Craftsman Zero Turn: Full Yearly Service Guide

If your Craftsman zero turn has been working hard all season, a full yearly service keeps it cutting clean and starting reliably. Here’s a concise walkthrough based on a Briggs & Stratton-powered unit.

What you’ll get:

• Step-by-step for oil, filter, plugs, fuel filter, blades, and a deep clean
• Practical cautions that save time and parts
• Torque notes and reassembly pointers

Warm up, drain, and refill

• Warm the engine first so oil drains smoothly. Lift the front slightly if the drain is slow, then let it finish completely.
• Reinstall the drain plug and snug it; avoid over-torquing.
• Spin off the oil filter by hand or with a wrench. Lightly oil the new filter’s O-ring. Match part numbers before installing.
• Refill with small-engine oil in controlled steps. Run the engine briefly, let it settle, and verify on the dipstick. Don’t overfill.

Air and spark: quick checks that matter

• Air filter: open the compartment, inspect the outer element and between fins. If it’s clean from last season, you can leave it; otherwise, replace.
• Spark plugs: there are two—one per side. Pull the boots, remove with a magnetic spark plug socket, and compare to new. Even if they look decent, fresh plugs help. Reinstall and seat properly.

Fuel filter swap without the mess

• Use the correct OEM filter and confirm flow direction. Most filters have an arrow; match it to the original orientation (arrow pointing away from the tank in this case).
• Pinch clamps, swap quickly, and keep the work area clear of used oil. Lesson learned: don’t set the new filter where it can fall into your drain pan.

Deck down, clean, and blades on

• Safety first: remove the key and disconnect both spark plug boots before working near the deck or belts.
• Remove belt shields, relieve belt tension, and disconnect the three mounting points with cotter pins/bolts to drop the deck.
• Scrape packed debris from the deck shell and pulleys. A thorough clean improves airflow and cut quality.
• Install sharpened/new blades and torque to 70–80 ft-lb. Re-route the belt, restore tension, reinstall shields, and reattach the deck mounts.

Final checks

• Start the mower and inspect for leaks at the drain and filter. Verify smooth operation and correct belt tracking.
• A quick wipe-down and silicone on appropriate areas can help with future cleanups.

Takeaway: A careful, once-a-year service on your Craftsman zero turn—oil, filters, plugs, deck clean, and blade torque—sets you up for a trouble-free mowing season.