New member , need some purchase guidance

[Road_Clam]

Hello everyone ! I really need some advice on a CC purchase. I beat the crap out of a Craftsman 42" single cyl as my property is about 1.5 acre and .88 acre of uneven grass terrain. I also need the possible option of adding a snowblower in the future. Lastly looking to tow a cart hauling rocks / small logs. Im looking at buying a new XT2 GX54D model as i really like the K61 trans with the diff lock option. Only problem is a 54" deck is going to be an issue (too wide ) scalping my lawn . Im concerned that if i step down to a 46 or 48 the K46 trans will not hold up to my needs (especially with a snowblower as my driveway is a slight hill ). Given these circumstances what would you guys suggest for a model ? I also have a really clean used 2020 XT1 ST54 for sale close to me and contemplating over buying it but it only has the K46 transmission and i'm hearing there's lots of issues with the K46 if it gets abused and not fluid changed. Thanks in advance for your input !

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Road_Clam

Hello everyone ! I really need some advice on a CC purchase. I beat the crap out of a Craftsman 42" single cyl as my property is about 1.5 acre and .88 acre of uneven grass terrain. I also need the possible option of adding a snowblower in the future. Lastly looking to tow a cart hauling rocks / small logs. Im looking at buying a new XT2 GX54D model as i really like the K61 trans with the diff lock option. Only problem is a 54" deck is going to be an issue (too wide ) scalping my lawn . Im concerned that if i step down to a 46 or 48 the K46 trans will not hold up to my needs (especially with a snowblower as my driveway is a slight hill ). Given these circumstances what would you guys suggest for a model ? I also have a really clean used 2020 XT1 ST54 for sale close to me and contemplating over buying it but it only has the K46 transmission and i'm hearing there's lots of issues with the K46 if it gets abused and not fluid changed. Thanks in advance for your input !

The XT2 GX54 D has a K62 with steel Cut Gears, it Only has 93 pounds less torque than the K66. I haven't had an issue with a 54-inch Cub Fabricated Deck scalping, But I have a Cub Cadet XT3 GSX and a Cub Cadet SX54 Zero turn (steering wheel control).

My wife and I Bought an XT2 GX54 D for a friend of ours In 2017; it Has 1,000 plus hours On it Now Again he Has had no issues scalping Lawns, and He Mows's (22) 1/2acre & 3/4acre Yards On top of his Own 3/4 acre Yard

You can actually refill the K62 through the Battery compartment, and it does have drain Plugs Unlike the K46 or TL-200 (TL-200 used in XT1 series Lawn tractors with a 46-inch deck or smaller)

The XT2 GX50 has a Non-serviceable K58, and so does the XT1 GT54. John Deere Uses the K58 In the X380, X384, X390 and X394 Lawn tractors.

BTW, the Craftsman T4400 is basically the same as an XT2 GX54 D, except it has a Kawasaki engine and a Tighter Turn radius. IT also has Diff/lock and a K62 with Steel Cut Gears https://www.craftsman.com/collection.../cm14aha6zma93 so it is a slight upgrade over the standard XT2 GX54 D

[Road_Clam]

Originally Posted by Sergeant

The XT2 GX54 D has a K62 with steel Cut Gears, it Only has 93 pounds less torque than the K66. I haven't had an issue with a 54-inch Cub Fabricated Deck scalping, But I have a Cub Cadet XT3 GSX and a Cub Cadet SX54 Zero turn (steering wheel control).

My wife and I Bought an XT2 GX54 D for a friend of ours In 2017; it Has 1,000 plus hours On it Now Again he Has had no issues scalping Lawns, and He Mows's (22) 1/2acre & 3/4acre Yards On top of his Own 3/4 acre Yard

You can actually refill the K62 through the Battery compartment, and it does have drain Plugs Unlike the K46 or TL-200 (TL-200 used in XT1 series Lawn tractors with a 46-inch deck or smaller)

The XT2 GX50 has a Non-serviceable K58, and so does the XT1 GT54. John Deere Uses the K58 In the X380, X384, X390 and X394 Lawn tractors.

BTW, the Craftsman T4400 is basically the same as an XT2 GX54 D, except it has a Kawasaki engine and a Tighter Turn radius. IT also has Diff/lock and a K62 with Steel Cut Gears https://www.craftsman.com/collection.../cm14aha6zma93 so it is a slight upgrade over the standard XT2 GX54 D

Thanks for the awesome detailed info ! Ended up buying the GX54D. Heavy duty enough to handle my potential additional needs moving fwd.

[Sergeant]

It should serve You well and there warranty really is a Bumper to Bumper for 3 years

[Road_Clam]

Originally Posted by Sergeant

It should serve You well and there warranty really is a Bumper to Bumper for 3 years

Thanks ! I have a long history of deep wrenching knowledge as ive done 3 nut and bolt motorcycle restorations. Trade school graduate , and been wrenching all my vehicles for the past 41 years . Can also do fabrication. After a very close accessment of these newer CC platforms is you need to clearly understand the limitations (fundamentally with the chassis) . I can see how guys get into trouble when slapping cheap universal hitches to the rear and expecting expecting to pull heavy loads with heavy tongue weights. My dealer told me that the 54D can pull 3000# (rolling) on flat ground. I was thinking maybe some light garden implements but after chassis considerations im not going that route. Going to tow around a 4X8 utility trailer and thats the limits. Possibly a snowblower in the future.

[Sergeant]

It will handle sleeve Hitch Implements https://brinly.com/product-category/ground-engaging/ and https://www.agri-fab.com/Products/Ground-Engaging Just fine and even Handle Johnny Bucket attachments https://www.johnnyproducts.com/. If Bercomac still made their PTO tiller, it will even handle that. The frame and transmission are strong enough for those Implements and attachments I just listed. It has a More stout frame than a Husqvarna Garden Tractor, and the frame is equivalent In strength to the Current John Deere 2016+ X500 series frame.

BTW My Youngest son Designs Lawn & Garden equipment for John Deere. Besides the Deere equipment he owns, He also has a 2021 XT2 GX 54D, which he uses a Johnny Bucket Jr and Blade on. That's all his XT2 GX 54 D does. The Mowing deck for the XT2 GX54 D is brand new. Never Cut a Blade of grass.

[Road_Clam]

Thanks again for the info and sharing your experience . Very good to know that i can safely add implements in the future. I do like the Johnny bucket . I love to mechanically tinker and i think i want to add oil temp gauges to monitor the engine and trans temps. They may not be necessary but helpfull data is always a good thing . Last question hows the electrical system output when adding 12v powered implants ? My 2024 model has a tiny AGM battery and i have concerns about overburdening the electrical system.