[MacLawn]

Ok, I am new to Craftsman section of forum, usually over in Deere CUT area. Anyway, in addition to my Deere 2210 tractor, I also need a riding mower. I found a Craftsman LT2000 on craigslist for $589. I have no idea about these mowers, except what I have read online says they are pretty good, except for the cast aluminum thingmabob that runs the blades (I think it was). Seems it is likely to break if you hit a hard object such as tree stump, etc., which I am always doing on my place. My old (about 30 years!) Ariens mower has bit the dust, and I am needing a replacement. The Ariens was an incredible workhorse! No problem with it hitting stumps, or whatever, the thing just kept going, and parts were bolt on easy. But, motor kicked off finally. Daid I tell ye, daid.

Therefore, this question - been looking, and can't afford to buy new... Thanks for advice.

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

nearly 600 is WAY to much for a little LT like that. if you want a nice reliable mower, and have that kind of budget, go for broke, and get the best you can.

 

[engine2quarters]

It must be gold plated. Too much unless it has the snow plow, snow blower, trailer, and cab. Even at that, abit over.
Up here, a 2005 LT2000 could fetch maybe $200 - 250 if in good shape. I got ono for $0, because it didn't run. Only had to replace the busted flywheel key, at under $1.0 .
Craigslist has Wheel Horses, made out of REAL steel, for $200 or less, that will do just as good a job mowing.

 

[BushBoneYard]

Is there any way you can link to the listing? Seems high. If you are just looking for a good used dependable lawn tractor I would suggest also considering a Murray. You can find Murrays with a decade of life left in them for around $300. Just as an example, pictured below is a "back up" machine I recently purchased. Purchase price and parts came in just under $300.00. Murray parts are inexpensive and available just about everywhere on line. Probably about the easiest machines to work on also. In the used Craftsman market $600 should be able to get something close to my YS4500, also pictured below.

 

[MacLawn]

Here is link:

http://jackson.craigslist.org/grd/1989142066.html

Glad I asked here! I had no idea how much these thing should go for - seemed like a decent deal to me at first. It has been very hard to find used riding mowers around here; been looking for a couple of months, so far, nothing, but the Craftsman.

 

[BushBoneYard]

I was hoping they would have a couple pictures, or at least a model #. It's hard to judge a value with no pictures and little info. Still seems high, especially in October.

 

[MacLawn]

Thanks guys. I think I will definitely hold off on this one. The area it is located is one of the kind of upscale areas here, so I was thinking it might be a good deal. Glad again I asked here first!

 

[engine2quarters]

You can always ask the seller what the model number is and engine hour meter reading and for a couple of pictures, to see what your are buying, and what they are selling.

Could be a real gem, or a real beat junker.

 

[joemckna]

My 2000 locked up shortly after hitting a small hidden stump... All and all, not a bad machine that I used as a work horse for a few years. They normally go for 250-350 in my area.

 

[kcp877]

Don't buy anything with a new style single cylinder Briggs 18 or 18.5. They all blow rods through the side. Deere used them too in their HD model. I believe the lt2000 had the 18hp version.

 

[D-Dogg]

We need a little more specifics, and pictures to tell for sure. Model number/serialnumber would help.

But $600 for a used LT2000 does seem high at first glance.

 

[RAND81]

Ummm not alot of good info here.

What year is it?
What model?
What HP rating (18, 18.5, 19.5 or 20)?
manuel, automatic or hydro trans?
38" deck or 42" deck?
They have no hour meter, so dont bother asking the owner what it says, there isnt one.

If its a 2008-2010, hydro trans, 20hp, 42" deck and its mint yes its worth what they are asking. They sell for $900-$1200 new (depending on the model of lt2000).

I have the LT2000 hydro trans, 20hp, 42" deck bought new and so far its been worth every penny. Much more durable and tough than what alot of people seem to think.

Call the seller, get the info, report back.

 

[GT_80]

Don't buy anything with a new style single cylinder Briggs 18 or 18.5. They all blow rods through the side. Deere used them too in their HD model. I believe the lt2000 had the 18hp version.

I am pretty sure the LT2000 were 20 HP briggs. I had a 1997 that i traded to Bullashe for a 1977 Sears 18/6 that I restored and sold recently. The LT2000 is a nice cutting machine, but Again, i wouldn't pay more than a few hundred in mint condition.

Some sellers really don't know what stuff is worth either...

Take this for instance $2500 for an "all original machine" that is visually different form a factory machine- the paint color is wrong, the front tires have been changed, it doesn't run, and the mower deck is all rusty

THIS one is much better Has all the info I would look for in a sale like model number, serial number, and lots of good pictures- I would be much more inclined to buy the $500 over the $2500 machine because it looks much better maintained, and even though it was repainted doesn't look bad, comes with a 3 point hitch and plow. Thats a fair machine for the asking price.

 

[MacLawn]

Yeah, my impression is he doesn't know what it is worth. All he says in the add is "fairly new", no other information. I emailed him right away, but still no response. Anyway, I am learning a lot from your posts! Used riding mowers are hard to find.

 

[RAND81]

They are hard to find in good condition.

People treat them horribly.

 

[Rtikcat]

Don't buy anything with a new style single cylinder Briggs 18 or 18.5. They all blow rods through the side. Deere used them too in their HD model. I believe the lt2000 had the 18hp version.

I can agree to that. i have a 2005 DLT300, that had a intek 18.5hp B&S that brew a rod. a friend had a 14hp Vanguards V-twin that I purchased and put in.

I would not purchase anything now without a v-twin in it.

 

[MacLawn]

Hmmm, now I am thinking I wish I could put a new engine on my old Ariens. That thing has been great for about 25 years! I have used it hard, and what I like about it is I can easily replace parts on it. They mostly just bolt on. Oh well, maybe I should check on the Ariens part of the forum to see what they say about that idea - new engine, that is.

Like I mentioned, I already have a Deere 2210 CUT (compact utility tractor), the 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel, 3 point hitch, etc. with rear finishing mower, but still need a smaller riding mower, and not wanting to pay $1,000 - $2,000 for a new one.