[coop402]

I just picked up a GT235 with good compression and carb/fuel problems. Runs just fine when fuel is sprayed in.
I am not worried about that. I will get it running. The engine is an 18 hp Briggs V, so it looks like maybe a 2003.
It also came with a very good condition 48C deck. It had no hood (lol, imagine that) everything else looks good including new tires,
I paid $200 on marketplace. I figured the deck and tires were worth that.

I have a nice 216, but I don't like the deck and how it mows. Way old deck with the big roller bar on the front instead of 4 wheels.
I am thinking that the gt235 might be a good mowing only machine. It is hydro, so that will help the wife and kids.

If things go badly, I will part it out, but it looks promising so far.

Questions: What is the 48C deck compatible with? Is there a place that has a cross reference?
What hoods might fit this GT235. I see lots for sale, just not exact matches.

Any insight that you folks have on this machine will be helpful.

 

[RedOctobyr]

Wow, great deal, congrats! Lucky guy. For that price, I'd happily deal with no hood Go kinda Mad Max with it, and lean into the unconventional look. Something with flaming skulls, or along those lines.

 

[inspectorudy]

This is why JD makes lousy hoods! In the used mower market a replacement hood and other plastic crap costs more than the tractor is worth! So people junk them and buy new. A complete hood and decal set for the GT 235 is about $600 if you need the grill and light bar. I bought the upper hood from Flip, $120 and the lower hood from Kumar Bros, $235. I just bought a GT 235 for $400 with less than 400 hours on it, and it is a beauty but it came with a cracked hood. I didn't need the light bar or grill so it came out to about $400. But where I live it will sell for $1800 next Spring. It is so superior to the big box mowers and they have a great reputation. I've had both engines and they are both fine mowers. You got a killer deal!

 

[rayjay]

Here you go !!

https://www.mytractorforum.com/12-john-deere-forum/1147610-deck-interchange-lx-through-gx.html

 

[KHodges]

I just picked up a GT235 with good compression and carb/fuel problems. Runs just fine when fuel is sprayed in.
I am not worried about that. I will get it running. The engine is an 18 hp Briggs V, so it looks like maybe a 2003.
It also came with a very good condition 48C deck. It had no hood (lol, imagine that) everything else looks good including new tires,
I paid $200 on marketplace. I figured the deck and tires were worth that.

I am thinking that the gt235 might be a good mowing only machine. It is hydro, so that will help the wife and kids.

If things go badly, I will part it out, but it looks promising so far.

Hang on to it, and gradually restore it. Maybe you can find a used hood. The GT225 and GT245 both use the same hood, and I believe the GX255 and GX325/345 also have the same hood. The hood consists of four green pieces and the headlight and grill assemblies, and the metal "hinge" assembly.

I bought a GT235 new in 2002, still have it. Mine has the B&S engine, just turned 600 hours on it. I used it heavily the first three years I had it, then moved it to my Mom's house where it only mowed 1/4 acre, so it basically quit accumulating time, just got used enough to keep the engine running well. Recently, I switched it with my 318 and brought the GT235 back to my place. It still wasn't getting much use, but now that my X748 is in the shop, the GT has taken over mowing over 5 acres again. I mowed most of this morning, and a couple of hours yesterday, high grass that needed cutting several days ago. I had forgotten how good a mower it is. I have the 48C deck, which is perfect for the 18 hp engine. You can put a 54" deck on the tractor, but I think it would be too much if the grass got high. The 48 cuts really smoothly, and it stays cleaner than the 54C that's on my X748, I believe because the X7's deck has some curves and molded areas (for belt clearance and chute design) that tends to collect grass rather than pass it through.

The tractor is heavy enough to give a pretty smooth ride; the seat suspension (two rubber plugs adjustable for ride stiffness) could be improved, but overall it's pretty comfortable. It's also heavy enough for good traction on hills, although it does not have a locking differential. The K71 tranny is a strong one and suitable for ground engaging implements (plow, tiller, snow blower, blade, etc.)Manual lift and manual steering aren't really an issue, the deck isn't all that heavy, and the steering is easy for not having power assist.

I used to have ag tires on back, but changed them to a larger than standard size turf tread. A 24x12-12 tire works great if you decide to upgrade the tires. You might be able to tell in the pictures that I've had to replace the top portion of the hood. Come winter time, it pays to carefully open the hood by slightly spreading it by using the rear side vents, rather than lift it from the middle at the instrument panel.

 

[JD-285]

This is why JD makes lousy hoods! In the used mower market a replacement hood and other plastic crap costs more than the tractor is worth! So people junk them and buy new. A complete hood and decal set for the GT 235 is about $600 if you need the grill and light bar. I bought the upper hood from Flip, $120 and the lower hood from Kumar Bros, $235. I just bought a GT 235 for $400 with less than 400 hours on it, and it is a beauty but it came with a cracked hood. I didn't need the light bar or grill so it came out to about $400. But where I live it will sell for $1800 next Spring. It is so superior to the big box mowers and they have a great reputation. I've had both engines and they are both fine mowers. You got a killer deal!

You had better luck than me. The last mower I bought that just needed hood. To do it right I had to put crank seal in, weld the PTO pin, fix pto connector, (found this doing crank seal) and set the valves. Then give it a tuneup. After mowing a couple hours you find this stuff out. Then the hood.

 

[inspectorudy]

That's funny that you mentioned the crank seal because a GT 235 B&S model had that same issue along with a cracked hood. I paid $800 for the tractor because it was so low time but when I got it home and pressure washed it I discovered the oil leak. The good news about the leak was that it totally preserved all of the underside to an almost new condition! The new hood was $300 and the new seal was $21. Sold it for $1800. The funny thing about the hood crack is that it went from the "Grab" handle on top to the light bar. The PO drilled holes on each side of the crack the entire length and then used black cable ties to "Stitch" it up! It looked nice and neat but also like a Frankenstein monster. BTW, as kHodges says above, do not use the center grab handle and do not use the middle slat in the vent. I grab and pull outward the curved lower part of the hood back by the pedals and have never had one crack yet. Just remember when you are approaching your mail box at 8 mph that the hood and grill cost almost $600!

 

[KHodges]

Just remember when you are approaching your mail box at 8 mph that the hood and grill cost almost $600!

Something else to consider if you decide to restore and keep it, get a brush/grill guard for it. Part of the reason I went for the SE version of my X748 was for the brush guard, and that has saved my grill and front of the hood many times over.

However, I think something would be wrong with your GT235 if you hit a mailbox at 8mph, the top speed is about 6.5 mph.:tango_face_smile_bi

 

[tsbrewers]

also check ebay for the hood parts. I bought the upper half for mine for $70 new from ebay. love the mower, have 370 hours on it now.

 

[ReD-BaRoN]

Is it true that not all GT235s have an hour meter? I have a 2001 B&S which I'd love to know the hours on it, but I don't see meter anywhere.

 

[tsbrewers]

That is true, I want to say the 2003 was the first year with the hour meter?

Is it true that not all GT235s have an hour meter? I have a 2001 B&S which I'd love to know the hours on it, but I don't see meter anywhere.

 

[KHodges]

That is true, I want to say the 2003 was the first year with the hour meter?

Nope, it was 2002. Mine (B&S) has one, a digital LCD, just above the steering column and below the oil pressure and charge lights.

 

[slongholio]

Don't buy a new hood. They're cheap plastic junk. Nice mower though. Too bad we can't have a hood that won't break so it will look nice. My 2001 345 has an hour meter, but it's just hanging there by the wires, since everything plastic has pretty much disintegrated.

 

[inspectorudy]

I wrote in another subject on this forum that as I was throwing away two old cracked hoods, I got them into my large garbage can and proceeded to whack them with a short 2x4 to break them up. The old 445 side panels broke like glass into many small pieces. The 335 hood would not break and I had to use a pry bar and a fulcrum to break it up and then only into long sharp pieces. This tells me that JD has improved its plastic but not enough. The issue is that the newer hoods cannot take twisting motions like when you try to lift the hood with that single grab handle. Or hit something on one side and twist the whole hood. That is why the front bumper guard and the two-handed hood opening are so important. If you keep in mind that the cost for an entire hood/decal unit is usually over $600 maybe you will drive more carefully! The motor is first in cost, then the transmission, the deck and then the hood. Many take care of the first three but not the last. For $200 for the tractor, you could buy a hood and still be hundreds of dollars ahead.