Craftsman Zero Turn Tractor – Revolution
Sears item# 07128933000 Mfr. model# 28933
Craftsman Revolution
Intro:
Sears likes to make mowers for every customer and new for 2009 is the Craftsman Revolution. The Revolution is a new concept in zero-turn tractors that makes the zero turn mower practical for the normal homeowner. Normal zero-turns take some training and practice to use on your lawn without damaging the lawn. The new Craftsman Revolution tractor allows you to turn the mower inside it’s own length without divoting the lawn.
I went to the Sears website to look at the reviews and I came across the following.
”Now, I’ll admit … I was a bit worried about purchasing a product such as this brand new on the market. I had seen last year a very similar model offered by Cub Cadet, but decided against purchasing it largely because I’ve had my own issues with the Home Depot maintenance service. The capabilities of this product are endless, considering that I have been able to use both ground engaging attachments, such as my disc harrows, and been able to turn on a dime to avoid the bushes and lawn ornaments the wife likes to keep around. A couple things to note … The transmission system seems like it would be awkward, but it is quick and efficient. Transitioning from a straight drive to a quick 180′ turn takes little effort beyond slowing down. I did some extra research and discovered the deck is all 10gauge steel, and the nuts and bolts run at an 8 gauge, just slightly less then stainless. I was really astounded in the end by the value of the product. I did purchase the maintenance, and it did set me back, but I’m confident it will be worth it. The salesman mentioned that everything, spare the belts and blades, was covered for that full three years, and if the tractor makes it past that, I can’t see it having any issues in the long run. Great buy, though expensive … It will be will worth it.”
The Craftsman Revolution is similar to but not the same as the Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT® 42. The Revolution has a more powerful 22 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum V-Twin Engine. A big advantage of the Revolution over the Cub Cadet is it comes with the Sears support. No matter where you live in the United States you can receive at home service on your new Revolution Zero Turn Lawn Tractor. You don’t need to haul it to a dealer, just call 1-800-4MY-HOME and Sears will come right to your home and repair or service you lawn tractor.
Specs:
22 hp Engine, 42 inch deck, heavy-duty twin hydrostatic transmission. This transmission is not a twin hydro like the Sears literature states. It is an Infinitrak system that is very different from hydrostatic transmissions. You can go to http://www.infinitrak.com/ to learn more about this revolutionary transmission. Ground drive CVT systems like the Infinitrak (Infinitrac), NuVinci, and the automatic on the Model 28908 are going to positively change the way we mow lawns.
Deluxe seat with arm rests, large tires, steering grease zerks. Comes with a free grease gun to lube the steering.
AUTOMOTIVE STYLE RACK AND PINION STEERING
4 anti-scalp wheels, cruise control, electric PTO clutch, large platform, easy on and off the tractor.
Pros:
This mower will mow faster than any other 42 to 46 inch lawn tractor. If you have 1-2 acres or more of lawn with lots of obstacles and don’t want to spend the extra money for a commercial zero turn mower this is a good choice.
The 22 hp motor is large enough to mow at full speed under most conditions.
There is no learning curve like a zero-turn mower. It is much easier to drive and more comfortable than the residential zero-turns.
This is also a lawn tractor and is capable of pulling all the non-ground engaging attachments Sears offers. Click here to see the full line of Sears attachments.
This lawn tractor is surprisingly maneuverable. It’s zero turning radius and 42-inch deck allow it to get around trees and shrubs very easily, thereby eliminating the need for a lot of trimming.
Cons:
This lawn tractor will zero-turn but is not a true zero-turn mower. It will save you a lot of time over using a conventional lawn tractor, but it is not quite as fast in the turns as a true zero-turn lawn mower.
42 inch deck. The deck size and mowing speed are suited for lawns less than 2 acres. (See “Mower Productivity Chart” tab at the top of this page)
Not as agile as a true commercial zero-turn. Yes it will mow faster than a lawn tractor, but if you have a lot of landscaping, a large lawn, or many trees and obstacles to mow around a good zero-turn like the Craftsman Professional 26 hp 52 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower will be a better choice for you.
Having had my own lawn maintenance company I know how much damage you can do with a commercial zero-turn if you are not trained properly in it’s use. I have had workers tear up trees, wreck lawn furniture, and even knock down fences using commercial zero turn mowers. This is an excellent alternative to a true zero turn mower. It allows you to have all the benefits of a lawn tractor and a zero-turn all rolled into one mower.
One of the reviews on the Sears website states excessive transmission whine. This is not a common problem for this type of mower and is usually a symptom of a tranny going bad. I hope the new owners are working with Sears to get the problem fixed. (Sears has a good track record of fixing the problem or getting you a new machine if they can’t fix it right away) Because this is a new mower for Sears I would strongly suggest you purchase the optional 3YR In-Home Repair Protection Agreement. This plan will not only fix warranty problems with the mower but takes care of wear and tear on the machine. History shows that if you purchase this optional service plan Sears REALLY takes care of you. If you are not mechanically inclined, don’t like to work on mowers, or just want to spend time with your family instead of servicing and repairing you lawn mower this is a good value for you.
Order Here:
You can read more about this Lawn Tractor and order it online using this link Craftsman Zero Turn Tractor – Revolution.
After you order it online you can pick it up at your nearest store and not get charged for shipping. You can get the mower delivered to your home from the store for a normal charge. Sears has a 30 day price guarantee so you can buy it, watch the sale ads and come into your local Sears and get the difference refunded to you.
NOTE: If you have the mower delivered it will have the deck attached. New for 2009, if you have gas available, the delivery guys will also start the mower and show you how to use it.
After you use your new mower for a while, come back and tell us how well you like your Craftsman Revoltion!
Craftsman Zero Turn Tractor – Revolution
Sears item# 07128933000 Mfr. model# 28933
Related posts:
- 2009 Craftsman Zero Turn Mower Test Drive – Revolution Model 28933 – Updated Review
- 2009 Craftsman Excellerator GT 5000 26 HP/54″ Garden Tractor Model 28947 Review
- 2009 Craftsman GT 5000 26 HP 54 inch Model 28945 Garden Tractor Review
- 2009 Craftsman Professional PYT 9000 28 HP 54 Inch Yard Tractor Model 28973 Review
- 2009 Craftsman Professional PGT 9000 28 HP 54 Inch Garden Tractor Model 28974 Review
Tags: craftsman garden tractor, Craftsman Lawn Tractor, Craftsman Revolution Model 28933 - Zero Turn Tractor Review, craftsman yard tractor, craftsman zero turn, Lawn Tractors, riding mowers
[...] can read about the specs in my original review here (Revolution) or read the specs on Sears.com here. (Craftsman Zero Turn Tractor – [...]
Thanks for the review. My husband and I haven’t had great luck with our Deere 110. We’re looking at reviews like this as a starting point. thanks
jenny´s last blog ..Wood Office Chairs
I purchased a Revolution this weekend and was hoping that this was going to be a good investment. I could not wait to get it out and cut my grass. I did read the owners manual and then got on the unit after I felt pretty familiar with it. I started it up and in doing so, I noticed a yellow sticker on the dash that said not to release the brake pedal with the engine at high throttle. I was curious why that would be on there since no other lawn tractor has anything like that. When I released the brake, the unit jumped forward – enough of a jerk to scare me. This was strike one for the unit. At low throttle, the tractor still jumped, but not as violently. This is unacceptable to me. When I headed out to mow, the transmissions made this terrible grinding when I was driving. I hoped that the sound would go away, but it got worse and worse. I called the Sears store and they said that is how it is supposed to sound. They said that this was the first year that this type of transmission was available and that it has no reliability history. This is completely unbacceptable. The tractor was packed back up and returned to the store. This was the worst buying experience that I have ever had. I went and bought a normal tractor and am very happy with my purchase.
@ Pete,
Good “Normal” tractors are the YT 3000 and YT 4000 series.
I just purchased the Revolution Mower. 2 cuttings -2 weeks later I had to call for service to come out for the brake would not lock [machine would jump] and it made all these metal grinding noises. Service said the trans axel needs to be replaced. Called the store, they ordered another one for me to switch out. Went to pick it up, it had a flat tire, the release rods would not work to push it off the crate,. When we hooked up the battery added gas, it sounded just like the machine I returned. So they got the floor model out. This one has the same noise but not as loud, the brake took many tries to get it to hold, didn’t check the release rods in back yet. Needing to mow the lawn, I said I’ll give them one more try. I’m not a mechanic, but I beleive there is a defect in there brake assembly not engaging and disengaging properly, which in turn is creating all the noise and burning out the transaxel. They should recall this machine. Between the price of the mower, the bagger and the 3 year service agreement. I shouldn’t have to go through this.
@Debra,
The release rods are engaged with a small spring that is attached from the rod to the transmissions. If the warehouse guys pull on the rod as hard as they have to do to release the trans on the other Craftsman mowers it pulls those springs out of place and the machine won’t release. You have to get under the machine and hook those springs back up.
If you feel uncomfortable about your buying decision, you do have 90 days to return the unit. I would suggest the Craftsman YT 4000 Model 28927 24 HP 42 inch Yard Tractor as a replacement. It has a good turning radius, V-Twin motor and pedal control transmission. It is a good dependable unit.
Sears is usually very good about returning an item. If for some reason they want to charge you a restocking fee or don’t want to make the return, don’t let the salesperson give you a hard time. Get the department manager, the store manager, and if needed the district manager involved. You should be happy with your buying decision.
Who designed your page? Looks great! Is it a free template you are using?
Amazing Grace WordPress theme by Vladimir Prelovac. It’s free and easy to use.
Nice site. I own a 1953 Super H with a M&W live PTO. I also own the Franklin Mint H you have pictured on your site.
Just a suggestion: If you are serious about your site you need to add a privacy policy and contact me page. Google will de-index your site if it doesn’t have those items.
[...] Kohler engine it has a top forward speed of 5 1/2 mph, which is slower than most other residential zero-turn mowers. The large, stable 24 inch cutting deck makes short work of mowing and certainly overcomes this [...]
@ George, Thanks for the update. Two of the 10 reviews on the sears website also complain about the noise of the transmissions and five of the reviews really like their machines and say it is quiet. So…..we’ll have to see if the noise is a common problem or just isolated to some of the new machines. Maybe someone from Infinitrak, can fill us in.
There are two Revolutions at the Sears where I shop and both of them move by pulling the two release levers on the back of the mower and THEN pushing the forward or reverse control pedal. (They won’t let me drive them) This makes sense to me because the transmissions have a “geared neutral” i.e. the unit can be held on a hill without brakes because of the way the trans is designed.
The way the transmissions are designed also allows full torque available when starting from a stopped position. With a manual trans the clutch “slips” off this torque and if you release the clutch too fast the vehicle will jerk. In your car’s automatic transmission a torque converter creates this “slip”
If you have ever tried to pull a boat out the water or start on a steep hill you will understand the benefits of having full torque available at slow speeds.
It will be interesting to see if this jerkiness is a “learning curve” problem or a “design problem”
After reading this review, I went and checked this unit out at the Sears store and it is a very sharp looking unit. I sat on it and the controls were all positioned well, and I was very comfortable. The salesman asked if I wanted to try it out and I took him up on the offer. We had problems pulling the release rods on the back and the transmission was frozen up. We managed to get it to an area to try it out. I started it up, then lifted my foot off of the brake to begin driving. The unit launched itself forward and scared me… very unsafe. At that point, the unit made a horrible, high pitched whining noise. I began to drive and the whine never subsided. This is nowhere near close to sounding as nice as a typical hydro transmission. I was very unimpressed with this unit as I feel it is very unsafe as well as ear piercing. This drive system is horrible. I know that this is new to the US market, but consumers will not accept this sound. It sounds as if the machine has a problem. This product will never replace the hydro transmissions in lawn and garden products. This IVT is better suited in a more precisely built product such as automotive application.
Hi Paul
I also am a small shareholder in Torotrak
I Thank you so much for your rapid correction to the review
Thanks again
All the Very Best
Nedsez
@ N Kelly,
Thanks N. The Sears website and their literature both state twin hydros. I added a clarification sentence to the end of their specs and a link to the Infinitrak site. I can’t wait for these new drive systems to really change the way we mow lawns. I would enjoy trying an Infinitrak in a standon mower.
Hi There.
22 hp Engine, 42 inch deck, heavy-duty dual hydrostatic transmission. The manufacture calls this transmission Infinitrak ”and is actually two hydro transmissions.” One for each wheel.
The part between”-” is still wrong
The infinitrak transmission is not hydrostatic
please go to http://www.infinitrak.com/
to see the full info on this totaly revolutionary transmission
also see http://www.torotrak.com/
for other developments of this system
All the Very Best
Nedsez
@ John,
Ok, I took “infamous” out of the article. The Protection Plans that Sears offers have some great advantages for tractor owners. Especially, owners who don’t like to work on their mower or owners who don’t have a way to haul their mower to a dealer. I would like everyone to please leave comments about the Sears Protection Plans and service support that they get for the Revolution this year.
@ Michael,
Thanks for the explanation. The engineers I talked to (Husqvarna & Briggs) did not know much about how the Revolution works.
Transmissions like the Infinitrak and the NuVinci are going to change the way we mow lawns in the next few years. The noise (or lack of it) is also going to be different from the hydro and gear noises we are used to. Like standon mowers it will take the U.S. consumer some time to get used to the benefits and differences.
P.S.
have noticed one of the reviewers on the Sears Website mentions the Harrier Jump Jet-
Overall Rating: 5
guys guys, February 20, 2009
By rubbish from Florida
“Wow, Sears and Craftsman have unleashed technology that I can only equate to what I have seen in the Harrier Jump Jet. This thing is so smooth, silky, and quiet. When this thing is running, I liken the symphony produced by the transmissions to angels singing. I can only think to myself, can there be anything more beautiful. I feel so good about my purchase.
The developers of this product have ‘cracked the code’. The competition is going to be chasing this dog from room to room for a LONG time.”
The Harrier Jump Jet was the first use of the full toroidal infinitely variable transmission as part of on of its auxiliary drives. Torotrak went on to develop this IVT and with MTD formed Infinitrak to apply this to the Outdoor Power Equipment market.
I have the impression that the TTT transmission is actually providing real zero turn capacity which is equivilent or better than the commercial versions.
I hope your use of “infamous” on http://todaysmower.com/?p=70 is a mistake. It is not a good advertisement for Sears’ support.
“A big advantage of the Revolution over the Cub Cadet is it comes with the infamous Sears support.”
In your review for the Craftsman Revolution 28933 you provide “Specs” which says this machine has a hydrostatic transmission. However, it is my understanding that this machine’s IVT transmission is an Infinitrak TTT transmission, which is an early market example of a revolutionary new IVT system developed by Torotrak in the United Kingdom, and is definitely not a hydrostatic, which is heavier, louder, more complex and less efficient. Infinitrak is a joint venture by Torotrak and MTD. The TTT transmission is actually two IVT transmissions using toroidal variators to independently drive each rear wheel, making the zero turn facility much more effective. You can learn more about this transmission from the Torotrak website at http://www.torotrak.com.
I am a small shareholder in Torotrak and have reason to believe that their transmission design has great potential to revolutionize more efficient drive trains in not only ride on lawn mowers, but in everything from Formula 1 KERS (Kenetic Energy Recovery Systems) to road cars to buses and tractor trailer rigs, all of which Torotrak is presently developing for customers in those areas.