GT6000 capabilities / questions

[oifla]

hello all

been looking into acquiring a more heavier duty tractor (making the jump from lawn to garden basically) and i'm researching options. i've run accross a few GT6000s and i'm curious about their capabilities.

here's what i need my new (new to me because i can only really afford used right now): i need it to mow (duh), haul a 1/4 ton trailer around (mostly for hauling firewood), possibly plow the driveway, and, every now and then, drag larger logs with a choke chain. a sleeve or 3 pt hitch and rear end gear selection (on a manual or hydro) would be nice.

on the one hand, minus the towing, i've seen youtube videos on everything else so i'm fairly confident the GT6000 would be able to do what i ask of it... on the other, there were several comments about the GT6000 and a weak rear end and frame. i haven't seen that many here on the weak rear end but it would still be nice to know if i am asking too much of these models. any ideas on towing limits?

i've read enough on the engine debate to know not to ask )) but i would like to know if there any visual clues (especially useful when looking on CL) into what kind of GT6000 one is looking at. take this one:

can you tell from the pics what kind of engine? what sort of trans (am i correct that these came in hydrostatic and gear drive?)? all i can make out is that this is a 6 speed (the ad doesn't specify), any other clues i'm missing?

are there any differences in terms of frames and/or chassis across GT6000 models over the years? i ask because i've only seen pics of the rear end with a sleeve hitch though i thought i read something about a 3 pt hitch for these (lotsa tractors in my head these days, could be i'm confused)

how does the GT6000 rank among the heaviest duty craftsman / sears models?

 

[toppop52]

What happened to all the other posts? Yesterday there 5-6 posts, now they're gone, weird!

 

[oifla]

i don't know about any other posts, as far as i've seen yours is the first - mods, any ideas? if there were other posts i'd love too see them!

 

[toppop52]

Unless there's another Craftsman 6000 thread there were several posts, including one I wrote about my GT5000.
Anyway, I have a GT5000 with a 26 h.p. B&S, and the heavy duty hydrostatic tranny. I got mine basically free because it sat out for 2 years after a divorce and they thought it was no good. I used the 54" deck for a bush hog because I don't plan to use this tractor as a mower, I have a larger zero turn for that. I thought it would eventually break, but I ended up bush hogging an acre plus with it including 1" trees. I have a Massey Ferguson steel dump trailer and I pull over 1000 lbs regularly with that 5000 and it doesn't even whimper. I plan to get either a front end loader or Johnny bucket for it asap.

 

[farmeratheart]

Like Toppop, I had the GT5000 for years. I used it for everything from plowing my garden (moldboard plow on a sleeve hitch) , moving firewood from wood shed to deck (17 cu ft heavy duty trailer), plowing snow (42" blade), and cutting grass (48" HD deck). The only reason I sold it to move up was I didn't like the FEL possibilities available at the time. I sold it after 8 years (on CL) for 75% of what I paid for it and as far as I know it is still out there working hard! Good luck in whatever you decide!

Frank

 

[oifla]

thanks for the responses - just to check, when you all say you have/had a gt5000, which tractor is that?

do you have this one (the older FF body style):

or this newer, rounder style:

 

[farmeratheart]

Mine was the newer "rounder" style. I had wheel weights on the rears and used chains for plowing- snow and earth!

Frank

 

[toppop52]

New style also.

 

[jonnyc1999]

I also have the newer round style. It will do everything you mentioned except pull logs. The machine is much too light weight to skid anything with, and you will lose traction long before you lose power. I've used it to pull a half ton of gravel in my trailer, rough mow through scrub brush, and of course mow the yard. It has plowed my NH driveway through 6"+ snow every winter since 2003. Traction has been the biggest limiting factor with it!

 

[toppop52]

Traction is a problem, but even with stock tires and no chains, by hitching as far back on the trunk as I can and not hit the tractor when I turn, I've been able to drag 25-30 foot cherry trees and others. If I get on uneven ground it will tend to lose traction though.

 

[Bota4me]

I own the older style gt6000 and it is a great mower but has limits I found out.
I blew the rear end out trying to pull a couple small logs. Traction is a problem plowing also. I would look elsewhere if you want to do more than mow and pull a cart, the twin b s runs great still tho! Hope this helps.

 

[skier]

I have owned this Craftsman GT 6000 2011 model since August 2011 I mowed with it then took off deck and Snow Plowed with it and now mowing and tried to do garden work with it. The only problem I seem to have is the Steering, My wheels now point in opposite directions. Sears warranty service came out yesterday and installed new Spindles that I got from Warranty service parts also a new drive belt a new Mowing deck Mandrill all under warranty. Great but problem still remains. Front wheels are toed in or out but not straight. I understand that this is a real issue with this model that needs to be corrected. From what I can see, steering front end has no adjustment and is not really heady duty at all. I will now call Service again and ask for a expert? on such matters. I must add service dept was wonderful, when I asked for a new Engine to Transmission belt they sent the whole new $750 transmission wow no wonder they have no profit