2011 Craftsman Tractors Exclusive Turn Tight Technology
A ZERO-TURN FOR EVERY HOMEOWNER AND EVERY YARD!
Craftsman’s new & exclusive Turn Tight Technology gives Craftsman tractors the tightest turning radius of any yard or garden tractor in the industry. The 2011 Sears Craftsman Yard and Garden Tractors will beat the turning radius on ALL other brands, even the Cub Cadet! This new technology is close to the practical limits of all the residential zero-turn mowers on the market today at a much better price.
This exciting new technology can only be found at Sears.
GT 5000 with Turn Tight!
I personally like that this new feature will be offered on not just the higher priced tractors, but will be available on models ranging from $1399 to $2999. Almost everyone will be able to buy a tractor with Turn Tight Technology if you want.
To celebrate this new and worthwhile feature Sears is having a Preseason Sale Event. Over the next few weeks you will be able to learn more about the technology and place orders. You can be the first on your block to own a new Craftsman tractor with Turn Tight Technology. Check the links in this article often to see all the latest information.
Here are some of the things you should know about Turn Tight Technology.
Turn Tight Technology Definition:
Turn Tight is a turning radius that enables a tractor to cut around small landscape objects. The new steering has an industry leading 8 inch radius on 2011 Craftsman Yard and Garden tractors.
Turn Tight Technology Explained:
“Turn Tight utilizes an innovative steering system accomplished through a patent pending control system that allows the front wheels to increase their turning range without contacting the mower deck or tractor chassis. With this technology, the wheels turn to match their corresponding radius, i.e. the inside wheel matches the inside radius and the out side wheel matches the outside radius of the turn.” (This means the inside wheels have the same track and the outside wheels have the same track around an object.)
"Leaked" Photo of Turn Tight Technology
Turn Tight Advantages Over Competition:
It is the tightest turning radius available on a non-zero turning tractor. The turning radius on Craftsman Yard and Garden tractors now exceeds their closest competition by over 30%. (Craftsman’s 30% improvement represents an 8″ turning radius on a Craftsman YT vs. a comparable Cub Cadet with a 12″ turning radius)
Here is a quick list of the common turning radius’s as posted on these manufacturer’s websites for 2011:
2011 Craftsman Yard & Garden Tractors: 8 inch.
2011 Cub Cadet Series 1000: 12 inch.
2011 Snapper, Husqvarna: 14 inch.
2011 Toro LX series: 15 inch.
2011 Ariens and Poulan Pro Lawn Tractors: 16 inch.
2011 Troy-Bilt: 18 inch.
2010 Simplicity Broadmore: 18 inch.
2011 John Deere 100 Series: 18 inch. (Yes, that’s what they list on johndeere.com!)
Craftsman Turn Tight Technology
Turn Tight Facts:
A tractor’s turning radius is measured at the rear wheel when a tractor steering wheel is turned as far as possible while the tractor is moving. The smaller the turning radius, the easier it is to mow around obstacles and corners.
20 years ago 18 inches was considered quite good for a lawn, yard or garden tractor.
Turning radius.
For the open areas, a tight turning radius allows you to quickly turn around and mow parallel to the last mowed swath in the opposite direction. (If you are one of those people who likes a perfectly striped lawn this is a big advantage!) This is a big improvement from a tractor with a larger turning radius. The larger turning radius requires more time to turn around and many times you have to use reverse to get lined back up for the next parallel mowing path.
A tighter turning radius indicates a smaller turn. As result, a tractor with a tighter turning radius is able to mow around smaller obstacles without having to back up. This can save you a considerable amount of time when mowing a yard like mine with a lot of trees and landscape beds. Since radius is 1/2 of a circles diameter, an 8″ turning radius will allow you to completely mow around a 16″ obstacle without backing up or making a second pass.
A tighter turning radius allows you to get around tighter mowing areas like sheds, landscape beds, bird baths, etc. In many cases, you may not even need trim mower.
Here are the new Craftsman Mowers that feature Turn Tight!!
Craftsman YT 3000 46” Briggs & Stratton 21 hp Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman YT 3000 46” Kohler 22 hp Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman YT 4000 46” Briggs & Stratton 24 hp Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman YT 4500 54” Briggs & Stratton 26 hp V-Twin Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman YT 4000 42” Briggs & Stratton 24 hp Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman YT 3000 42” Briggs & Stratton 21 hp Gas Powered Riding Lawn Tractor
Craftsman GT 5000 54” Kohler 26 hp Gas Powered Riding Garden Tractor
Find out more here! Turn Tight Technology.
Go Here to see large Pictures of the front axle! http://todaysmower.com/2011/article-craftsman-turn-tight-technology/
To see a complete review of the 2011 model go here: 2011 Craftsman Professional GardenTractor Model 28985 Review/
Go here to see all of my 2011 reviews:
My 2011 Reviews. You can find larger and smaller mowers from this list.
can this tractor be accomodated to be used for ploughing
@mazen, All of the turn-tight tractors can be used for snow plowing. The 28861 garden tractor can also be used for moving dirt with the dozer blade and garden tilling (ploughing)
Paul,
Noticed Sears has a new 46″ PYT pt099; 299 “CA”. Is there a set release date for the PYT series, or do they just trickle out, and hide in plain sight? The first thing you notice is the missing front bumper, which is probably a love-hate option as is. All else appears unchanged, except for the 46″ deck.
M.A.
@M.A.Robey,
The rollout is staggered over the US. Florida has them now, California and the south will get them in the two weeks. The rest of the country will get them on a weekly basis with them all out by March 1st.
We should see the customer catalogs in the stores in the next 4 weeks.
There are a lot of changes all through the line this year. The LT’s have a 46 inch. The YT’s have Turn Tight Technology. The Professional series has the 46 inch and 30 hp.
The zero turns are all new and there is a great new 30 inch rider.
I can’t wait to write about them!
Not offering in a 48 or 50 inch deck. Disappointing!
@Lee,
Craftsman’s 2 blade 46 inch deck cuts so much better than a 48 or 50 inch 3 bladed deck. It has a lot better lift and works better for mulching and bagging. I doubt that you will see a 48 or 50 inch deck in the yard tractor series for quite some time.
There is a 50 inch deck in the Professional Series. That has a 12 inch turning radius….the shortest available until the new Turn Tight Technology came out.
Marty, thanks for the pricing info, PYT quality eval.
Paul, you’re right as prices are different again today, and going in the right direction; DOWN!
Mr. Robby, I was recently in the same position as you in trying to decide between the YT4000 and the PYT 9000. Let me take a few minutes here and maybe you might find my experience helpful.
I opted for the 9000 and picked it up two days ago. I adjusted the air pressure and leveled the deck which were the only things slightly off. I then ran it around my yard although, even living here in Texas, there is no grass to mow yet. I made turns at different speeds both left and right and basically just put it through some tests for comfort and handling. My previous mower was a 3000 from a few years ago so it is not too dissimilar to the current 4000.
I must tell you that the 9000 is the much better machine although I have to wait to determine the quality of cut which is the most important factor of all. My 3000 was not nearly as smooth and responsive in handling. The 9000, although bigger and heavier, handles like it has power steering.
I don’t know if Paul wants prices mentioned here but if he does not he can cross them out. The 4000 is shown on Sears website as $1600; the Pro model is last year’s closeout price of $1988. However, unlike the 4000, the special offer shown for the 9000 (good until Feb.10) is an additional 10% off bringing the price down to around $1790. If you have a Discover card you can get an additional 5% cash back (I got 10% cash back because of a special holiday promotion).
The point is you can get the 9000 for not much more than the 4000 and the added features, comfort, overall build and engine quality made the decision a no brainer for me. There is the factor that the 9000 is a 2010 model whereas the TTT mowers are all 2011, however, both are brand new units and are not outlet products. In my tests, I found the 12″ turn radius of the Pro model to be more than enough. Unless your yard has many obstacles that would make such tight turns necessary, you will be just as well off with the Pro (which already has one of the tightest turns of any lawn tractor).
I think if you do a comparison point by point you will find the Pro model to be the better machine overall – and by a considerable margin.
@Marty, I don’t mention prices very often because they change often. This time of year the closeout prices are great but there is a very limited supply of these closeout tractors. The supply varies by the area of the country you are in.
Just go to
Sears.comto see all the latest prices and products. Log in or put in your zip code to see all the latest prices and items available in your area.(Be sure to set up and account and sign up for the Shop Your Way Rewards.) This will give you the best prices. Sears has a lot of incentives including reward points and special financing using the Sears card. These incentives change from time to time so check their site using the link above to see all the latest deals.
Thanks Paul, good advice as usual. Probably need to cool my jets and wait for some reports. Any chance of the Professional line “28980″ getting the TTT? Liked it’s 12″ turning radius, which has just been blown away by TTT. Again, looking forward to your reports. Keep up the good work………….
M.A. Robey
No, Only the YT and Garden Series are getting the Turn Tight.
Paul,
Thanks so much for this site; great info. When do you expect to get a TTT mower for eval? I’m really interested in the YT 4000 42″; it’s even taking the shine off the PYT 9000 42″ I’d been considering, and the intro price is hard to resist.
Looking forward to your report, M.A. Robey
@M.A. They are scheduled to be in the stores mid-Feb but I won’t get a chance to drive one until the end of March.
Don’t be pushed into the pre-sale price. Make sure this is the right mower for you.
Sears sale prices are normally around 20% off in L&G anyways.