Barn Find Craftsman GT5000: Engine Wrecked?

After a long hiatus we are back with some tractor fun!

[@Far2hip]

That old Kohler V-Pro is an EXCELLENT engine. Always puffs a little oil on start up from new, but runs forever if properly maintained. The funny part is, even if neglected they protect themselves from nit wits and almost always come back to life, lol. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@TheSaturnV]

That is exactly what it’s been doing, including protecting itself from this nitwit a couple of times!

[@willmahess1897]

Great video. A great deal of help mine sitting in she for a few years. Ran when I put it up not running now! Hope this video will help

[@TheSaturnV]

If you run into a roadblock, feel free to send me your questions.

[@willmahess1897]

@@TheSaturnV THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@RooneysSears01]

SATURN!!! Man it's great to hear from you again! I picked up the same exact GT5000 last summer but mine had a 20hp Kohler in it already, man I tell you I love it! I even drained the hydro and filled her with new oil. Man I'm looking forward to a total update on all the machines!

[@TheSaturnV]

Hey buddy. I've been watching your videos lately and it got me back in the swing. I'm going to use your info to change the hydro fluid in an upcoming vid.

[@RooneysSears01]

TheSaturnV sweet ya I'm glad I did it too, it still worked great but that fluid was used, I totally recommend getting the Hydrogear manual, it has a wealth of knowledge in it. I'm still in the fence about changing the filter inside there cuz it's a little more involved lol cool I'll be looking forward to those vids!

[@RooneysSears01]

And I still religiously watch you vid on when Chewy finds out you bought Cub haha! Love it after all these years lol

[@TheSaturnV]

RooneysSears01 😂 I rewatched that on just the other day for the first time in years

[@CraigArndt]

I saw this on MTF, glad you made a video on it. These are great tractors, pretty tough. I just scored a new LT1750 "Limited Edition" from my neighbor. Needed a new steering kit, a deck pulley and I found a cast iron axle same as yours on ebay. Cut my lawn with it last weekend, it's a keeper. Kohler 17.5 single, great compression. Check the top of the hydro, mine had 20 years of grass piled up on top, once I removed it, the fan as able to cool it nice. GREAT FIND can't wait to see it cut!

[@TheSaturnV]

Craig Arndt Thanks Craig. I’m going to do a few more cleanup videos including the transmission like you mentioned, plus drain it out and change the oil. The Hydro is pretty quiet right now but it couldn’t hurt.

[@billydrake40]

Hi Saturn! Long time subscriber, first time commenter. It's great to see you back! Excellent find here; seemed pretty simple to bring her back to life. Can't wait for future content!

[@TheSaturnV]

Hey, thanks! Glad you commented finally!

[@pacificdrumma]

Welcome back! One of the OG ‘tubers

[@brian242]

Glad your back, always enjoyed your videos. I too have recently jumped back in. must be the current state of affairs. stay safe .

[@colonel9990]

have 1 of these GT5000s. Paid $750 for it 2 years ago. Absolutely love it. Only thing I've had to replace was the deck belt. (Due to a neighbor using my mower and toasting my belt in 4' tall brush). Also have a Massey Ferguson 2606.

[@TheSaturnV]

The first time I got behind the wheel I thought the seat position was strange and I couldn’t get it back far enough. Now I think it’s perfect. These have to be the finest GTs Sears ever sold. Everything about them just flat out works great, especially the bagger system.

[@colonel9990]

@@TheSaturnV , I felt the same way about the seat position. I don't have the bag setup. Wouldn't use it if I had 1. My property is a bit over 1 acre, and I'd be emptying it to often. The neighbor I bought it from came over the end of summer wanting to buy it back. He has a GT4000, and has gone through 2 engines & 3 transmissions just this year. I've towed him back to his house twice this year with the GT5000.

[@colonel9990]

@@TheSaturnV , Cloud you do me a favor? look in your owner's manual and tell me how big the gas tank is on the GT5000. I don't think I've ever had a riding mower with such a big tank. It has to be close to 5 gallons.

[@TheSaturnV]

www.manualslib.com/manual/420810/Craftsman-28947-Gt-5000-26-Hp-54-Garden-Tractor.html?page=6#manual

[@TheSaturnV]

@@colonel9990 everything I’m coming up with says 4 gallons, yeah it seems to hold another 1/2 gallon in reserve.

[@jster1963]

Great deal and great to see you back!

[@TheSaturnV]

Thank you jster, it's good to be back.

[@kylependleton1987]

my dlt2000 has the same engine... dang oil filter always needs to be tightened before use haha had it since 2002

[@Chooman69]

Who needs Netflix when the "V" is back?? Got a notification that the King has uploaded a video so I thought it was King Kong vs Godzilla trailer I'm waiting for but this is better!!

[@TheSaturnV]

Sears Suburban Backyard Tractor Club Too kind. Really good to be back.

[@Chooman69]

@@TheSaturnV Lifts my spirits. Great to see it running again. What about that orange one over there?

[@TheSaturnV]

Sears Suburban Backyard Tractor Club Orangey is snug in the garage. I think the IGN finally took a dumper. Video forthcoming.

[@freddean995]

Lucky Dog 🐕

[@lenjames]

I have a the same 2003 tractor and the original owner. Mine is in great cared for condition. Never had leaf bags and now its impossible to get that bracket for the draw hitch to attach the bags. Love to see how it attaches so I could possibly make one.

[@TheSaturnV]

I'm happy to go over the bracket in the next Craftsman video. It's a really simple piece, I'll bet you can replicate it.

[@lenjames]

@@TheSaturnV goodness a year later and I totally forgot that I commented on the bagger bracket. Can you send a pic of the bracket if I supply a email? I may have found one but not sure if it has the same hook location.

[@lensmanicfeleven1847]

...I bought one of these about 15 years ago...rebuilt most of it (videos on YT)...still runs today...actually I am changing the main drive belt today....

[@71_sears97]

Those tractors are pretty good, I have the earlier green version of this tractor that I found upside down in the back of a pickup in a junkyard with no dipstick. I found everything for the tractor scattered across the yard besides one front wheel. I cleaned it up some, added oil, cleaned the carb and with a fresh battery it started up and ran perfect! Best part was I paid $40 for the tractor!

[@TheSaturnV]

71_Sears Good save! I think this one would have likely would up in the dump.

[@71_sears97]

TheSaturnV that’s exactly what happened with mine. Probably had junk in the carb so it stopped running and they took it to the dump and the dump took the metal items to the local junkyard for money. Then I found the tractor toppled over in that truck bed

[@norris.7670]

Bought new 2004 still runs strong.

[@FixNewsPlease]

I always tow hydros by lifting the back end.

[@paulwillard5924]

I was recently given one of these in a similar condition, it has a bad crank seal on the bottom of the engine, gonna try firing it up before teardown

[@phooesnax]

Great find

[@TheSaturnV]

I'm really enjoying tinkering on this thing.

[@keithmelton3741]

I have one about the same year, with a 48 inch deck with a 26 brigs els v twin. This is by far the easiest craftsman rider I have ever worked on, and its pretty damn comfortable. However I can't get it to turn to the right much so I need to figure out if it is what I would call the pitman gear or bushing or maybe the gear at the end of the steering shaft

[@jasonburks5911]

trun it into a raceing mower would be nice,

[@chadbinette3201]

Think your using the word bran find quite loosely , probably saw it mowing the neighbors lawn every week and they called you to come get it. Either way great pick up. For currentish small engines can't beat the Kohler or Briggs and Stratton, little maintenance and they'll last forever.

[@TheSaturnV]

I think I was pretty transparent in the video and stated exactly what you just said. I'd known that mower for years and jumped on it when the new home owner didn't have the skills to get it going. Was just poking a little fun at all the "barn finds" splattered all over KZbin. Agreed on the Kohler twin commands, it just keeps running and idles down very low and smooth.

[@chadbinette3201]

@@TheSaturnV exactly what I commented. To me a barn find is a tractor, vehicle or something that's been literally not used and sitting in a barn or garage for 15+, maybe 20+ years

[@FixNewsPlease]

If you unloosen the screws you'll never get it apart. lol

[@KC-jq9kw]

I still had you on my list. Just waiting for you.

[@FansSports]

Wow that's the Kohler Command engine.

[@redneckracers2360]

Wow Havent Seen You For A while! You Should Do An Update On All Of The Tractors.

[@TheSaturnV]

Yeah, I dropped off the radar for awhile. I think an update on all the equipment is a great idea.

[@hotrodgavin6543]

The engine may not last as long as it should i think its on the list of the ones that blow up for no reason being a 0017 i might be wrong my 0029 had 3 camshafts fail Seems to be only 25HP models aka CV730 i have a 0017 thats destroyed (bought for $20 for parts)

[@timothyp389]

Where can I get one of those front end loaders? I looked on Massey Fergusons website, and nothin

[@TheSaturnV]

Hello. For all practical purposes, that tractor is actually a Simplicity Legacy XL. For that era of machine, Simplicity got their loaders from Kwik-Way.

[@danielprivate7442]

IH Cub Cadet 147 Restoration 9? C'mon man, at least show us the finished product. Five years is a long time for a cliffhanger.

[@TheSaturnV]

Daniel Private You are absolutely right. I’m just getting ready to go back to work on the 147.

[@MsHannah61]

Do you know where a girl can get a Shifting Lever for this Craftsman GT 5000? In desperate need of one!! 🙏🏼

[@TheSaturnV]

I see one on eBay right now for $25. Item 202852602593. I would contact the seller and see if they can help you make sure it’s the right one, good luck!

[@MsHannah61]

@@TheSaturnV Thanks for the quick response! 🙌🏼

[@TheSaturnV]

Is yours just all bent up? Looks like two nuts/bolts and it's off. I'd remove it so you can get a good look for comparing possible replacements. I searched "Craftsman GT Shift Lever."

[@TheSaturnV]

@@MsHannah61 Anything for American Women! 😘 I see several on eBay right now, here's another: Item# 274451322734

[@MsHannah61]

@@TheSaturnV I have that, I need the part it attaches to. In the manual, page 38, #22, It shear right off right below the bolts when I put it in reverse.