[bhayden]

Buying a new property too far from where I live to be trailering equipment back and forth. So looking to buy a good used machine that I can keep there. The selection of used equipment in western Washington isn't great. While it would be great to get a HD "classic" like a Case 123 or IH Cub 782 those are pretty much unobtanium around here. A restored Suburban might fit the bill but those too are in short supply.

One thing I'd like is to be able to use the hitch and rear blade from my old GT18. I came across this popular mechanics article, Comparison Test - 5 Garden Tractors which talks up the Craftsman 917.276380. I think this is the DGT6000 but don't know what year. Other web searching leads me to believe that the main difference between the DGT6000 and the GT5000 is the DGT uses a heavier gauge of metal for the frame.

An occasional DGT shows up on Craigslist and the GT5000 models are relatively common. They're also not so old as be be completely worn out. I need something that's ready to mow; already have enough projects.

Thoughts on these two and insights about what changed over the model years would be much appreciated. As well as comments on performance and reliability from people that have owned one.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

I have the 917.276380 listed as a GT 6000 in my home made data base, but I can't verify the accuracy.
The OM for it (the one I have) is dated March, 2005 (Rev 1) so I think your PM link is probably outdated.

http://www.managemyhome.com/mmh/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0503415.pdf

 

[bhayden]

Thanks, I found that manual online but wasn't able to find a date. I think if it was a GT 5000 from the same year it would have the same engine and mowing deck. The difference being the gauge of metal used in the frame and possibly the addition of a factory hour meter. Although the hour meter may have only come on the DGT (Deluxe? Garden Tractor). To make it more complicated I think Sears did a GT 6000 as well as the DGT 6000 and I've seen GT 6500 models. I assume these are all built by Husqvarna?

And just after saying how hard it is to find a Suburban around here this shows up on the Seattle Craigslist.

1973 Sears Lawn & Garden Tractor
Sears SS 16 loader by Alden_Sloe, on Flickr
Asking $1700 with loader, front blade and mower deck. Having a loader to move stuff like bark, top soil, etc. would sure be handy. I'm thinking my rear hitch and blade would also bolt up?

 

[matt167]

A manual sleeve hitch from a GT-18 bolts up with a little work

 

[bhayden]

The GT 18 I have isn't the Suburban. It's a Murray built tractor. The hitch is a 3 point; see link in my first post for a picture.

 

[matt167]

Oh ok, one of the Murray sears.. The 3pts they came with used regular sears implements. I kno the handle is different on the plate tho and I think the plate bolts on different.. A suburban 3pt is only $150 tho. For a suburban anyway

 

[bhayden]

There's actually a few Suburbans around with mower decks. One ad is for a pair of 12HP which it says have a Tecumseh engine. I was never very impressed with their build quality and since I believe they are long out of business parts would be hard to come by. The 16 I think uses an Onan engine? Probably should start a different thread for consideration of a Suburban. Keep this thread focused on the modern GT DGT GS series Sears/Husqvarna since I can't really take on another project right now.

 

[matt167]

FWIW, I have a 1968 Sears Suburban 12. HH120 Tecumseh starts up with a couple revolutions every time and never skips a beat.. They went out of business due to mis management and new competition with china Honda clones

 

[bhayden]

My only experience with Tecumseh was with walk behind mowers less than 5HP. Maybe this was just toward the end of their existence but they didn't put an oil drain plug on the block. The Briggs motors pretty much ate their lunch. But, for whatever reason they are now history it seems owning one and trying to maintain it would be a labor of love. And again, with the larger HP Suburbans using an Onan engine that would seem to be the way to go. But I should probably start a different thread for this discussion since the classic Suburbans are way different than the modern Husqvarna built tractors which I'm more likely to buy. I really just need a riding mower. Get that under control and then maybe look at a Suburban project tractor.

 

[TriumphMan]

I have an '05 GT5000 #917-276310. It has a manual transaxle with 48" deck. A 54" deck was optional. B&S 24 ELS motor, but a Kohler was available at this time also. I think you got a 25hp motor if you got the auto transaxle.

The same year of GT6000 that I've ever seen had a 54 or 60" deck, auto transaxle(fender shift) and an hour meter. Usually had a Kohler engine with 25 or 26hp engine. I believe it came with 24x12x12 rear tires over the 23x10.50x12 that the GT5000 used. Believe the body color red with white wheel hubs was also used. I think the frame gauge steel was same as GT5000.

I've seen some DGT's and they all had upgraded seats w/armrests, 60" decks, hour meter, and I believe some had electric deck lifts, but that may of come about when the PGT6500/9000(Pro Garden Tractor) came out. Don't remember when DGT came out but 2008/9 seems about right. Black with grey hubs as color for the first years. I've yet to see any DGT with manual and H/L range transaxle.

 

[craftsmanmowerfreak]

i liked the 1990 craftsman II gt i had but sold it (stupid move). but now i got 3 suburbans all with cast iron briggs. look at my signiture. they do alot. i have had tecs and onans in the past and i just like the briggs. my low budget income they fit it pretty well. only issue with them is carbs can be finiky at times. but overall i am happy alot of power yea not has much has a onan but pretty close in torque. i had a st16 yea the ohv 16hp tec was wore out but t didnt have no power lol. but back to carbs i just pulled out a bug that somehow got in the carb on one of mine other night the tractor been giving me fits about being hard to start for a couple weeks and finally i said lets see whats wrong and found it. now all 3 of mine have gas shutoff all the flo-jet carbs leak (drip gas) but has long has you shut off gas when ur not using them they are fine. so keep looking around until you find what you like. i like the cast iron briggs is all lol. parts are cheap and available