Craftsman  Deluxe Sun Shade for Tractors

On my first day, I was excited to have a new shade for my tractor. While driving around in the extreme Florida summer sun, I was happy to be in the shade all of the time not just when mowing under the trees. Well on one occassion I was backing up and the next thing I see is the white canopy being shreaded under my mower. The nuts on the supports vibrated loose and the shade fell backwards, I didn't notice as I was in a shaded area, and it came off the frame, as I backed up I ran it over. I wasn't looking over my left shoulder or i might have seen it, now my wife says "You could have bought a lot of hats for the ost of that shade!" so now I am out the money and the embrassement. Just wear a hat and save your self the aggrevation the frame isn't made well, I tightened the bolts to the point of nut bending the cheap tubing they went through.

Definately not worth over $100 for a soft top and metal tubes. Flops around as to the base mounts to the thin sheet metal on the rear of the mower. I returned it to Sears and got a refund.

I thought I already wrote a review for this but somehow it disappeared. Anyway, all of these reviews are thoughtful but some are just so lame. I can see why the US is going down the tubes. I see some reviews say it fell apart immediately...then take it back it's obviously a lemon and Sears will make good. My guess is you didn't tighten the bolts enough. My shade kind of did the same as Cajun Pris, in which the top was pulled off by a passing tree branch, was sucked up by the deck, chewed up and spit out. All in all, I'd say the design isn't bad if it is installed correctly. They obviously found a reason not to fasten it in the front, so that it would only be supported in the back and out of the way of obstructions. It has some faults but still pretty good for how much it costs. What bothers me most is that people will complain because they have to do something to maintain the sunshade. Stop whining! It's called maintenance, Geez! Great product, Sears!!!

The shade was easy to assemble and works fine but I thought the canopy top was black/ gray so be sure when ordering.

This sunshade was on sale! I enjoy the look of it as much as I do the shade that it provides! A finishing touch to an already great tractor.

Broke at welds ofter a few hours of use. Got the run around from sears.

I love the fact that I have a shade for my rider, especially for Louisiana; however, this shade was not designed very well. I kept having to put the canvas back on the frame as it was constantly slipping off. Finally, the inevitable happened: the canvas slipped off the front of the sunshade frame, fell off the back of the frame, dragged on the ground and was run over by the mower and caught in the blades. Thankfully, it did not damage the blades/deck! It was replaced by Sears w/o any problem, but I bought some velcro to apply to the front flap of the shade so that it will (hopefully!) stay on the frame and no longer slip off. A couple of ties sewn to the front flap on the shade would easily solve this problem. I would recommend it to a friend but would caution them to use velcro to secure it better to the frame!

BTW....it was delivered w/the mower and was installed by Sears.

The base bracket (when lined up with the holes under seat) extends beyond the back of the tractor; model 28861. The instructions say that it should hook up under the back. Because the back of the bracket is unsupported, the sun shade rocks back and forth.while in motion. This torque will eventually break the bracket or sun shade tubular supports and is not very comforting... Either a bracket extention (between tractor and bracket) or a set of front supports is needed to keep this sun shade from swinging. Note that the bracket supports that comes with the sun shades is for different models and does not work with this tractor. I have contacted Sears Customer Service and the issue of supposedly was sent on to a Research Specialist for resolution by 6/7/2011. As of 6/16/2011, there has been no response let alone a resolution.

Pay close attention when picking between the 2 sears sunshades.  This model fits the 2009 model and the other one fits the 2010 model.  Sears changed the manufacturer from AYP to MTD this year.  I bought the wrong one originally because the flip book at the store says the other one is for the PGT.  They let me exchange it though tonight.  I came home tonight and installed it.  There is a hook on the back that the instructions say should hook over the back of the fender.  The PGT's fender is inset and the hooks don't reach.  The four screws seem to hold it down though but we will see what happens over time.  It seems well made and sturdy.  If the seat is all the way back it hits the turn knobs that hold the shade to the mount.  If the knobs are positioned fully vertical it can fit.  The shade can be used when the bagger is attached.

Installed this on my lawn tractor as per the instructions ( it's a direct bolt on part ) and 15 minutes into mowing the welds on the mounting bracket broke and down it came first on me then fell to the side and got under the rear wheel taking my fender in the process. I would not recommend this product at all or just about anything else from Sears since they were bought by K-mart !

It seems since they have become one the service and quality has gone down hill what a shame too because there once was a time when the name CRAFTSMAN meant something.