If you are willing to buy used, then yes, you can get a better tractor for the money. If, however you feel you want a new tractor, then no, on a dollar for dollar basis I don't think you can beat Sears, especially one that is on sale.

I do think, since your yard has front and back slopes, that you'd do much better with a Snapper Rear engine riding mower!
I've had mine since 1983, and i have sloped lawns. When i mow the sloped sections, i never get the feeling of maybe the machine might roll over. I also have several lawn tractors, and they do give the "roll-over" sensation. And thats when mowing the slopes cross-ways as the builders suggest. Some say--the machine is prone to "rearing up" when starting up-hill!
Well, if you do that with a full bag of grass on the back, yes, it will bring the front wheels up some, but i've never had mine go clear up to the "scary point"! And that only happens with full throttle, and another cause, which is known as:"Not reading the manual and the cautions inside!"

I herd alot of people arent happy with craftsman products ( i see em for sale constantly- not just old ones either).
You can spend the extra money on a JD or Cub, me i prefer older used tractors that work perfectly fine for me (couple of my favs are a 99 Murray widebody and a 84 Dynamark- out of my 20)- other then the murray needed an engine change ( due to previous owners neglect)and a new set of deck blades- the dynamark is still running good after 24 years as well( needed more work- also due to neglect).

Here is a link that might be useful: Modified Lawntractors

"I do think, since your yard has front and back slopes, that you'd do much better with a Snapper Rear engine riding mower!
I've had mine since 1983, and i have sloped lawns."

I would second this recommendation. Take a second look at the owned from date. I would get one with the hi-vac deck.

Thats going to be mighty hard to beat for that amount of money. I believe it has the same deck that is on my 2002 DLT2000, I've been very happy with it.

I purchased a 2006 YS4500 24HP with a 42" Deck and Hydrostatic Transmission in February of 2007 - I got a great year-end close-out deal. I have over an acre with some small hills and have not had any problems. Used it all last year and love it. Powerful, cuts great (I bought the mulching kit) and is great for leaf clean-up in the fall. I regularly haul rocks, debris, fire wood, etc... with my yard cart and its never waivered.

IMO you won't get a better tractor for the money. Compare it to others in higher price ranges and it'll stack-up. B/S engine, K46 Tuff Torq Hydro Tranny, Large Tires, Tight 16" Turning Radius (great around obstacles), High Back Seat, 3 Gallon Fuel Tank with Large Fill Port, Grease Zerks, etc... I did alot of homework before my purchase and have not been dissatisfied.

I sold a used mower last week like you describe, $400. only it had a 15.5 hp briggs, If thats what you want buy it. Seems high to me? WDIK

BUY NEW! At the very least you are getting a warranty. You could by a used mower, put 10 minutes on it and it breaks. You have no warranty and no mower. You buy new and it doesnt work you take it back. I am a true believer in you take care of your equipment and it will last. Dont buy a mower and use it like a bush-hog. I have had my Craftsman with a 15.5HP Kohler going on 13 years. So far I have had to replace one battery, 1 drive belt, one breather tube, and the normal oil and filters. I have seen mowers taken back to Sears with 1/4 sticks stuck in the deck. Can you say abuse? If you paid $4000 for a mower I bet you wouldnt do that to it...

There's nothing wrong with Craftsman tools . . . . but there'e nothing 'Craftsman' about any of their mowers

It won't be the last mower you ever buy . . . . it might last you 6 or 8 years if you're lucky and you take better than average csare of it, but it's no 'lifetime purchase' by any means. What else can you expect when you try to buy a $3K to $4K 'tool' for $1800?

Don

don21,
I mowed with my Sears ST10 for 29 yrs (from 1973 to 2002). I then sold it for $375. I purchased a DLT2000 in 2002 and plan on mowing with it again this year, haven't had it started since Nov 2007, when I changed the oil sharpened the blades and lubed it. Tank was/is about 1/2 full of gas(no sta-bil). In about 3 weeks, I will start it up, back it out of the shed fill it with gas and mow. Whats your take on this, just dumb luck or what?
My 1996 JD GT275 was put away about the same time(w/o any service), JD dealer picked it up last week to fully service it ($161.95 early bird special) for the first half of the mowing season - I doubt vary seriously they had to jump start it - if they did they will recommend a new battery in addition to the service call, they will probably call before the battery change with the additional amount for authorization.

Steve,

I had an old Sears mower my wife inherited from her Uncle. It was made in the '70's - He used it about 10 years and replaced the little aluminum 8 HP engine on it 3 times (twice under warranty) and then he 'donated' it to us . . . . told us he wasn't doing us any favors. I put a 12 HP cast iron engine on it and used it another 10 years, at which point I traded it to my brother who used it for 7 or 8 more years (until he divorced his wife) and now her next husband is still using it - Those were great old tools and with reasonable care, they lasted a long time

Unfortunately, Sears doesn't sell anything remotely that good now - I traded the old mower to my brother because I had bought a new Sears 20 HP tractor, which lasted me almost 8 years (with good maintenance) before it all fell apart - Steering, transmission and deck all needed lots of work if it was going to make it another season . . . . and the Kohler was beginning to burn oil. I would have spent more than the $2200 I paid for it to get it back in decent condition again and I didn't want to throw good money after bad, so I junked it

I replaced it with a 20 HP Kubota diesel, which I expect to be the last mower I'll ever buy - Just wish I had bought it years ago instead of the last stamped tin Sears machine I bought. I would have been $2200 ahead of the game, for sure

Don

Well Don, you certainly are entitled to your opinion of present day Sears. Although the 2002 Craftsman DLT2000 is a decent mower for the price I paid ($2,400) with a 3 bin bagger. Equivalant JD, Simplicity, or Kubota was approx. $4,000 at that time. I took heat that the Craftsman would not last 5 yrs. I will start the 6th year in about 3 weeks. I have had 2 minor problems with the DLT2000, 3rd year, one of the deck lift rods broke, I think $15 including the shipping to replace it. Last yr (5th yr) The voltage regulator went out, $40 including shipping to replace it.
Thats been my present experience with sears.
The 1973 ST10 (I paid approx $700 for it new), I spent probably $300 in repairs over the 29 yrs I owned it. It did have a cast iron Tecumseh engine and it had the original engine when I sold it. Thats been my past experience with sears.
Fully intend to be mowing with the DLT2000 for several more years - although I really would like to sell both my DLT2000 and JD GT275, replace them with a Scag Tiger Cub and enclosed trailer. I have 2 properties about 12 miles apart to maintain. But then the scag and trailer is about $9,500. Then trailer plates every yr. although with a enclosed trailer I could open up some storage space which I could fill with more stuff - (I leave no equipment set out) I find it lasts longer when stored inside out of the weather;-)

The Craftsman riders with hydros are decent mowers. You should get a lot of good years of service. I think the Snapper rear engine rider suggestion is bad advice. The Snapper rear engine riders are slow and much more difficult to operate with the clutsy transmission. Mowing time is increased because they are just much slower than a big engine tractor style. Their center of gravity is no better than a garden tractor so they aren't better on slopes.

Hi,

You are getting lots of good advice, but I would emphasize one thing in particular......get a mower that has an endgine with a pressure lube system, like a Kohler...these engines have an oil pump and filter, and regular changes will make it last a long time. Beware those mowers with the splash lube Briggs and Strattons....

In this case, I think the tractor will be long gone before the engine gets to the point where it has problems. There are other weaker links, i.e. transmission and deck.

Metal, I don't know why you think the transmission is a weak link. This tractor has a K46 just like that magical X300 the Green Stores sell.

Dirtmechanic, the Briggs in this tractor is full pressure lubed.

I simply said I thought the engine, if maintained would outlast the non serviceable tranny. If you disagree, so be it, but I have heard very few engine issues compared to the number of transmission issues.

P.S. I think the engine on the X300 will also outlast its tranny as well, even though I am not sure how that fits into this discussion.

Well, yesterday I took the "DLT2000 key" out of the Kitchen cabinet where it was stored for the winter, went out to the shed where I had parked the DLT2000 for the winter. Started the tractor, didn't use the hotshot or battery charger, just the key. Backed it out of the shed, filled it with new gas (actually gas I had purchased in January for the generator) I didn't need the generator again this past winter, just more dumb luck. After filling the tractor with gas, checked the oil and started it up again, cleaned up a few of the leaves and winter sticks using the bagger (it did an excellant job). Sears just don't make'm like they use to - just better, or dumb luck.
Went over to the farm (12 miles) the JD GT275 was in the shed, appeared not to have been serviced yet by John Deere Dealer, so took a drive to the dealer "checked with Terri", the office gal who schedules service - she said it was on schedule to be picked up this Fri. morning and would be delivered ready to go either late Fri. afternoon or the first thing next Monday morning.
The L&G service tech's were wiping down the new green and yellow equipment making sure all were starting and moving them the front of the display area (outside but fenced in). Sales guys were discussing which would be the best seller this year. Told the one salesman I knew the best to make me a trade price on comparable tractor to the GT275 when the service guy's brought it in. I'm interested on what he comes up with. No price tags were on the new stuff yet, probably just going with the MSRP again, as usual.
Just got a e-mail in from the local ski hill - Sunday is the last day to ski there for this season.
Dumb luck for one more winter. Spring is coming, all is well, I think. I still got to go get the 1993 Ford F150 (with 217,000 miles out of storage) what are the odds that it will start without help, and then - - theres the JD2040 in storage, diesel is $4 + per gal this spring, that ought to make it run. I will be taking the Hotshot as well as the battery charger with me on this one, also will wait on a 60 degree day, well at least high 50's.

Don't know if you have bought the Sears tractor yet, but a point to ponder is why do they need 24 HP to drive such a small deck and small mower? As a point of reference, I have 2.5 acres (flat) except for ditch banks with some trees and I cut it with a 1999 Cub 2155. It has a 42 inch deck and a 15.5 HP Kolher. I have seen some of these larger motors vibrate to death some of the lawn mowers they are put on. Just a thought. Might want to look at some of the used mowers in that price range and compare features and quality to the new Sears.

Got edgey Monday - took the F150 keys as well as the 2040 key and went to the winter storage building, I rent. - As a "back up" took my Hotshot and Battery Charger. After checking the oil, started the old Ford with no problems, let it idle. Checked the oil and jumped on the 2040 held my breath and turned the key cranked right up, left the JD on a fast idle while I took the F150 to fill the front tank with gas (3.28/gal). Got back, drove the 2040 back in the building - have it rented for a couple of more weeks, no use for the JD yet, the F150 I need to stock with hand tools, etc. for the first job of the spring, starting next week.
After getting home got a call for Terri, "the gal at the JD dealer" - I didn't get out for the $161.95 on the spring tune up for the GT275, would you believe she wanted authorization for $433.18, Holy John Deere, batman. I need the mower so I said go ahead. Anything for a deere.

I'm curious what type of "service" you got for $433.18.

To me, that would be one heck of an incentive to learn basic maintenance. You could buy all of the required tools, some books, the required parts and still have money left over.

machiem,
For that money I just hope it's good, I will post parts and labor charges when I recieve the invoice.
But till then reference this page -

http://configurator.deere.com/servlet/com.deere.u90947.eproducts.view.servlets.QuoteServlet?userAction=configureProduct&lang=en&country=US&sbu=CCE&category=Ride-On%20Lawncare%20Equipment&model=X500%20Series%20Garden%20Tractors%20%28X500%2C%20X520%2C%20X534%2C%20X540%29&modelID=Model786&baseCode=4801M&futureProduct=false

As I have said many times JD ain't cheap - X500 is the upgraded equiv to my GT275 according to the salesman - thats what he is quoting me a trade for, I will post that also.
I expect a phone call with the quote, but the service invoice will come in the mail - billing is from the main store.

steve2ski would you seriously trade that GT275 after putting $433.18 into it?Kind of knocks the heck out of the trade in value I would think?I dought they will allow you anymore for it to regain the investment?I always see what they are willing to allow on trade before repairing.Rather then fix it up for them before they try to steel it on trade.

Back again, my previous post the URL doesn't work, from JD website, so here a copy and paste from that website concering JD service costs.

SERVICE CONTRACTS - RESIDENTIAL OWNERS/USE

Visit http://www.JohnDeere.com/ServicePlans for more information on John Deere Service Contracts. May not be Available in Parts of the U.S., Not Available in Canada.

John Deere Break-in Maintenance Plan (Break-in Service Only)

1 break-in maintenance service; transportation for break-in service included. $169.99

John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (1 Maintenance Service)

11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 maintenance service; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $309.99

John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (1 Maintenance Service)

11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 1 maintenance service; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $479.99

John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (2 Maintenance Services)

36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 2 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $609.99

John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (2 Maintenance Services)

36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 2 maintenance services; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $779.99

John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (4 Maintenance Services)

48 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 4 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $1,219.99

These above plans are for the X500 with the 48" deck.

I just got the invoice for the annual service on my GT275 which is equivlant to the basic X500. It was to be $433.18 turned out as $375.81(163.39 parts, 175.81 lab, 26.62 misc, and 9.99 tax). Last yr. I believe I paid about $290. don't have the exact amount without digging in to last yrs. papers. The 2 largest part charges were ($42.75/blades and $78.00/muffler). The invoice is 2 pages so I will not list all items individually.

I am sill waiting on the trade quote, but at these charges that Scag Tiger Cub is looking better all the time.

Green is good but when it comes to these prices - well I begin to wonder.

johndeere, yes I'm am seriously considering that green will be gone and not more green. If I sell it outright the invoice will be displayed with the tractor and if I trade it to the Scag dealer they will see the invoice also.
If I do stay green JD dealer has a copy. Two last things to remember; I don't want to have it stolen - and there are plenty of JD nuts that will pay for it, and John Deere green ain't cheap to own.

To the original poster, yes you are getting a very good deal on that Craftsman mower.

taygolf - what did you end up buying? Just curious.

Well, I just got the quote from JD salesman - $3400.00 plus sales tax to trade the GT 275 on a X500 w/ 48" deck. Well, I won't be going that way, GT275's of that vintage are selling between $1900 - $2700.

You are almost always better off selling your tractor privately (local newspaper, craigslist, ebay, set it by the street with a sign on it, etc.) then trading in (unless you know it has serious problems and want to dump it on them). Same goes for cars.

yep metal, you are right, list price to list price ain't no deal (5600-3400 = 2200). Maybe a deal for the dealer. Pretty sure it won't be JD green again.