gt 2542 too much for my needs?

[GaryS]

I just moved into a new house last fall and have been looking for a lawn tractor since spring. I'm really tempted just buy a Craftsman LS3000 for $1200. You see, all I need to do with the tractor is cut grass. I have the Massey for bigger chores. Here's the craftsman: http://tinyurl.com/ox7py

I've been looking at the 2542 but wonder if this is more machine than I need for simply cutting grass. What I need to cut isn't flat. The 2542 is a full 200lbs heavier than the Craftsman -- I can see that as both a benifit & a drawback. I understand the 2542 is a better built machine but I can buy two and a half Craftsman for the price

Is the heavier machine a safer machine? I want to make the right choice and wonder if I'm buying too much machine for what I want to do. As I said, I don't care much for attachments or other options - I just want this to cut grass.

I know some really hate Craftsman but I also know a bunch of people who are happy with them too.

 

[rbig]

If you won't be using your tractor to move heavy trailers around, then you won't need a garden tractor. You may be happier just having one, but you won't need one. If you decide not to get the garden tractor, then the Craftsman lawn tractor should do just fine.

One thing I might add is be sure and get as wide a deck as you can afford, if you don't have any tight spots. The wide decks cut your mowing time way down. However, they're more difficult to get through narrow spots. That's the tradeoff

What I do is mow with my wide deck, and then scoot around on a small rear engine rider to finish mowing the spots my wide one can't get to.

The hydro trannies are good to have, either in a lawn tractor or garden tractor.

 

[JTKub]

If it's relatively easy mowing, a craftsman would suit your needs. If you have rough spots, hills, lots of maneuvering and spend lots of seat time, you are better off spending up a bit. IMO, if you are not getting a foot pedal hydro, you may as well get a gear/manual transmission as you'll only have one hand on the wheel most of the time anyway.

Joel

 

[GaryS]

If you have rough spots, hills, lots of maneuvering and spend lots of seat time, you are better off spending up a bit. IMO, if you are not getting a foot pedal hydro, you may as well get a gear/manual transmission as you'll only have one hand on the wheel most of the time anyway.

Thanks for the advice. I do have hills and rough spots and really think the thing for me is a 4wd but prices then go through the roof. I should have said that I'm fairly budget constrained. I suspect the Craftsman may last only a few years but that would give me time to save a bit for a real good tractor. I suspet that's the best route for me right now.

gary

 

[Fordlords]

We have a small 16/42 hydro Craftsman for the light chores around the house and it's just fine for that. It's even well maintained and going on 10 years old with no major troubles. As long as they are used for their intent, a Craftsman would work fine for you.

-Fordlords-