Vintage 1998 Craftsman GT Garden Tractor Review - Beast Of A Tractor!
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- I have a riding mower, but I needed a garden tractor. You can mow and maintain acreage with a riding mower, but it goes much better for you if you have a garden tractor. The garden tractor gives you more torque, towing ability/capacity and bigger tires and wheels. The tractor is set up so that you can attach implements to both the front and rear of the tractor. Implements such as a sleeve hitch, front bucket, rake, plow, etc. You have A LOT more options, stability and power with a garden tractor.
I looked at quite a few garden tractors before settling on this Craftsman GT. Some others I looked at were, Kubota, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Husqvarna and Scotts (made by John Deere), just to name a few. The old John Deere garden tractors were high on my list, but were hard to find. If you did find one, they typically looked like they were ridden hard and put away wet. At the end of the day, I'm happy with my decision to go with the Craftsman GT. If you're in the market for a garden tractor, take a look at the old Craftsman tractors, I think you'll like what you see.
At the tail end of my first mowing with this tractor, I mowed over a large stick which pushed the drive belt off the rear pulley. The drive belt got wedged around the rear axle and shredded the belt pretty quick. I ordered a new belt and installed it. I learned that installing a drive belt on these GT tractors is, uh, not the easiest thing in the word. Ha ha, not the hardest either. If you'd like to see a video on how to change the drive belt on one these Craftsman GT tractors let me know.
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I hope you enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!
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I had a 1995 GT6000 that I bought from Sears as a discounted return from customer. I ran it every year for 28 years. Never an issue with either the engine or transaxle. I mowed 2 acres every week during the season. I had a Box Grader that I used to level our backyard. I used it to move around our utility trailer and boat. I once even used it to pull my son's dead car over two miles down the road back home. I finally sold it to get a Zero-turn mower and the guy who bought it is still using it around his small farm. You are right, they are a Beast!!
That's what I like to hear! I was watching a few videos on these GT tractors, read a few things as well and many people echoed what you said. I don't think any of them had 28 years with one though, very impressive! The fact that you mowed 2 plus acres for that period of time with no issues and you still see it running strong makes me feel real good about my purchase. Towing a dead car over two miles is insane, but I believe it. These tractors pull hard!
I like that mower I got one just like it
You have yourself a great garden tractor. I mow and manage ~3 acres with it, no issues.
My 92 has a great steering wheel!
Craftsman has some of the best steering wheels on their tractors!
That craftsman machine is in great condition foe 26 years old,,,that is a great find and it sounds awesome,, thanks for another great video
I agree, solid tractor for its age. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
One thing to watch out for on these older craftsmans is the frame. Right in front of where the rear axle mounts to the frame it likes to crack there, especially if its going to be or was used for plowing or pulling a trailer. Just something to keep an eye on or even prevent it by beefing up the frame there. Nice tractor by the way!
Thanks for the heads-up, I'll definitely keep an eye on it. I may do some preventive maintenance like you suggest. All the best!
I picked up a 95 gt6000 19.5hp magnum 6 speed manual today. Absolutely no oil smoke from the exhaust and starts up first crank when cold and everything works on it. I even got the origianl owners manual with it
That's a GREAT find, manual tranny too! Congrats!
@EightWheelsRollin yeah I got it for 400$ too, the steering shaft has some play but other than that and a rusted mower deck nothing wrong with it
Great price! They all have a little play in the steering, easy to fix typically.
@EightWheelsRollin i just got it all fixed yesterday, I welded in a bunch of flange bearings on the steering column pinion and ring gear. It's very smooth now no play at all .10" backlash
Very cool. A welder and a little ingenuity go a long way!
These are great machines... have a cub cadet LT2554 shaft drive good video
I'm real happy with it so far. I was looking at a 2554, very nice tractor. Spec wise, very similar to the Craftsman GT.
@@EightWheelsRollin almost identical to your craftsman GT
That's what I thought...
My name is that good of shape but it runs great
That's all that matters...
Cherry... cherry baby
Thanks! She treats me right...
I have one of those I put better tires on the front and back mine got a new engine it is a 27 HP and I put on a sun shade
Did you get tractor tires or turf saver tires? A 27 HP engine, now that's tough to beat. What type of engine? I've thought about getting a sun shade. Four hours out in the sun can wear you down...
So what was the story on the drive belt?
At the tail end of my first mowing with this tractor, I mowed over a large stick which pushed the drive belt off the rear pulley. The drive belt got wedged around the rear axle and shredded the belt pretty quick. Installing a drive belt on these GT tractors is not the easiest thing in the word. Ha ha, not the hardest either.
What kind of shape is it in overall? 😂
Grrreat shape.
Just curious what you paid. I see another on Facebook marketplace that I'm thinking about. They want $800
I paid $600. At $800, I think you are at the tip top of the range for these tractors.
I bought one today paid 400$ for a 95 gt6000 19.5 hp magnum, mower deck was a little rotted but still worked good. He wanted 550 to start but I only brought 400😂 I've learned to just show up with what you want to pay and if they say no oh well
Nice buy! That's EXACTLY what I did!
Where did you buy that hitch?
I bought it on Amazon. Extreme Max 5001.5825 3-Way Lawn Garden Tractor Hitch. Great Hitch!