GT3000

Argee · Jun 1, 2002

Well I finally have gotten tired of working on my Case 446's. I inwtalled the mower deck the other day on my 446, made a pass up one side of the drive and back the other. On the return trip I noticed some oil on the drive (a lot of oil) Checked the area and found a 3" x 5" piece of my differential housing laying there. This is the third time it has happened to this machine. The end of the grade 8 bolt shears off and drops down to the bottom of the housing, gets in between the housing and the high range gear. The housing loses the battle. Poof!! an expensive fix.($150 for a used housing) I was so disgusted I went out and bought a Craftsman GT3000. Mowed with it the next day, I love it. Has a 23 HP Kohler and a 6 speed tranny. A 50" deck. Lots of power and seems to be built pretty well. Cast iron steer axle, center frame, easily removeable hood. Has a spring assisted attachment lift arm and dial in cutting height. I'm going to dedicate it to mowing grass and blowing snow.

Going to repair the Case for the last time and put both up for sale. Take the proceeds and put towards a bigger tractor, maybe that one from Northern Equipmet.

Just wanted to vent. I feel better all ready.

s1120 · Jun 2, 2002

Sorry to hear about your problem. I have heard about this problem before, but have been luckly and not have it happand to me. Have you installed the replacement bolts, or have someone else do it? If you replace them, make sure they are tightend to the correct setting. I guess the factury overtighted them when new, and thats why they snap. Also have you used the Ingersoll bolts? I hear they changed them to make them a little stronger. I do know, that when my house is done, and I have a garage to work in, I will pull my units apart, and check them out. All three have good transaxles for now, and I would like to keep them that way.

Also, I hope you have good luck with your new tractor. Gives you something to work with till you get that bigger tractor./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Sounds like you use your tractors hard. I would like to hear how that Craftsman holds up. They seem to be made well.

kbarrett · Jun 2, 2002

Argee,

I've heard some great things about the newer Craftsman GT Series. Should provide you with many years of service.
The KOHLER is a nice engine. I have the 22HP version on my EX-MARK. Nice and smoooth.

Argee · Jun 2, 2002

Paul,
I knew I would get a response from you. I am still Case fan in my heart, but enough is enough. Yes I use my tractors pretty hard, I guess a little harder than what they were designed for. But that's one of the chances you take when you buy older equipment.

I used grade 8 bolts that I bought at QF&F. The Ingersoll dealer recommended that I buy them there. He said they were the same as he sold, only cheaper. Imagine that, an honest dealer/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I did the fix myself on both tractors. Didn't know what the recommended torque settings were, so I called on my experience from years ago when I was a mechanic on lift trucks and just tightened them with a combination wrench. I know they were'nt to tight, but with locking nuts I knew they wouldn't back off. It sheared off right behind the nut. When I walked over to it, the sheared piece was laying right on top of the broken chunk of housing just like someone placed it their.

When I snow plow, I use the tractor to climb the banks to shove snow over them. Wondering if that is placing to much torque on the bolts. But the bolts go through the entire cluster, I can't understand why they're shearing in the same place every time. Why dont they shear in the middle or at the head end of the bolt. Probably a poor design from the get go. You definitely want to look at yours as soon as possible because they don't give any warning. I've welded both cases (one twice) so the fix can be inexpensive if you have access to a welder. Just a lot of time involved because you have to pull the entire axle out and disassemble it completely.

By the way if your looking for a snowblower, or rototiller for one, let me know. I'm thinking of parting them out as opposed to selling outright.

As for the new GT3000, I just mowed for the second time. The steering is quick and responsive (I got a lot of trees to dodge) so thats a big plus. Plenty of power. The frame is comparible to the case. The hood is metal with some plastic at the bottom. You can unplug the lights and pull the hood off in 5 seconds. That's a big plus when doing maintenance, as they inverted the engine and the air cleaner is in the front. They supply a small hose to facilitate draining the oil (not to crazy about that) so you don't pour it all over the frame. The front steering axle is cast iron (like the case) with greasable king pins and center pivot. It doesn't have a hydraulic lift, but comes with a spring assisted manual deck lifting mechanism which makes it easy to get the deck up and down. It has a six speed (3 speed and Hi/Low range) transmission which is belt driven from the engine. (Good or bad? Don't have an opinion yet) The clutch seems to be an idler pulley on that belt so you don't have any friction disc to wear out. All in all it seems to be a nice little tractor. Time will tell.

Argee · Jun 2, 2002

Kevin,
I hope I get a lot of years out of it. I looked at a lot of different tractors before buying this one. It seemed to have it over the Scotts (by John Deere), Cub Cadet, Huskie, MTD, John Deere to name a few. One of the big things is the steering axle (cast iron opposed to welded steel) and the center frame concept. Of course, PRICE was a big factor and allways having good luck with Sears products. I have a 30+ year old dehumidifier that's still going strong. Parts are a phone call away. They have a nice to deal with store in Gaylord. So I think I made the right choice.

It's nice to hear that there are good reviews on this particular tractor as I didn't have the luxury of doing any research other than at the store on this purchase. Of all the tractor choices that were available to me, this was by far the best deal. We went shopping in the morning and had it purchased by noon. Had it delivered the next morning and took it on the maiden voyage. So far, so good.

What is the Ex-Mark, I'm not familiar with that name?

kbarrett · Jun 3, 2002

What is the Ex-Mark, I'm not familiar with that name?

Like Paul, I'm a fan of Case/Ingersoll. I recently sold my 3012 and got a 1996 model of this:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.exmark.com/TurfRangerSpecs.htm>http://www.exmark.com/TurfRangerSpecs.htm</A>

Looks like the picture, except mine has the 22HP version
of that engine. I also have the 60" deck.

EXMARK's are typically used by Lawncare professionals.
The Ingersoll was great, but the 60" deck and zero turn maneuverability have me spoiled already.

My particular unit has over 1530 hours on it and still
runs great.

I just recommended a Craftsman to my Pastor. He has two acres of rough lawn, 15.5HP and absolutely loves it. I think you'll be equally impressed. It's hard to beat their bang for the buck.

s1120 · Jun 3, 2002

By the way if your looking for a snowblower, or rototiller for one, let me know. I'm thinking of parting them out as opposed to selling outright.

You looking to part out the tractors, or just split up all the attachments?

Argee · Jun 4, 2002

You looking to part out the tractors, or just split up all the attachments?

I'm going to try and sell them as a whole with attachments at first. If nothing happens any time soon, I'll probably part them out as there is more money to be made that way. It just takes a little longer to recoup it. All proceeds are going to my favorite charity "A 4WD Tractor For Argee Campaign"/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif