Craftsman GT3000 decent mower?

[92saturnsl2]

I have a chance to buy a Craftsman GT3000 mower from the owner of the company I work for. This mower has been sitting unused for several years in an unused area of our shop, so I inquired about what he was going to do with it. The story is that it was his dad's that he bought new, mowed with once or twice, then moved to a retirement home in Florida and it's never been used since. No idea why they haven't done anything with it or sold it. Right now it needs work, a couple co-workers tried firing it up and it's not getting fuel. The carb or fuel pump is probably gummed up something good. Aside from that, the thing is immaculate. Looks like a mower right off the showroom floor, not a scratch on it. If it had 20 hours on it, I'd be surprised.

Anyone know if these are decent machines? I don't have a serial number but the engine emissions sticker is for 2004-2005. I have a 2000 Craftsman GT which is extremely similar, the construction on this one (GT3000) seems a little cheaper, especially the transmission. Where mine is a 6 speed hi/low manual transimssion, this one I'm looking at has a hydrostatic trans, and the unit is half the size, lots of empty space back there in the rear end! Would be nice to know exactly which transmission is used on these models. The quality of the machine (an unknown to me, I don't know much about them) versus the price he gives me will decide whether or not I buy this thing, he said he'll get back with me on price and I suspect it will be on the low side, he does a lot of favors for employees.

Any comments or info on the GT3000 models would be appreciated.

 

[Donald]

Does the model start with 247 or 917. 247 is MTD and 917 is Husqvanna. I would not go with he MTD manufactured mower.

 

[Linctex]

It's worth buying at the RIGHT price,

whether you want to use it - or flip it for a quick $100 profit

 

[Fitter30]

If you get it a cheap price its going to need the gas tank cleaned more than likely the carb cleaned or kit in it and to keep the blade speed a battery. I have a craftmans not that model that has a manuel trans. Mower cuts and runs all right but can't find a gear that i want to travel at. To fast or slow when wanting to keep blade speed up.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted by Donald
Does the model start with 247 or 917. 247 is MTD and 917 is Husqvanna. I would not go with he MTD manufactured mower.


I'm pretty sure it's made by AYP.

My '00 is an AYP and they look identical (from the outside). Mine is a manual and I much prefer the hydro which is why I'm considering it. The manual has way too high a spread between 5th and 6th gear, hard to find the right speed unless you start playing with the throttle which slows the blades down.

 

[Lubener]

Looks like a Husqvarna similiar to mine. Weak point, loose steering. Something to watch out for.

 

[jeepman3071]

The GT's are pretty good machines.

 

[JTK]

Should be the same machine as you already have. My BIL had a ~1999-2001 model year GT3000 with a Kohler command V-twin, 6spd hi/lo trans and a 46 or 48" cutting deck. Don't recall which. They are a nice HD machine that people get lots of years of use out of, but I find them cramped at the controls. The ancient 6spd between the knees shift is either too fast, or too slow for cutting once you get used to a foot pedal hydrostatic drive, or any hydro for that matter. Turning radius is bad. The 48" deck no matter how tuned up and adjusted doesn't leave the best cut.

This is all a preference thing! I grew up on early 1970s iron beast riding mowers. Once you get spoiled with a fast, tight turning hydrostatic drive machine for mowing, or a ZTR, etc. Everything else feels like you're trying to mow with a school bus.

 

[Phishin]

Get an older Cub Cadet.....

I just sold this machine for $600 and it's really nice and would last another 50 years most likely if taken care of. Better than nearly anything you can buy today....by a mile.

1967 Cub Cadet 102 with a Kohler 12HP

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted by JTK
Should be the same machine as you already have. My BIL had a ~1999-2001 model year GT3000 with a Kohler command V-twin, 6spd hi/lo trans and a 46 or 48" cutting deck. Don't recall which. They are a nice HD machine that people get lots of years of use out of, but I find them cramped at the controls. The ancient 6spd between the knees shift is either too fast, or too slow for cutting once you get used to a foot pedal hydrostatic drive, or any hydro for that matter. Turning radius is bad. The 48" deck no matter how tuned up and adjusted doesn't leave the best cut.


I agree with the above. I find the machines comfortable enough while mowing, but they are cramped in that they're hard to get on and off. Just not much room in the center where you're sitting. The 6 speed has weird gearing, 1-2-4 are too slow, 3 is a good slow speed for mowing thick stuff, 5 is not fast enough for most conditions and 6 is warp speed, way too fast to mow. The turning radius is fine to one side, but going the other way results in a wider turn-- hard to get used to!

Mine has a 50" deck (so does the one I'm looking at) which I find to give a decent cut, certainly haven't had any issues with it. The anti-scalp works better than most decks, I have an area of my yard with huge ruts all over and it gives me a nice even cut no matter how crazy the terrain is. The mower is solid, I actually dropped the one I have now out of the back of my pickup (pure stupidity, had the tailgate down while moving the truck into position to unload and the mower E-brake let go for some reason) and it never even phased it.

Hope I can score a good deal on this newer one, the Hydro trans will make my mowing much more enjoyable!

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted by 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted by JTK
Should be the same machine as you already have. My BIL had a ~1999-2001 model year GT3000 with a Kohler command V-twin, 6spd hi/lo trans and a 46 or 48" cutting deck. Don't recall which. They are a nice HD machine that people get lots of years of use out of, but I find them cramped at the controls. The ancient 6spd between the knees shift is either too fast, or too slow for cutting once you get used to a foot pedal hydrostatic drive, or any hydro for that matter. Turning radius is bad. The 48" deck no matter how tuned up and adjusted doesn't leave the best cut.


I agree with the above. I find the machines comfortable enough while mowing, but they are cramped in that they're hard to get on and off. Just not much room in the center where you're sitting. The 6 speed has weird gearing, 1-2-4 are too slow, 3 is a good slow speed for mowing thick stuff, 5 is not fast enough for most conditions and 6 is warp speed, way too fast to mow. The turning radius is fine to one side, but going the other way results in a wider turn-- hard to get used to!

Mine has a 50" deck (so does the one I'm looking at) which I find to give a decent cut, certainly haven't had any issues with it. The anti-scalp works better than most decks, I have an area of my yard with huge ruts all over and it gives me a nice even cut no matter how crazy the terrain is. The mower is solid, I actually dropped the one I have now out of the back of my pickup (pure stupidity, had the tailgate down while moving the truck into position to unload and the mower E-brake let go for some reason) and it never even phased it.

Hope I can score a good deal on this newer one, the Hydro trans will make my mowing much more enjoyable!



Hydro + 50" deck is a nice combo on those. Not sure which trans those came with, I know some have the K66. I've worked on a ton of Craftsmans over the years and have never seen a hydro transmission problem that wasn't due to just a failing belt. It should be a fairly solid mower.

 

[JTK]

^ Agree that the 50" deck on these gives the best cut.

92s- That's exactly it! 5th is too slow and 6th? You better hang on. Intended as a road gear I guess.