For that price I think it is good deal. Those machines were very expensive when new, that's why they don't make them anymore. Just not enough buyers to keep production profitable. I have one of those Magnums in my 89 HT and it runs strong all the time with alot more than 1k hours. The only complaint I have is its hard to start when cold, so I don't use it for snow removal. My little YT's with the Briggs start right up as long as they turn over but the Kohler Magnum is very cold blooded. The GT's are real heavy duty tractors compared to the YT's. I have 3 YT's and all are kept up and running like new. I also have the HT which is like a larger heavy duty YT. The GT is much more tractor than it's smaller counterparts. I would grab it!:fing32:
Looking to buy Ariens GT
Hi guys- I usually hang out in the JD GT group as I own three of them. However I have always been a fan of Ariens GTs. I bought an Ariens YT12 new in 1991 and still own it. It has been a dependable, rock solid little YT and still looks and runs like the day I bought it.
Anyways, I have been looking around for a used Ariens GT18, GT20, etc. a guy near me owns two that he wants to sell. Both are around 1990 and seem to be in good shape. Have not been beaten. They`re both on the market for around $1500. Owner is pretty firm on price. One has a cab and snowthrower, The other a 48"deck and tow behind power vac bagger. Around here in NNE, prices for used GTs are higher than the midwest or down south. Still much cheaper than a used JD GT with similar power options.
Are the older Kohler magnums reliable when up around 1k hrs? Is there anything else that I should be looking for?
Any input would be appreciated. Happy Holidays everyone.:drunkie:
:thanku:
Mike in Maine.
Anyways, I have been looking around for a used Ariens GT18, GT20, etc. a guy near me owns two that he wants to sell. Both are around 1990 and seem to be in good shape. Have not been beaten. They`re both on the market for around $1500. Owner is pretty firm on price. One has a cab and snowthrower, The other a 48"deck and tow behind power vac bagger. Around here in NNE, prices for used GTs are higher than the midwest or down south. Still much cheaper than a used JD GT with similar power options.
Are the older Kohler magnums reliable when up around 1k hrs? Is there anything else that I should be looking for?
Any input would be appreciated. Happy Holidays everyone.:drunkie:
:thanku:
Mike in Maine.
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Thanks for the input, Dave. Owning an Ariens GT has been on my bucket list for some time now.For that price I think it is good deal. Those machines were very expensive when new, that's why they don't make them anymore. Just not enough buyers to keep production profitable. I have one of those Magnums in my 89 HT and it runs strong all the time with alot more than 1k hours. The only complaint I have is its hard to start when cold, so I don't use it for snow removal. My little YT's with the Briggs start right up as long as they turn over but the Kohler Magnum is very cold blooded. The GT's are real heavy duty tractors compared to the YT's. I have 3 YT's and all are kept up and running like new. I also have the HT which is like a larger heavy duty YT. The GT is much more tractor than it's smaller counterparts. I would grab it!:fing32:
My `91 YT12 has a Briggs 12.5 I/C and a 32" deck. In 20 years of use the only thing I`ve had to replace other than a few belts, blades and batteries was the deck idler pulley, which failed in the fall of 2010. I figure it has around 700 hrs on it, and the Briggs does not smoke or use any oil.
I bought it new from Don`s Power Equipment in Portland. $1599. Still have the handwritten bill of sale as well as the Ariens product line brochures from 1991. At the time, that was really stretching the lawncare budget as I could buy a Craftsman for half the price. But it proved to be money well spent.
Yeah, I bought my 86 new also for $1500 and at the time that was stretching the budget too but I needed a real snowblower and I knew Ariens made the best walk behind models so I sprung for it and has worked every winter since.Thanks for the input, Dave. Owning an Ariens GT has been on my bucket list for some time now.
My `91 YT12 has a Briggs 12.5 I/C and a 32" deck. In 20 years of use the only thing I`ve had to replace other than a few belts, blades and batteries was the deck idler pulley, which failed in the fall of 2010. I figure it has around 700 hrs on it, and the Briggs does not smoke or use any oil.
I bought it new from Don`s Power Equipment in Portland. $1599. Still have the handwritten bill of sale as well as the Ariens product line brochures from 1991. At the time, that was really stretching the lawncare budget as I could buy a Craftsman for half the price. But it proved to be money well spent.
I have an Ariens 1332 walk behind I purchased in 2005. I have yet to see a snowstorm that it couldn`t easily handle.Yeah, I bought my 86 new also for $1500 and at the time that was stretching the budget too but I needed a real snowblower and I knew Ariens made the best walk behind models so I sprung for it and has worked every winter since.
Just like the older S12's which is really the same as the GT's. Ariens made those for New Holland too. Very heavy built machine made to last a lifetime.
Just like the older S12's which is really the same as the GT's. Ariens made those for New Holland too. Very heavy built machine made to last a lifetime.
Here`s a New Holland for sale on CL:
http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/2766527631.html
The Ariens GT will do about anything a 318 Deere will do except it only has 1 hydraulic valve,but the Ariens has a front PTO set up similar to the Deere 420 which is superior in my opinion to the belt/mule drives.Great tractors I use them all the time around my farm
and gardens.Also very easy to put a 3pt hitch on if it doesn't have one already.
and gardens.Also very easy to put a 3pt hitch on if it doesn't have one already.
I purchased my 88 GT 20 with a 48" blower, 60" mower, and 2 x 75lb rear wheel weights for $2100 last summer. It has nearly 2000 hrs on it and runs very strong. only thing i've done to it is bearings for the front pto shaft. IMHO I'd say for 1500 buy it.
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