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I am going to buy a 1996 Craftsman Garden Tractor with 18HP Kohler engine. I was wondering if anyone on this forum owns one and can tell me of any problems with the motor or transmission on these? I have never owned a Garden Tractor, but plenty of riding mowers. I am looking forward to buying a box blade and landscape to FINALLY use on my property. Pretty excited like a child at Christmas time again. Thanks

What model Craftsman GT is it... ?
I can not place a Craftsman GT able to pull a box blade.
Is it equipped with a 3pt for attaching a box blade? :smile:KennyV

We had a Craftsman GT-something. Big Green boxy thing with a Kohler Command Twin and a 46" deck with three blades. It would take a box blade if you bougt a "sleeve hitch" (we had the hitch and a 4' disk for the hitch) and to use the blade you needed to remove the deck.

We wore out the deck and the steering bushings! It was used when we bought it and I'd say we got our $$ worth out of it.

cvt

Shedmechanic said:

I am going to buy a 1996 Craftsman Garden Tractor with 18HP Kohler engine. I was wondering if anyone on this forum owns one and can tell me of any problems with the motor or transmission on these? I have never owned a Garden Tractor, but plenty of riding mowers. I am looking forward to buying a box blade and landscape to FINALLY use on my property. Pretty excited like a child at Christmas time again. Thanks

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Shedmechanic said:

I am going to buy a 1996 Craftsman Garden Tractor with 18HP Kohler engine. I was wondering if anyone on this forum owns one and can tell me of any problems with the motor or transmission on these? I have never owned a Garden Tractor, but plenty of riding mowers. I am looking forward to buying a box blade and landscape to FINALLY use on my property. Pretty excited like a child at Christmas time again. Thanks

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If it's got the Courage motor in it, they are prone to problems. My advice is be sure to run a premium synthetic oil in it, as this thing will be working hard. Congrats on your purchase!:biggrin:

Bought it and I don't recall seeing a GT# on hood. It does have a hi/lo trans in it. I haven't bought the sleeve hitch yet, i gotta save up for that one. If anybody knows what GT# this is I would appreciate the information. Here are some pics of it still in the back of my truck after picking it up earlier tonight.:thumbsup:

That's at least a kissin-cuzin to the one we had. If I recall correctly I got the manual from the Sears website.

cvt

Shedmechanic said:

Bought it and I don't recall seeing a GT# on hood. It does have a hi/lo trans in it. I haven't bought the sleeve hitch yet, i gotta save up for that one. If anybody knows what GT# this is I would appreciate the information. Here are some pics of it still in the back of my truck after picking it up earlier tonight.:thumbsup:

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Thank you, but I got ALL the written information that came with it when it was brand new. I also was able to get snow blade, chains, and wheel weights included with the tractor. For the whole setup including the tractor I paid $400...I won't be able to find a deal like that for a long time. I think I did ok on this deal.:biggrin:

Shedmechanic said:

Thank you, but I got ALL the written information that came with it when it was brand new. I also was able to get snow blade, chains, and wheel weights included with the tractor. For the whole setup including the tractor I paid $400...I won't be able to find a deal like that for a long time. I think I did ok on this deal.:biggrin:

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Heck, the jewelry alone is at least half the purchase price. I think you did very well!:thumbsup::licking:

Find the serial and model number (probably on a tag under the seat) and publish it here. Most likely starts with 917.XXXXXXXX.:biggrin:

Model # is 917.251480

Looks a great deal like my neighbors Murray.

I have used them once or twice, they are very nice!

Shedmechanic said:

I am going to buy a 1996 Craftsman Garden Tractor with 18HP Kohler engine. I was wondering if anyone on this forum owns one and can tell me of any problems with the motor or transmission on these? I have never owned a Garden Tractor paint, but plenty of riding mowers. I am looking forward to buying a box blade and landscape to FINALLY use on my property. Pretty excited like a child at Christmas time again. Thanks

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I have 2 - a 86 GTII with a 18HP twin briggs and a 90's GT6000 with a 20HP onan twin - both use 44" decks - as of now, the GTII is the runner/mower - the GT6000 is the parts donor, shame really since it is the high dollar tractor of its day.

They both have the 3 hi/3 low trannys - i changed the oil in the 86 ( they take 10w30 motor oil) when i rebuilt it.

I plan on getting a front plow blade and sleeve hitch.

Other then the inital PO's neglect, i really havent had any issues with the GTII after its rebuild - good solid strong tractor, hauls heavy stuff easily . might want to look for some better tread tires if doing plowing tho- the stockers dig in too much and spin.

One thing is its a HEAVY tractor - handful to move around. A few things id suggest - grease up the steering gears/spindles - has sort of a heavy steering to it and change the fuel line from the tank- the rubber lines degrade over the years - i replaced mine when i had it apart.

Dangeroustoys56 said:

I have 2 - a 86 GTII with a 18HP twin briggs and a 90's GT6000 with a 20HP onan twin - both use 44" decks - as of now, the GTII is the runner/mower - the GT6000 is the parts donor, shame really since it is the high dollar tractor of its day.

They both have the 3 hi/3 low trannys - i changed the oil in the 86 ( they take 10w30 motor oil) when i rebuilt it.

I plan on getting a front plow blade and sleeve hitch.

Other then the inital PO's neglect, i really havent had any issues with the GTII after its rebuild - good solid strong tractor, hauls heavy stuff easily . might want to look for some better tread tires if doing plowing tho- the stockers dig in too much and spin.

One thing is its a HEAVY tractor - handful to move around. A few things id suggest - grease up the steering gears/spindles - has sort of a heavy steering to it and change the fuel line from the tank- the rubber lines degrade over the years - i replaced mine when i had it apart.

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My 1978 GT 18 is the heaviest mower I own, by a comfortable margin. That big, old school Onan weighs a bunch, the transfer case, the transmission, heck, it all adds up to feeling like you're driving a Peterbilt 379.:biggrin:My plans are to continue "massaging" it into good shape, and then put on a plow and some chains for doing driveways this winter.

Shedmechanic said:

I am going to buy a 1996 Craftsman Garden Tractor with 18HP Kohler engine. I was wondering if anyone on this forum owns one and can tell me of any problems with the motor or transmission on these? I have never owned a Garden Tractor, but plenty of riding mowers. I am looking forward to buying a box blade and landscape to FINALLY use on my property. Pretty excited like a child at Christmas time again. Thanks

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by the looks of it, you have the same frame of a mower i once had. the thing you want to look for is that were the axles are mounted on the frame. the frame likes to crack, and can cause irreversible damage to the frame strength.

I think garden tractor is a good garden gift. There are many uses of garden gifts. Garden tractors are used to mow the lawn, something an ordinary lawn mower can achieve with ease. Garden tractors are built with more heavy duty work in mind.

thats an awesome rig!.....you got a good year....they finally went from horizontal to vertical...and what an improvement!....great engine and tranny...those attachments are precious ......take care and it will last 30 years!:thumbsup:..........go garden tractors!:biggrin:

reddragon said:

thats an awesome rig!.....you got a good year....they finally went from horizontal to vertical...and what an improvement!....great engine and tranny...those attachments are precious ......take care and it will last 30 years!:thumbsup:..........go garden tractors!:biggrin:

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Very nice post!!

Have you been in my barn? LOL. I have the same one . Its been a good tractor.

The only problems I have experenced are; the steering bushings and shaft are warn and now has a ton of play. The starter tends to drag. The blades have to be replaced annually.

I intend to rebuild the steering this winter. I'll have to liet you know what I find. As for the starter I have made new bushings with some sucess, but I think the problem is that dust gets on the starter drive shaft and keeps it from engaging. A quick fix it to spray some of WD40 on the drive. As for the blades they are not that thick and wear completly out so there are no lift left. I usually buy replacements at Tractor Supply. I have 2 acres of moist soil and cut twice per week.

I bought the tractor new and used it mostly for grass cutting and towing a garden trailer. On occation I would use a grader on the driveway. The sleeve hitch works well.

At this point I have down graded the tractor to just pulling a vac for grass a leaf pick up.

BTW, this tractor was built by Roper. It has done its job well. Good luck with yours.

Regards

Paul

Craftsman Garden Tractor is very useful garden gift that you can use it for garden work.

Looks like it has the Kohler magnum engine. That is a heavy old workhorse when Kohler made the best engine you could buy. Kohler doesn't make that engine anymore and went to the command engine with overhead valves. With good maintainance it should last many years.