Mowing craftsman garden tractor

[mechanic]

Does anyone know anything about the craftsman garden tractors the 2016 models. I gave up on lowes mowers because they were listing a tractor troy-bilt that was out of stock and troy-bilt had it listed out of stock. I talked to Lowes and found the husqvarna so I looked at reviews and it was having problems with the transaxle braking after so many hours. $2299.00 is too mich to spend for a couple years then you have to replace axle. The axle is $975 for a new one. I looked at the hustler and it is around $4000. This is for 3 acreas with some slope. Not sure what too buy.

 

[Garycw]

I would look at a older Deere or cub. For another property that is 2 AC , we picked up a 2009 big box Deere 48" for $700. At flea mkt. Forget the model but it's a hydro drive. This is for a guy we hired to mow with.
Other mowers I use are JD L120, Cub 2186/54", Cub 3205/60" and JD 1025/60"

 

[KennyG]

In the $2K to $3K HST range you are going to get a lightweight transaxle. There are horror stories but for the average homeowner these machines will last 10 to 20 years. If you are mowing 3 acres, you aren't average. Sounds like you belong on a zero turn.

 

[Tomtint]

My Kubota ownership was expedited by purchasing a new top of the line Craftsman mower. .. If I remember correctly it was a 26 HP GT bla bla bla. .. It may be the single biggest piece of crap I ever bought. After using it once on a very nice lawn, that was just a bit damp, I realized it was useless as a mower unless it was completely dry and only needed 1/2" trimmed off the top. .. I returned it the next day for a refund.

 

[RaydaKub]

Most people on this forum will tell you what you've seen so far is a waste of time and money. Get down to an implement dealer and pick up a real piece of iron, new or used.

 

[TheMan419]

I have a Craftsman garden tractor. I have had it for 10 years. It is a good machine. It mows lawns, that is what it does. I have done the standard maintenance. Oil change, grease the right spots etc. The only major thing is this last year I to weld a part on the font axle.

I only mow about 3/4 of an acre with it. Had it before we bought the 18 acres we own now, when I lived a suburban life.

It is likely going to take quite a while to mow 3 acres. I'd consider a zero turn if the finances are available.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I mow my 3 acres which is **** on a mower because I have a lot of sand. I'm not kidding when I say I wore out Lowe's type mowers every 2 years. If they weren't worn out then I had to keep replacing the same parts over and over and over. If I had the thousands of dollars I spent on those "throw away" mowers I could buy a top of the line commercial unit with ALL the bells and whistles. Matter of fact, I said heck with this and went and started shopping commercial mowers. Stuff like Exmark S series, Deere B series, Scag Turf Tiger and Cheetah, etc. Yeah I spent a foolish amount on a machine that has only one purpose (cut grass) but I can promise you it'll stand up to the abuse my yard will throw at it for years and years and years to come.

I'm gonna to be honest with you, most of your riding mowers are meant for square lawns that have perfect grass, exactly like you see in the pic in the brochure with the smiling woman that's cutting her grass that looks like Agusta National. Too bad that's not everybody's lawn.

 

[Garycw]

The big box mowers just seem to also be getting cheaper and cheaper made/ not the cost. Those made 15-20 years ago I think we're a little better quality than today's. In the $2000 range, like others said, get a older used true Deere that came from Deere dealer. Or similar. Simplicity, gravely etc. I've never been a fan of ZT's, but I've never had a flat yard either.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I understand that Husqvarna is now building the Craftsman mowers... I have two Husqvarna mowers, one a Rider 155 that's 14 years old with over 2500 hours on it, and a GTH52xxx that 3 years old and about 50 hours on that one.

The old Rider has been a jewel. Mows 'golf course smooth'. I mowed 3 acres for about 10 years with that one, used it to haul logs after hurricanes before I bought my Kubota tractor. That little guy has simply been abused, but also well maintained. Almost no repairs and that's saying something since it has a Kohler 15hp engine and the TorqTuff K46 transaxle.

The newer GTH with the 26hp Kawasaki is definitely a brute, but not meant for nice smooth clean cut grass. It does great in waist high weeds, but it is NOT a garden tractor by any means, nor not even a smooth cutting lawn mower. In fact, I burnt the drive belt up trying to tow my golf cart uphill out of a creek :-( And unfortunately, it does not have true traction lock, which the newer ones I think do have. At least, it did not come with the TorqTuff transaxle!

I bought the GTH to handle cutting steep slopes on my pond dams. It had enough power but not enough traction. So, I changed out the turf tires on the rear for all-terrain tires, and added 50# weights to each drive wheel. It now handles the slopes with ease. I've not had any breakdowns with the GTH, but then, it's not all that old either.

I can recommend the Husqvarna Rider models for a 'lawn', but if you're cutting steep slopes or super high weeds, nah, I'd have to see it in action. Mine won't.

Unfortunately, ZTRs are not known for handling steep slopes either. Perhaps some other readers that own ZTRs have some mods to improve on slope mowing. If so, I'd sure be interested; no doubt a good quality ZTR would be the fastest and best cutting mowers to be had.

 

[sam5570]

Most people on this forum will tell you what you've seen so far is a waste of time and money. Get down to an implement dealer and pick up a real piece of iron, new or used.

Very good advise. My thought as well

 

[s219]

Deere X300 series and above seem to be the only decent mowers nowadays. All the rest are either the same MTD crap or similar.

 

[lomita]

GEm99ultra is correct...Husqvarna Rider models for a lawn ok.

Otherwise, my son has a Husqvarna Rider model with 3 blades (a wider deck) bought at Lowe's and if the weeds are wet or you are on a slope it just sits and spins it wheels, it is a joke for a lot more money. He also has a 'Bronco' which is a much better machine.

How often will you need to mow?? If you are mowing every 10-20 days or about 20+ times a year you will probably burn thru a big box mower. If you are only mowing 4-5 times a year then a big box mower will do just fine for X? years.

You are asking for advise from a "TRACTOR" forum.........most people reading this forum have or need larger equiptment.

 

[Duwop]

I bought in 2002 a Craftsman GT3000 23 hp Kohler garden tractor for $2200 to mow and garden my 6 acre property. My garden size was 125'x60' I purchased,the craftsman 10" plow and a agrifab pull behind tiller. I mowed approximately 4 1/2 acres each week and gardened 9 months of the year. Though today I no longer garden with it I still mow each week and pull a cart around for yard/ tree debris cleanup. I have personally maintained this machine each year with oil/ filters gas filters and a fresh set of plugs each year. I have never had a problem with it. I wash it twice a year beginning and end of season. My property is quite bumpy so I have changed the seat for a suspension seat that was designed for a forklift. I have always stored it in a shed with a wood floor but do have to inspect for rodents during the off season but have never had and wires damaged.
If you treat this purchase as an investment that your going to get the maximum out of you will do well. I guess what I'm getting at is its your money and if you don't take care of it properly it really doesn't matter how much you spend or what you buy it won't last. Sure you may buy one that has an issue but that doesn't make it a bad buy.My brother has been though four of the big box lawn mowers in the same time span and still don't get it. Some folks just have more money the sence. I would have no problem purchasing another Craftsman GT

 

[Garycw]

I bought in 2002 a Craftsman GT3000 23 hp Kohler garden tractor for $2200 to mow and garden my 6 acre property. My garden size was 125'x60' I purchased,the craftsman 10" plow and a agrifab pull behind tiller. I mowed approximately 4 1/2 acres each week and gardened 9 months of the year. Though today I no longer garden with it I still mow each week and pull a cart around for yard/ tree debris cleanup. I have personally maintained this machine each year with oil/ filters gas filters and a fresh set of plugs each year. I have never had a problem with it. I wash it twice a year beginning and end of season. My property is quite bumpy so I have changed the seat for a suspension seat that was designed for a forklift. I have always stored it in a shed with a wood floor but do have to inspect for rodents during the off season but have never had and wires damaged. If you treat this purchase as an investment that your going to get the maximum out of you will do well. I guess what I'm getting at is its your money and if you don't take care of it properly it really doesn't matter how much you spend or what you buy it won't last. Sure you may buy one that has an issue but that doesn't make it a bad buy.My brother has been though four of the big box lawn mowers in the same time span and still don't get it. Some folks just have more money the sence. I would have no problem purchasing another Craftsman GT

I had one and the weakest link was the deck. It had a clutch with a hi/low transaxle. I couldn't count the #times I had deck off replacing spindles, brackets, bolts etc. I got really fast at R&R The GT itself though was a good one with all the tires loaded. We inherited it with a purchased property and mowed about 3 AC with it for a few years till someone decided they liked it too and was stolen. It was great for pulling wagons around.
I also have a 1972 Murray 16 twin that's tough as nails( except the deck) it has weights, chains , sleeve hitch and 6 Brinly attachments. It's a worker. Wouldn't give you 2 cents for a new Murray

 

[powerscol]

The new Sears are built by Husky - just open the hood and their sticker is there. I got one of the new 26 hp garden tractor (ground implement rated) and have less than 20 hours on it. I wish I had bought the JD I looked it.
Nuff said.

 

[KYKub]

I'm very happy with a used Kubota G1900. Simple, sturdy design that just feels well-engineered when you operate it. Plus, that wonderful whiff of diesel when you start it! Even though it had 900 hours when I bought it, I expect it will last many, many more years than the big box store junk I had previously.

 

[mddorange]

My brother-in-law repairs mowers for a living and he is a big believer in Kubota.

 

[fried1765]

I have a Craftsman garden tractor. I have had it for 10 years. It is a good machine. It mows lawns, that is what it does. I have done the standard maintenance. Oil change, grease the right spots etc. The only major thing is this last year I to weld a part on the font axle.

I only mow about 3/4 of an acre with it. Had it before we bought the 18 acres we own now, when I lived a suburban life.

It is likely going to take quite a while to mow 3 acres. I'd consider a zero turn if the finances are available.

I have a 15HP Craftsman mower (made by Roper in those days) that was bought new by my dad in 1972.
A 44 year old mower, that has 2000+ hours on it. I will use it again at my summer home this year.
NOTHING today is built like that old Sears machine. No plastic, 3/16" steel formed box frame, 15HP cast iron Briggs.
I would not even think about buying a Sears mower today!
I do also have a 2009 (big box) 42" cut John Deere, that has been good ... so far...., but it is nowhere near the build quality of the old Craftsman!

 

[ishiboo]

Deere X300 series and above seem to be the only decent mowers nowadays. All the rest are either the same MTD crap or similar.

Deere X300 has the same crappy K46 as all the others.

The X320 and above have the K58 which is a marked improvement for mowing. The old GT2x5's have the Tuff Torq K71 like the X500. Somewhere around the X580 or so, they switch to the K92 which is a REALLY beefy unit. But the K71 is a very good option as well.

 

[s219]

Deere X300 has the same crappy K46 as all the others.

The X320 and above have the K58 which is a marked improvement for mowing. The old GT2x5's have the Tuff Torq K71 like the X500. Somewhere around the X580 or so, they switch to the K92 which is a REALLY beefy unit. But the K71 is a very good option as well.

I was speaking to the series, not the particular model (I have a 380). Any 300 series is still a huge step up compares to the box store crap, and if you are not mowing a flat lawn you can step up to the better trans, unlike many of the other brands.

Cub has models with a better trans, but the rest of the tractor is still pretty crappy. So it's not just about the trans.