Need a "new" tractor - GT5000 vs DGT6000

5627 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by craftsmanmowerfreak, Jul 27, 2015

bhayden

Discussion Starter · Jul 26, 2015

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.

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bhayden

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 26, 2015

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?

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bhayden

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 26, 2015

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.

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bhayden

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 26, 2015

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.

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bhayden

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 26, 2015

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.

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