Ariens 42 in 22 HP Riding Lawn Mower Model 960460025 Review

Ariens 42 in. 22 HP Briggs and Stratton V-Twin Engine Hydrostatic Transmission Riding Lawn Mower Review

New Ariens or Old Craftsman?

I have seen this mower before. It looks like a very popular tractor from the last decade. It took me a while to figure out exactly where I had seen it, but finally I figured it out. It has the exact same specs as a 2008 Craftsman. Right down to the hood, engine type, turning radius and controls. Because of this fact I will change my normal review layout to include a direct comparison of this tractor with the 2011 Craftsman it is competing against.

It’s Not The Best Lawn Tractor….It’s The Best Lawn Tractor For You!

What a compliment to Sears and their Craftsman tractors. It’s one thing when someone copies your work because they like it and feel it is the only way to compete. It’s another when they use your old, outdated technology to say they have a “new” riding mower.

This move by Home Depot makes me wonder two things.First, “If one of the world’s largest brands of mowers (Ariens) decides that using their name on old Craftsman technology is the best way to sell mowers, what does that say about the new 2011 Craftsman? ” Second, “Home Depot may feel that the only thing you are interested in is price. These old technology Ariens and Poulan mowers are priced $100 less than the 2011 Craftsman mowers they compete with. It appears they are not interested in getting you the best mower, just getting you to buy their mower because of the price. This is my opinion only, and Home Depot, Ariens and Poulan are welcome to send me a rebuttal that I will gladly post on this site.

Face it, Craftsman mowers are popular. They consistently are the best rated mowers in the industry and eventually you will own one. They are so popular that it looks like Home Depot is now offering similar (read older) versions of them with Ariens names and colors.

Ariens, Poulan and Home Depot are welcome to contact me and show me the difference! I’m sure the engines in these mowers have the required EPA changes for 2011 otherwise I can’t tell the difference between these “new” mowers and the 2008 Craftsman lineup.

The Ariens does not have the 8 inch Turn Tight Technology the 2011 Craftsman’s have. In fact the Ariens has a large 16 inch turning radius. The older Craftsman had a 14 inch.

My Review:

My Value/Cost Rating: Rider: Mows Lawn Well, Mulches, Gets Through Tight Spaces Well. Great for 1/4 to 1 Acre Lawns, Light Hauling, No Snow Removal. Accepts Light Attachments & Bagger.

Type: Yard Tractor. See Tractor Rider Mower Types for a complete explanation.
Engine Type: Good. See Engine Types for a complete explanation.
Transmission Type: Hydrostatic. See Transmission Types for a complete explanation.
Speed Control: Fender Infinite
Accepts Light Duty Attachments: See Attachments for a complete explanation.

Tractor Attachments: See Attachments page and At Sears Tractor Attachments and Tractor Attachments At Northern Tool.

Direct Comparison of this tractor with the 2011 Craftsman it is competing against.

Product Data is taken directly from Home Depot .com and Sears.com at the time of this review. Please check the sites for current info.

Brand: Ariens Model 960460028 Craftsman Model (28856)
Engine Size: Ariens 22 hp Craftsman 24 hp
Cylinder: Ariens 2 Craftsman 2
Transmission: Ariens Hydrostatic Craftsman Hydrostatic
Cut Width: Ariens 42 in. Craftsman 42 in.
Blades: Ariens 2 Craftsman 2
Turning Radius: Ariens 18 in. Craftsman 8 in.
Frame: Ariens Steel CraftsmanSteel
Cutting Positions: Ariens 6 Craftsman 6
Forward Speed: Ariens 5-1/2 MPH Craftsman 5-1/2 MPH
Gas Tank: Ariens 3 gallon Craftsman 3 gallon
Average Price: Ariens $1499 Craftsman $1499
Check Here For Todays Price: Ariens (BUY at HomeDepot.com) Craftsman (BUY at Sears.com)

What I Like!

This mower is similar to the 2011 Craftsman YT 4000 42 inch 24 hp Riding Lawn Tractor Model 28856 expect it has a smaller, pressurized Briggs & Stratton motor and does not have the 2011 Craftsman Turn Tight 8 inch turning radius. For the same money the Craftsman will be a lot more nimble and will be able to handle a snow thrower better.

Buy Here from HomeDepot: (BUY at HomeDepot.com)

Product Description From Home Depot .com

This Ariens riding tractor has premium features found on more expensive tractors such as a powerful Briggs & Stratton V-Twin 22 HP engine, smooth hydrostatic automatic transmission, plus a 42 in. mowing deck with 4 anti-scalp wheels, all at a value price. Throw in a comfortable high back seat and handy beverage holder and you will find this solid looking riding tractor is all you need to get the job done quickly and easily.

Assembled Dimension: 45 in. W x 72.75 in. D x 46 in. H
Powerful Briggs & Stratton v-twin 22 hp engine gives you more power to tackle all the big jobs
Smooth hydrostatic automatic transmission with lever control that allows you to match the speed to the job
42 inch mowing deck with spring assisted deck lift, 4 anti-scalp wheels plus a deck wash-out port, will give your lawn a manicured look
Dual-blade cutting deck design ensures that grass is cut evenly on every pass
Tight 16 inch turning radius that allows you to maneuver around obstacles with ease
Durable, welded steel frame for long life
Electric blade engage effortlessly engages the blades with the pull of a button on the dashboard
With less vibration and quieter operation a v-twin engine gives you a better operating experience
6 cutting positions let you cut grass down to as short as 1-1/2 in. and as tall as 5-1/2 in.
Travels at speeds of up to 5-1/2 MPH forward and 1-1/2 MPH in reverse for efficient mowing
1-1/2-gallon fuel capacity minimizes the need for refueling
Delivered to your door 100% assembled
MFG Brand Name : Ariens
MFG Model # : 960460025
MFG Part # : 960460025
Number of Cylinders : Twin Cylinder

By clicking on the link to this product and purchasing it I get paid a commission. I don’t get a commission if you purchase it at the store. The $5 off coupon from Sears is a little thank you for purchasing from me.

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My 2011 Reviews. You can find larger and smaller mowers from this list.

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