Rating Summary
“I love my GT5000, plenty power, starts 1st time at 20 degrees!”
- growing my food, mowing the lawn, always outside, a gardener
- Pros
- Good Quality, well built, good price
- Cons
- Forward & rev speed is slow,likes gas
Craftsman GT5000 model #28945 —
I am a recently retired (after 33 years) Parks and Recreation Supervisor from Florida and now live in snow country, Gibsonville, NC. I wanted to get a riding mower to mow my lawn. I originally had my heart set on a green and yellow machine, but after researching for 2-3 months (my wife calls it analysis paralysis) and in addition to mowing, deciding that I wanted to have a garden and be able to plow and disc it, and also be able to push and pull logs as I clear out my back lots, I discovered that the green machines capable of doing what I need, cost at least 7 to 10 thousand, and that was way out of my price range. I finally decided to get the Craftsman DGS5000 Garden Tractor, which was on sale for around $2,200 the previous month, when I was still researching. I decided on that model over the GT5000 because of better reviews on the Sear's web site. UNFORTUNATELY, the DGS5000 was no longer available except in California, go figure! I went online to order the GT5000 on Friends and Family night in November 2009(10% discount). I was shocked to see that the DGS5000 was once again available, but now the price had jumped to over $3,000. I ordered the GT5000, since with the 10% discount, I got it for about $2500. I wasn't happy that you had to take the 54" mower deck, when a 42" would be plenty for my small mowing area, but they wouldn't budge. Anyway, I love the GT5000, the 26hp Kohler starts the first try even in 20 degree temperatures, it doesn't hesitate when pushing 6 plus inches of snow, although I won't wait that long next time. The quality and features of the GT5000 are excellent and the selection of accessories available is extensive, including ground engaging. I purchased the 16" high x 48" wide dozer blade(very heavy duty), sleeve hitch, box/scraper blade. I listened to the recommendations and also purchased the 55 #(each) wheel weights and tire chains. These, as they recommend, are essential.(Don't buy the smaller 30 # weights as I did because they will not fit the 12" wheels, which are standard on the GT5000. I tried pushing snow without the tire chains(for the 23" tires) and I could not do it. Listen to the recommendations that Sears make because they come from past experience, and are quite accurate. Oh before I forget, I got the 6 speed manual transmission, rather than the hydro that is available and would be nice, but because of recommendations that the manual transmission will push and pull a lot harder and definitely does not slip(hot or cold). I still have to get a sleeve hitch moldboard plow and disc/harrow for gardening this spring, but I won't comment on that, because I have found them at a much lower price(sorry Craftsman!)
I must add that I only have 12 hours on my machine, but I'm very happy and hope to be for many years, Thank you Sears and Craftsman for providing a quality "real" garden tractor for a reasonable price! Ranger Dale
