Craftsman FS5500 mower

[eaf]

Hi,
Here’s my situation. I just moved my mildly handicapped sister-in-law to northern AL. I need to purchase a ride on mower for her to mow about ½ acre, partial hill, not too steep, the rest is basically flat. I would let her use my Kubota GR2100, but I have no way to trailer it to her house. Can anyone give me their thoughts on a new Sears Craftsman FS5500 48” ride on mower for $1,899. I am thinking it would fill the bill for the features it offers: electric PTO, easy deck height adjustment, and automatic trans. I checked out the lower end JD’s offered at Lowe’s, the 155C is about $2300. I thought the JD drive mechanism for the motor to deck belt seemed flimsy, not up to JD’s usual stoutness. I do not want to spend more than about $2k for a new mower.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

ed

 

[DieselPower]

The electric PTO you are talking about, is it a electric clutch that drives a belt to the deck? If so, my Craftsman 60" has one on it. I have been using this garden tractor for a little over 6 years now and have never had a problem with it.

 

[eaf]

DieselPower,

That’s correct; it’s an electrically activated clutch. Thanks for the info on the reliability of your Craftsman mower.

ed

 

[DieselPower]

When I first bought the tractor and saw the electric PTO clutch the first thing that came to mind was that it looked exactly like a electric clutch on medium/heavy trucks A/C compressors. Makes me think that the clutch's are probably made by a heavy truck A/C compressor manufacturer.

 

[frank_f15]

I have been using ( i mean really using) for 14 years now a sears 18 hp gt with electric clutch and have had no problem with it, as a matter of fact have had no problem with the tractor at all, other than normal items, belts etc.

 

[ejtaylor822]

Hey EAF,
You will here the full spectrum of feedback on the Craftsman mowers. I will offer my experiences. I am currently on my second, a three year old LG series that I have worked hard. Used it to convert an old 2 ac. hay field to the yard when our house was built. Keep the oil changed and regular maintenance to the air and fuel filters and she just keeps on running. My next one will probably be a Craftsman. The new FS series are nice mowers - have been eyeing that one myself - believe it would serve your SIL well.

Eddie

 

[eaf]

Eddie,
My new FS5500 will be in next Tuesday. It was $1,859 + 3% tax, can’t beat that deal. Thanks for the feedback, I am sure it will give us many years for trouble free service. As far as maintaining it, like my other tractors, it will not die due to the lack of attention on my part.

Thanks again,

Ed

 

[ejtaylor822]

Congratulations, Ed. That new Fairway Series is nice. Be sure to post some pics for us. Attached is a pic of before and after of the yard courtesy of my Craftsman mower. As mentioned, I have really abused mine at times and she just keeps right on going.

BTW, there should have been an "I" before "keep the oil...." - know us TBNr's work our machines hard, but, we also baby them pretty good too.

Take care,
Eddie

 

[BTDT]

Congratulations, Ed. That new Fairway Series is nice. Be sure to post some pics for us. Attached is a pic of before and after of the yard courtesy of my Craftsman mower. As mentioned, I have really abused mine at times and she just keeps right on going.

BTW, there should have been an "I" before "keep the oil...." - know us TBNr's work our machines hard, but, we also baby them pretty good too.

Take care,
Eddie

That doesn't hardly look like the same place. Nice job.

 

[Ifixcars]

nice conversion ejtaylor! What did you use besides your mower to make the changeover so nice?

 

[eaf]

Well, I picked up the Craftsman yesterday. Looks and runs great! I am sure it will give many years of service.

thanks all for the input.

ed

 

[DmansPadge]

Well, I picked up the Craftsman yesterday. Looks and runs great! I am sure it will give many years of service.

Looks nice.... not quite as nice as the Kubota.... but still.... nice!! I have two Craftsman's... one about 20 years old... one 2 years old... both have treated me well.

 

[Hard]

Well, I picked up the Craftsman yesterday. Looks and runs great! I am sure it will give many years of service.

thanks all for the input.

ed

Great looking Craftsman. I had a Craftsman GT, 6 speed manual, 22hp Kohler Pro for 6 years and it served my very well. No breakdowns at all. I paid $2200 for it brand new and got $1200 back for it 6 years later on ebay. I did take very good care of it, changed the oil, oil filter and air filter twice per season, new plugs every season. Probably overkill but worked out well for me. Have fun with your new machine.