Personally speaking, And this is stricktly my opinion NO THANX! This kind of tecnology has no place being on a garden tractor! except like you stated everlandfarm... when it fails retro fitting back to old may be possible, Or on a lighter note It may flood the used junk market place with useable stuff for guys like us to modify!

 

X2! Bet it will be a issue in future. Wiring may need total replacement to retrofit??

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Guys, as stated, it's a Briggs engine, which, "typically," needs a contact to open and close ground to the ignition for starting and stopping and another contact to energize the starter solenoid. Solenoid on the carb, electric clutch on the deck, sure there's seat switches, etc. for safety purposes, easy enough to wire those up.

Again, as stated, not too concerned about this new technology, just wondering about the tractor and trans, anyone have info or experience on that?

Thanks for the responses,

Ev

 

This is the same one on the husqvarna. A few people who have gotten these have been pretty happy with it so far it seems.


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I dont want any new electronics on my tractors...
I'll stick to the old PowerKing coil and points system with no saftey interlocks or computers. Sure I love computer stuff... But not on my tractors..

 

Gilson tried simmilar in the early 80's. They had a keypad for starting the tractor. It worked when new and I've seen 2 of them, but I've never seen the keypad actually work on the tractors I've seen equipped with it. Both were bypassed

The tractor is a Husquvarna built for Sears and I bet that you get what you pay for.. Sears are usually cheapened a little bit and the hit usually comes in with a lower quality engine and sometimes special decks.. It will be fine, but if you want a better quality engine/ deck then just go the HOP dealer

 

Update:

Difficult if not impossible to buy a GT with mower deck these days? Have looked at Snapper, JD, Kubota, troybilt, etc. They all ended up being over $5K++ except the ones from Lowe's etc.

Going to look at a Sears (Not Craftsman?) Pro tomorrow at local Sears. 26HP Kawasaki, hydro, 54" deck, "GT rated" (?) high back seat with arms, etc. $3014 with three bin bagger, "out the door." AND if I take out a Sears card, additional 5% off that. Gotta love Sears. I asked about paying cash, but they weren't interested.

Probably have to pull the trans and put upside down to drain in order to change fluid. To get a drain plug would cost a couple thousand more in a "name" tractor. What can it cost to add a drain plug in the manufacturing process, dollar or two?

 

Wow - Sounds like a good deal, if the GT rated term means ground engaging can be done. The Sears Hometown store here has a GT Pro Series t7400 that I'm looking at. Has 23" rear tires, 10" fronts, Kohler Elite 26 hp, hydro trans, 54" deck, and still has a key-start ignition. I was not impressed with the keypad "Constant Start" on the red GT5500. But - the 3-bin bagger is spendy if purchased separately, so you may get quite a deal. Good Luck!

 

Thank god we fixed this issue in the world. That is some pretty hard work, when cutting the grass, turning that darn key. lol.

 

AFter much talking to folks, looking at various types, and prices. Bought a Craftsman "Garden Riding Mower" (who makes up these names?), that's the black and gold one from the "local" Sears stores. 26HP Kohler, hydro, HD trans, high back seat, arm rests, brush guard (brush guard on a lawn mower??) out the door, inclulding tax for $2710.42.

This one actually has a key switch, that's the good news, bad news, it has the new "quick change" blades, not available with regular blades. We'll see, worst case scenario, change quills and put in regular blades.

http://www.sears.com.pr/craftsman-pro-series-gt-54inch-26hp-hydrostatic-kohler/p-07198645000P

It seems that the "local" Sears stores are now offering different products in addition to the regular sears.com ones? The tractor I bought is not available from the regular Sears.

The tractor won't be delivered till the 24th, I'm still deciding if I want the service agreement. $600 offsets the good deal I think I got on this. Can defray that with belts and filters and plugs over five years. IF those are covered, gotta look at fine print. I normally don't buy service agreements. The GT5000 I did, and that ended up getting me two replacement engines from Briggs (Air cleaner fiasco some years ago). You have 14 days from purchase to buy the agreement, I pointed out I wouldn't even have the tractor for 14 days, so could they allow 14 days from "delivery?" The world stopped, phone calls, finally, yes, they would allow it, but that's NOT their policy.

Interesting how Sears has changed, they "used" to offer free delivery, now it's $50. I'll just put one of the trailers on and pick it up.

Amusing sidebar. I applied for a Sears card to get the 5%, they only would approve me to $2700. OK, I'll pay the difference in cash or debit card, whichever is easier for you. NOPE, register would only allow an increase in credit, which required a phone call. The credit folks wouldn't allow the $10 increase as I was already at the MAX for a "new"account. The lady trying to sell it to me ended up in a shouting match. Hung up, called someone else, more shouting, finally, I was put on the phone and was told as a "special favor to a new customer, they would graciously allow the increase." Also was told that I should have got the card, established a payment history with smaller purchases and there would have been no problem. I've had Sears cards off and on for about 45 years, however, the "new" sears is totally different. Also amusing is we have excellent credit, but the "Max is the Max" I guess.

If anyone is interested, I'll post a "side by each" comparison of my 12 year old GT5000 with the new one. One thing I noticed is the manual, the GT has service and parts, wiring diagram in one book with small print. The new one has two books, one operating and service, the other parts and wiring. much bigger print.

Thanks for the responses,

Ev