Actually, besides the additional instrument and better instrument panel, HGT2548 has a couple of features over the Sears GT5000. The mower deck is power-coated, and it has a handy lever on top of it for releasing the tension on the belt. This, plus the quick pins, should make it fairly snappy to drop the mower deck. Also, the front bumper is standard, as opposed to being an option. Of course, the orange and grey/black paint job sets it apart from being just another one of them shiny RED tractors. And, my wife likes the name better than the name Crafstman.....you figure. Finally, now that Lowes has installed their own service operation, warranty issues(if any) might be handled as quickly as Sears(or quicker).
I bought the tractor for several reasons, not the least is that it was time for a new toy. I decided to do something when the City of San Antonio decided it was time to cut the tall grass on our lot(city ordinance). It wasn't cheap. The lot is/was overgrown with Johnson grass, and the grass was hiding lots of rock and ruble that was left over from the building of houses around there(our lot is the last vacant lot there, everone dumped on it). It's a large corner lot, and it's got several humps that I need to level out, and I've decided to cut 2 perimeter shallow gutters for drainage. The general grade is 3' per 200' of drop from the back corner to the diagonal front corner. The little tractor has been very helpful in picking up and bagging leaves, cutting and bagging grass, and towing the trailer while we load it with rocks and ruble. I plan to rent a motorgrader and do all the leveling and grading myself, and I'll scarify the area where the veggie garden will go. I'm also putting in a long circular driveway(from both streets), plus a pad for the motorcoach. So, the little tractor will pay for itself in helping do all this work, and also in putting in landscaping and subsequent maintenance and upkeep of the garden and yard.
One reason I came into this forum is to try and pick someone's brain regarding the adaptation of electric linear actuators. I'd like to adapt one to the sleave hitch and to the Johnny Bucket.
Thanks.