help me select my first garden tractor please

DanielNY · Jun 27, 2004

Hey guys,

I am obviously new here, but after reading some posts, I am starting to have some doubts about the tractor I was going to purchase next week. I currently have 1 acre of lawn to mow, the lot is perfectly level, and I am current mowing this lawn using a little snapper push mower. I am sure you can understand how desperate I am to purchase a tractor.

I will be purchasing my tractor next week, it is my first one, but I do need a quality machine. I was looking at the Craftsman GT5000 with a Kohler Pro engine. I am not 100% sure yet about which transmission I want, maybe you guys can help me out with that too. I read many good reviews on the GT5000 model, but after reading some threads here, I am worried. I am willing to spend up to $2300 on a tractor, needs to be able to drive attachments as I also want to purchase a 2stage snowblower kit (I live in upstate NY, sometimes up to 7ft of snow in 24 hours), and don't want to pay more than $1400 for this snowblower kit. The craftsman seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck compared with other makes, but since I am new to this, I am sure I am making some judgement mistakes.

The only JD I can afford which does this is the JD 100 series, which seems to have much less HP (but hopefully that doesn't matter), but I haven't heard much good about the 100 series, including on this forum. A JD with similar features as the Craftsman GT5000 runs over $10k according to the JD site, so that isn't going to happen.

I really don't want to worry about my tractor dying as I plan on using it all year (either as a mower, or a snowblower), so I need your help selecting one for me. I am hoping I can get it at Home Depot or Sears as I can get 10% off. My apologies for the newbie questions, but I couldn't find an existing thread which has the same requirements. Thanks guys!

Bird · Jun 27, 2004

Daniel, I know there's been a lot of Craftsman bashing lately on the forum, and yes, there are better machines, for a lot more money, of course. Personally, I've had a Craftsman, a nephew has one now, and I've known lots of other people who had them and were happy with them. As with any machine, the operator and the routine maintenance make a huge difference in how well the machine holds up over time. Much depends on personal preferences. So I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Craftsman at all. And of course you'll find lots of opinions on the best type of transmission. My personal favorite, by far, is a foot operated hydrostatic, although my last one was a fender mounted lever operated hydrostatic and that works, too.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your shopping.

slammer · Jun 27, 2004

Hi Daniel. I am an admitted Craftsman basher but I am also a reaslist. You have a list of criteria in mind and you have a budget. I understand that not everyone is gonna buy a "top shelf" tractor for a multitude of reasons. I respect that. If the GT 5000 meets your criteria and budget then go for it. Just go into the deal with your eyes open. Don't expect a 2K tractor to perform as well or last as long as "Joe Smiths" Superdooperbellandwhistlemachine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I do the following every time I mow.

1. Clean machine all over paying particular attention to the engine compartment and deck. Remove all material from under the deck.

2. Clean the airfilters.

3. Check the oil and top off if needed but DO NOT OVERFILL.

4. Inspect the machine, check for anything loose or missing.

5. Store under shelter.

I also change my oil, grease all fittings and sharpen/balance my blades after 3 to 4 uses depending on the hours used. This may seem excessive but it will stretch the life of your machine tremendously.

By this post I did not mean to oversimplify or imply that you did'nt already know this stuff. My only intent was to help you get the most out of your new tractor. Good luck and go get em'! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Slam

DanielNY · Jun 27, 2004

I definitely appreciate the honest responses, this is what I was looking for. It does look like maintenance is very important here, which I am willing to deal with, I just want to make sure craftsman isn't the 'yugo/pinto' of the tractors.

slammer · Jun 27, 2004

( I definitely appreciate the honest responses, this is what I was looking for. It does look like maintenance is very important here, which I am willing to deal with, I just want to make sure craftsman isn't the 'yugo/pinto' of the tractors. )

Naahhh, that's the Murray! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Slam

KAB · Jun 27, 2004

I have been looking for a garden "tractor" for my in-laws and in the same position as you. Most of the complaints that I had been reading has to do with the engine. There appears to only be a few manufacturers of Garden tractors - MTD, Electrolux(sp), JD and a few others. The biggest difference that I noticed is the gauge of frame rails and mower deck, type of front axle, and engine as being the difference within a manufacturer. I had heard that Sears changed their process of bidding out riding/garden tractors this year, it now appears that they bid out for the lowest price and now let lower quality in the above areas. I have a 16.5hp Kohler Craftsman riding mower made by AYP (also husqvarna, which I heard Electrolux bought AYP). I have not had any problems with this. (This mower is about 4yrs old and I mow about 1 acre in 2 yards. I just replaced the original blades with hi-lift blades and it mows even nicer now.)

My searching has me leaning towards the Husqvarna YTH1848XP. This has a Yamaha 18hp engine, cast axle, 10gauge deck, and has the ability to have a snowblower attached to it. The mower runs $2,299 and the blower runs approx $1,100. Lowes carries Husqvarna but not in the XP line. As with my Kioti, the dealer has made a lot of difference, I feel that service after the sale is just as important as the sale itself.

If it was not for the Husky dealer I would have probably went with the Cub Cadet (MTD) from a dealer not from Lowes or TSC even though they are the same piece of equipment due to more knowledgable dealer and knowing that he would be there to provide service if need be.

I am not sure which model the GT 5000 actually is (Not on their website by model) but if it has the gear shifter on the right rear fender (Mine does, this appears to be an Electrolux design) make sure you try it first, I have read where some people do not like the location of it and would prefer a foot control. The other complaint I have heard is the amount of space between the "dash" panel and the seat. Some are fairly close and make entry and exit difficult.

Welcome to TBN and let us know what you decide.

Kurt

Libertine · Jun 27, 2004

DanielNY:

I am willing to spend up to $2300 on a tractor, needs to be able to drive attachments as I also want to purchase a 2stage snowblower kit (I live in upstate NY, sometimes up to 7ft of snow in 24 hours), and don't want to pay more than $1400 for this snowblower kit. The craftsman seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck compared with other makes, but since I am new to this, I am sure I am making some judgement mistakes. 

Try this site Earth-tools and read up on a real tractor for your acreage that can do everything you want now, or may need in the future, and, should last your lifetime (unlike what amounts to a glorified riding lawn mower). Also, you might refer to the thread on 2-wheel tractors in the Buying forum.

JEH.

PS Craftsman does the best they can for their market. But it's by no stretch an agricultural quality product.

Freds · Jun 27, 2004

I hope you don't mind me butting into your thread, Daniel, but I just bought a lawn tractor and have a question I 'd like to throw out there.

Where does the big price difference come in?

I just traded one tractor in for a bigger tractor and a dedicated lawn mower. I've been happy with Kubota and my dealer so I stuck with both of them. After looking at the various models I wanted the G2160 with the 60" deck. It went for around $8,000. I walked into Lowe's the other day and saw mowers with 60" decks for $2,200 or there abouts. I was talking with my one neighbor last night and wondered if I got taken somewhat because I didn't shop around. He told me the township spent around $6,500 on a Cub Cadet 4 years ago for their ball fields.

So again, where does this big price difference come in? I love my G2160, but I don't see a diesel engine justifying the price difference and there doesn't *appear* to be any bells and whistles on it. Not 5 grand worth.

DanielNY · Jun 27, 2004

I just got back from Home Depot. They have a JD L130 on sale, for $100 more, but the snowthrower kit is $200 less, and it's a Kohler engine with similar specs. What do you guys think about the L130 and the JD dual stage snowthrower kit.

Bird · Jun 27, 2004

( Where does the big price difference come in? )

Freds, I really don't have anywhere near all the answers, and I'm even inclined to think the price difference is too much; however, just some of the differences may be:

1) How thick and strong the frame is,
2) What kind of front axle; cast iron vs. thin steel,
3) What kind of steering linkage at the wheels; ball joints vs. rod hooked into a hole,
4) What kind of engine (not just brand, but pressure lubrication vs. splash, oil filter or no filter, cast iron vs. aluminum blocks & heads, quality of air filter, etc.)
5) Type and durability of transmission,
6) Thickness and quality of mowing deck,
7) Type or quality of bearings on the spindles for the mower,
8) Type or quality of spindles for the front wheels,
9) Thickness or quality of sheet metal,
10) Type of seat (comfort and durability),
11) Type of steering linkage at the steering column, and
12) Just off the top of my head, that's a few. I'm sure others can tell you more than I can.