Need New Riding Mower

[rossgtn]

My 2002 Scotts L2548 gave up the ghost and I'm needing a replacement. I've looked at JD, Cub, Husqavarna and Sears. I'm wanting to stay under $3,000.00 but like everyone else I want the most bang for the buck. I was leaning toward the Husky until I saw the Sears GT5000 Excellerator (model 28947). It has a top speed of 7.5 mph. Does anyone have knowledge of this model?
I have approx. 4 - 5 acres with lots of trees and slopes (as much as 20-30% grade). I also have a Agri-Fab lawn vac that I use in the fall for getting up leaves. The old Scotts seem to handle it OK, but since I've hooked it up to our Cub SLT2654, the Cub just doesn't like pulling it loaded up hill and I truely don't want to blow the trany on it. So, I'm looking for something with a heavy duty trany.
Most of what I've researched has been positive, except for issues with the hood on this model.
I would have prefered to have a 48" deck, but all I'm finding with the HP and the taller tires has the 54".
Open to suggestions...

 

[bp fick]

I can only speak from my own experience. That Craftsman is built by the same people who make the Husky. Poulan is also, I do believe.

I know that they get a lot of off hand remarks, but if money is an issue, those Craftsman are hard to beat, dollar for dollar. You can go cheaper with MTD based mowers or your can go higher, much higher with name brands. You can get a better one, but you'll have to open your wallet wider. A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do.

There was a thread here, not too long ago, where dozens of Craftsman owners gave their testimonies The "vote" was around 85% positive.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/lawn-garden/152383-craftsman-tractors-better-than-bad.html

 

[bontai_Joe]

First, I am quite surprised that your Cub Cadet is having problems pulling your lawn vacuum. That should be well within the capabilities of that tractor. Could you go into more detail on this? I ask, because for $3000, you won't find anything new that is as strong as what you already have in my opinion.

 

[bp fick]

Agree with above. Although the Craftsman you spoke of is a GT and the Cub is/was an LT. Big difference. Still, that Cadet should have been able to manage, but it sounds to me, and this is only a guess, that the hills and grades of which you speak gave it fits? Although, that particular Cub didn't get great reviews.
http://products.howstuffworks.com/cub-cadet-slt-1554-lawn-tractor-review.htm

Could you be more specific about how steep the grades are and about power/traction needs?

My concern is this. Steeper grades are a CHALLENGE for any 2wd lawn mower/GT no matter what brand and no matter what you spend. Add just a little dampness on green grass and ooops!!

Grades just scream for 4wd for going both up and down. But.... 4wd is not likely to be had under that $3000 ceiling you imposed.

 

[ss4010]

My 2002 Scotts L2548 gave up the ghost and I'm needing a replacement. I've looked at JD, Cub, Husqavarna and Sears. I'm wanting to stay under $3,000.00 but like everyone else I want the most bang for the buck. I was leaning toward the Husky until I saw the Sears GT5000 Excellerator (model 28947). It has a top speed of 7.5 mph. Does anyone have knowledge of this model?
I have approx. 4 - 5 acres with lots of trees and slopes (as much as 20-30% grade). I also have a Agri-Fab lawn vac that I use in the fall for getting up leaves. The old Scotts seem to handle it OK, but since I've hooked it up to our Cub SLT2654, the Cub just doesn't like pulling it loaded up hill and I truely don't want to blow the trany on it. So, I'm looking for something with a heavy duty trany.
Most of what I've researched has been positive, except for issues with the hood on this model.
I would have prefered to have a 48" deck, but all I'm finding with the HP and the taller tires has the 54".
Open to suggestions...

Hi Ross,

I picked up a similar GT5000 model used a few months ago for $400. It would not start. A quick jumper on the seat saftey switch and it fired right up. The machine I have is roughly 5 years old has 160 hours a 52" deck, and the Kohler 26 HP twin cylinder engine. Score. I have very steep hills as well (up to 80% slope with grass) and while mowing the machine has not bogged down one bit. (I only go directly up and down slope never side to side.) The owners manual says the machines limit is a 15% slope.

Overall the machine goes too fast for quality mowing results (ie the machine and the deck bounce around a high speeds). I find it necessary to slow way down to get a even cut. One draw back of the machine is that the deck does not retract very high. IE the ground clearance is poor with the deck up so if you have any terrain to traverse before getting to the area you want to mow you may want to keep that in mind. Additionally the rear dif slips more than I would like and switches to the uphill wheel.

All in all not a bad machine. I'm not sure if I would count on it for mowing at top speed though.


Steve

 

[bontai_Joe]

Wouldn't the Cub model 2654 be a GT also?

 

[LBrown59]

The CC gt2500 series are hard to beat for bang for the buck.

My 2002 Scotts L2548 gave up the ghost and I'm needing a replacement. I've looked at JD, Cub, Husqavarna and Sears. I'm wanting to stay under $3,000.00 but like everyone else I want the most bang for the buck. I was leaning toward the Husky until I saw the Sears GT5000 Excellerator (model 28947). It has a top speed of 7.5 mph. Does anyone have knowledge of this model?
I have approx. 4 - 5 acres with lots of trees and slopes (as much as 20-30% grade). I also have a Agri-Fab lawn vac that I use in the fall for getting up leaves. The old Scotts seem to handle it OK, but since I've hooked it up to our Cub SLT2654, the Cub just doesn't like pulling it loaded up hill and I truely don't want to blow the trany on it. So, I'm looking for something with a heavy duty trany.
Most of what I've researched has been positive, except for issues with the hood on this model.
I would have prefered to have a 48" deck, but all I'm finding with the HP and the taller tires has the 54".
Open to suggestions...

 

[Baucom]

Yeah, but the cheapest 2500 (GT2542) is $500 over his budget, and I don't think he'd want to cut 4-5 ac. with a 42" deck. A GT2550 sounds like it would fit the bill, but it's $4000.

In the OP's price range, buying new, a Craftsman GT will be hard to beat for value. They seem to be built a little heavier than the large MTD and JD 100 series mowers that are available in the box stores.

Would a good used premium mower be an option? JD, CC, Simplicity and Toro all make great high end GTs that could be bought in your price range in good condition if you don't mind looking around a bit.

 

[Donsyl]

Hey Ross, i have some friends that have some craftsman mowers and they like them. The JD, and CC mowers at lowes and home depot, are cheap but they are also a cheaply made model. I would go with the craftsman if you have a budget. I myself just bought a cub 1811. 21 years old, but in awesome condition. The price was $1,250 and i got 2 mower decks with the machine.....Good luck, and let us know what you decide.....Don

 

[freeisforme]

If I had to cut 4 or 5 acres every week, I'd look for something faster, maybe a used hydro powered commercial mower or something along the lines of a Dixie Chopper or similar. Then find an older, larger tractor to pull the yard vac around with. A good commercial mower would knock out 5 acres in a fraction of the time any tractor will.

There's always a few on Craigslist for sale this time of year.