Craftsman DGS6500

The Craftsman DGS6500 garden tractor lawn mower is often referred to as the Craftsman 28746 lawn mower. They are both the same machine. The mower deck on the DGS 6500 has a cutting width of 54 inches. This means that it is intended for cutting the lawns in very large gardens that are at least 1 acre in size. While the cutting width of the deck is 54 inches, it’s total width is a lot higher than this due to the plastic protective discharge flap located on the side. The deck itself is made from strong 10 gauge steel. Inside, 3 small blades work together to give a very even cut to your lawn.

The mower deck on the Craftsman DGS6500 can be raised and lowered over 6 different cutting positions, from a high of 4 inches above the ground to a low of 1.5 inches above the ground in 0.5 inch increments. On the deck you will find gauge wheels on the outer edges. The purpose of these is to guide the deck smoothly over the lawn without it cutting into the actually ground itself. For dealing with the cut grass clippings on the DGS 6500, you can do 3 different things. The first and easiest is to just discharge the clippings out the side of the deck onto the grass. Alternatively you can mulch them with a mulching kit that is sold separately. The last option is to collect them in a rear attached bagger to dispose of later.

The engine powering the Craftsman 28746 is a Briggs and Stratton. This gasoline powered engine pumps out 26 hp and has a total volume of 0.725 liters. The engine transfers it’s power to the wheels through a hydrostatic transmission system which makes the Craftsman DGS6500 an automatic with no gear changing needed. The total weight of this lawnmower comes to 265.8 kg (586 lbs).

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3 Reviews of the “Craftsman DGS6500”

  1. Craig says:

    Overall, good. Biggest complaints are the non-adjustable steering and the arbors /blades.
    The frame could use additional support for rough terrain.

    Year of Manufacture: 2003
    Pros: Plenty of power. Motor starts every time, if battery is good.

    I have 11 acres, but maintain around 2. Flat, but is fairly rough ground. Tractor takes a lot of abuse from ground roughness.
    Powers through high, thick weeds amazingly well. Sometimes do have to back up to progress forward due to lack of traction.

    Cons: Lack of traction – needs better tires.
    Arbors stink. I replace at least two every season. They are kept greased and the tractor kept in a shed. Blades strip the arbors if I hit something solid. I may change to different arbors / blades this season.
    Steering is pathetic with no adjustment. It always had splayed wheels. I ordered all new steering components and it was worse after installing them. I took one time rod off, cut 1 1/2 inches out of it. I threaded the two ends and connected them with a turnbuckle. They wheels are now aligned.
    Frame flexes causing firewall to stress fracture. I braced with angle steel I had laying in scrap pile.
    Plastic fan for the transmission is fragile. Has broken several times due to high weeds. Running without a fan for two years without issues. It may shorten the life of the transmission.
    Attachments: Mower deck and homemade hitch to haul a 5×9 utility trailer around property. It hauls it well, even when loaded with lumber, trash, etc…
    Modifications: Custom trailer hitch
    Adjustable tie rod for wheel alignment.
    Added angle steel bracing for firewall.

  2. Jason Kilgore says:

    I have been using the 2008 DGS 2600 since bought new in 2008 it has been kept indoors and maintenance well.

    Year of Manufacture: 2008
    Pros: Drives well, starts good, controls work fair. turns good
    Cons: I have had to re-weld the deck brackets after about 200 hr.
    I replaced two deck bearing housings
    it has poor traction even with the wheel weights.
    The unit is under powered I have a hard time understanding how a 26 hp will not lug down at all.
    The deck does not float very well.

    Now The FRAME BROKE on both sides 435 hrs. This is one thing that should never happen.
    This is a glorified lawn mower and nothing close to a garden tractor

    Attachments: mower deck, front bumper, wheel weights
    Modifications: Just welding repairs

  3. Craig says:

    very happy with the mower

    Year of Manufacture: 2009
    Pros: Very powerful machine when using to plow snow.

    large 54″ deck makes short work of large lawn.

    Cons: do not like transmission direct shift with clutch only
    Attachments: snow plow
    mulcher vac trailer
    Modifications: none

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