Another easy way to tell between the two is use use of bolts to hold the rear wheels on garden tractors versus one C clip or cotter pin to hold the rear wheels on lawn tractors. Great video Norman!
Zach Novosad nice, I have a 73’ wheel horse 8hp with a 8 speed trans. It has the 5 lug hubs. In low range even in 3rd gear it crawls and could easily pull just as much if not more than the new gt/lt’s with 17-18hp engines can simply because the gearing is way more superior on the wheelhorse
Norman, that was the most simplistic and informative information I have ever came across regarding differences between garden tractors & lawn tractors. I found it be very helpful. Thanks for a great video.
Great video Norman. I can think of one more important point that needs to be considered when talking about lawn vs garden tractors: 40+ years ago, people went to their John Deere, IH, Wheel Horse, Bolens, etc. dealer to buy a machine that they could use around their property to do any job they needed without having to pay the price of a farm tractor. Garden tractors were just that - a small farm tractor. Garden tractor manufacturers focused less on lawn care, and more on other tasks their tractors could handle (snow removal, digging, PTO-driven attachments, log splitting, brush-hogging, flail- or sickle-bar mowing, etc). Many of these attachments are rare and hard to find today because they lost popularity among homeowners. With the advent of commercial mowers (like the zero-turn) within the past 25 years, the focus has shifted away from landscaping and yard work (tractor work), and more towards lawn care. Back then, if you ordered a garden tractor new, the mower deck was optional. Today, most lawn/garden tractors come standard with a mower deck, and it seems pointless to buy a tractor WITHOUT one. The modern lawn and garden tractor manufacturers try to sell more "lawn mowers" than tractors. It's become a multi-billion dollar market, and all the manufacturers want a piece of it, so they try to sell as many "cheap" lawn tractors as they can. As a result, people go out to their local big-box store intending to buy a machine that will just mow their lawn once every week or two, and won't be doing any other significant jobs around the yard (most people will hire a company to do landscaping, hardscaping, and other contractor work, rather than doing it themselves). 40 years ago, nobody cared about whose lawn had the nicest stripes or the straightest lines in the neighborhood.
I have Broken it down into four class's for home owners. Lawn tractor Yard tractor garden tractor utility tractor. Lawn tractor is purely to mow, light weight and usually only offer mowing decks and bagger. Yard tractors offer mowers blowers and may tow a small cart on occasion while still being a light weight. Garden tractors do all above plus engage ground with options such as tillers post hole diggers and push blades with possibly hydraulic and multiple more robust pto and attachment points. Utility tractor basically a small general purpose farm tractor that can accept a bucket and back hoe but still have mower and blower option. I love these type videos keep Them coming Please. That Simplicity is Sweet!!!
I have The Craftsman T240 turn tight series are a Cross between a Lawn/Garden Tractor according to a Craftsman Rep they Weigh just over 600 pounds Kohler KT725 22 horsepower 725cc V Twin Engine...turning Radius is 5"
Thank you Norman never to old to learn something new I've been looking at my old Dayton tractor as if it was a true garden tractor now I see the difference I have three lawn tractors a Troybilt & Lawnchief & Sears the differences I notice is the weight and the rear axle is a little bigger with bigger rear wheels I'm looking for a carburetor for the Dayton to get it back up and running it may not be a true garden tractor but I like it do to it's old like me and I enjoy keeping old things running
I have a Craftsman YT 3000 very similar to that YT 4000, and yes that older John Deere is a heavy duty garden tractor and built like a tank but with it's much larger tires, rims, differential, and additional 50 lb. each wheel weights it is probably at least well over 200 pounds heaver than that Craftsman in the rear end, so be careful you don't cause bodily harm attempting to lift one.
Rear End should include a locking diff. 1 wheel spinning is the pits for any mower or tractor. Some folks say just add more weight. My Ford 4000 tractor has 200# rear weights each and tires are filled but it can still spin in mud -- not sure how much more weight is needed, LOL! Yes, I know some sub/compact tractors like my 4000 have independent braking, so that's a way out of wheel spin. Still, a locking diff should be in a garden / subcompact / compact tractor. ... been a customer of yours Norman, and great stuff!
Great video. You made a lot of great points! I have had to explain this exact same thing to many people also. I don't think people release that the old garden tractors are like miniature farm tractors. They were meant to do some serious work like maintaining large estates, small farms, and golf courses. They also had a lot of cool attachments available like front loaders, sickle bars, mott mowers, generators, plows, graders, etc.. Todays tractors are really only designed to be a lawn mower. You should make a video about vintage attachments from Danco. That would be interesting. Keep up the good work!
I bought my John Deere LX-178 in 1993 from a licensed dealer, not a big box store. $4,300. Two-cylinder 15 HP liquid-cooled engine. I considered it to be a lawn tractor because that's all I wanted it to do other than last a long time, which it has. I have almost an acre of lawn. I can barely lift the back end 1/4" off the ground. It runs like a champ. It came with a 38" deck with the recycling option (which works great). Around 2007 I was able to buy an almost new 44" Piranha dedicated recycling deck. Hard to find, and highly sought after. It pulverizes grass clippings and leaves into dust. Now the 38" deck is my back up.
Hello, well done. There are a lot of people that don't know the difference, especially with today's newer tractors. Another point to the difference between a riding mowers and a garden tractor is the implements. They also are much heavier in weight and build. I have a 1971 cub cadet 129 which is like a little tank. I also have 1987 John deere 430 with a push blade, 48 inch tiller, 47 snowblower and an all steel deluxe cozy cab. These two tractors run great but if I had to rebuild them, they would go another 30 or 40 + years. Not taking anything away from the new stuff just like the old iron. Anyway keep up the good videos.
Hey Norman comment yesterday about my fathers 122 cub cadet . Along with buying the tractor he bought the rotor tiller , snow thrower and I believe the mower deck is a 54 inch he also bought the extra granny gear and the hydraulic lift. He told me it was around 1400.00 for everything in 1966. I remember the day he and his third cousin brought it home in the back of a ford pickup I was 6 years old
Thanks Norman for the tutorial and detailed explanation . I talked to a Troy Bilt Rep to ask about getting a box scraper attachment for my Bronco lawn tractor and all they could say is not recommended for there tractors.
Yes, I agree with your Troy Bilt Rep. If you want to pull a small box scraper, a heavy duty old school garden tractor is what you need. You can pull a 4 foot box blade with almost any of the Mid 70's machines.
I have the same Craftsman YT4000. Not a bad yard tractor, but my 1.3 acre lot has a lot of bumps and it's hard on the frame. So I'm thinking of getting a garden tractor as backup for mowing, and also for other capabilities. There is a 1991 Bolens g152 for sale nearby that I hope to get a look at.
Hi Norman. I love your videos. I am from Spain. It's almost impossible here to get a garden tractor. They are just not popular here and they are not sold, so we also lack a second hand market. I hope someday I will be able to get one of those.keep on doing that grat videos.
I have a 1997 Huskee garden tractor, my friends say it isnt a garden tractor however i can pull a trailer with 2 tractors on it and it can pull a garden plow, it is a very sturdy tractor and its also a custom that I did put together right now Im making a custom snow plow for it Oh and before I forget to mention it you have a new subscriber
Very Clear & Makes Perfect Sense! Thanks. Lie your site. Just getting an old John Deere 212 (1978), which I woudl call a Lawn Tractor & Very light Garden Tractor, by your definition. Seems to be a cross-over in functionality. A light back hitch to reasonably stiff frame with grass mowing tires to avoid grass compaction, with minimal accessory capability.
I've got a Ford YT16. Very sturdy. It's heavier than a modern "garden tractor" but not as heavy as other 1980s garden tractors. I'm considering full restoration if its able to plow a garden or run a rototiller. Love the oposed twin Koehler on it
Love my 112. I have to put some new seals in my axle and input pulley. The one thing I don’t like is the variable speed drive on it. I’d rather it had more gears instead. I used it to pull a bush hog I built and had to use the clutch to find a happy speed because one was to slow the next one up was too fast and it just stretched the belts to the point it’d hardly move itself.
First time viewer... been in many discussions over this.... Vertical to Horizontal shaft engine equipped machines is a factor. And Axel hubs is much stronger than a single bolt and keyway transfers load to wheel for using ground engaging equipment. Great video!
Question Norm... I have a 2002 Craftsman GT5000, the 48" mower deck is trashed and busted up. I'd like to replace it with a 54" mower deck. Are those 2-items interchangeable being that they were both manufactured by Husqvarna.
Salut Norman, Merci pour tes vidéos, vivement les beaux jours que je puisse bricoler à nouveau mes MF1200. Tes vidéos sont pour nous passionnés un vrai plaisir. 😉
So I just picked up a used 96 gt6000 6 speed it's kind of a cross between a lawn tractor and garden tractor cuz it came with a sleeve hitch on it this is a cross between the two or is it more unless a h/d lawn tractor
I'm clueless about garden and lawn tractors... but I purchased a rural property and my buddy has a massey 2820 he can part with with a snowblower as well. Any clue if I should consider this rig ?? I can't seem to find much detail on it with my brief web search...
I agree those old tractor had some iron in them and would make a good tractor for everything you need to do to your property my father has 122 cub cadet he bought brand new when I was 6 years old now I’m 60 years old my father is 90 years old and sill has the tractor. He has the original sales recipe from where he bought it. The tractor is 54 years old and still run like a champ my father has taken good care of this tractor
used to live in Lamoine and wished I made it to your place. Ive got a 64 JD110 RF with original 8 hp. Surprised you do not have one or a 318 or a 140 H3.
Good general information, but I need to know some specs so I can ask for the garden tractor. It seems like when you go to buy one, they use the terms interchangeably.
Great video! I have a Scotts L2548. The moqer deck rusted out and the tires are dry rotted. At 532 lbs I'm hoping it can handle some garden work like a pull behind tiller and some cultivating. What to you think of this model? It was made by John Deer. Thanks!
Honestly when you weigh it down enough for traction you will likely break the transmission. The transmission is not very robust. It can pull wheel carts and such but pulling a cultivator through the ground may kill it. It may work for a while but it likely won't hold up over time.
@@Isavetractors thanks! I might get new tires and use it to pull my trailer for firewood, that would take some pressure off my polan riding mower. I live on 16 acres and want to expand my garden. I'll need to get a bigger beefier garden tractor! Thanks again!
I just picked up a sears suburban gt 18 with a snowblower attachment and a custom (Plexiglas/ 1x1 tubing & plywood) cab off the Facebook market place for $60. Working on getting it running and adding extras to the cab.
Very nice and concise video. I just picked up a 1986 Craftsman YT 16 with a 44 inch deck. It has 10 inch diameter rear wheels which seems unusual. it also has the five horse Briggs & Stratton leaf vacuum mounted to the rear of it. My question to you is: could this one be a little more heavy-duty than a typical yard mower? It seems as if most of the Craftsman's I see have 8in diameter wheels in the rear. I want to do a little towing with this one.. firewood and such. Any ideas if the transmission might handle a little extra load?
Hello, could you please tell me if these newer Aluminum type Lawntraktor axles are good in handeling alot of weigth. I plan on building a Loader and i wanted to use this typ of axle/transmission and was wondering if only the older Gardentractors can handle it or if these axles can also take alot of pressure and force. Thank you!
I have just picked up a 1980 bolens qt17 with snow blower nothing wrong with anything just wondering how hard it will be to find a new electric clutch on the front of motor when it goes out
Hard to find those old tractors in my area...but I did manage to grab hold of an old Gravely that needs some drive work...but has hydraulics and the shaft drive deck...heavy as all can be...lol...any good sources for parts?
I have a 1968 penncraft yard tractor with a 7 horse Briggs. I say yard as it’s a mix. It’s small. But very capable. Has a peerless 700 with a 3 speed h pattern, and a chain drive(8 tooth to 60 tooth) It is a really capable machine! I primarily use it for woodwork.. I pull logs so big I can barely budge them! I pull them almost daily. And I have been doing for the past 4 years! I pull them with my tractor! You can see my videos of it. Yes, I can kinda lift the tractor. But not really. It has all steel and many cast iron parts. You can also go on tractor data. I uploaded a picture on the information for the tractor. It was built by mtd. And is labeled as the “mtd 460”. Don’t let the pictures deceive you! It’s a solid piece of machinery! Much better then all the new cheap plastic stuff. Point is. Although it’s small. It’s a great, heavy duty, what I’d call it. Garden tractor! If you read this thanks for reading!
Been trying to convince my parents to ditch their crummy little Yard Man for a proper garden tractor for months now, but they still don't see the point. Why are these things so thin on the ground here in Australia, when there seems to be tons of them all over the place in the US? I live on about an acre of land, and an old garden tractor with a loader, mower deck and some other implements would be perfect for our yard. Been thinking of building my own using a Hatz diesel engine with a diff and gearbox from old cars on a frame made from heavy steel box section. Sound like a good idea?
We send parts to Australia. I think Wheelhorse tractors were exported over there, but I'm not sure. It is true. These kind of tractors are everywhere in North America, but scarce everywhere else. It would be interesting to research to see if any Australian companies made similar machines during the same time period or was it just an American phenomenon?
I have 2 cub cadets model 71 from the 60s and they have solid cast iron back end and a solid frame and they can pull a plow through the ground and it can also pull a half ton solid cast iron sickle bar mower up hill. I wouldn't want any thing besides them
Hey I just ordered stuff from you! Nice website too. New mowers are junk. Recently they’ve been making them with plastic rear ends!! Craftsman frames always crack behind the front axle.
I subbed a while back..this is informated...oddly enough I picked up a JD 400 NOT SURE OF THE YEAR....EXHAUST GOES STRAIGHT OUT TO THE SIDE I'VE DONE SOME REASURCH ON THE 400 ITS A BEAST....975 LBS.....POWER STEERING, 3 POINT AND HYDRAULICS PICKED IT UP ANT A SWAPMEET...THE DECK IS 60 INCHS ROUGH...BUT I WANTED THE HYDRAULICS ..... CURRENTLY BUILDING A FRONT END LOADER...WATCHED MANY VIDEOS .....MADE MY OWN BUCKET....THIS EARLY VERSION NOT MANY VIDEOS ON FEL FOR IT......WONT BE REMOVING THE LOADER FOR ANY REASON ..I HAVE TO MANY MOWERS....SO ILL JUST LEAVE IT ON I NEED IT FOR MY PROPERTY...ENJOYED YOUR BUILDS......HOOKED UP WITH A SAVAGE YARD THEY SELL ME OLD MOWERS CHEAP......UP TO 10 NOW! SO NOW WITH THE HEAVY JOHN DEERE I'LL BE LETTING SOME GO... 5 buggy projects, some 3 wheeler projects, 1 golf cart, 2 club cars aluminium frames....just too many projects......way too many projects...I did like the Bolins you have it's defiantly a monster.. thanks to you for you trying to help FOLKS.....
I would start with research. The 3 brands you listed have some quirks to them. If this is your first project, I would recommend something with a Kohler K series engine.
A lot of garden tractors will potentially have a rear or front PTO for implements, etc. My Ingersoll has two hydraulic pumps as well, one for the drive function and one for the deck, or whatever else. Really cool and very capable machines, both of mine are around 1000 pounds each, tough as nails.👍😎
Yup, Hydro is another factor. I don't mean hydro trans because lawn mowers advertise that to death. But a hydro pump that has aux ports for implements. Lawn mowers are moving to electric motors doing implements -- the few implements they support -- instead of hydraulic implements. Nice that your Ingersoll has 2 pumps! My old Cub has 1 pump w/ aux ports.
@@vap0rtranz I was wrong I believe that one only has 1 main pump and it has a distribution valve with 2 pressure reliefs for the rear and the deck. Definitely super convenient just running off the deck hydraulics. Funny thing is, the hydraulics are far better on the Ingersoll than this bigger factory IH234 with a front loader I've since gotten. 👍 Good luck thanks for the comments too
Good video! The 5th difference is the Turning Radius - e.g. The Craftsman LT has a 17" turning radius and a Craftsman GT has a 29" turning radius. Think Zero Turning radius
When it comes to mowing I prefer a nice light lawn tractor. I like to have a nice tight turning radius and a cup holder. I actually prefer to work on them as well. I do a lot of small engine work at home on the side and the lighter the better. With that being said I collect vintage garden tractors that can do some serious work. I spread a pile (approximately 15 yards) of crushed concrete this fall on the driveway with my Cub 125. It has a manual lift blade 300lbs on the rear and bar tires. I was able to spread all that stone in about 2 hours. That amount of work would've killed a lawn tractor. It's funny because before my current job I was working on a buddy's 1800 acre farm using a J.D. 8330 to pull a 30' bean drill and guys think I'm stupid when I call my machines "tractors." As if I don't know what I'm talking about.
How about a 91 Craftsman II GT6000 Garden Tractor. I'm trying to put a bucket on the front and a scraper on the back. It seems to be pretty tuff What is your honest opinion? Picked it up for $375 I really like the Kohler magnum 18 HP motor. Any ways keep videos coming.
Your videos have been inspiring me! I've cleaned up and fixed my 20 year old mower and now I'm going to buy a used garden tractor! I've been looking at two locally, a 93 Craftsma GT6000 and an 83? John Deere 212 both in used/good condition Both of these should be able to handle plowing, cultivating, and grading. Any input on which would be the tougher moe capable of the two? Thanks again, I've been hooked on your videos!
to see GT VS LT all it takes is a quick intranet search. its easy. and to the vid point it is easy to see the JD tractors vs others. but many others are also plenty capable.
Would a '76 Case 210 be considered a garden tractor. It is considerably heavier than my P.O.S. MTD lawn tractor. The hitch isn't directly attached to the frame. It has 5 lug hubs. I would call it a garden tractor. I also have a JD 332 that's nothing but problems.
I have a JD 400 w/ front loader, JD 210 to pull trailers around and plow snow, my Craftsman (lawn tractor) is to cut the grass..... but it cant pull anything heavier than a wagon filled with dirt.
I have a 1998 mtd ranch king pro 22hp Kohler , is it a garden tractor or lawn tractor ? also I’m looking for a large vintage garden tractor like the simplicity 4041 powermax , could you send a list of say 5 or 10 of the largest and/ or most dependable vintage garden tractors Thankyou & keep up the good work , awesome videos
I think I emailed you this morning as well. Here are my top picks of Very Capable Garden Tractors: Mid Size (Strong and More Common) Ford LGT 145/165, Cub Cadet 129/149/169, John Deere 140/316/318, Wheel Horse 300/400/GT Series. Large Garden Tractors (great but harder to find): Simplicity Power Max, Allis Chalmers 620/20, John Deere 400/420/430, Cub Cadet 982, Wheel Horse D Series
If you're new to Garden Tractors, I recommend stick with IH Cub Cadets from the Mid 70's through Mid 80's. Robust, Common, and Parts Availability by iSaveTractors and others are very high.
What it really come down to is garden tractors are designed to do ground engaging work like blading, plowing, running a tiller etc. Lawn tractors are just made to mow grass. Lawn tractors have light duty everything. Garden tractors have heavy duty transaxles and other components. Lawn tractor = lawn work... mowing grass Garden tractor = garden work... plowing, tilling...
Also one thing that like 1 out of 7000 people don't know, tires are different, the treads are much thicker and like on my SS12 even my front tires are hard to get through, I'm still unfortunately figuring out a way to repair them. By the way That Ford 120 is my favorite.
Good, informative vid. I like the old “garden tractors”, but let’s face it, with the exception of the simplicity, they are just industrial grade mowers. Garden tractors as you define them just don’t have the weight to pull ground-engaging equipment effectively (your inability to lift them not withstanding). Also, I would add this criteria for something to be called a tractor: it must have to have a rear pto. If it only has a mid pto...its a mower. I have a JD x540. Two cylinder water cooled engine. Hydraulic deck lift, Beefy frame. I couldn’t lift it if i tried, it weighs like 800 pounds. But the hitch is just stamped steel like the one you described. And although JD sold implements for it to allow it to do stuff, it is just
It’s quite amazing your knowledge and skill set at your age. I’m glad to know there are young people out there like you, keep on saving and sharing !
I have a 1990 Wheel Horse 520h. Best tractor I have ever owned. Still going strong today!
Love the Vintage Sears/Craftsman and Wheel horse tractors
Another easy way to tell between the two is use use of bolts to hold the rear wheels on garden tractors versus one C clip or cotter pin to hold the rear wheels on lawn tractors. Great video Norman!
I have garden tractor rear ends that are c-clip to hold the rear wheels on
Cowgirl Motorsports then they aren’t real garden tractors, IMO garden tractors should have 4-5 lug rear ends
71_Sears my ford lgt 100 has real lugs. Super strong frame. Love the thing
Zach Novosad nice, I have a 73’ wheel horse 8hp with a 8 speed trans. It has the 5 lug hubs. In low range even in 3rd gear it crawls and could easily pull just as much if not more than the new gt/lt’s with 17-18hp engines can simply because the gearing is way more superior on the wheelhorse
@@dakotakelly9371 Yes they Are REAL Garden Tractors, They are Craftsman gt6000 with 1 inch axle shafts
Norman, that was the most simplistic and informative information I have ever came across regarding differences between garden tractors & lawn tractors. I found it be very helpful. Thanks for a great video.
Great video Norman. I can think of one more important point that needs to be considered when talking about lawn vs garden tractors:
40+ years ago, people went to their John Deere, IH, Wheel Horse, Bolens, etc. dealer to buy a machine that they could use around their property to do any job they needed without having to pay the price of a farm tractor. Garden tractors were just that - a small farm tractor. Garden tractor manufacturers focused less on lawn care, and more on other tasks their tractors could handle (snow removal, digging, PTO-driven attachments, log splitting, brush-hogging, flail- or sickle-bar mowing, etc). Many of these attachments are rare and hard to find today because they lost popularity among homeowners. With the advent of commercial mowers (like the zero-turn) within the past 25 years, the focus has shifted away from landscaping and yard work (tractor work), and more towards lawn care. Back then, if you ordered a garden tractor new, the mower deck was optional.
Today, most lawn/garden tractors come standard with a mower deck, and it seems pointless to buy a tractor WITHOUT one. The modern lawn and garden tractor manufacturers try to sell more "lawn mowers" than tractors. It's become a multi-billion dollar market, and all the manufacturers want a piece of it, so they try to sell as many "cheap" lawn tractors as they can. As a result, people go out to their local big-box store intending to buy a machine that will just mow their lawn once every week or two, and won't be doing any other significant jobs around the yard (most people will hire a company to do landscaping, hardscaping, and other contractor work, rather than doing it themselves). 40 years ago, nobody cared about whose lawn had the nicest stripes or the straightest lines in the neighborhood.
Good point!
Do you and I just watch all the same stuff on UA-cam? Lol
Great minds think alike! lol
Excellent write up
yep, alot has changed in 40 yrs
I have Broken it down into four class's for home owners. Lawn tractor Yard tractor garden tractor utility tractor.
Lawn tractor is purely to mow, light weight and usually only offer mowing decks and bagger. Yard tractors offer mowers blowers and may tow a small cart on occasion while still being a light weight. Garden tractors do all above plus engage ground with options such as tillers post hole diggers and push blades with possibly hydraulic and multiple more robust pto and attachment points. Utility tractor basically a small general purpose farm tractor that can accept a bucket and back hoe but still have mower and blower option.
I love these type videos keep Them coming Please. That Simplicity is Sweet!!!
Thank you for explaining this. I get tired of people thinking my vintage cub cadet IH is just a little riding mower. Good video👍
Thank you for this. I am no longer at the crossroad not knowing which direction to go.
I have The Craftsman T240 turn tight series are a Cross between a Lawn/Garden Tractor according to a Craftsman Rep they Weigh just over 600 pounds Kohler KT725 22 horsepower 725cc V Twin Engine...turning Radius is 5"
Yes the Craftsman T240 and T260 are a cross between lawn and garden tractors love mine
Thank you Norman never to old to learn something new I've been looking at my old Dayton tractor as if it was a true garden tractor now I see the difference I have three lawn tractors a Troybilt & Lawnchief & Sears the differences I notice is the weight and the rear axle is a little bigger with bigger rear wheels I'm looking for a carburetor for the Dayton to get it back up and running it may not be a true garden tractor but I like it do to it's old like me and I enjoy keeping old things running
Incredible! Thank you for explaining this to those of us who are completely clueless!
I have a Craftsman YT 3000 very similar to that YT 4000, and yes that older John Deere is a heavy duty garden tractor and built like a tank but with it's much larger tires, rims, differential, and additional 50 lb. each wheel weights it is probably at least well over 200 pounds heaver than that Craftsman in the rear end, so be careful you don't cause bodily harm attempting to lift one.
I have a 2013 yt 3000 bought it new…. I have no major issues with this model…..only have 65 hours on it
Rear End should include a locking diff. 1 wheel spinning is the pits for any mower or tractor. Some folks say just add more weight. My Ford 4000 tractor has 200# rear weights each and tires are filled but it can still spin in mud -- not sure how much more weight is needed, LOL! Yes, I know some sub/compact tractors like my 4000 have independent braking, so that's a way out of wheel spin. Still, a locking diff should be in a garden / subcompact / compact tractor. ... been a customer of yours Norman, and great stuff!
Great video. You made a lot of great points! I have had to explain this exact same thing to many people also. I don't think people release that the old garden tractors are like miniature farm tractors. They were meant to do some serious work like maintaining large estates, small farms, and golf courses. They also had a lot of cool attachments available like front loaders, sickle bars, mott mowers, generators, plows, graders, etc.. Todays tractors are really only designed to be a lawn mower. You should make a video about vintage attachments from Danco. That would be interesting. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your comment. All great points! If I can get my hands on some of the Danco attachments, I would do a video on that. I will get looking!
I bought my John Deere LX-178 in 1993 from a licensed dealer, not a big box store. $4,300. Two-cylinder 15 HP liquid-cooled engine. I considered it to be a lawn tractor because that's all I wanted it to do other than last a long time, which it has. I have almost an acre of lawn. I can barely lift the back end 1/4" off the ground. It runs like a champ. It came with a 38" deck with the recycling option (which works great). Around 2007 I was able to buy an almost new 44" Piranha dedicated recycling deck. Hard to find, and highly sought after. It pulverizes grass clippings and leaves into dust. Now the 38" deck is my back up.
Great video Norm!! I put your video on a playlist on my channel. This is one of the best ways to explain the differences.
Hello, well done. There are a lot of people that don't know the difference, especially with today's newer tractors. Another point to the difference between a riding mowers and a garden tractor is the implements. They also are much heavier in weight and build. I have a 1971 cub cadet 129 which is like a little tank. I also have 1987 John deere 430 with a push blade, 48 inch tiller, 47 snowblower and an all steel deluxe cozy cab. These two tractors run great but if I had to rebuild them, they would go another 30 or 40 + years. Not taking anything away from the new stuff just like the old iron. Anyway keep up the good videos.
Hi Norman thanks for the great videos on garden tractor I do have ten garden tractor John Deere,Bolin, Wheels Horse,Case . Thanks Dale
Hey Norman comment yesterday about my fathers 122 cub cadet . Along with buying the tractor he bought the rotor tiller , snow thrower and I believe the mower deck is a 54 inch he also bought the extra granny gear and the hydraulic lift. He told me it was around 1400.00 for everything in 1966. I remember the day he and his third cousin brought it home in the back of a ford pickup I was 6 years old
Thanks Norman for the tutorial and detailed explanation . I talked to a Troy Bilt Rep to ask about getting a box scraper attachment for my Bronco lawn tractor and all they could say is not recommended for there tractors.
Yes, I agree with your Troy Bilt Rep. If you want to pull a small box scraper, a heavy duty old school garden tractor is what you need. You can pull a 4 foot box blade with almost any of the Mid 70's machines.
I have the same Craftsman YT4000. Not a bad yard tractor, but my 1.3 acre lot has a lot of bumps and it's hard on the frame. So I'm thinking of getting a garden tractor as backup for mowing, and also for other capabilities. There is a 1991 Bolens g152 for sale nearby that I hope to get a look at.
Hi Norman , Thanks for the great videos on garden tractors I have ten garden tractor John Deere , Bolin ,Wheels Horse, Case. thanks Dale
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Hi Norman. I love your videos. I am from Spain. It's almost impossible here to get a garden tractor. They are just not popular here and they are not sold, so we also lack a second hand market. I hope someday I will be able to get one of those.keep on doing that grat videos.
They do still make garden tractors. Husqvarna makes some with locking diffs and hydralic sleeve hitches and they are pretty powerful.
I have a 1997 Huskee garden tractor, my friends say it isnt a garden tractor however i can pull a trailer with 2 tractors on it and it can pull a garden plow, it is a very sturdy tractor and its also a custom that I did put together right now Im making a custom snow plow for it Oh and before I forget to mention it you have a new subscriber
Very Clear & Makes Perfect Sense! Thanks. Lie your site. Just getting an old John Deere 212 (1978), which I woudl call a Lawn Tractor & Very light Garden Tractor, by your definition. Seems to be a cross-over in functionality. A light back hitch to reasonably stiff frame with grass mowing tires to avoid grass compaction, with minimal accessory capability.
I've got a Ford YT16.
Very sturdy. It's heavier than a modern "garden tractor" but not as heavy as other 1980s garden tractors. I'm considering full restoration if its able to plow a garden or run a rototiller.
Love the oposed twin Koehler on it
Love my 112. I have to put some new seals in my axle and input pulley. The one thing I don’t like is the variable speed drive on it. I’d rather it had more gears instead. I used it to pull a bush hog I built and had to use the clutch to find a happy speed because one was to slow the next one up was too fast and it just stretched the belts to the point it’d hardly move itself.
The rear end in my 1976 Sears Suburban SS/16 looks like the transfer case in my 2000 Chevrolet S10
First time viewer... been in many discussions over this.... Vertical to Horizontal shaft engine equipped machines is a factor.
And Axel hubs is much stronger than a single bolt and keyway transfers load to wheel for using ground engaging equipment. Great video!
Helpful summary, thanks for posting.
Very informative. Thanks Norman.. we have a hinomoto diesel 2 cylinders
where would you classify the Westwood T1200?
Question Norm... I have a 2002 Craftsman GT5000, the 48" mower deck is trashed and busted up. I'd like to replace it with a 54" mower deck. Are those 2-items interchangeable being that they were both manufactured by Husqvarna.
Salut Norman,
Merci pour tes vidéos, vivement les beaux jours que je puisse bricoler à nouveau mes MF1200. Tes vidéos sont pour nous passionnés un vrai plaisir. 😉
So I just picked up a used 96 gt6000 6 speed it's kind of a cross between a lawn tractor and garden tractor cuz it came with a sleeve hitch on it this is a cross between the two or is it more unless a h/d lawn tractor
I'm clueless about garden and lawn tractors... but I purchased a rural property and my buddy has a massey 2820 he can part with with a snowblower as well. Any clue if I should consider this rig ?? I can't seem to find much detail on it with my brief web search...
I agree those old tractor had some iron in them and would make a good tractor for everything you need to do to your property my father has 122 cub cadet he bought brand new when I was 6 years old now I’m 60 years old my father is 90 years old and sill has the tractor. He has the original sales recipe from where he bought it. The tractor is 54 years old and still run like a champ my father has taken good care of this tractor
cool, I picked up a Jacobsen 5000 , going to restore her to use on our properties. U have any info on em?
used to live in Lamoine and wished I made it to your place. Ive got a 64 JD110 RF with original 8 hp. Surprised you do not have one or a 318 or a 140 H3.
I have 2, 140 H3's. No 318. I have over 50 tractors, but not all have been featured on this channel yet.
Good general information, but I need to know some specs so I can ask for the garden tractor. It seems like when you go to buy one, they use the terms interchangeably.
Yea for New machines, there is no such thing as a garden tractor anymore. Its either a sub compact or a lawn tractor.
Great video! I have a Scotts L2548. The moqer deck rusted out and the tires are dry rotted. At 532 lbs I'm hoping it can handle some garden work like a pull behind tiller and some cultivating.
What to you think of this model? It was made by John Deer.
Thanks!
Honestly when you weigh it down enough for traction you will likely break the transmission. The transmission is not very robust. It can pull wheel carts and such but pulling a cultivator through the ground may kill it. It may work for a while but it likely won't hold up over time.
@@Isavetractors thanks! I might get new tires and use it to pull my trailer for firewood, that would take some pressure off my polan riding mower. I live on 16 acres and want to expand my garden.
I'll need to get a bigger beefier garden tractor!
Thanks again!
I just picked up a sears suburban gt 18 with a snowblower attachment and a custom (Plexiglas/ 1x1 tubing & plywood) cab off the Facebook market place for $60. Working on getting it running and adding extras to the cab.
Very Nice! Facebook Marketplace is now the best place to find this stuff.
Very nice and concise video. I just picked up a 1986 Craftsman YT 16 with a 44 inch deck. It has 10 inch diameter rear wheels which seems unusual. it also has the five horse Briggs & Stratton leaf vacuum mounted to the rear of it. My question to you is: could this one be a little more heavy-duty than a typical yard mower? It seems as if most of the Craftsman's I see have 8in diameter wheels in the rear. I want to do a little towing with this one.. firewood and such. Any ideas if the transmission might handle a little extra load?
Hello, could you please tell me if these newer Aluminum type Lawntraktor axles are good in handeling alot of weigth. I plan on building a Loader and i wanted to use this typ of axle/transmission and was wondering if only the older Gardentractors can handle it or if these axles can also take alot of pressure and force. Thank you!
I have a 1978 cub cadet 1250. It is a beast! What is everybody's opinions on the quietlines
Nice vid Norman...what about the rear hub 4 lug nut wheel assembly vs. The LT 1 hole wheels. Plus...tranny strength differences.
I have just picked up a 1980 bolens qt17 with snow blower nothing wrong with anything just wondering how hard it will be to find a new electric clutch on the front of motor when it goes out
The front PTO should never go out. But if it did, it may be hard to find. Best to keep an eye on a spare parts engine for the future.
Hard to find those old tractors in my area...but I did manage to grab hold of an old Gravely that needs some drive work...but has hydraulics and the shaft drive deck...heavy as all can be...lol...any good sources for parts?
What would you consider an Allis Chalmers B-10?
I have a 1968 penncraft yard tractor with a 7 horse Briggs. I say yard as it’s a mix. It’s small. But very capable. Has a peerless 700 with a 3 speed h pattern, and a chain drive(8 tooth to 60 tooth) It is a really capable machine! I primarily use it for woodwork.. I pull logs so big I can barely budge them! I pull them almost daily. And I have been doing for the past 4 years! I pull them with my tractor! You can see my videos of it. Yes, I can kinda lift the tractor. But not really. It has all steel and many cast iron parts. You can also go on tractor data. I uploaded a picture on the information for the tractor. It was built by mtd. And is labeled as the “mtd 460”. Don’t let the pictures deceive you! It’s a solid piece of machinery! Much better then all the new cheap plastic stuff. Point is. Although it’s small. It’s a great, heavy duty, what I’d call it. Garden tractor!
If you read this thanks for reading!
Been trying to convince my parents to ditch their crummy little Yard Man for a proper garden tractor for months now, but they still don't see the point. Why are these things so thin on the ground here in Australia, when there seems to be tons of them all over the place in the US? I live on about an acre of land, and an old garden tractor with a loader, mower deck and some other implements would be perfect for our yard.
Been thinking of building my own using a Hatz diesel engine with a diff and gearbox from old cars on a frame made from heavy steel box section. Sound like a good idea?
We send parts to Australia. I think Wheelhorse tractors were exported over there, but I'm not sure. It is true. These kind of tractors are everywhere in North America, but scarce everywhere else. It would be interesting to research to see if any Australian companies made similar machines during the same time period or was it just an American phenomenon?
Good information something that was an expensive lesson for me to learn.
I also have a 1986 MTD Mastercraft Coast To Coast 12hp lawntractor and a 1969 J.I. CASE 442 Performance King too
I have 2 cub cadets model 71 from the 60s and they have solid cast iron back end and a solid frame and they can pull a plow through the ground and it can also pull a half ton solid cast iron sickle bar mower up hill. I wouldn't want any thing besides them
Hey I just ordered stuff from you! Nice website too.
New mowers are junk. Recently they’ve been making them with plastic rear ends!! Craftsman frames always crack behind the front axle.
oldtractorsandfarming MTD makes almost all the mowers on the market including some of the deere
I agree with everything....good job!!
Great, great, great! I knew a guy who called his new zero turn mower a tractor!
would you say a craftsman t210 would be a light garden tractor?
I subbed a while back..this is informated...oddly enough I picked up a JD 400 NOT SURE OF THE YEAR....EXHAUST GOES STRAIGHT OUT TO THE SIDE I'VE DONE SOME REASURCH ON THE 400 ITS A BEAST....975 LBS.....POWER STEERING, 3 POINT
AND HYDRAULICS PICKED IT UP ANT A SWAPMEET...THE DECK IS 60 INCHS ROUGH...BUT I WANTED THE HYDRAULICS ..... CURRENTLY BUILDING A FRONT END LOADER...WATCHED MANY VIDEOS .....MADE MY OWN BUCKET....THIS EARLY VERSION NOT MANY VIDEOS ON FEL FOR IT......WONT BE REMOVING THE LOADER FOR ANY REASON ..I HAVE TO MANY MOWERS....SO ILL JUST LEAVE IT ON I NEED IT FOR MY PROPERTY...ENJOYED YOUR BUILDS......HOOKED UP WITH A SAVAGE YARD THEY SELL ME OLD MOWERS CHEAP......UP TO 10 NOW! SO NOW WITH THE HEAVY JOHN DEERE I'LL BE LETTING SOME GO... 5 buggy projects, some 3 wheeler projects, 1 golf cart, 2 club cars aluminium frames....just too many projects......way too many projects...I did like the Bolins you have it's defiantly a monster..
thanks to you for you trying to help FOLKS.....
Want to restore old Boleyn or Sears suburban or simplicity case something along those lines where do I start?
I would start with research. The 3 brands you listed have some quirks to them. If this is your first project, I would recommend something with a Kohler K series engine.
Hi Norman, What do you think of a Simplicity Sunstar 20 Tractor as for heavy duty? Thanks.
Oh yea heavy duty for sure. Great machine!
A lot of garden tractors will potentially have a rear or front PTO for implements, etc. My Ingersoll has two hydraulic pumps as well, one for the drive function and one for the deck, or whatever else. Really cool and very capable machines, both of mine are around 1000 pounds each, tough as nails.👍😎
Yup, Hydro is another factor. I don't mean hydro trans because lawn mowers advertise that to death. But a hydro pump that has aux ports for implements. Lawn mowers are moving to electric motors doing implements -- the few implements they support -- instead of hydraulic implements. Nice that your Ingersoll has 2 pumps! My old Cub has 1 pump w/ aux ports.
@@vap0rtranz I was wrong I believe that one only has 1 main pump and it has a distribution valve with 2 pressure reliefs for the rear and the deck. Definitely super convenient just running off the deck hydraulics. Funny thing is, the hydraulics are far better on the Ingersoll than this bigger factory IH234 with a front loader I've since gotten. 👍 Good luck thanks for the comments too
Good video!
The 5th difference is the Turning Radius -
e.g. The Craftsman LT has a 17" turning radius and a Craftsman GT has a 29" turning radius.
Think Zero Turning radius
When it comes to mowing I prefer a nice light lawn tractor. I like to have a nice tight turning radius and a cup holder. I actually prefer to work on them as well. I do a lot of small engine work at home on the side and the lighter the better. With that being said I collect vintage garden tractors that can do some serious work. I spread a pile (approximately 15 yards) of crushed concrete this fall on the driveway with my Cub 125. It has a manual lift blade 300lbs on the rear and bar tires. I was able to spread all that stone in about 2 hours. That amount of work would've killed a lawn tractor. It's funny because before my current job I was working on a buddy's 1800 acre farm using a J.D. 8330 to pull a 30' bean drill and guys think I'm stupid when I call my machines "tractors." As if I don't know what I'm talking about.
I have garden tractors with stock cup holders
Cowgirl Motorsports I do too, I was kinda just making a joke about having a cold one while mowing the lawn.
My JD 140 H3 has a cig lighter
Phan Taztik so does my CC 125
@@phantaztik1223 So does my 1967 Wheelhorse,factory stock
Entirely agree with your comparison. Good vid!
How about a 91 Craftsman II GT6000 Garden Tractor. I'm trying to put a bucket on the front and a scraper on the back. It seems to be pretty tuff What is your honest opinion? Picked it up for $375 I really like the Kohler magnum 18 HP motor. Any ways keep videos coming.
I must have first seen this video two years ago and finally have a 77 Wheel Horse B100 in the garage.
I have a 1975 John Deere 210 with underside blade but I can't find a front plow
Your videos have been inspiring me! I've cleaned up and fixed my 20 year old mower and now I'm going to buy a used garden tractor!
I've been looking at two locally, a 93 Craftsma GT6000 and an 83? John Deere 212 both in used/good condition
Both of these should be able to handle plowing, cultivating, and grading.
Any input on which would be the tougher moe capable of the two?
Thanks again, I've been hooked on your videos!
I’d personally recommend the John Deere they are by far better built than the craftsman would be and they have very good oem part support
Do they still make garden tractors any more?
The closes would be the high end JD X series and the Simplicity Legacy XL. The Kubota BX is a 4 wheel drive version of these too.
Yes I was wondering what tractor to buy so I bought a John Deere 5055e its a nice little tractor
i got a 1999 husqvarna lt120 is it a good tractor
to see GT VS LT all it takes is a quick intranet search. its easy. and to the vid point it is easy to see the JD tractors vs others. but many others are also plenty capable.
Would you consider a John Deere 212 a garden tractor?
Yep. 5 lug rear ends and the ability to pull ground engaging implements.
Try lifting one! They are little tanks.
Anything made before 1990 is going to be impossible to lift
JGO a friend and myself loaded a old mtd 990 it was rough lol
I can lift up a rear end on a 66-80 Sears Suburban garden tractor, 64-80 Sears custom Garden Tractor, and 81-05 Craftsman garden tractor
I have a 1982 GT3000 and a 1974 Case 446. You are not lifting them.
GT3000's were only 98-02
Or I don't want a blown out back like most of my friends have, It's called brains.@Calvin Everett
Thank you for the share man, it was very interesting
Hey Norman, could you please give me your opinion on the cub cadet quietline series? I am picking up a 1250 tomorrow...
1250's are great!
@@Isavetractors thank you! Do you have any suggestions for getting and buying a new one? It’s a old rusty one.
Old and rusty is better. Buy it cheap then slowly restore it yourself. Craigslist and FB marketplaces are the best places to find these tractors
@@Isavetractors thanks! I’ll be sure buying rebuild kits and such from your website!
@@Isavetractors bought a new carb from your website! Exited to put it on. The tractor was 100$ and it starts right up! Anything else I should replace?
Would a '76 Case 210 be considered a garden tractor. It is considerably heavier than my P.O.S. MTD lawn tractor. The hitch isn't directly attached to the frame. It has 5 lug hubs. I would call it a garden tractor. I also have a JD 332 that's nothing but problems.
Yes both your JD and Case 210 are heavy duty garden tractors!
another thing is the front end is heavier and also the bushings bearings for the spindles
This video is the reason i sold my JD LT180 and bought a JD 455.
Good choice!
still have the b1 if so a generator or pressure washer attachment build would be interesting😉
the 120 looks so amazing :O
Thanks. Be sure to check out the restoration video for that
Thanks Norman!
lighter weigh = cheaper shipping, cheaper to build and produce
The transmission from a garden tractor is very heavy but my garden tractor has a 8 hp Köhler k181s engine
Sounds like an old cub cadet like the cub cadet original.
Chase Bradley not sadly its an wheel horse 800
@@bartjuhhh6416 Ok, Usually cub cadets have a Kohler engine in them.
Chase Bradley that is true, Those Köhler k series and magnum series are almost indestructable
I have a JD 400 w/ front loader, JD 210 to pull trailers around and plow snow, my Craftsman (lawn tractor) is to cut the grass..... but it cant pull anything heavier than a wagon filled with dirt.
I love my wheel Horse 416-8
I know this video is old but does anybody know what the Ys stands for and the Craftsman lineup? I can't figure it out to save my life.
Yard: YT = Yard Tractor
Pretty sure I can't pick up my Cub Lo Boy.
thanks norman for another great video
I have a 1998 mtd ranch king pro 22hp Kohler , is it a garden tractor or lawn tractor ? also I’m looking for a large vintage garden tractor like the simplicity 4041 powermax , could you send a list of say 5 or 10 of the largest and/ or most dependable vintage garden tractors Thankyou & keep up the good work , awesome videos
I think I emailed you this morning as well. Here are my top picks of Very Capable Garden Tractors: Mid Size (Strong and More Common) Ford LGT 145/165, Cub Cadet 129/149/169, John Deere 140/316/318, Wheel Horse 300/400/GT Series. Large Garden Tractors (great but harder to find): Simplicity Power Max, Allis Chalmers 620/20, John Deere 400/420/430, Cub Cadet 982, Wheel Horse D Series
If you're new to Garden Tractors, I recommend stick with IH Cub Cadets from the Mid 70's through Mid 80's. Robust, Common, and Parts Availability by iSaveTractors and others are very high.
I love my John Deere 214 I use it to plow my driveway in the winter
Another GREAT video!
I have quite a few GARDEN TRACTORs at my place.
What it really come down to is garden tractors are designed to do ground engaging work like blading, plowing, running a tiller etc. Lawn tractors are just made to mow grass. Lawn tractors have light duty everything. Garden tractors have heavy duty transaxles and other components.
Lawn tractor = lawn work... mowing grass
Garden tractor = garden work... plowing, tilling...
Have you heard of a quality pro garden tractor 25hp/52
Nice Bolens!!! You should do a restore
Also one thing that like 1 out of 7000 people don't know, tires are different, the treads are much thicker and like on my SS12 even my front tires are hard to get through, I'm still unfortunately figuring out a way to repair them. By the way That Ford 120 is my favorite.
Good, informative vid. I like the old “garden tractors”, but let’s face it, with the exception of the simplicity, they are just industrial grade mowers. Garden tractors as you define them just don’t have the weight to pull ground-engaging equipment effectively (your inability to lift them not withstanding). Also, I would add this criteria for something to be called a tractor: it must have to have a rear pto. If it only has a mid pto...its a mower. I have a JD x540. Two cylinder water cooled engine. Hydraulic deck lift, Beefy frame. I couldn’t lift it if i tried, it weighs like 800 pounds. But the hitch is just stamped steel like the one you described. And although JD sold implements for it to allow it to do stuff, it is just
Take a look around this channel. The capabilities will surprise you.