[Ed_GT5000]

Ok Guys, Lawn/garden tractors are fun machines to own and use and we all seem to feel we made the right purchase for our individual needs. However, there are alot of models out there with different features at a wide range of prices.

What do you dislike or have concerns about your tractor?
This is not to put down any brand or start a bash, I just would like to Know what you think could have been better engineered on your model. Lets be honest, If a Lawn/garden tractor was perfect, there would be $100 bills coming out of the chute instead of clippings. :lmao:

To start things off, This is what I don't like about my GT5000:

1, Turning radius too big
2, Kohler smokes on startup
3, Traction was poor (no posi traction) and I had to add wheel weights and AG tires
4, No hour meter on my model
5, Rear axels are 1" but have plastic bushings on them for "show" to make them look bigger.
6, Headlights are operated by key switch (I would rather have a separete switch)
7, Sears needs to sell more and better and less expensive implements.

 

[dougand3]

MTD Yard Machine/15.5 OHV Tecumseh/42" deck

1. Cool down takes 45 secs+ or afterfire.
2. Oil drain nut a pain to get to.
3. Tranny is single speed with sheave pulley to vary speed. Simple and functional but kinda "sloppy" in that speed 4 might be a little different from the last time.

 

[tisenberg]

L130...

Tank refill is in a crappy location (under seat). I bought a 2 inch thick hose about 18 inches long and clamped it on the end of spout in order to reach without spilling.

Other than that, no complaints.

 

[MowHoward2210]

JD 2210 (not sure if its big lawn tractor or a little CUT, but posting anyway)

1. Not completely paid for.

2. Fuel tank on hood. Even with big funnel, I still can splash a little diesel on that pretty green paint.

3. No temperature guage, just idiot light.

4. Screened cowlings around motor really suck up loose clipping etc. Have to periodically get off and visually inspect and remove debris. Sometimes there's nothing there, and some times it's completely covered. A temp guage would take out some of the guess work.

5 Not completely paid for.

 

[Argee]

To ad one additional dislike to Ed's list, and defend other ones on the GT5000:

1. The carb dilemma. Could be it's just mine, but all that Sears did was set the idle up higher.

Regarding the large turning radius....If all you were doing was mowing, the lawn tractors offer a tighter turning radius. That's the trade off for getting the GT.

Kohler smoking on startup will eventually diminish, at least it did on my GT3000.

The hour meter issue is easily remedied with a Hobbs unit that fits the opening provided precisely.

Headlights operated by the key switch is the same as having a separate switch, its just located on that switch. Lights are still independently operated.

The desire for additional sleeve hitch and small pull behind implements is or will become a reality in the near future. More and more manufacturers are recognizing the demand for this, so the competition will heat up and the prices will fall.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[Deere]

1986 S92

1. It's a piece of junk, I wonder if it's going to blow the motor every time I start it.

2. It won't pull a simple drag to smooth the bumps in the dirt/weeds/grass (no traction, belts slip)


I will admit... It is completely paid off. LOL...

-Deere

 

[leolav]

Turn radius too big. Deck not big enough.

I am a perfect candidate for a ZTR!!

 

[Ingersoll444]

My 444.


Back fire on shut down. seems like most of the big K singles do this.

LOUD!!!!!

Speed seems to run eather to slow, or two slow.

Parts are pricy.

Tiny little gas cap under the seat. I always spill some.

 

[slipshod]

Arab

• Sometimes pulls the grass out by the roots
• Hoofprints when the ground is even a little soft
• Leaves Exhaust products in the lawn
• Flies tend to follow it around in hot weather
• It uses fuel even when you are not using it to mow
• Leaves some species growing in my lawn tall
• needs a lot of space to store it

 

[jodyand]

Well

Unlike ya ll i don't find anything wrong with mine except i should have bought it sooner.:smiles: After riding on a 30year old Snapper RER with a huge Turning radius the Cub 1525 makes quick work of going around things. No problems with the motor or putting gas in it the fill is so big a blind person could fill it without spilling a drop. :smiles: So I'm happy with mine.
Jody

 

[guest]

im with jody,
im pretty much happy..
I had a problem with the throttle freezing closed - but i replaced it.

My kohler does smoke at start up but that adds character to the tractor. good points: 18" turning radius, power steering and lift, locking diff and act...

so im happy... although one thing... like mowhoward.. i still owe a little on it...

 

[MowHoward2210]

Re: Well

Originally posted by jodyand
Unlike ya ll i don't find anything wrong with mine except i should have bought it sooner.:smiles: After riding on a 30year old Snapper RER with a huge Turning radius the Cub 1525 makes quick work of going around things. No problems with the motor or putting gas in it the fill is so big a blind person could fill it without spilling a drop. :smiles: So I'm happy with mine.
Jody

But can you pop a wheely with that 1525, Jody?

 

[jodyand]

Re: Re: Well

Originally posted by MowHoward2210
But can you pop a wheely with that 1525, Jody?

No but i can with the Snapper:lmao:
Jody

 

[MowHoward2210]

Jody,
My friend next door's dad had a RER Snapper, probably close to the same year as yours. We popped many a wheely when out of site from his dad, and my dad too!
They had 2-3 acres, and that old Sanpper was a heck of a mower. 6 or 8 horse Briggs, I think.

 

[jodyand]

Yea there is no soft start on them:driving: mine has a 8HP Briggs.
Jody

 

[Michael]

Yep my Grandfathers Snapper did it to, My father showed us how to pop wheelys on it.:zoomin: Of course we all did it when we were kids. The funniest one was I popped a small wheely on it and got caught by Granddad and he said "Damn boy that ain;t no wheely, Let me show ya. And proceeds to do a wheely for a good 5-6 feet. He was laughing the whole time. But he was a bear of a guy 6'7" and about 300 pounds.:lmao: , Iended up small only 6' 5" and I maintain my weight around 250. pounds.

Now on my JD L-120 the only thing that really bothers me mostly is the non turning anti- scrap wheels. I have a idea for a project to change the wheels to pivoting wheels so I can just roll the deck out from under it when I need to do maintenance on it and put better wheels on it that graseable zerts:drinkin:

 

[MowHoward2210]

That would be a sensible project, Michael.
The wheels on my JD 2210 turn and lock in at a 90 degree angle so you can slide the deck out pretty easily. The only problem with that capability is the idiot who forgets to turn them back to the straight ahead position. They don't roll very well facing sidways. Doh!

 

[Michael]

I'm just trying to figure out how to it. I was thinking of a wheel that swivels would do it something like the wheels on a desk chair but a lot stronger and I wouldn't have to unlock or lock. I just don't want the wiggly shopping cart wheel.:riding:

 

[MowHoward2210]

My deck wheels are attached to a vertical rod that have holes that go up and down the rod so you can adjust the height of the wheels. There is one hole perpendicular to the height adj. holes that allow you to turn the wheel and lock it in at a 90 degree angle. A spring loaded pin goes through the holes to lock in the wheels

You might scavenge some wheels off a similiar setup and weld a bracket to hold it all together. <img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/Tractor/deckwheel.JPG>

 

[Michael]

Great idea, but I do not want to weld on the deck at all. simply bolt on. The brackets and the wheels and the adjustment height idea dooes have my little wheel in my brain spuinning now and I will think of the idea and then post after I finish it ( might take me until April or May to finish it after all the other projects I have going Thanks for the ideas.