POWERFUL AND GREAT VALUE - 2010 GT5000 6 spd manual November 18, 2011

Bought this last year after looking at some larger and more expensive tractors but got this on special so I couldn't pass it up. I use it on our 31 acres that is 2ac lawn, 2ac fields and rest is woods with trails.  It does a pretty good job on the lawn with the mulch kit, great for the fields up to about 18" in 5th gear.  I also used it to do some trailcutting with saplings up to about 1.5", using the dozer blade to first push them over the mower had no problems.  Has heaps of power, I tow about 1/2 ton of firewood out of the woods regularly - I added a set of the Chevron rear tires with bar tread and with some extra weight over the back wheels it will go just about anywhere.  I use it with a grader blade and sweeper but by far the best is the snow thrower...no nor'easter is too big for that baby.  I use a utility tray from Ohio Steel that hooks on the back to add up to 200lbs of salt bags or cinder block if I need big traction.  I also added a 2000 lb winch on the back that i use to haul logs, get me out if I get bogged and also to empty the bag on the sweeper when it is heavy with grass clippings.  The hood flops around a little sometimes but does not bother me.  The chassis appears to be light gauge but it is designed to be like that and flex alot - I have had no trouble with the chassis and I beat on mine mercilessly especially with the dozer blade.  Make sure you check the mower deck adjustment and tire pressure when it arrives, the steering wheel was also upside down.  Use the cheapo mineral oil they supply until it is run in at about 20hrs, mine blew mega smoke on startup until run in and I now put synthetic mobil 1 in, change it and the filter every 50 hrs and it doesn't use a drop.  When the gas tank is full I get an air lock until some of the gas is used up (coughs and stalls) so I just need to loosen the cap a couple of times and then it is all set.  One really annoying thing is the the attachment mounts on the front are different for the blade and the snow thrower, which although it only takes about 15 minutes to change them is a real pain.   Transmission works well and seems to be strong (based on the abuse I have given it), however is does have neutrals between each gear and you can shift on the fly.  Reverse is a bit slow and the trans whines a bit in reverse.  It is easy to change the oil and clean the air cleaner.  Overall this is a top unit!

The front end is very substandard June 11, 2011

I bought the GT 5000 tractor in 2010. I have used it for a year. The front axle is poorly designed and the parts are to small and weak for the tractor. My front wheels are both pointed out and when you try to turn it the wheels drag. The frame flexes and should be much stronger. I like the transmission but the reverse pedal should be relocated, perhaps beside the forward pedal. The current design allows the operator to snag their shoes between the forward and reverse pedals and in a situation where you need to control the direction of the tractor, having your foot trapped is a safety issue. Also, the stance could be wider which would mitigate the higher center of gravity that this tractor has. For now I am waiting for a tech to come out and repair the tractor. I have grass growing and nothing to mow it with. Not a good situation for me. I would not recommend this tractor to anyone because it has front end reliability and design issues. I don't like giving a bad review because I love Sears products for the most part. The designers need to take their specs and test them to make sure that the product performs as advertised.

Craftsman GT5000 Garden Tractor (A piece of $3000 junk) May 31, 2011

I purchased this garden tractor in September 2009. It has been nothing but a piece of pricey junk. I mow approximately 4 acres. During the first year I noticed that the front wheels were going in opposite directions. I called for an appointment and after about a month, the technician showed up and replaced the tie rods, the front axles and the steering mechanism. When I started mowing this year the front wheel started going in opposite directions and the front wheel fell off. Again, I called for an appointment. A month or so the technician showed up and replaced the front wheel axles. (Said they were bent and showed me the axles were not welded completely around--welded only on one side) . Again I started mowing and after mowing about 1/2 acre the wheels started going in opposite directions and the wheel fell off.

Certainly would not recommend this Sears product

would be happier mowing my 3acres with scissors. May 27, 2011

I purchased my mower in the fall of 2009 for a ballpark of $3000. Also, for this mower i have a 42" snow blower mounts on the front. Since i have owned this mower, i have had the mechanic out many times for a issue with the steering. The steering wheels have a large amount of slop in them making your turning radius dwindle from what used to be around 2', to around 7'. Every time it needs to be repaired the parts take about one month to come in. There is a lot of down time associated with this mower, including twice now having the pto fail to engage/disengage, once being after a huge snow fall.

This mower has a great, and tough motor, and the drivetrain is fairly good as well. With how this mower is set up it can be quite versatile. I would recommend this mower to anyone who has no trees on their property to mow around, otherwise you are going to be severely frustrated with this piece of equipment like i am. ********** offer a x300 series in this price range with the option differential lock, and at extra cost four wheel steering. I would advise spending the extra thousand and getting something you will not want to shoot.

I hope this information was helpful to any potential buyers, happy hunting. One last thing, if you have one and are still within the 90 day return period, take it back.