Craftsman GT5000 4.40 star(s) (17)

Information, reviews, photos, discussion topics, owner pages, and specifications about the Craftsman GT5000.
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About the Craftsman GT5000



Craftsman GT5000 Discussions (13)

Here are the most recent GT5000 topics from our community.
  1. R

    Craftsman GT5000 Engine Cuts Out, Struggles, Then is Okay

    Hi All, My second problem (besides the choke cable sticking in another post) is the 25 HP Kohler engine in my (mother-in-law's) 2004 Craftsman GT5000 intermittently, but frequently during mowing...
  2. E

    Newer Craftsman GT5000 engine won't budge

    Make/model 917.289472 GT5000, Serial # 051310A005218 Engine info: Kohler Courage 26hp, SN:4004905773 Here's my problem, I put in storage last fall after changing the oil, draining the fuel tank...
  3. R

    Craftsman GT5000 Discharge Problems

    Last year I bought a Craftsman GT5000 25/48 last year after previously owning and wearing out two other 2 blade riders (the red Wal-Mart ones). After studying prior to buying I was convinced I was...
  4. B

    craftsman gt5000 wont mow

    i was mowing and all the sudden the blades stopped working. i didnt hit anything. no broken belts. i think it is something with the switch. is there a fuse dedicated to the blade engage switch or...
  5. D

    Craftsman GT5000 ...been sitting for a while!

    So I'm new to the site and am looking for the collective wisdom of this group and I have an issue that I'm sure some of you have faced. I bought a house a few days ago and found out, after I'd...
  6. J

    Craftsman GT5000 Engine Trouible 22 bhp OHV B&S Intek

    Need assistance in troubleshooting engine trouble with GT5000. 22 bph OHV Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin Starts and Runs OK No Power so far: New plugs, cleaned air filter, new fuel filter...
  7. B

    Craftsman GT5000 Reliability?

    Looking for a nice used riding mower for my grandfather. I found a Craftsman GT5000 online not far away for $600 and the pictures look good. Owner says all it needs is a battery, otherwise runs...
  8. John_Mc

    Larger tires on Craftsman GT5000

    I just bought a 5 year old Craftsman garden tractor, a GT5000 (25 HP Kohler motor). The tires are significantly smaller on it than on my old Craftsman tractor. I'd like to bump up the tire size a...
  9. A

    Craftsman GT5000 26hp Kohler won't start.

    Tractor is little over 3yrs old. Turns over okay and is getting fuel. Was running fine when I parked it 5 days ago. Changed plugs, air cleaner fuel filter, even though these were new less than 20...
  10. R

    craftsman gt5000 54" cut

    Hay out there, My belt broke off my blades and now I am trying to figure out the path the new belt needs to take along the pullies. does anyone know the ins and outs of the 54" deck??? I bought...
  11. M

    Craftsman GT5000 problems

    I have a craftsman gt5000 and it seems like when i cut grass there are times when i just lose power or where i just dont have power and its not because of grass thickness or height it just loses...
  12. R

    craftsman gt5000 54" cut (how does the belt go on)

    Hi Just another soul from the state of Washington but since I am just across the Columbian River from Portland Or, I don't hear much about the state of WA. I am looking for some information as to...
  13. R

    Craftsman GT5000 throttle

    I'm replacing the carb, it has the Kohler CV730-0029 engine. I don't remember how the carb linkage was, is there a sketch or diagram. The choke works fine. Thanks,
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User Reviews (17)

Read what TractorByNet members think about the Craftsman GT5000 Subcompact Tractor
5
59 %
4
29 %
3
0 %
2
12 %
1
0 %
4.00 star(s)
Anonymous Poster

GT5000 Craftsman
Perfect Size For Hills
Model Year: 2005

I have the manual 6 speed. I am often setting the speed and leaning myself way over the fender to keep the mower from slipping/flipping on a hill. I know it is not something that should be done, but it is something that I have done with this mower and the previous same mower. I have thought about buying a larger tractor but feel that the extra seat height and the ability to lean over would not be as effective as this size garden tractor. This year I am spending the money to have a replacement engine as I can not find a similar sized manual 6-speed riding mower new.

Pros: Size and manual 6-speed
Cons: The deck is not real easy to remove/install

2.00 star(s)
Anonymous Poster

GT5000 Craftsman
Junk
Model Year: 2012

To carry a good name like Craftsman, it should be a good mower, but it is terrible. Finding parts for it is a nightmare. The motor and transmission are great, but everything else is worse than a Murray lawn mower.

Pros: Motor and transmission
Cons: Everything else

5.00 star(s)
stormllouis

GT5000 Craftsman
GT5000
Model Year: 2009

Beast of a mower.

Pros: 50" cut.
Cons: Engine size.

5.00 star(s)
stormllouis

GT5000 Craftsman
Beast Mode
Model Year: 2010

Great power and speed.

Pros: Strong.
Cons: Shifting.

4.00 star(s)
barko4

GT5000 Craftsman
2004 GT5000
Model Year: 2004

Great tractor except for the engine. It is a Kohler Command Pro 25hp v-twin. It has the same smoking problem and carb issues that I've read about for these tractors built around 2004. I will probably end up replacing the motor in a few years. The rest of the tractor seems pretty solid. Parts availability is pretty good.

Pros: Solid construction.
Cons: Engine.

5.00 star(s)
GUAYACAN

GT5000 Craftsman
Craftsman GT 5000 Is Strong!!!
Model Year: 2004

I have one with 54' cutting deck and Kohler pro 25hp. It is speedy when you need to, so you save time. Last good experience was a piece of metal that goes behind the center blade under the cutting deck compartment fell off and, to my surprise, the cutting performance increased dramatically! You see, that piece is important to cut garden grass neatly manicured, but when you have to deal with over-your-knees tall grass that is dense and with big roots, my GT 5OOO without that piece totally crushed that high grass at speed 3! I discovered that without this piece, the rate of discharge out of the cutting deck is completely untapped and it just cut like a big tractor with a 'taladora' on the back..so if you have one...KEEP IT! If not, just get it!

Pros: If you level your yard, you can take advantage of cutting a speed 6; meaning you can get the job done 600% faster!
Cons: Is not 4 wheel drive but driving with common sense will overcome that.

Photo Uploads:

4.00 star(s)
mahovy

GT5000 Craftsman
22 HP 50" Mower Graden Tractor
Model Year: 2004

Bought this tractor because of the mower size and the capability to use ground attachments (plow, disk, front blade, snowthrower, tiller, etc). Other than probelms with transmission, it has performed any and all I have thrown at it. The engine (22hp) is more than enough for mowing and even plowing my garden (25' x 45').

Pros: Great powerful engine.
Cons: Transmission weak.

5.00 star(s)
66JD1020

GT5000 Craftsman
GT5000
Model Year: 2010

Good value.

Pros: Wide deck.
Cons: Deck cannot be raised high enough.

5.00 star(s)
merlin68

GT5000 Craftsman
This is Not a Desert Rat
Model Year: 2006

I bought what I could finance. Not what I should have used, but I work with what I have and improvise. Brush hogging green tumble-weeds and desert grasses with a mid-mount. Oh how I think back and laugh. Burnt up one blade bearing unit and two belts with a deck fire. Had to make my own pulley shields out of expanded metal so I can keep a better eye on that clippings build up and wash of as necessary. And foam filled all the tires. Damn bull torns and fox tails just eat them thin ply tires. One positive won't have to buy wheel weights when I move back to snow country. Approximately fronts 65 lbs ea. back 110 lbs.

Pros: A person can fix it with a multi-tool, speed wrench, hammer, and duct tape. Try that with todays autos (lol).
Cons: I don't use it enough to earn its keep.

2.00 star(s)
craigbaill

GT5000 Craftsman
Craftsman GT: 5000 Good in Theory
Model Year: 2010

I bought this tractor as it seemed that for $2500 it would cut the lawn well and maybe plow some snow. I also needed it to pull an aerator as well. I have had issues with the starter not engaging the flywheel to start the engine. I smelled smoke at 30 hours and found that the drive pulley popped off. I bought the Berco electric lift 48" plow from Sears and it did not work right out of the box. Major hassle to have them come out just to tell me the Relay is bad. I bypassed it with another winch control and now its fixed. I attempted to level my gravel driveway with the plow in 1st gear only to have the drive belt slip! The mower deck, in the highest position, only gives 3" MAX between the ground and the bottom edge of the blade! I WOULD NOT BUY IT AGAIN!

Pros: Really? I don't have to walk to mow the lawn.
Cons: Read the above posts.

5.00 star(s)
thatch

GT5000 Craftsman
Review of Craftman 26 HP Garden Tractor
Model Year: 2006

Considered paying more to buy a heavier duty tractor before buying this model, but I have generally had good experiences with Sears/Craftman equipment and tools. I use this 26 HP, 54 inch mowing deck to mow my 2 acres of grass almost every week from May through October. It has performed pretty well in the five years I have had it, and have no regrets buying this tractor from my small acreage needs.

Pros: Reliable, starts up, and no problems to date, knock on wood.
Cons: None to speak of.

4.00 star(s)
toppop52

GT5000 Craftsman
GT5000 Great Little Worker
Model Year: 2004

This little rig will drag 30' cherry trees with all the limbs on them, 300 yds. to where I leave them. Only draw back is traction and I'm working on that!

Pros: Great power and maneuverability.
Cons: A little short on heft and traction.

5.00 star(s)
toppop52

GT5000 Craftsman
Great Little Tractor!
Model Year: 2006

I bought this to use as a tow and blade tractor, but it makes an excellent bush hog as well. I didn't care about the 54" deck because I was going to take it off permanently, but I figured I'd use it to knock down the fox and deer cover and then tried it in the vines and briars. It not only cut them down but 1" saplings fell as well. I might keep that mower deck just in case...

Pros: Great power, compact size.
Cons: Too short overall, wish wheelbase was a little more tractor and a little less mower.

5.00 star(s)
weewilly

GT5000 Craftsman
2009 Craftsman GT5000
Model Year: 2009

Second Craftsman (previous LT2000) I have owned both seem good value for the money the 5000 seems to be stronger built (as expected). I definitely love the 3 blade deck. I would like to see a more fuel efficient motor (about a gallon a hour @3/4 throtle) decent seat and suspension. The drink holder is a waste of time if your ground is much less than a golf course. If I could afford it a good used Kubota @6-7000 would be my choice although pricing parts for one makes the sears a heck of a buy. Weewilly

Pros: Made by Husqvarna dealer network/sears network.
Cons: 54" deck won't allow transport in a 1/2 ton ot smaller landscape trailers.

5.00 star(s)
Zork

GT5000 Craftsman
Great Investment
Model Year: 2002

I bought this tractor specifically because of the hydro and it was the largest deck available that permitted the mulch and bagging systems. The first unit I bought had the old style skids in front of the deck and the salesman assured me it would not scalp my terrain and Craftsman was not going to change the design. This old design scalped my lawn everywhere and I was very disappointed and the deck design and it did not support a front center roller option. Then several months (maybe a year) later I see the new design (with 4 wheels and a center roller) and the store manager exchanged the tractor for a new one. He asked me to tell all my friends, and I did. I am still telling them. I have used the tractor to create walking paths through the woods and mulching the heavy accumulation of leaves in the fall. The mulching system operates well with grass; however, I tend to cut too late or too early in the morning; or too tall for what it is designed for. When the grass is dry, it has no problems. The mulching kit has been a tremendous time saver with the leaves, sometimes I might have to hit the same area twice if I am going too fast. The mulching with the addition of plug aeration has dramatically improved my VA clay soil. The tractor has been a very easy keep! The first thing I did when I got it home was to install grease fittings in the blade spindle hubs (I recommend this very strongly since the spindle/bearing assembly had very little lubrication). I service the tractor regularly myself and it was last year that I had to replace the battery, fuel pump, and the deck secondary belt. This past winter I repaired the gas tank and fender steel. I cracked at seat mount, I assume, due to rough terrain and I repaired the cracked plastic tank with a soldering iron. It appeared distressed at the tank mounting bracket/flange possibly due to improper factory seam clearances at the corners adjacent to the flange. Circa 2003/2004 the left front deck support broke and was welded, most likely due to my terrain. I highly recommend this tractor and I would suggest paying the extra money for the Craftsman OE replacement battery.

Pros: Price, Quality, Low maintenance and cost to operate.
Cons: Backs up slower than I prefer.

4.00 star(s)
Anonymous Poster

GT5000 Craftsman
my 94 sears craftsman gold
Model Year: 1994

I have had pretty good luck with it, but I can also fix it myself, which makes maintenance a breeze.

Pros: Hasn't falied me yet.
Cons: I wish it was bigger (lol).

5.00 star(s)
Planter

GT5000 Craftsman
Craftsman GT 5000
Model Year: 2010

Best tractor I have ever used! I have the Excellerator model with the Kohler 26 HP engine. I have used the tow behind rototiller, box scrapper and a JohnnyBucketJr and blade. The tractor is a workhorse. Has a 54" mower blade. I had the Lift Link Assembly and nut re-threaded so I could raise the deck to its highest level of approx 4 inches. Somehow bent something in the steering to offset the left front wheel about 45 degrees. After three times of repair people trying to fix the problem they could not and furnished me a brand new tractor without hesitation or hassle. Many people complain that the hood is loose and I must agree. HOWEVER, with a $2.97 pack of Velcro the hood is nice and secure and does not rattle. The only complaint I have is the ignition location, somehow every time I use the tractor I end up bending the key with my right leg. Other than this minor irritant this is absolutely money well spent.

Pros: Everything about this tractor is great.
Cons: Relocate ignition to higher point to avoid bending of key.

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Craftsman GT5000 Owner Pages

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Craftsman GT5000 Community Rankings

#173 user rating of 2962 Lawn & Garden Tractors items
#4 Viewed of 2962 Lawn & Garden Tractors items
#101 discussed of 2962 Lawn & Garden Tractors items
#1202 user rating of 19625 items overall
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#721 discussed of 19625 items overall
#8 Ranking of Most-OwnerPages in 19625 items overall
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