The Craftsman GT6000 54 inch 26 hp Garden Tractor Model 28861 with Turn Tight Technology get’s my “Best Value Garden Tractor” this year.
This easy-to-use riding mower is great for your 1 to 5 acre lawn. It feature’s a large 26 hp Kohler motor! For less that $3000 you get a great cutting 54 inch deck, 26 hp Kohler motor and heavy duty garden tractor transmission. The new Turn Tight front steering let’s you spend a lot less time trimming your yard. For most of us this lawn tractor will mow and trim as fast as a residential zero-turn and will still be able to handle the ditches and hills that a zero-turn is unable to mow. This riding mower will get done faster without the problems of a zero-turn mower.
It’s Not The Best Lawn Tractor….It’s The Best Lawn Tractor For You!
Craftsman GT6000 Garden Tractor
My Rating of this Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower:
My Value/Cost Rating: Garden Tractor, Mows Lawn Well. Great for 1 to 5 Acre Lawns, Heavy Hauling, Medium to Heavy Snow Removal. Accepts all Attachments & Bagger.
Type: Garden Tractor.
Engine Type: Better. Full Pressure Lube.
Transmission Type: Heavy Duty Hydrostatic.
Speed Control: Pedal Infinite with cruise.
Accepts All Garden Tractor Attachments:
What I Like!
If you want to take your lawn mowing from “That’s a lot of work” to “That’s a lot of fun.” this is the best under $3000 large area mower around.
This is the best Craftsman for value, cut, durability and overall satisfaction for your larger suburban yard, farm lawn and heavy duty snow removal for your driveway. This Garden Tractor specifically has a 54 inch deck and 26 hp twin cylinder Kohler engine. Please read my reviews of all the 54 inch deck models so you can find the best tractor for you. Over the last 2 years I have mowed with this 54 inch deck and it will cut as well or better than any other comparable deck from all the other brands. You will not be disappointed with the cut. With correct blades for your lawn the fully vented deck has good lift for poor lawns and gets rid of the grass evenly and quickly for well kept lawns. These decks are designed to side-discharge best, bag ok and have some blow-by with a mulch plug attached.
Watch the New Turn Tight Technology In Action!
Craftsman GT6000 54 inch 26 hp Garden Tractor Model 28861
Read More Here:
Craftsman 54 In. 26hp Kohler Turn Tight Hydrostatic Garden Tractor Non CA 23 x 10.5 x 8 in.
Buy Here from Sears:
Craftsman 54 In. 26hp Kohler Turn Tight Hydrostatic Garden Tractor Non CA 23 x 10.5 x 8 in.
My Review:
I am very excited about the Craftsman Turn Tight Technology on this tractor. Combine the 8 inch turning radius with the 7.5 mph ground speed and this tractor is comparable to all the residential and pro-sumer zero-turn mowers currently on the market. It specifically addresses the safety issues Consumer Reports raised last year with residential zero-turn mowers.
Do you know that Lowes and Home Depot do not have a comparable Garden Tractor? Lowes does carry one Husqvarna that they classify as a garden tractor but it is not comparable to this Craftsman. This model features the new Craftsman Turn Tight Technology, step through operator’s platform, Kohler oil pump lube engine with oil filter, and a 54 inch deck.
The 28861 has a pedal control hydrostatic transmission with cruise control. This transmission is easy to use and will perform well for mowing and heavy duty yard tasks. (it drives more like your car) The larger tires and comfortable seat are one of the keys to why this is such a great garden tractor.
If you want a mower that will mow 1 to 5 acres well, handle a snow thrower, and use all ground engaging attachments this is a great choice for you. This tractor is heavy enough to handle moderately hilly and rough lawns. This is the fastest Garden Tractor on the market! This is a great all around mowing machine. This lawn tractor is one riding mower that will work well for your large suburban lawn.
I like the GT6000 series. I think it represents a good value and a machine that if taken care of properly will last you a long time. If I had more than 1 acre I would own one of these myself.
This yard tractor is capable of using all the attachments Sears offers including a snow thrower.
Cons:
This yard tractor has a high capacity deck that has a lot of airflow. Because of that when you install a mulch plug you will get some “blow by” when mowing dry grass. What that means is the deck will blow cut grass out the right front corner of the deck. When conditions are dry, you will get dirty mowing your lawn. If you use it for side discharge though it cuts very well and evenly.
Why this Garden Tractor over a Lawn Tractor?
Garden tractors have heavier transmissions and larger tires than lawn tractors like the YT4500. The larger tires make the ride a lot more enjoyable. Ride on one of these for an hour and then a lawn tractor and you will quickly see the difference. The larger tires handle rough lawns better, give you more traction and won’t feel as “sloppy” when mowing ditches and hills. The transmission is just about bulletproof and can handle anything you decide to pull. If you regularly use a snow thrower this transmission will give you years of great service.
Final Thoughts:
I personally feel the new Turn Tight Technology this yard tractor changes the game for just about all residential yard owners. For most of you this will mow as quickly as a residential zero-turn. It is easier to drive, is easier on your lawn and less expensive than the comparable zero-turn models. There is no “learning curve” like there is with a zero-turn. It will handle slopes that the residential zero-turns won’t. And………it will pull stuff!
If you feel you need a zero-turn but your spouse won’t even look at one, show them this tractor!
Don’t get me wrong! This is not the best garden tractor. There are other tractors like the Craftsman Premium and the John Deere X340 that are heavier but they are thousands of dollars more. In the under $4000 class ($2850 on sale) this is by far the best value for the money.
There are very few negatives with this mower as long as you understand that it is a good quality mower with a large deck. Take care of it (do the normal maintenance all lawn mowers need) and it will last you a long time. I like this lawn mower for what it is designed for. With the Turn Tight Technology and at around $2850 on sale it is a great value.
Product Description From Sears
This Craftsman Garden Tractor has a powerful 26 hp Kohler Courage V-Twin engine and its heavy duty design enables it to perform with various ground engaging attachments. This Craftsman Garden Tractor also touts the tightest turning radius in the industry at 8 because it has Craftsman’s exclusive Turn Tight™ technology. A tighter turning radius lets you cut more efficiently around landscape obstacles and prevents you from the need to repeatedly reposition your tractor. When you add in the heavy-duty premium hydrostatic automatic transmission that allows you to cut grass at a top speed of 7.5MPH, a 54″ 12 gauge fabricated steel cutting deck to mow larger areas; this tractor gets the biggest jobs done in less time.
- Exclusive Craftsman Turn Tight™ technology delivers an 8″ turning radius
- 26 hp Kohler Courage V-Twin Engine with pressure full lube
- Heavy-duty 54″ deck
- 4 adjustable gauge wheels and nose roller with large, 23″ rear tires
- Cut grass up to 7.5 MPH
- Heavy-duty premium hydrostatic automatic transmission
- Foot pedal drive for added convenience
- Spring loaded deck lift system
- Handy cup holder
- High back seat with arm rests
- Automotive type slide seat system
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Steering
I'm currently waiting on service for my 6000. The wheels are out of alignment and it's impossible to drive. I bought it two years ago. Both wheels are pointed outward, away from each other. Someone told me it may be due to the frame getting bent during use. Is this something that has been reported? Is there a way to realign the wheels?
Response: @Mike, A bent or twisted frame should not cause the wheels to toe out. There is something bent in the steering itself. The steering on the GT6000 is fairly complex so let\'s use a parts diagram to look at it. Please open a new window and go to searspartsdirect.com. In the search box type 917.288613 and then find the steering diagram. The axle itself may be bent (part 2) but that never happens. Part 35, the gear sector could be bent, but again that never happens. Compare parts 61 and 62 Subasm.link. They should look the same. Also compare Parts 85 and 86 Subasm.pivot, The two Part 81 Subasm.link. and Parts 4 and 5 Spindle assembly against each other. One of those parts is bent and causing your toe-out. How did it bend? The combination of the 8 mph transmission, the heavy weight of the tractor, the new turn-tight steering and rough ground all combined together can cause the steering to bend. The GT6000 has more of these issues since they installed the turn-tight steering. Slow down on the turns. Be careful when going through ruts and over curbs. Don\'t let your teenager go off-roading with it. I personally don\'t consider this a design flaw yet....because every farm tractor, lawn tractor and commercial mower I have ever owned has limits. (I once busted the steering axle completely off a Jacobson Turf-Cat turning too fast and smacking the wheel into a post.)
Tractor Scoop Works with this?
Does the Tractor Scoop 24847 work with model 28861? The scoop info on Sears.com lists a bunch of models but not the 28861. Seems like it should.
Thanks
Response: @Craig, Yes, the 24847 Craftsman Front Tractor Scoop is the right scoop for the 28861. It fits on all tractors with the 917 prefix in the model number under your seat. It will also fit the Craftsman Professional series with the 247. prefix.
For the rest of you reading this the 64508 Front End Tractor Utility Bucket will not work on the 917 series and is only designed for the Craftsman Premium Tractors.
Steering
I purchased a GT6000 Garden Tractor 2 months ago. Had I known that it would be as hard as it is to steer I Never would have purchased the machine. I have a right shoulder with a Torn Rotator Cuff,and a Left one that dislocates easily. Both are Very Painfull. Power steering,or a larger steering wheel(like off a Mack Truck),or a different gear ratio. Really I Like the Tractor(Not the Steering) could You possibly HELP me?? 16hrs time on unit.Return it,Swap it,Put power steering on it, ?? Still in PAIN. Robert Jones, PO Box62, Funston,Ga. 31753. legiron@windstream.net
Response: Your local Sears may be willing to trade you up to a PTG9000 with power steering even though you have had it longer than the 30 return policy. Talk to them and see what they can do.
Unfortunately all of the tractors this size steer the same. You can spend more and get the Cub Cadet, John Deere and the Craftsman PGT 9000 all with power steering
Hi guys – Ed I saw in your post that you had begun to see blue smoke & were burning oil as I was last season. I’m not as particular as some guys but after cutting the slope on a slant my issue decreased.Then this season I changed the oil before my first use and put in just enough oil to hit slightly above the “add” line. I didn’t measure and thought the oil might be slow to settle so I fired it up & went to work I didn’t want to overfill it & knew I could add more later (one and a half acre lawn. Good News NO blue smoke this year so I assume the factory had me too full or it splashed over internally during shipping.Still a happy shopper good luck. John F.
On May 11, 2012 Paul Sikkema said: “There seems to be a misnomer in your operators manual. The Kohler engine owners manual states…”
I did not receive a Kohler engine owners manual with my tractor, only the Sears booklets. Since my warranty is with Sears, do you know if this is documented anywhere (preferably online) that a consumer can see?
Based on the quantities you mentioned (52oz w/filter & 48oz w/out), you would think that adding 64oz of oil would have overflowed the fill spout – or at least read very high up on the stick. As I said, my dipstick is reading dead-one the ‘Full’ line.
@Ed L. There seems to be a misnomer in your operators manual. It states 64 oz of oil. The Kohler engine owners manual states 1.6 qts or 52 ounces. Without a new oil filter 48 oz is the right amount.
If it smokes all the time I would call a tech. I ran into this issue this week. A customer put three quarts of oil into an old 19 hp Briggs and it started to blow blue smoke. After removing the excess oil it took the muffler 15 minutes or so at full rpm to burn out all the excess oil and quit smoking.
Well, I changed the oil & filter last week, and like john reported last September 2nd, my GT6000 now blows smoke when mowing on a downhill stretch. I measured in EXACTLY 64 ounces of oil, which considering that this service included a filter replacement shouldn’t have been too much oil. The dipstick reads dead-even with the ‘Full’ line, (although it is not the easiest thing to read with brand-new oil in the tank). I hate that my mower blows smoke. I have to tell you, having had a Briggs engine crap out on me back in ’06, I am VERY sensitive to anything out of the ordinary with the engine – especially smoke coming out of the muffler. (SCARED THE PISS OUT OF ME until I recalled this part of the GT6000 thread!)
So, is this something that I need to now call Sears Service about? Or, is it just something to be aware of in the future, and remember to put in just an ounce or two less next time around?
(Also, if john is still hanging around here, how long did it take before your mower stopped blowing puffs of smoke on downhill stretches?)
@C, I really like the front end on the new Craftsman CTX Tractors. I hope that strength filters down into the current crop of Husqvarna, Craftsman and Cub Cadet Garden Tractors.
About that “tight turning radius” on the GT6000….I wish it didn’t have it. It’s by far the biggest weak link on this tractor! Sears made the linkage components way too tiny. With the slightest bump (you probably wouldn’t even think you hit a bump in the yard to cause it) it bends….eventually, like other people here, you’ll start to notice it. If Sears would just beef the steering components up, then the GT6000 would be awesome!
Perfect and again thank you
@Hans, I don’t expect the Premium tractors to get the turn-tight. They are longer tractor and that tight of turning radius would give you issues.
You can get no interest or 5% discount using a sears card. There is a Craftsman Club starting May 5 but they haven’t stated what tractors will get the dicounts (usually 5%)
Perfect, you answered my question – I will go for the craftsman. I wish the premium series would have come with the tight turning radius (do you think that will come next year?). If not then I will go for the 6000 – do you know of any special discounts coming up.
Thank you for the fast and thorough reply.
Best regards
HC
@Hans, I don’t have a subscription to Consumer Reports so I only got the mowers listed in the May 2012 issue and the NXT2652 didn’t make that list.
That said: This is a hard one. The NXT has the new automotive style Briggs motor like the Craftsman Premium Model 25006. It also has the electronic dash and mowing height control like the 25006.
The deck on the Snapper cuts well for normal midwestern lawns. The customers I know who own the 52 inch Snapper deck like it. I prefer the deeper Husqvarna deck on the 28861 for heavy grass though.
I have had really good luck with the Kohler Courage motor in the 28861 so automotive style starting on the Snapper is no big deal for me. (It may be for you though)
The 28861 and the 25006 have a heavier trans. The 28861 is bullet-proof and goes 8 mph. The 25006 has traction control and differential lock.
I love the seat on the Snapper but hate the hood. My local Sears had a display last year and the hood did not open and close even after it was tweeked by a tech 3 times. I don’t like the plastic look and feel of the hood.
The 28861 turns sharper (6 inches to the 14 inches on the Snapper) The Snapper does steer easier than most of the larger tractors though.
The rest of the tractor is about the same as the 28861.
If I had a local Snapper dealer that has been around a long time and looks like it will stay in business, I would have no issues with buying the Snapper. If I did not have a reliable Snapper dealer I would go with the Craftsman 28861 because of the consistent, nationwide Sears service.
Oh, one last thing. As far as I can tell the 28861 has more attachments available like a snow blower, dozer blade and front scoop.
Paul,
Have you compared the GT6000 to the Snapper 52 inch NXT2652 which consumer reports rated higher. Or is the quality of the 6000 just better in your opinion.
Thank you for all your great comments
HC
I finally had to call Sears Repair- they seem to be really on the Ball. My rubber grease seal on front also came off plus the wheel needed a New Flange. And the Front wheels point in different directions. I will write again after the repairs.
Well, about the zerk fittings….I actually had one come off in my grease gun. I never had that happen in my mechanic life years. I tapped zerk fitting sideways with a hammer so I could so I could get it seated back on, else it would had just keep coming off.
I’m still waiting on a magically steering upgrade from Sears. The Tight Turn steering on this heavy tractor is way too weak!….it’s crap.
BTW, it sounds like the person(s) who put your tractor together must had did it on a Friday afternoon!
Yeah, been doing that since I learned about cars while working on my family’s 1967 Dodge Dart! I guess the assembly crew didn’t know that trick, huh?
@ed L. When you reinstall this one or put a new filter on it dip a finger in the old oil and rub it around the rubber gasket. That will keep the filter from coming loose.
A dry rubber gasket won’t seat and it will work itself loose after a while.
I had an interesting experience with my GT6000 this afternoon, and I’m hoping that this event isn’t indicative of a more widespread problem. This afternoon, after using my tractor for several hours, I went through my normal put-away routine, which includes opening up the hood, blowing out the dust and visually inspecting the engine compartment. Imagine my surprise when I discovered what appeared to be way too much black dust caked to the oil filter and surrounding area. Inspection revealed that the filter was loose! Fortunately, not much oil had leaked/sprayed out. I had planned to do the tractor’s first filter replacement this weekend, so even had I missed it today, this problem would not have gone on for long.
However, what makes this disconcerting, is that it is not the first assembly-related item on the tractor since it was delivered last Spring.
In addition to my previously-documented issues with the mower deck assembly (which wasn’t done at the factory), I have had to have the seat replaced due to improper installation, have lost one grease fitting (and found two that were loose), have lost two hub axle caps (those rubber thingies that protect the grease fitting on the axles), and discovered several loose screws.
So, is this a bit of an anachronism or is it something that I need to worry about?
@Arnold, The wearing on the blades is mainly from cutting your grass too short under dry conditions. If you have light or sandy soil this agravates this even more.
This is normal, I have seen blades wearing like that after 20 mows in really sandy soil.
Two ways to fix this. 1st. Raise the deck and mow at least 1/2 to 1 inch higher. 2nd, if you want to keep mowing it short, replace the blades every year.
I have used the 54 inch deck for mowing a flattish lawn and my flat fields 4 acres it is very good for that. I now have the deck off for the winter and I did notice on the 3 blades what looks like a split or rip on the blade fins. I do also garden plow with a new Shelve hitch all hand operated and that part is okay I bought a Craftsman snowplow, Since I have about a 150 foot long gravel driveway I think after 11 winters here I know a little about our snow. Not much this year but tractor with only chains and my 220 overweight body plows fast and powerfully. I have snow plowed maybe 4 times i just fly though the 4 plus inches so far great. I also have a back blade wonderful for my Cement parking pad cleans it right down to the concrete. Only problem as I see and we all seem to share is the Steering. The front wheels seem to really be out of alignment and this problem must be addressed somehow. Since I really use the tractor to get away from the wife this one is too fast so I added more mowing land next door
@Bruce, The GT6000 is exactly what you need. It will mow the lawn quickly, cultivate the food plot and you can use it to till the garden.
I like the Berco because it is heavier. Thicker steel, etc. But it is more money. You can get an electric lift and electric chute for the Berco. If you ever trade your tractor you can get new mounts for the Berco for your new one.
I am thinking about purchasing a GT6000. I have around two acres surrounded by woods with a gravel driveway that is 300 yards long and is on a slight incline. If I purchase this garden tractor, I believe I should get a snow thrower with it. Why a berco over a craftsman? I would also like to put in a garden an a food plot. Is this tractor a good choice?