it occasionally.
Honestly, I wish the thing would burst into flames so i never have to deal with it again, but it probably won't. Mechanically, it's very solid, and parts availability is good if you have a dealer nearby.
Functionally however, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. For some odd reason, be it the shape of the deck, or the blades,or whatever, it discharges so much crap onto the operator that after 20 minutes of use you're covered from head to toe. I can only mow in goggles and full headcover, and when I'm done I have to hose myself off like a chick in a Whitesnake video. Oh, and it discharges all of the engine heat onto your right foot, so don't plan on using that silly thing again.
I like to think that one of my FIL's favorite things about being dead is not having to use that mower anymore. I think he was always praying for it to break, too, as he had the same issues and never really figured out a workaround. Sadly he went before it did.
jg
I have the 18hp 42" deck w/ hydro drive, cutting 1/4 acre. Replaced rear tires once. Routine grease, oil/ filter and air filter changes. Fuel cap vent plugged up once and starved the fuel system, ditched the foam liner inside the cap and is now OK, added a see thru in-line fuel filter. Gotta pull the fuel tank to clean, I think the strainer gets plugged.
Not bad for a 13+ y/o tractor. Luv it, I'd own another.
Will a rotary fit? 
I actually had one of these and it was awesome, but that probably won't help you!
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/lawn-mowers/540/
failboat wrote: I added a cast iron front axle because the oem stamped one was bent, spindles and wheel bushings were shot.
There's an upgrade aftermarket for these things? 
Got it home, fired it up. It runs on one cylinder. Investigation shows one piston stationary in the culinder, I'm guessing rod issues.
I'm researching now for parts, probably rebuild it over the winter.
That means there's an 18hp boxer Briggs for sale soon! 
Dan
ransom wrote:failboat wrote: I added a cast iron front axle because the oem stamped one was bent, spindles and wheel bushings were shot.There's an upgrade aftermarket for these things?
I think its really just a part from a higher end model.
Mytractorforum.com has a E36 M3ton of info if you poke around.
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