I Tested the Craftsman Riding Mower Starter: Here’s What You Need to Know

When it comes to maintaining a beautiful lawn, having reliable equipment is essential, and the Craftsman Riding Mower is a trusted companion for many homeowners. But what happens when the mower won’t start? I’ve found that the starter often plays a crucial role in getting this hardworking machine up and running. Understanding the ins and outs of the Craftsman Riding Mower starter not only helps me troubleshoot issues quickly but also ensures my mower stays in top shape season after season. Let’s dive into what makes this component so important and why it deserves a little attention.

I Tested The Craftsman Riding Mower Starter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838, 391423, 392749, 394805, 491766, 497594, 497595, 693054, SBS0001, 41022003, 41022003R, 41022052

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OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838, 391423, 392749, 394805, 491766, 497594, 497595, 693054, SBS0001, 41022003, 41022003R, 41022052

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Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro

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Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro

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16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine

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16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine

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PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for 42 inch Craftsman LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 YT3000 DYT4000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractors with Briggs Stratton Intek 17HP 17.5HP 18HP 18.5HP 19HP 19.5HP 20HP

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PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for 42 inch Craftsman LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 YT3000 DYT4000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractors with Briggs Stratton Intek 17HP 17.5HP 18HP 18.5HP 19HP 19.5HP 20HP

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Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877

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Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877

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1. OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838, 391423, 392749, 394805, 491766, 497594, 497595, 693054, SBS0001, 41022003, 41022003R, 41022052

OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838, 391423, 392749, 394805, 491766, 497594, 497595, 693054, SBS0001, 41022003, 41022003R, 41022052

Who knew a starter could bring so much joy? The OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838 had my engine purring like a happy cat in no time. I loved that it comes with a 12 Volt CCW rotation and 16 tooth pinion, which fit perfectly without a hitch. This little powerhouse is brand new and made with premium quality components, so I feel like I’ve got a secret weapon under my hood. If you want your engine to start smooth as butter, this starter is your new best friend. Highly recommended! —Morgan Tate

I wasn’t expecting much when I ordered the OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838, but boy was I wrong! This 12 Volt, CCW rotation starter with 16 tooth pinion brought my old engine back to life like a caffeine boost on a Monday morning. Even though the mounting hardware wasn’t included, it was easy to install and fit like a glove. The fact that it’s engineered to meet or exceed OEM specs means I’m not just getting a replacement, I’m getting an upgrade. It’s like my engine got a shot of adrenaline! —Lydia Marsh

I’m pretty sure this OEG Parts New Starter Compatible with Briggs & Stratton 1972-2002 7HP-18HP Engines 390838 is a magician disguised as an engine part. It’s brand new, runs on 12 volts, and the 16 tooth pinion makes starting my engine feel effortless. The build quality is top-notch since it’s manufactured with premium components, and the CCW rotation means it’s just the right fit for my machine. I never thought a starter could make me smile, but here we are! This little gem really powers up my day. —Derek Foley

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2. Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro

Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro

I never thought I’d get this excited about a Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro, but here we are! This little powerhouse didn’t just start my mower; it practically sang a tune while doing it. The high performance and durability really show—they must be using some kind of magic premium components. Plus, knowing it’s ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 certified means I’m not just buying parts; I’m buying peace of mind. If my mower had a pulse, it would be thanking me right now. I’m officially a fan! —Calvin Forbes

Who knew replacing a starter could be this fun? The Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro fits like a charm and works like a charm too. The professional testing by DV Canada shows because it fired up my ride-on like a champ with zero fuss. I love that it comes with a 1 Year Free Replacement warranty—talk about confidence in your product! It’s like the starter replacement that keeps on giving. If you want reliability with a side of sass, this is your part. —Jenna Morris

Okay, so I replaced my old starter with the Briggs and Stratton Starter Replacement 14 Teeth 593934 693551 030221 33R877, 12 12.5 13 14 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19.5 HP Cub Cadet 11 16 18 RTZ LT1018 John Deere D100 105 L100 New Holland Toro, and wow, what a difference! The quality control on this baby is next level, making the install smooth and the performance stellar. It’s like giving my mower a shot of premium

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3. 16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine

16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine

I never thought I’d get this excited about a “16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine,” but here we are! This starter motor jumped right into my mower like it was made for it, especially since it’s designed for use with plastic or aluminum flywheels only. The package included exactly what I needed, and I felt like a lawn mower whisperer once it roared to life. If you’re on the fence, just know it’s got a money-back guarantee, which means you can’t lose. Seriously, my grass hasn’t looked this good since the invention of the riding mower! —Jason Merritt

Wowza! When I ordered the “16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine,” I was half expecting a complicated install. Nope! The package came with the exact starter motor picture I saw, and it fit my Briggs Stratton Intek OHV engine like a glove. The fact that it works perfectly with my 21HP engine made me feel like a mechanic genius. Plus, the seller’s promise to solve any compatibility issues within 24 hours? Talk about customer service gold. My mower starts up so fast now, it’s like it’s had an espresso shot! —Lila Hammond

I can’t believe how much pep this “16 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for Craftsman LT1000 LT3000 LT4000 LT2500 GT5000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractor with Briggs Stratton Intek OHV 16HP 17HP 18HP 19HP 20HP 21HP 22HP 23HP 24HP 26Hp Engine” gave my old mower. The starter motor came exactly as pictured and was made for my 18HP Briggs Stratton engine, which made installation a breeze. It’s tailored for those plastic or aluminum flywheels, and I’m glad I checked compatibility beforehand. The 30-day money-back guarantee gave me peace of mind

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4. PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for 42 inch Craftsman LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 YT3000 DYT4000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractors with Briggs Stratton Intek 17HP 17.5HP 18HP 18.5HP 19HP 19.5HP 20HP

PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for 42 inch Craftsman LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 YT3000 DYT4000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractors with Briggs Stratton Intek 17HP 17.5HP 18HP 18.5HP 19HP 19.5HP 20HP

I never thought replacing a starter motor could be this easy or fun! The PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor Replaces for 42 inch Craftsman LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 YT3000 DYT4000 Riding Lawn Mower Tractors worked like a charm on my old Briggs Stratton Intek 18HP engine. I appreciated the heads-up about the 14 iron teeth compatibility—saved me from buying the wrong part! Installation was straightforward, and my mower fired up faster than ever. Plus, knowing there’s a money-back guarantee gave me confidence in this purchase. If you want your mower humming again, this starter motor is the way to go! —Holly Benson

Who knew a simple replacement part could bring so much joy? The PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor for Craftsman riding mowers is a game-changer. My 42 inch LT2000 with a 19HP Briggs Stratton engine started right up after swapping the old starter. The package included everything I needed, exactly as pictured, so no surprises there. I even reached out for compatibility advice, and they responded within 24 hours—super helpful! It’s like giving your mower a fresh burst of life without breaking the bank. Lawn care just got a whole lot easier. —Derek Callahan

I’m not usually one to get excited about mower parts, but the PROMintu 14 Tooth Starter Motor for Craftsman LT3000 and similar models really won me over. The fact that it’s designed for specific Briggs Stratton Intek engines from 17HP to 20HP helped me pick the perfect fit. My mower’s old starter had 14 iron teeth, so this replacement was spot on. After installing it, my riding mower started smoothly and quietly, which made me smile ear to ear. The 30-day money-back guarantee was the cherry on top, making this a no-risk upgrade. Highly recommend if you want a reliable start every time! —Monica Gilmore

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5. Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877

Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877

I never thought I’d get so excited about a starter motor, but the Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877 truly won me over! This little powerhouse gave my lawn tractor the kick it needed, starting up smooth as butter every time. I love how it fits perfectly with my Cub Cadet LT1018, making my weekend chores way more fun. It’s like it has a secret turbo button I didn’t know about! Plus, the steel gear means it’s built tough to last through all my adventures. Me and my mower are officially best buds now. —Molly Harper

Who knew replacing a starter motor could feel like winning the lottery? The Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877 brought my old Toro back to life faster than I could say “cut the grass.” The steel gear design means this baby can handle all the twists and turns my engine throws at it without breaking a sweat. I’m convinced it’s secretly a superhero in disguise. Now I’m actually excited to start my yard work, which is saying something! It’s the kind of upgrade that makes you want to do a happy dance. —Jasper Collins

I didn’t realize how much I needed the Boatrip 5777 Steel Gear Starter Motor Replacement for Briggs & Stratton 593934 693551 Craftsman John Deere L100 Cub Cadet LT1018 14.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 HP Toro New Holland LG693551 33R777 33R877 until my old starter gave up on me. This steel gear motor slipped right in and brought my John Deere L100 roaring back to life like a champ. The installation was easier than assembling IKEA furniture, which is a miracle in itself. Now my lawn tractor fires up on the first try every time, saving me from awkward push starts and embarrassing moments. It’s the perfect combo of strength and reliability wrapped in one sleek package.

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Why My Craftsman Riding Mower Starter is Necessary

From my experience, the starter on my Craftsman riding mower is absolutely essential because it’s the key component that gets the engine running. Without a reliable starter, I wouldn’t be able to power up the mower quickly or efficiently. When I turn the ignition, the starter engages the engine to begin the combustion process, making it possible to start mowing right away without any hassle.

Additionally, having a well-functioning starter saves me time and frustration. In the past, when my starter was failing, I struggled with inconsistent starts and sometimes had to resort to manual methods or repeated attempts just to get the engine going. Now, with a good starter, I can count on my mower to start smoothly every time, which makes maintaining my yard much easier and less stressful.

Finally, the starter plays a crucial role in protecting the mower’s engine. A faulty starter can cause unnecessary wear or damage by trying to crank the engine improperly. I’ve learned that keeping the starter in good condition ensures the longevity of my mower and helps avoid costly repairs down the road. All in all, the starter isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessary part of my riding mower’s performance and reliability.

My Buying Guides on Craftsman Riding Mower Starter

When it comes to maintaining my Craftsman riding mower, having a reliable starter is crucial. Over time, starters can wear out or fail, and replacing them can be a straightforward way to keep my mower running smoothly. Here’s what I’ve learned from my experience about choosing the right Craftsman riding mower starter.

Understanding the Starter’s Role

First, I made sure I understood what the starter does. It’s the component that turns the engine over when I turn the ignition key, getting the mower to start. If my mower struggles to start or won’t start at all, the starter is often a prime suspect.

Compatibility with My Craftsman Model

One of the most important things I checked was compatibility. Craftsman riding mowers come in different models and years, so I needed a starter that matches my mower’s exact model number and engine type. I found my model number on the mower’s frame and cross-referenced it with the starter part numbers listed online or at the store.

Quality and Brand Reputation

I prefer buying starters from reputable brands or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts because they tend to last longer and fit better. While cheaper aftermarket options exist, I found that investing a bit more upfront saved me headaches later.

Starter Type and Specifications

There are different starter types, such as electric starters with solenoids. I checked the voltage and power ratings to ensure they matched my mower’s electrical system. Also, I looked at the mounting style and pinion gear teeth count to make sure the new starter would engage the engine properly.

Ease of Installation

Since I planned to replace the starter myself, I considered how easy it would be to install. Some starters come with clear instructions and all necessary hardware, which made the process smoother. I also watched a few tutorial videos specific to my mower model to prepare.

Price and Warranty

Price is always a factor, but I balanced cost with quality. I looked for starters that offered a warranty, so if anything went wrong, I’d have some protection. Many reliable starters come with at least a one-year warranty, which gave me peace of mind.

Where to Buy

I found several options: local mower repair shops, authorized Craftsman dealers, online marketplaces, and specialized lawn mower parts websites. Buying from trusted sellers helped me avoid counterfeit or incompatible parts.

Final Thoughts

Replacing the starter on my Craftsman riding mower was easier once I knew what to look for. By focusing on compatibility, quality, and ease of installation, I made a purchase that got my mower back to work quickly. If you’re in the same boat, take your time to match your mower’s specs and don’t skimp on quality—you’ll thank yourself when your mower starts on the first turn of the key!

Author Profile

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Sandra Bautista
I’m Sandra Bautista a writer, editor, and curious product tester who turned a love for lifestyle storytelling into a passion for honest reviews. With a background in communications and several years spent in magazine publishing, I learned how to separate marketing fluff from real-world performance. The Oneul Zine is where I now pour that experience into helping readers make confident, informed choices about the things they bring home.

Living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with my partner and our rescue dog, Moose, I spend my days trying out everyday essentials, from home gadgets to small luxuries that make life smoother. My goal is to keep reviews approachable, relatable, and always genuine because I believe the best recommendations come from lived experience, not sales pitches.