Craftsman Test Drive – LT 2000 LT2000 Model 28907 Model 28908 Model 28910 Review – Test Drive
I had the opportunity to test drive the LT 2000 on April 7th. I specifically drove the Model 28908.
In general this riding lawn mower is exactly what I expect. A simple, easy to use, lawn tractor. The control layout is the new style Craftsman and you find it is very well laid out and intuitive. These three models mow better than the old Craftsman you are replacing .
The LT 2000 Model 28910 is a 20 hp 42 inch hydrostatic transmission with 2 front gauge wheels on the deck.
The LT 2000 Model 28908 is a 19.5 hp 42 inch automatic transmission with 2 front gauge wheels on the deck.
The LT 2000 Model 28907 is a 19.5 hp 42 inch six speed manual transmission with no gauge wheels on the deck.
I drove the Model 28908 Automatic version of the LT 2000. The automatic uses a CVT variable speed belt drive similar to the drive in a snowmobile. It is quick, responsive and great if you have a lot of trimming, flower beds, and other obstructions. I personally liked this drive, but the one I drove tended to change speed on it’s own when you took your hand off the controls.
I would suggest the Model 28910. I generally drive with my hand on the speed control but if you are the type that has both hands on the wheel you will probably like the Model 28910 Hydro Version much better. I drove the 2008 version of the 28910 last year and the hydro drive works great. The hydro transmission in the 28910 has a reputation for being strong and maintenance free.
Is this the LT2000 series the mower for you? A few things to keep in mind when considering these mowers and comparing them to more expensive models.
- The Model 28907 has no gauge wheels – no anti scalp wheels. The model 28908 and model 28910 have two front anti-scalp wheels on the front of the deck. All other Craftsman Yard Tractors and Garden Tractors have four or five anti-scalp wheels.
-These Craftsman Lawn Tractors are easy to get on and off. The LT 2000 models feature an easy to use step through operators platform.
- These three models are great mowers for lawns under 2 acres. You can pull light attachments and they all mow well. These Craftsman mowers will mow in reverse.
- This mower cuts better than your old one. All other 2009 42 inch and 46 inch decks except the Model 28903 were redesigned this year to match the quality cut of the 2008 Consumer Reports Craftsman Best Buy Deck.
- These Craftsman models feature a pressurized engine with oil filter. The Briggs & Stratton Gold line is a Craftsman Exclusive
- These Craftsman models feature an easily adjustable seat. If you have tall and short people using the mower look at the LT 2000 models.
- For about $100 you can upgrade from the old style LT 1500 to the newer style LT 2000. For about 200 to $300 more you get gauge wheels, a better engine and an automatic/hydro transmission.
There is not much more to say. You can read the rest of my reviews on the LT 2000 series here:
Craftsman LT 2000 Model 28907 Lawn Tractor
Craftsman LT 2000 Model 28908 Lawn Tractor
Craftsman LT 2000 Model 28910 Lawn Tractor
You can order this mower online, and have it delivered right to your home using these links:
Craftsman LT 2000 Model 28910 20 HP 42 inch Lawn Tractor
Craftsman LT 2000 19.5 HP/42″ Lawn Tractor Model 28908 Please Note: The 28908 is on a sell hold for a couple of weeks. Techs are rerouting a cable that may cause a belt to fray prematurely. It should be available again about May 1st.
Craftsman LT 2000 19.5 HP/42″ Lawn Tractor Model 28907
Related posts:
- 2009 Craftsman LT1500 Model 28903 Review – Test Drive
- 2009 Craftsman LT2000 Model 28910 20 HP 42 Inch Lawn Tractor Review
- 2009 Craftsman LT2000 Model 28908 19.5 HP 42 Inch Lawn Tractor Review
- 2009 Craftsman LT2000 Model 28907 19.5 HP 42 Inch Lawn Tractor Review
- 2009 Craftsman Zero Turn Mower Test Drive – Revolution Model 28933 – Updated Review
Tags: 20 horse Craftsman, cheap mower, craftsman automatic transmission, craftsman hydrostatic transmission, Craftsman Lawn Tractor, Craftsman LT2000 19.5 HP 42 Inch Lawn Tractor Review, Craftsman Model 28907, Craftsman Model 28908 LT 2000, Craftsman Model 28910 LT2000, craftsman riding mower, Good craftsman mower
oct 4,2009-i just purchased a 28908 for $1289 at my sears store but have not yet taken delivery because they do not have it in stock. Then I found your website. I read the reviews of the 28908 and also the 28926. I have about 1 acre of grass, half fairly level and the rest with a small slope. I want to mulch. I have a few questions.
1.Should i try to buy this mower on line and cancel my existing purchase to save more money.
2. And is the 28926 twice as fast as the 28908. Are there other models you recommend.
@Keith,
Sorry I didn’t get home until very late last night. The 28908 is a good mower for the one acres. You will find that it is very manuverable and a great little machine if you have a lot to trim around. The automatic trans in this unit is well suited to quick manuvering.
About the only negative I have with this mower is don’t pull heavy loads very often (over 300 lbs) The belt drive shuttle transmission is great for manuvering and is very reliable but I feel you may wear out the belt prematurely if you pull heavy loads too often.
Thanks for the recommendation Paul. I agree. After reading the specs on the 3000, it looks like a beefier unit, plus you get 4 trailing wheels and the cast iron frame. Interesting your take on the AT as well. Hope that proofs out and I look forward to your additional comments. Thanks again.
Tony
@ Tony,
All hydros creep. It doesn’t matter if it is a $1200 Craftsman or a $35,000 KutKwick. They all creep and the neutral has to be adjusted over the life of the machine. The recommended procedure to get off any lawn tractor with the engine running and in particular any tractor with a hydro trans is to set the parking brake before you get off. Setting the brake keeps the unit from creeping.
On some units like my Dixon and the Craftsman Revolution you actually release the tension on the transmission drive belt when you set the parking brake to ensure that the unit doesn’t creep.
It doesn’t matter if the hydro is a one piece unit like the ones found in residential mowers or the “pump & motor” style found in the high end commercial machines. They all creep and you really need to get into the habit of setting the parking brake.
The forward/reverse control on a hydro is only one cable or rod connected to a lever on the side of the transmission. The position of the lever determines the forward speed, reverse speed and somewhere in the middle is the neutral. The neutral is not a “hard” position, but simply a certain position on the range of the movement of that lever. Some high end units like the Ransomes 5000 I have in the backyard attach a disk with an indent to that lever. A spring-loaded roller moves around that disk and when you reach neutral it give yo a little “tactical” feel that you should be in neutral. Over time the hydro wears and you have to re-adjust that spot on the disk.
Zero-turns are even more aggravating. They have two separate hydros (one for each wheel) and over time each one has to have the neutral adjusted. Leave a zero turn running without setting the parking brake and it won’t be long before it is running around in circles
The hydrostatic transmissions like units in the Sears tractors don’t creep much, and you should purge the unit when you first get it. (The procedure is in you owner’s manual.) Purging the trans is simple getting the air out the system so the hydraulic fluid can work properly. It’s the same principle as bleeding the brakes on a car. The brakes won’t work right if there is air in the brake lines. Many times that will also quiet a noisy trans.
If you don’t have your manual click on the “Craftsman manuals” link in the right hand column on this page. Type in Craftsman and the model number of your tractor.
Be sure to let us know how your new 3000 series works out.
I purchased last week the 2000 with the hyrdrostatic tranmission replacing an older Craftsman with a 6 speed. The salesperson advised I buy the AT because of hills in the backyard. When the 2000 was delivered, I noticed that it continued to creep forward or in reverse after putting the machine back into neutral. I called Sears and they then sent over another such unit which did the same thing. This time, Sears sent a tech who spent an hour and a half trying to adjust the AT with a socket wrench and grabbing onto the engaging handle. He could make it stop from forward to neutral but not from reverse and that’s how it is today. Other than that, the mower works great. I called Sears and they suggest I get another mower so I’m looking at the 3000 series in hydrostatic transmission. Last night, I found some blogs regarding this “creeping” phenomenon and people recommended “purging the transmission,” whatever that is. If that’s the answer, I wonder why the tech didn’t do that or,if he did, was that the only solution? Is this a manufacturer’s defect?
Lastly, for the $100.00 diff between the 2000 and 3000 is it worth it and, should I go manual again as I’m concerned about future maintenance costs with the AT?
Your kind comments are very much appreciated Paul and keep up the good work with your online reviews and advice!
Cordially,
Tony C.
@ Tony,
The 28922 is worth the $200 more. You get a Briggs motor and a heavier frame. The Hydro Trans (AT) is actually better than the manual for dependability.
Craftsman YT 3000 Series Yard TractorsI’ll write more later on today.