If this is not the right mower for you, go here to see all of my reviews:
My 2011 Reviews. You can find larger and smaller mowers from this list.
This mower is essentially the Model 28992 with a smaller motor and deck. Last year this Craftsman zero turn mower got a new deck and it went from a mediocre lawn mower to decent homeowner machine. I personally know at least 8 owners of the 2009 version who are very happy and glad they purchased this one.
Read the rest of the review below the specs:
Sears Item 07128986000
Listed on Sears.com as: Craftsman 21 hp 42 inch Zero Turn Riding Mower
If this is not the right mower for you, go here to see all of my reviews:
My 2011 Reviews. You can find larger and smaller mowers from this list.
Buy Online – Pick Up At Your Nearest Sears
Buy Online – Have Delivered To Your Home. Use the coupon code during the checkout process to save an additional $5 over the sale prices listed on Sears.com. Be sure to sign up for the free “Shop Your Way” rewards card and place the number in your Sears.com Profile. Signing up will always give you the best possible prices including the Craftsman Club savings if there is one on this mower. (The Craftsman Club savings vary from month to month and are for specific mowers for that month. Be patient, if there are Club savings it will be reflected JUST BEFORE you click pay)
By clicking on the link to this product and purchasing it within five days through Sears.com I get paid a commission. I don’t get a commission if you purchase it at a Sears store. The $5 off coupon is a little thank you for purchasing from me.
Model 28986
Click On Picture To See a Larger Version”
Specs:
Read My Review Below These Specs:
Brand: Craftsman
Series: ZTS 6000
Model: 28986
Ca Model: None
Engine HP: 21
Engine Brand: Briggs & Stratton
Cylinders: 1
Transmission: Twin Hydrostatic
Transmission Control: Lever with dampeners
Mower Width: 42
Blades: 2
Cutting Positions: Infinite with electric lift
Gauge Wheels: 2
Washout port: No
Blade Engagement: Electric
Turning Radius: Zero-turn
Front Axle: Cast iron pivoting
Rear Tires: 18 x 8.5
Seat: High Back with arm rests
Slide Seat Adjust: adjustable
Service Minder: Yes
My Review:
For your reference I was one of the first landscapers to use zero-turn mowers in the Chicago area and I have owned a dozen different brands and types. I currently use a Dixon 30 inch on my lawn (It’s is the worst zero-turn I have owned) I like the ExMark Lazer Z, Toro Grandstand, and Wright Stander commercial zero turn mowers. When reviewing zero-turn mowers I use these as my reference point.
Today’s residential zero-turn mowers fall into two general categories. Barely adequate or worthless. Many of them are at worst unsafe for most users or at best tear up your lawn.
Most of them either:
1. Turn well but are unstable going up a hill.
2. Go up a hill well but don’t turn well.
3. Don’t do either well.
All of this has to do with how the unit and operator’s weight is balanced in relation to the rear drive wheels, the type of front axle, the tires, and the stiffness of the unit.
With that in mind, let’s continue on with the review of the 28986.
The 28986 is designed for relatively flat lawns. If you have a road ditch or slopes more than 15 degrees you will have difficulty mowing them with this mower.
What I like about the 28986:
Zero-turns that allow you to sit up straight are the most comfortable to drive. This zero-turn let’s you sit up straight (like you do in a pickup) and allows your spine to stay vertical. You won’t get back aches from reclining in the seat.
This zero-turn puts the engine just in front of the rear drive axles. You sit over the engine so all the primary weight is centered slightly forward of the rear wheels. This allows this mower to be very stable going up and down slopes(zero-turn mowers that have the engine behind the rear wheels turn better but are not as stable going up and down slopes)
Putting your weight over the engine also gives a good balance for turning. (Zero-turn mowers with too much forward weight tend to dig into poor lawns when turning.) This design gives the front caster wheels the best traction when turning yet it doesn’t put too much weight where it wants to dig in all the time.
I really like the floating front axle. On most of the residential zero-turns the front caster wheels are just welded to the frame and there is no flex. This stiffness makes the units hard to turn, gives you an uneven cut and are rough to drive. The floating axle on the 28986 gives you a better cut, and gives you a smoother ride. (Ladies, you will still have to wear a sport bra when using this or any zero-turn. The way zero-turns bounce will cause you some discomfort without one)
The new deck Craftsman put on this mower in 2009 really cuts well. The owners I know like the evenness of cut. (If your cut is uneven always check the tire pressure first)
I like the dampeners on the drive levers. Mowers without dampeners are very jerky to use and most people complain about having to hold the levers in one position while mowing. Dampers give you a much smoother feel and take some of the pressure off your wrists when mowing large areas.
The electric blade clutch and electric lift are usually not found on this price range and they are a welcome addition on the 28992.
The zero-turn itself is narrow enough that the 42 inch deck sticks out the side well enough to trim around obstacles easily.
What I don’t like about the 28986:
You sit up nice and high on this machine and this may feel like the mower is unstable on slopes. If you have slopes greater than 15 degrees I recommend you seriously look at the 28933 .
In Summary:
Zero-turn mowers are not for everybody. If you have never drove one, it does take some practice to mow well without tearing up your yard. But if you are willing to learn the 28986 can easily mow your lawn 30% faster than a 42 inch lawn tractor.
The Craftsman Model 28986 is a decent residential zero-turn mower. It is designed well and all the trade-offs of balance and weight transfer are well designed. The additional perks of steering dampeners, electric lift, and front floating axle make this zero turn one of the best for the money of all the residential zero-turns.
Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:
Needed Accessories:
I will add accessories in a few weeks.
If this mower doesn’t seem like a good fit here are other zero-turn mowers that you may like:
Heavy Duty: Husqvarna MZ6128ZT 28 hp 61 inch Zero Turn Lawn Mower Review
Economical: Husqvarna RZ5424 54 inch Kohler 24 hp Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower Review
The Perfect Mower: Husqvarna RZ4216 16.5 hp 42 inch Zero Turn Lawn Mower Review
If you have gates: Husqvarna RZ3016 16.5 hp 30 inch Zero Turn Riding Mower Review
High Speed: Craftsman Professional Zero Turn 52 inch 26 hp Model 28875 Review
A Craftsman Zero Turn: 2010 Craftsman Zero Turn 52 inch 26 hp Model 28992 Review
If a zero turn is not for you here a couple of Yard Tractors you may like:
YT3000 42 inch: Craftsman YT3000 42 inch 21 hp Model 28922 Review
YT4000 42 inch: Craftsman YT4000 42 inch 24 hp Model 28927 Review
YT4000 46 Inch: 2010 Craftsman YT4000 46 inch 24 hp Model 28928 Review
If you need to pull heavy loads or work in the garden this is your mower:
GT5000 Excellerator: Craftsman Garden Tractor 54 inch 26 hp Model 28947 Review
The Craftsman ZTS 6000 nd Snapper 150Z 42″ look like the same mower are they both made by the same company and which would you recommend?
@Tim, Yes, the Craftsman and the Snapper are both built by Briggs & Stratton (They own the Snapper name). I suggest you buy the Craftsman if there is one available in your area because they are clearanced priced and will be a great deal if you can find one.
That model has been replaced by the
Craftsman Model 28006. Briggs rebuilt the ZTS and made it a lot lower. It still has the same dependable transmission, deck and motor.Thank You. I have been reading a lot of complaints about Sears service are they the only ones that will service their mowers. Have you heard of many problems with the electric deck lift?
Sorry to send another question before you had a chance to answer the other. I a also looking at Lowe’s at three ztm’s. If I buy from them I will receive a 5% discount on the prices I list. I am looking at a 42″ cut John Deere Z225 ($2799), Troy-Bilt 50″ cut 17WF2ACP011 ($2799) and a 46″ cut Husqvarna RZT 4623 ($2599). Is there enough difference in any of these to warrant buying one of them over the Craftsman ZTS6000 at $1999? If so which is better and why? Thank you fot your help and this site.
@ tim, Sears is having a “Shop Your Way Rewards” event July 17. You can get an additional 10% off the clearance price and get lots of points added to your reward card.
You are looking at 4 different and unique machines. The John Deere is made by Deere, the Troy-Bilt by MTD, the Husqvarna by Husqvarna and the Craftsman by Briggs. Each offers unique features for the machine.
I like the Husqvarana because it is basically a Dixon ZTR with a good Husqvarana deck on it. The Deere is a little underpowered in my opinion (for the price). The Troy-Bilt is nothing more than the standard Yardman.
Many people don’t like the Craftsman because it sits up higher than all the rest. If you have any slopes or hills you may not feel comfortable using it on them. That’s the main reason why they rebuilt it for this 2011.
So, in my opinion, if you have a flat lawn the Craftsman will work well. Otherwise go with the Husqvarna.
@tim, no, I have not heard of any problems with the electric deck lift. That lift has been around for quite some time.
Sears has their own service network made up of 10,000 techs in trucks. The other box stores use local repair shops. The Sears techs are trained on your mower, the repair shops are “qualified” and don’t get the same training.
Sears service is what it is: On a riding mower you call an 800 number, they schedule an appointment and then come to your home and fix it. As opposed to a dealer for other brands where you bring your mower to them and then wait for them to fix it.
During the busy times (like may and june) you may have to wait 3 to 10 days to get the Sears tech out to your home. The tech diagnoses the problem, orders the parts and then comes out about 5 days later to actually fix the machine. To many people this is unacceptable.
At a dealer you may have to wait 3 to 10 days before the tech has time to look at it. If you bought you mower from a “box store” you will be put at the end of the service schedule. Meaning they will service the commercial guys first, their own customers second, and you last. My neighbor had to wait 17 days this spring before the local dealer looked at his mower because he didn’t buy the mower from that dealer.
So you will get service issues from Sears and dealers but for the most part both are good. Don’t mistake me, I am not saying the Sears service is better or the repair shops service is better. It’s just different. You just don’t get to hear about the dealer problems because they don’t have a national website (mysears.com) like sears does.
Sears does have a national hotline that will help with problems you may have with their service. Where do you go when you have problems with your local repair shop?
OK the ZTS 6000 is not available in my area. So new question if all things were even price wise between the new Craftsman ZTS 7000 42″ cut and Husqvarna RZT 4623 46″ cut which would you buy and why? I have a flat half acre lot. I may from time to time help my father in law mow a couple acres. The craftsman will be from Sears of course and the Husqvarna from Lowe’s both equal distance from my house. Thank you for all your help.
@tim, this is would be a very hard choice for me. I personally like the RZT 4623 better (my father has the Dixon version) but in reality the two machines are about equal.
The ZTS has a single cylinder motor, the RZT has a twin. The ZTS has an oscillating front axle so it will be a little smoother to ride. You sit higher on the RZT so if you have a hard time getting off a chaise lounger the RZT will be easier for you to get on and off of.
To me it comes down to service. I know Sears service and while it can sometimes be slower than you want, it is dependable and if you have problems you can get the issue resolved. Sears comes to your home to fix the mower. Lowes uses “qualified” repair shops. You have to bring your mower to the shop. I would find out what shop is repairing the Husqvarana for them before I bought the mower. I would go and visit the shop and ask them how they handle repairs on your mower from Lowes. Do they put their commercial accounts first? Their own customers second and you last?
Does the shop handle all the paperwork for warranty work or do you have to pay the shop and then get reimbursed from Husqvarna? Do you get the labor for the repair included and is there a surcharge for the labor? (Most manufactures only pay a set rate for repairs and it is always less than the going rate for labor)
Paul,
I am looking at buying a dump cart to use behind my recently purchased 28986. Can I use a cart made for a riding mower…or must I only use a cart specifically made for a zero-turn?
Thank you,
James
@James, You can use any garden (dump) cart behind your zero-turn. It will take a lot of practice to learn to back it up.
Agrifab does make a cart designed specifically for a zero-turn, but it is way to expensive.
One thing to keep in mind. Zero-turns are made to mow lawn, not to pull heavy loads. You will prematurely destroy the transmissions if you do it a lot. Please limit the weight you pull to a couple hundred pounds. A cart full of leaves and sticks is ok, but a load of dirt or bricks is way too heavy.
Thanks, Paul. I will definitely your advice.
Thanks for this review. Just came across the 28986 on clearance @ my local sears for $1999.88. Wasn’t considering this model, but seems like too good a deal to pass up, especially considering your favorable review. Others I’m considering in the general $2000 – $2500 price range include the Ariens Zoom 34 or Zoom 42 and the Husqvarna RZ4216 “The Perfect Mower”. Any input to help me decide would be appreciated!
@ Gary, Keep in mind that the 28986 is not going to work well on slopes. It is a great little flatland zero-turn. Did you look at the new turn tight YT 3000 and YT 4000 tractors? They look like conventional Craftsman’s but have only an 8 in turning radius.
Of the 4 zero-turns you mentioned, I like the RX4216 the best. My father has the Dixon version of that mower and it mows well, and works on slopes better than the others. He has had no problems with it over the last 5 years.
Thanks Paul! I ended up w/ the craftsman. Couldn’t pass up the deal – and so far I like the mower alot. Hoping it will keep me mowing for a good while. Thanks for the input!
@Gary, Thank you and Good For You! I only know the owners of 4 of the 42 inch models. All four owners like them. The larger version had a motor in 2009 that had a reputation for blowing alternators, but the 21 hp is a strong motor. Good luck and tell us later this year how it is going.
Thanks again.
Rick
I checked on Sears Parts Direct and the 33743 kit is pictured with 3 blades. I own the ZTS 6000 like the one above which has only 2 blades. What I would like to do is put a set of the Gator blades on and wonder if the 42" Gators are ok to put on the higher rpm Zero Turn model? Seems to me like the thing to do but would like your opinion before I start ordering parts.
By the way, I am very happy with this mower. For residential use, I consider it a great buy.
Thanks,
Rick
@Rick,
Oops, I missed that one. The deck on your zero turn is the same as a 3/4 inch round hole 42 ' simplicity. (I think. Take a blade off and check please)
You will have to outside Sears to find Gator Blades for it. I did a quick search on Google but didn't come up with it quickly. Try a local lawn mower dealer to look in their gator reference book.
what do you suggest for a mulching kit for this model?
@Rick,
The only thing available for this mower is the 33743 mulch kit. It includes the plug and a set of blades.