After reading this review please read the 2011 reviews for these tractors:
I just finished the reviews for the new 2011 YT 3000 with Turn Tight. You will want to read all about these new tractors that replace the ones on this page. Click on the links below to read my reviews:
2011 craftsman-yt-3000-42-inch-B&S 21-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28851-review/
2011/craftsman-yt-3000-46-inch-B&S 21-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28852-review/
2011/craftsman-yt-3000-46-inch-Kohler 22-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28853-review/
Craftsman Best Buys – TodaysMower Picks
With all the riding mowers, yard tractors, lawn tractors, garden tractors and zero turn mowers on the market it can be really difficult to select the best mower/tractor for you. Consumer Reports will give you their pick of the best mowers across all the brands they review, but they tend to only pick one or two mowers from a manufacture and one or two sizes. They can tell you their best choice for a mower, but their review doesn’t always help you to decide the best mower FOR YOU. I choose to focus on the Sears Craftsman 2009 Tractor Line this year because their mowers represent a good value throughout the whole line. With only one mower that is a real dud (Model 28033) it is hard to go wrong if you select the correct size mower for your lawn.
There are five mowers in Sears lineup that represent a good value for the money. They all have great cutting decks, good motors and features that put them ahead of the other manufactures. I picked the best value for the size that will fit your needs.
It looks like the best mower prices this year are on the sears website. So far the Sears website has extra incentives like cash back and free attachements to entice you to buy online instead of at a Sears store. Of course you can order online and pick the mower up at your local Sears. The local Sears store will also deliver the mower you purchase online.
TodaysMower Best Craftsman Value
The best value in the Craftsman Tractor Lineup for 2009 is the Craftsman YT 4500 26 HP 54 Inch Yard Tractor. For about $1999.99 on sale this Yard Tractor features a 26 hp Kohler motor and a 54 inch deck. With an electric clutch, 5 gauge wheels, large tires, precision cut vented deck, and hour meter it is easily capable of handling most yard work including a snow blower. This tractor is a very good value for the money. You can read my review of this tractor here. Craftsman Model 28990.
TodaysMower Best Craftsman Tractor 1-2 acres
If you have less than 2 acres of lawn and don’t want a large deck the Craftsman YT 4000 24 HP 42 Inch Yard Tractor Fender Control is the riding mower for you. For about $1699.99 on sale this Yard Tractor features a 24 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum motor and 42 inch deck. With an electric clutch, precision cut vented deck, and hour meter it is easily capable of handling most yard work including a snow blower. You can read my review of this tractor here. Craftsman Model 28926.
If you don’t plan on ever installing a snow thower on your Yard Tractor the 28922 is a best buy at around $1499.99. The 42″ deck has been redesigned this year to offer you the same cutting quality as the 2008 Consumer Reports Best Buy 28924. The single cylinder 21 hp Briggs Platinum engine gives you plenty of power to mow and use most of attachments Sears sells. You can read my complete review of the 28922 here. Model 28922
TodaysMower Best Craftsman Tractor 2-3 acres
If you have less than 2-3 acres of lawn and don’t want a large deck the Craftsman YT 4000 24 HP 46 Inch Yard Tractor is the riding mower for you. For about $1699.99 on sale this Yard Tractor features a 24 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum motor and 46 inch deck. With an electric clutch, precision cut vented deck,, and hour meter it is easily capable of handling most yard work including a snow blower. You can read my review of this tractor here. Craftsman Model 28928.
TodaysMower Best Craftsman Garden Tractor
If you want to do everything with your mower including using ground engaging attachments the Craftsman Professional PGT 9000 28 HP 54 Inch Garden Tractor is the Garden Tractor for you. For about $2899.99 on sale this Yard Tractor features a 28 hp Briggs & Stratton ELS motor and a 54 inch deck. With an electric clutch, heavy duty transmission, heavy duty deck, large tires, and hour meter it is easily capable of handling ALL yard work including a snow blower, this tractor is for you. You can read my review of this tractor here. Craftsman Model 28974.
TodaysMower Best Craftsman Zero Turn
I’m not jumping on the hype of a new mower in recommending this mower. If you have less than 2 acres of lawn, lots of landscape beds, and want a zero-turn that also does most of your other yard chores the Craftsman Zero Turn Tractor – Revolution is the zero turn riding mower for you. For about $2999.99 on sale this Yard Tractor features a 22 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum motor and a 42 inch deck. This tractor will do all of your yard work and cut your mowing time by 30 to 50%. You can read my review of this tractor here. Craftsman Model 28933.
Let us know how good of a deal you got in the comments section below.
The 28928 doesn't have an electric clutch, at least the one I saw in the store didn't. Neither does the 28926.