This review covers the YT 3000 with a single cylinder, 42 inch, and fender control hydro. If you want a larger deck or plan to install a snow thrower look at the other YT models.
Listed On Sears.com as: Craftsman YT 3000 21 hp 42 inch Yard Tractor
Half of you who buy a Craftsman tractor this year will buy a YT 3000 or YT 4000. The leading consumer magazine and I have rated these mowers as a “Best Buy” and I feel they are the “best mower for about $1500.” This is the best Craftsman for value, cut, durability and overall satisfaction. Basically the YT 3000 and YT 4000 series is available with 42 or 46 inch decks, single cylinder or twin cylinder motors, manual or hydro transmissions, and fender or foot control speed controls. Please read my reviews of all the YT models so you can find the best mower for you. Over the last year I have mowed with both the 42 and 46 inch decks and they cut as well or better than any other mid-sized deck. The fully vented decks have good lift for poor lawns and get rid of the grass evenly and quickly for well kept lawns. With premium mulching blades and a mulch cover they mulch well. With hi-lift blades both decks bag very well.
Model 28922
Click On Picture To See a Larger Version
Specs:
Read My Review Below These Specs:
Brand: Craftsman
Series: YT 3000
Model: 28922
Ca Model: none
Engine HP: 21
Engine Brand: Briggs & Stratton Platinum
Cylinders: One
Transmission: Hydrostatic
Transmission Control: Fender Controls
Mower Width: 42 inch
Blades: 2
Cutting Positions: 6
Gauge Wheels: 4
Washout port: Included
Blade Engagement: Manual
Turning Radius: 16 inches
Front Axle: Cast Iron – Grease-able
Rear Tires: 18 x 9.5
Seat: High-back
Slide Seat Adjust: Easy Adjust Lever
Service Minder: None
Warranty: 2 year manufacture defects, 5 year frame and axle. Optional 3 year Protection Plan that includes labor, trip charges and wear and tear. (See Sears.com for details)
My Review:
For 100 dollars more than the Craftsman Model 28905 LT 2000 Lawn Tractor you can move up to the mid-sized YT 3000 yard tractor series. This model features the new Craftsman style step through operator’s platform, pressurized lube engine with oil filter, and a 42 inch deck designed around the 46 inch Model 28724 Consumer Reports 2008 Best Buy.
The 28922 has the fender control hydro. If you are replacing your old Craftsman that had fender controls this is the new mower for you. If you are new to mowers you should look at the 28934 foot control. (it drives more like your car)
If you want a mower that will mow 1/2 to 2 acres well, handle a snow blade, and all the non-ground engaging attachments this is the mower in the Craftsman lineup that will do the job for you. This tractor is heavy enough to handle hilly and rough lawns. There are other mowers in the Craftsman lineup that will mow faster, or pull more but this is a great all around mowing machine.
I like the mid-size YT 3000 series. I think they represent a good value and a machine that if taken care of properly will last you a long time.
These yard tractors are capable of pulling all the non-ground engaging attachments Sears offers including a snow blade. Click here to see the full line of Sears attachments.
Cons:
The YT 3000 is heavy enough, but I recommend going to a twin cylinder motor (YT 4000) if you want to attach a snow thrower. You will wish you had bought a larger engine for snow throwing.
Final Thoughts:
Consumer Reports gave the 2010 46 inch models a best buy and Sears has designed this deck to mow as well. “They” still rate the 46 inch deck the best because in their tests it did a better job of mulching. There are very few negatives with this mower as long as you understand that it is a good quality mid-sized mower designed to mow lawns well. I like this lawn mower for what it is designed for. At around $1400 on sale it is a very good value.
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Needed Accessories:
Go To This Article To See All The Parts And Accessories For Your New Tractor go here: Craftsman Yard Tractor Series YT3000 Model 28922 Parts, Accessories & Attachments
Related posts:
- 2010 Craftsman YT3000 42 inch 21 hp Model 28921 Review
- 2010 Craftsman YT3000 42 inch 22 hp Kohler Model 28934 Review
- Craftsman Yard Tractor Series YT3000 Model 28922 Parts, Accessories & Attachments
- 2010 Craftsman YT3000 46 inch 21 hp Model 28924 Review Updated
- 2009 Craftsman YT 3000 YT3000 Yard Tractor Review
Tags: 2010 Craftsman YT3000 42 inch 21 hp Model 28922 Review, Craftsman YT 3000 21 hp 42 inch Yard Tractor
[...] YT3000 42 inch: Craftsman YT3000 42 inch 21 hp Model 28922 Review [...]
What is this “purging ” of the transmission?
@Rich,
Is your transmission noisy? Does it growl all the time and/or make gurgling noises? If it does your transmission needs purging because small air bubbles are in the transmission fluid and the the fluid can’t work the way it is supposed to. Purging is a procedure to take the air bubbles out of the transmission fluid.
Don’t worry about it unless your trans is noisy under normal operating conditions.
I purchased a YTS3000 with the 42 inch mower deck. It will not be in until Wednesday. When i asked the sales personnel about purging the transmission, they said that you should not have to do anything to the hydro-stat tranny. They further replied that they had been to all the relevant training sessions, and had not heard anything about purging the transmission.
Also, on the subject of gasoline quality, would using sta-bil or seafoam in your gas alleviate this problem?
Rich´s last blog ..Sears Finally Gives Up!
@Rich,
Yes, the the sales personnel are taught the features and benefits of the these tractors. Their training is designed to get you familiar with the tractor, i.e., how to start it, what the tire pressure should be, operate it, and who to call when something is wrong. The training they get does not mention purging the trans…..or changing the oil, or changing a belt, or changing blades, or purging the trans….that is in the manual. Their training teaches them to instruct you to read the manual, not to go through all the repair and troubleshooting sections of the manual with you.
I notice that only 1 in 100 or so tractors ever need the trans purged, but it is a good idea to do it anyway.
Craftsman recommends Fuel Stabilizer. A few people I know think SeaFoam is the way to go. Marvel Mystery Oil is also a popular alternative. Myself I never buy more than a months worth of gas for my mowers at a time.
Is it possible to install the service minder hour-meter on this model. If so what is the part number to order it?
@Tom
Yes the Service Minder/hour meter does not come on the 3000 series, but a few readers have ordered it themselves through SearsPartsDirect and installed it themselves. Here is a direct link to the part.
http://www.searspartsdirect.co.....art%20listGauge serviceminder Part # 401763. It is $39.36 plus shipping.How do I know if the YT3000 model number 28922 I just bought is a 2009 or a 2010 model year?
@Tom, Send me you serial number and I’ll see if I can figure it out. But, it makes no difference because the 2009 and 2010 models of the YT3000 are exactly the same. There are no changes.
What’s the difference between the 42 inch deck and the 46 inch deck? Sears currently lists both tractor with the same price.
@Dan,
Two differences. one: 46 is 4 inches bigger than the 42. Two: The 46 has a larger deflector so it is really about 10 inches larger overall.
Both decks cut exceptionally well. Most people buy the 46 if they primarily bag because the longer blades seem to throw the grass better, otherwise it’s a toss-up
Yes, Sears offers both decks for the same price.
I have read a few reviews for this tractor that state the mowers struggle going up hills? Do you know anything about that? I am intrested in this mower but I also have a lot of hills.
Who makes the transmission? what is the model name and number?
@ Robert, The transmission in the 917.289220 and 917.289221 are Hydro Gear t2-aabc-1x1a-1gx1. The trans for the 917.289222 series is not listed yet on SearsParts.
Hills are relative. All the mowers in this price range from all the manufactures have about the same weight, horsepower and center of gravity so they will all be about the same for hills. I do like the flatter tires on the YT3000 compared to the MTD products.
I really don’t take much stock in subjective reviews because a lot of the subjectivity depends on the operator, if he likes the overall machine and what he had before he got the new mower. If your old tractor weighed a lot more than the new one it will affect how you view the hill climbing
The factors that affect hill climbing on tractors of this size are: Condition of the drive belt. Did the owner purge the transmission as instructed in the manual. How much weight is on the tractor including operator. Is the grass too wet or too dry. What type of soil? How steep is the hill? How comfortable is the operator with the tractor.
The nice thing about Sears is they have a 90 day return policy. If the tractor is not right for you…you can return it within 90 days, no questions asked.