After reading this review please read the 2011 reviews for these tractors:
I just finished the reviews for the new 2011 YT 4000 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-4000-42-inch-24-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28925-review/
2011/2011-craftsman-yt-4000-42-inch-24-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28856-review/
2011/2011-craftsman-yt-4000-46-inch-24-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28857-review/
2010 Craftsman YT4000 46 inch 24 hp Model 28928 Review
Listed on Sears.com as: Craftsman YT 4000 24 hp 46 inch Yard Tractor
Sears Item 07128928000
This Model is identical to the 28927 except it has a 46 inch deck. The leading consumer magazine and I have rated these mowers as a “Best Buy” and I will again this year rate them as the “best mower for about $1500.” This is the best Craftsman for value, cut, durability and overall satisfaction. 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.
This review covers the YT 4000 with a twin cylinder, 46 inch deck, and foot control hydro. If you want a smaller deck or don’t plan to install a snow thrower look at the other models.
Click on the coupon to check prices and read more.
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 28928
Click On Picture To See a Larger Version
Specs:
Read My Review Below These Specs:
Brand: Craftsman
Series: YT 4000
Model: 28928
Ca Model: None
Engine HP: 24
Engine Brand: Briggs & Stratton Platinum
Cylinders: Two
Transmission: Hydrostatic
Transmission Control: Foot Controls
Mower Width: 46 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: Yes, Hour Meter
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:
This mower is the 2008 Consumer Reports Best Buy. It is powerful, cuts well and if you have 3/4 to 2 1/2 acres probably the perfect mower. It is not designed to pull ground engageing equipment, but you can use all of the tow-behind attachments like yards carts, spreaders, seeders, and thatchers. For 200 dollars more than the Craftsman Model 28922 you get a 24 hp twin cylinder Briggs & Stratton Platinum engine. This model features the new Craftsman style step through operator’s platform, pressurized lube engine with oil filter, and a 46 inch deck. This is the same deck as Model 28724 Consumer Reports 2008 Best Buy.
The 28928 has the foot control hydro. If you are replacing your old Craftsman that had fender controls you may want to consider the 28922 instead of this one. If you are new to mowers this one will be easy to learn and drive. (it drives more like your car)
If you want a mower that will mow 1/2 to 3 acres well, handle a snow thrower, 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 4000 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. Click here to see the full line of Sears attachments.
Cons:
The 46 inch deck has a much larger grass deflector than the 42 inch deck. If you have tight areas you may decide the 42 inch (Model 28927) is a better choice.
Final Thoughts:
Consumer Reports gave the 2008 46 inch model a best buy and this is the same deck. 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 $1600 on sale it is a very good value.
Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:
Needed Accessories:
Hauling Equipment: Yes
Lawn Care Attachments: Yes
Craftsman 2 bin 46 inch bagger: 24903
Craftsman 3 bin 46 inch bagger: 24904
Craftsman 46 inch mulch kit: 33746
Craftsman Tractor Deck Wash Kit: Included
Snow Blade: 24441 This blade will mount to your tractor WITHOUT removing the deck.
I will add more accessories in a few weeks.
Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:
Paul: I'm looking to pick one of these up at my local store, they have 4-5 new ones and one "used" that is marked down.
The 46" deck is the only model they have left, none of the 29827s are available. I was leaning towards that one, but I'm gathering from your reviews either deck would work well for my situation.
How much negotiation is possible on the prices at this time of year? These mowers have been sitting on the lot most, if not all of the summer.
If I get a price I'm happy with, what would you suggest as a maintenance check-up, since they've been sitting idle for 3-6 months?
@Chuck, Sears sells tractors all year long and doesn't "closeout" a model unless there is a change coming for next year.
Full-Line Sears stores do not bargain but they do offer sale prices and some incentives to buy. The prices and promotions are set by corporate and store employees can get fired for "giving" you deals. From what I can see the profits on the tractor are not very high anyway. Like any other good retailer they make the good profits on the accessories you buy with the tractor.
If you your local store is a Sears Hometown or Sears Hardware the rules are different (these are franchise stores like your local McDonald's) I don't know if these stores are allowed to deviate from the advertised price.
Right now, this week. If you spend over $1000 in Lawn & Garden (buy your mower) you get a $100 gift card.
Sears usually has a Veterans, service worker, school teacher special 10% off sale sometime during the month. These sales are usually 3 hours long on a Saturday. Check your store to find when the next one is.
I know there is a Family and Friends night coming Oct 3. Whatever the sale price is that day, they will be taking an additional 10% off between 6 and 9 pm that night (or all day Oct 3 if you order that same tractor sitting on their floor through my link to Sears.com)
Most of us are also used to dealing with our local lawn mower shop. They buy a mower from a company for a certain price (usually based on their volume of sales) They then charge the best price they can based on their cost, their overhead and a realistic income for the owner. Used equipment they take in from you is a reduction in profit until it is sold. Since they usually "own" the new equipment and don't have the room to store it off season, they are usually more easily swayed to not making as much profit just so they can get it sold.
Retailers on the other hand work off of "profit margins" and have a set amount of profit they want to make across all the mowers they sell. Since they spread the overhead over 10, 50, or 2000 stores they can work with a smaller margin than your local dealer. If they have left over inventory, they usually don't mark the item down. They go back to the manufacture and get them to "reimburse" them for the unsold items. I assume that most of the items for sale are not even "owned" by the retailer until it is actually sold. That reimbursement then allows the retailer to offer you a discount or closeout price. Returns are like used mowers. They are a reduction in profit until they can get them resold or returned to the manufacture.
@Chuck, Check the oil. Use it once or twice and then change the oil and filter. If it is sitting outside check the idler pulleys for the deck and the transmission. Squirt a little WD-40 on them if you want. That should be all that is needed.
There is a two year warranty on the mower so anything that may happen from it sitting around your local store is covered (battery only 30 days)