Gt 5000.. Hydro VS 6 Speed...

[XWAYZZ]

I have a large property in North Western CT and from the driveway to the property, hills are abound.

I'm getting mixed messages from regular folks to the pros, as to what is best for a final drive and or a transmission.

My personal pick is the 6 speed, for I feel that locking into a selected gear for both up and downhill is best and maybe even safer. I also think that being left with an average of $240 dollars in your pocket is as Martha would say..."a good thing"

I'm gonna use this tractor for snow plowing, towing and landscaping in general, so dependability is paramount (as I believe that it's so for all of us) for me and have always heard that the hydrostatic units tend to slip, leak and just quit when the going gets really tough or rough.

I also wanted to if anyone out there has changed the tires to a more aggressive ATV style tire for traction and is it a bad idea to keep the weights that would otherwise be used for snow removal, on year round for traction of the hills?

Finally...Locking differential...is part of the package or do I need to modify it?

Thanks again...and as a newbe...it's an honor and great feeling to be part of this community ..

J

 

[Fish]

Not familiar with the current craftsman lineup, but I don't think any of them are up for snow plowing duty. Do you have any links
to what they say it can do? Or do you have a model number so we can look at the rear ends?

As far as handling hills, the hydro would be the best-safest choice and easiest/nicer to use.

 

[Fish]

BTW, find a Poulan/Poulan Pro dealer, their lineup will be pretty much identical to the Craftsmans, and most of the Husqvarnas,
but will cost $1,000 or more less.

 

[XWAYZZ]

BTW, find a Poulan/Poulan Pro dealer, their lineup will be pretty much identical to the Craftsmans, and most of the Husqvarnas,
but will cost $1,000 or more less.

I will peak at the Poulan but Hydro??? I'm not seeing the longevity of a gear drive VS a hydro. Again... I'm a rookie to this but the gear drive just seems as if its a straight forward deal and the hydro may just cook itself by being forced up and down my steep slopes

 

[Fish]

Neither one could handle the weight and duty that you are planning with the snow, you need a heavy garden duty rear end.

 

[Carscw]

Stay away from Any hydro if your going to be using it as a work tractor.

I have a craftsman 6 speed with atv tires on it I play in the mud with it. I pull a trailer full of fire wood.

Man just go on YouTube and pull up craftsman mud mower

(( cowboy up and get over it ))