Thanks everyone! (picture added)
<center><b>Here is a picture of my new toy!</b>
<img src=http://www.meettheferrells.com/photos/albums/userpics/tractor/southpaws_gt5000.jpg></center>
My GT5000 was delivered Tuesday night to my new house. I did not have any gas so I had to wait until last night to fire her up. My hour-meter came in yesterday so I got it installed before even putting any gas in the tractor.
I checked everything out before using it and there were no issues. All I had to do was let air out of the tires, put gas in her, set the cut height and lower the deck wheels. I put 1.4 hours on her last night in the dark running over the Ginkgo leaves in my front yard. Boy do I love this tractor! After using it to mow my new yard for the first time, I am 110% sure the hydro was the correct choice for me. I have never driven a tractor with a hydro before and did not know if I would like it. The hydro has already spoiled me! Also the 54" deck is sweet! I was worried about the turning radius before driving it because the only tractor I have driven in the past 15 years is my dads Kubota CUT. This thing turns on a dime especially to the left compared to the CUT. On top of that, the hydro made the few smaller trees a breeze to mow around.
I also though that I would like a foot peddle like the JD 100s better than the fender control. But after mowing the rough bumpy sections of my yard, I think the foot peddle would make these sections even more jerky. It was nice having a constant speed over these sections.
I do have a few post purchase questions:
1. I am definitely getting a front bumper. Which would you get?
The standard $40 single bar:
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/071/24599/07124599000-190.jpg>
or the $70 dual bar brush guard:
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/071/24621/07124621000-190.jpg>
2. I have some long flat non-bumpy straightaways to mow. Is it ok to floor it when mowing these sections as long as the deck does not bog down? I did it a few times last night and the thing did not even whimper. The cut did not look like it suffered any either. Of course the grass was not tall at all and there were not many leaves on these sections. I have not read anywhere in the manual not to do this, but am still curious if it is bad or not.
3. How far back does your seat go? Getting on for the first time, I thought mine was still a little too close when adjusted all the way back and was awkward to get on. I'm 6' and 210-lbs. After driving it though, the tractor is really comfortable as is and I guess that is what counts. I also figured out how to get off and on easily. But I am still curious if others think their seat to steering wheel clearance is a little snug.
SouthPaw
<center><b>Here is a picture of my new toy!</b>
<img src=http://www.meettheferrells.com/photos/albums/userpics/tractor/southpaws_gt5000.jpg></center>
My GT5000 was delivered Tuesday night to my new house. I did not have any gas so I had to wait until last night to fire her up. My hour-meter came in yesterday so I got it installed before even putting any gas in the tractor.
I checked everything out before using it and there were no issues. All I had to do was let air out of the tires, put gas in her, set the cut height and lower the deck wheels. I put 1.4 hours on her last night in the dark running over the Ginkgo leaves in my front yard. Boy do I love this tractor! After using it to mow my new yard for the first time, I am 110% sure the hydro was the correct choice for me. I have never driven a tractor with a hydro before and did not know if I would like it. The hydro has already spoiled me! Also the 54" deck is sweet! I was worried about the turning radius before driving it because the only tractor I have driven in the past 15 years is my dads Kubota CUT. This thing turns on a dime especially to the left compared to the CUT. On top of that, the hydro made the few smaller trees a breeze to mow around.
I also though that I would like a foot peddle like the JD 100s better than the fender control. But after mowing the rough bumpy sections of my yard, I think the foot peddle would make these sections even more jerky. It was nice having a constant speed over these sections.
I do have a few post purchase questions:
1. I am definitely getting a front bumper. Which would you get?
The standard $40 single bar:
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/071/24599/07124599000-190.jpg>
or the $70 dual bar brush guard:
<img src=http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/071/24621/07124621000-190.jpg>
2. I have some long flat non-bumpy straightaways to mow. Is it ok to floor it when mowing these sections as long as the deck does not bog down? I did it a few times last night and the thing did not even whimper. The cut did not look like it suffered any either. Of course the grass was not tall at all and there were not many leaves on these sections. I have not read anywhere in the manual not to do this, but am still curious if it is bad or not.
3. How far back does your seat go? Getting on for the first time, I thought mine was still a little too close when adjusted all the way back and was awkward to get on. I'm 6' and 210-lbs. After driving it though, the tractor is really comfortable as is and I guess that is what counts. I also figured out how to get off and on easily. But I am still curious if others think their seat to steering wheel clearance is a little snug.
SouthPaw