[fixmdude]

The tractor won't arrive until next week but I already received the attachments so I will post those first, then add more later. All of the attachments arrived labelled Simplicity Conquest/Prestige/Legacy and the Craftsman PGT 9500 (Model# 28985) is based on the Prestige.

Thank you to Paul at TodaysMower for helping me order one of these.
http://todaysmower.com/2010/30-hp-craftsman-garden-tractor/

My pictures of the unboxing of the attachments are posted here:

http://cid-93166b8196014e5c.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Tractor

 

[D-Dogg]

I am impressed with the packaging and finish of your attachments. Can't wait for the tractor pictures.

 

[RAND81]

Super freakin jealous!

So how much would this run someone? all the attachments you got too.

I could look it all up but i know the number is probably burned in your mind lol

 

[GT_80]

Can't wait to see the machine! I am interested to see if it stacks up to the hype, and how it looks compared to the dixon!

 

[fixmdude]

Super freakin jealous!

So how much would this run someone? all the attachments you got too.

I could look it all up but i know the number is probably burned in your mind lol

From Simplicity, the Prestige with weights, chains, 54" deck, mulch kit, 42" 2-stage thrower, sub frame hitch, setup, tax, and showing how to use everything was near $10k. From Sears it's $1k less plus I got it on the Friends and Family sale in Oct. for another 10% off that. After shipping it was near $8,200. The down side is that the setup is a bit of work. Everything's in a lot of pieces now and its all new to me. I'll just take my time and follow the directions. Just think of it as a really large model to put together... which can kill you if you do it wrong... ok not really. It's fun. :fing32: :Orange_tr

 

[Mac102004]

Assembling all that stuff looks like fun to me!

 

[RAND81]

Sounds to me like the PGT9500 is the best bang for the buck.

What i have found is that is true with all their tractors, from LT's to GT's. Thats why i bought my LT2000, i couldnt find anything that even compared to it for the money.

 

[oatville]

Nice but too rich for my blood, I went with a used GT5000 for 700 and poured another 3 Grand into the upgrades. Yeah those attachments and upgrades get addictive real fast, you don't know it but your just getting started! mg:

2005 GT5000, Johnny Bucket w power dump and tooth bar, Johnny sleeve Hitch, 2 box scrapers, Disc Harrow, Mold board plow and a ripper blade, Carlise Super Lug tires, Craftsman wheel weghts....

 

[ggsteve]

I find it interesting that your snowblower looks nothing like the picture on the Sears website, which is clearly made by Berco. Best of luck with it and we'll want a thorough review once you have everything together! Of course we can never get enough pictures!

 

[bws]

ggsteve,

I noticed the same thing when it came to the model of snowblower. The one in the photos from fixmdude doesn't even have Sears model number on it.

Fixmdude,

Did you change your order from Sears model number 64428 to the Simplicity one you received? I am researching available snowblowers and would like to get this straight.

Your setup is going to be awesome.

Thanks,
BWSwede

 

[fixmdude]

ggsteve,

I noticed the same thing when it came to the model of snowblower. The one in the photos from fixmdude doesn't even have Sears model number on it.

Fixmdude,

Did you change your order from Sears model number 64428 to the Simplicity one you received? I am researching available snowblowers and would like to get this straight.

Your setup is going to be awesome.

Thanks,
BWSwede

No change, I ordered the whole package of 6 items including the Briggs 42" from Sears. It came stamped as www.simplicitymfg.com I did find a picture of an older model Legacy on Ebay with their snowthrower from 5 years ago and it did look more like the picture in that it didn't have side skid shoes nor serrated augers back then. The one I received is stamped 2008, so it looks like Simplicity greatly improved their 2-stage, and Sears is having them shipped right from Briggs to you. Shipping was an extra $225 for it which was steep, but overall getting the whole package on sale for thousands less from Sears made up for it.

Craftsman Professional Premium 30 hp 54'' Garden Tractor
Sears Item# 07128985000 | Model# 28985
Briggs & Stratton 42'' Two-Stage Snow Thrower Sub Frame/Hitch
Sears Item# 07164435000 | Model# 64435
Briggs & Stratton 42'' Two-Stage Snow Thrower
Sears Item# 07164428000 | Model# 64428
Briggs & Stratton 50 lb. Tractor Wheel Weights
Sears Item# 07164474000 | Model# 64474
Briggs & Stratton Rear-Wheel Tractor Tire Chains
Sears Item# 07164452000 | Model# 64452
54 in. Mulch Kit
Sears Item# 07133371000 | Model# 1695463

 

[oatville]

When you get your Tractor try to get that new house in the picture, like to see it :trink39:

Don't forget to post a few pictures here as well :wwp:

:thanku:

 

[fixmdude]

When you get your Tractor try to get that new house in the picture, like to see it :trink39:

Don't forget to post a few pictures here as well :wwp:

:thanku:

Which new house? Do you mean my house? The garage floor is blue because I went to Home Depot and got their 1 step garage floor epoxy. It isn't as strong as the 2-step floor epoxy that you mix together, so I have to re-scrub it and put down another coat every other year, but you can't pick your color with the 2-step, and I liked the light blue option.

 

[mxrdrver]

Which new house? Do you mean my house? The garage floor is blue because I went to Home Depot and got their 1 step garage floor epoxy. It isn't as strong as the 2-step floor epoxy that you mix together, so I have to re-scrub it and put down another coat every other year, but you can't pick your color with the 2-step, and I liked the light blue option.

I wonder if a couple drops of your favorite food colouring would do the trick?

 

[fixmdude]

I wonder if a couple drops of your favorite food colouring would do the trick?

The 2-step floor epoxy is already dark, the two choices were gray or beige, so no way to get it to a light blue...

 

[fixmdude]

The tractor won't arrive until next week but I already received the attachments so I will post those first, then add more later. All of the attachments arrived labelled Simplicity Conquest/Prestige/Legacy and the Craftsman PGT 9500 (Model# 28985) is based on the Prestige.

Thank you to Paul at TodaysMower for helping me order one of these.
http://todaysmower.com/2010/30-hp-craftsman-garden-tractor/

My pictures of the unboxing of the attachments are posted here:

http://cid-93166b8196014e5c.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Tractor

Here's the next phase: Preparing the 2-stage snow thrower for the arrival of the tractor.

- I rotated the snow thrower 90 degrees on its pallet, using the same nailed-in piece of prop wood to still prop up the back, but now it sits sideways.

- This shrinks the footprint of the pallet width-wise, and allows me to trim the pallet lengthwise without it falling apart.

The result is an elevated 2-stage unit that in theory I'll be able to drive right up to with the tractor, to easily latch them together.

Pictures:

http://cid-93166b8196014e5c.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Tractor/Prep-2-stage

 

[fixmdude]

Ok, it arrived... with a flat front right tire. They will be ordering and shipping out new one, so I can't show putting on the 2-stage snow thrower. But here's the tractor:

http://cid-93166b8196014e5c.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Tractor/TractorDelivery

 

[Kingwood990]

Looks good, sucks about the tire. At least they are shipping a new one.

 

[Mac Garage]

That is a great looking machine!

I would have hated to see the flat tire when it came off the truck.

Are they shipping a tire and wheel with it mounted or are you going to have to mount it too?

 

[fixmdude]

That is a great looking machine!

I would have hated to see the flat tire when it came off the truck.

Are they shipping a tire and wheel with it mounted or are you going to have to mount it too?

I don't know what I'll be getting, but they are also shipping a steering wheel cap which was missing. If the tire doesn't come mounted, I'll call their support to send someone out to change it under warranty. I've changed thousands of auto and truck tires working for Firestone in the 90s but you need heavy-duty pneumatic equipment. I don't know if a tractor tire needs special tools or if you just use a couple screw drivers like on a bicycle?