Ariens 46 in 20 HP Riding Lawn Tractor Model 960460023 Review
New Ariens or Old Craftsman?
See the Home Depot page here: (BUY at HomeDepot.com)
It’s Not The Best Lawn Tractor….It’s The Best Lawn Tractor For You!
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.
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 It’s another when they use your old, outdated technology to say they have a “new” riding mower.
Face it, Craftsman mowers are popular. They consistantly 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 Poulan and Ariens names and colors. I spent a few hours comparing the specs of the “new” Ariens mowers at Home Depot and I have come to the conclusion that these Ariens tractors have the same, exact specs that the Craftsman models had in 2008!
Ariens 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.
What do you want to do with your riding mower?
The Ariens does not have the 6 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: Yard Tractor: Mows Lawn Well, Mulches, Gets Through Tight Spaces Well. Great for 1/2 to 2 Acre Lawns, Light Hauling, Light Snow Removal. Accepts Light Attachments & Bagger.
Type: Lawn 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 more info.
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 (28852)
- Engine Size: Ariens 20 hp Craftsman 21 hp Oil Pump Briggs (Yellow Filter)
- Cylinder: Ariens 1 Craftsman 1
- Transmission: Ariens Hydrostatic Craftsman Hydrostatic
- Cut Width: Ariens 46 in. Craftsman 46 in.
- Blades: Ariens 2 Craftsman 2
- Turning Radius: Ariens 16 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 1.5 gallon Craftsman 1.5 gallon
- Average Price: Ariens $1299 Craftsman $1495
- Check Here For Todays Price: Ariens (BUY at HomeDepot.com) Craftsman (BUY at Sears.com)
What I Like!
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 a great choice for you. This tractor is heavy enough to handle moderately hilly and rough lawns. This lawn tractor is one riding mower that will work well for your suburban lawn.
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. Take care of it (do the normal maintenance all lawn mowers need) and it will last you a long time. I like this lawn mower for what it is designed for.
I personally feel the new Turn Tight Technology on the Craftsman yard tractor changes the game though for just about all residential yard owners. For most of you this will mow as quickly as a residential zero-turn. It is easier to drive, is easier on your lawn and less expensive than the comparable zero-turn models. There is no “learning curve” like there is with a zero-turn. It will handle slopes that the residential zero-turns won’t. And………it will pull stuff!
I am confused on the motor. The Craftsman uses the better B&S engine with an oil pump. The literature for this Ariens st
Read More Here: (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 20 HP engine, a hydrostatic automatic transmission, plus a wide 46 in. mowing deck with 4 anti-scalp wheels and a wash out port, 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: 49.5 in. W x 72.75 in. D x 46 in. H
- Powerful 20 hp Briggs & Stratton pressure lubricated engine
- Smooth hydrostatic automatic transmission with lever control that allows you to match the speed to the job
- Wide 46 in. wide mowing deck with wash out-out port, 4 anti-scalp wheels, and spring assisted lift
- 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
- 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
- Comfortable, adjustable, high-back seat plus a handy beverage holder
- 1-1/2-gallon fuel capacity minimizes the need for refueling
- Mulching capability extends the mower’s functionality requires mulching blade, not included
- Mows in reverse,this feature is not found on comparably priced front engine lawn tractors at other retailers
- MFG Brand Name : Ariens
- MFG Model # : 960460023
- MFG Part # : 960460023
- Number of Cylinders : Single 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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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.
The Ariens 46″ mower with 20hp B&S engine, Hydrostatic drive is actually built by Huskqvarna. Based on how the craftsman (2008 model) you described, it was too probably. I bought a factory reconditioned Ariens (46″/20horse Briggs) at Home Depot this Feb for $612.00 At that price, my shopping was over with. It appeared that someone bought it, mowed their lawn once ,bent a blade and returned it. The factory did not correct the problem, but when I pointed it out to Home Depot, they sent sent a repair shop out bto pick it up for repairs at no cost. Since it was ‘factory reconditioned’, the normal 2 year factory warranty was void, but Home Depot gives a 1 year warranty.
Anyhow, I do like the mower, and it gets the job done in a hurry with the wide deck. I don’t know how you can turn a mower around a 6″ radius at any speed even on level ground unless you have all 4 wheels steering like the new Cub Cadets. I own 3 different mowers, (Murray 12.5 Hp – was 38″ but I installed a 42″ deck on it. By the way a 38, 40 or 42 deck will interchange. The 12.5 hp briggs and stratton is more than enough power by the way, as I weigh 300 lbs and have a 1/3 acre yard. Also own 42″ Wizard (western Auto) with 14.5 hp and the 46″ Ariens AND if you try to turn in less than a 36′ radius you had better be creeping in low gear with low throttle, or you will just plow straight ahead into a ditch or tree, you get the idea. I have seen Craftsmans tight turn steering. If you turn the wheels 90 degrees, it creates a good possibility for rollover especially if you are turning uphill. The base of most mature trees are at least 2 to 3 feet in diameter and have roots, which increase the diameter of the base of the tree quite a bit further. I have learned that you make passes and try to get a quarter of the way around the obstacle (tree) at normal (slow speed recommended)cutting speed during nearby straight line passes to safely mow around the tree. Better yet, break out a push mower or weedeater to finish.
A big zero turn mower (not talking about Craftsman tight turn) is very good, but if you have small children, our pets around they will get run over by the nut jobs that zoom around like rabid dogs on those things. They will stop, back up and pivot so fast and with totally reckless abandon, and it is all over but the crying if a kid or dog, or in my yard ducks get in the way.
In the ’60s when I grew up (I’m just a whuppersnapper – wasn’t born ’til Eisenhower was president) – Mowing used to be a civilized affair, and bermuda shorts and argyle socks were the uniform of the day. Mom would bring lemonade out to Dad and he would tip his hat to his golfing buddy across the street, who was also mowing his lawn, (with a jazzed up 20′ two stroke lawn-boy)… Now we are all so in a hurry to get back to the game, and the wife is out shopping (sorry fellas, no lemonade for us). By the way, this does not describe me, I am not better than anyone, and my wife likes riding the mowers as much as I do. And thankfully, she hates shopping.
In summation, most mowers are manufactured by Michigan Tool and Die Co. (MTD) , American Yard Products (AYP) and as of late Huskqvarna. The name brands are marketing badges stuck on after the fact with the appropriate color paint job. However, back in 1922 their was an ARIENS mower manufacturing company in Brillon, Wisconsin. They are still there, but probably really only build snow throwers now. I may be wrong, so please don’t sue me. But the name Ariens, and Gravely go back a long way, and Ariens/Gravely mowers that are 30 and 40 years old are still being rebuilt and driven to this day by die hard owners who rightfully trust those names. Gravely built full size farm tractors as well and maybe Ariens/Gravely still actually buid commercial grade zero turn mowers, I don’t know. Have researched some, but am not an expert on any subject, so please feel free to correct me, and would like to learn more, and have factual statements presented, that we all can learn from.
I am a Craftsman Club member and own a Craftsman walk behind, self ropelled mower (honda 5.5hp). Have owned many Craftsman mowers, and my dad would either buy craftsman or Western Auto mowers when I was a kid. We had a mower that you wound up a spring with a crank handle, the hit a start button/lever and the spring would crank the engine, like an old automobile, before electric starters. That was a real innovation, and a marvel of simplicity in mechanical engineering.
The Ariens is a good mower at a great price. Bottom line.
@Leonard, You really got great deal on the Ariens. Thanks for the info, I didn’t know Home Depot changed the warranty on returned mowers. (If you buy a clearance Craftsman you still get the full warranty)
Ariens is alive and well and yes they do make high quality mowers (they just don’t make lawn tractors here in the U.S.) They recently purchased Countax (English) and I hope they bring those tractors over here.
I to love the old Gravely’s. I would love to find a Gravely ProMaster 50 to restore. It was my first rider when I started the landscape business.
Compare this to the Craftsman model 28885 which sells for $1299. The Craftsman unit has a CVT transmission Vs a hydro, doesn’t have the mow in reverse feature which the Ariens does has 2 Vs 4 gauge wheels, an 18″ turning radius Vs 16″. The unit you are comparing to sells for $1499, not apples to apples.
@Jeff, You are right. If you compare by price you have to look at the Craftsman 28885. If you go to Sears Yard Guru they compare this model to the 28885.
But I have to compare it to the 28852 because the Ariens is simply an older version of it. Specifically the Ariens has the same, exact specs as the 2008 Craftsman model 28814 (20 HP Intek, 16 in turning radius, 46 in deck, hydro.) The 28885 is made by MTD, the Ariens and 28852 are both made by Husqvarna.
In fact here is the product page on Sears for the old tractor. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07128814000P?keyword=07128814000&sLevel=0&sid=I0084400010000100600&aff=Y#specs
Since then, Craftsman has updated the mower to include a better motor and Turn Tight Steering. Craftsman has added only $200 to get you these new features.
By the way, I was able to demo the new Turn Tight Steering a few weeks ago and I feel it is worth the extra $200 alone! The 28852 steers easily and will easily mow around a flagpole.
Thanks Paul! That’s what I thought, I just wanted to make sure before I buy this gem next month. I thought it was surely a mis-print until I considered how a front wheel might handle. I have long, slopped barrow-pits to mow and keeping on the slope is accomplished by slightly turning the front tires uphill and skidding them. Maybe front wheel drive would work better for that situation. But it looks like I’ll not have a chance to find out!
Thanks again. This is an incredibly good service you provide here!
I’ve had this mower for a year now and thought I’d update my comments. This is an incredible mower!! I have 1.6 acres in 5 plots with 5 trees, 6 bushes, a house and driveway to mow around and have put this to many a test.
I have 300 ft of 30 degree slope I have to mow on the slope. I have to sit on the uphill side of the seat and rest one hand on the center of the seat to keep the seat switch from killing the engine, but this works just fine while still providing the rollover-kill protection.
Once the engine is running the key returns to the forward position. You can turn it to the reverse position and leave it there and mow both forward and backward without moving the key again. For a convoluted yard with many backups and no children or pets this is a great feature.
The 20 horse engine pulls a 46″ thatcher, 46″ sweeper, or 42″ aerator effortlessly. I mounted a rack on the rear and have an ATV 10 gallon Fimco spray tank with boomless nozzels or electric seed-fertilizer spreader on it and this mower handles either so well I leave the tank on and loaded all summer.
Turning radius is really 20″ – on concrete at a crawl. On grass it’s really 34″ due to skidding. But with one backup to breakout the center of a land that’s still pretty good.
Bottom line on this mower – Beware, your neighbors will accuse you of recreational mowing!!
The specifications tab on the Home Depot page for this Ariens mower says that it’s Drive type is Front wheel drive. Is that a miss-print, or it it really front wheel drive? If it is, is the Craftsman also front wheel drive?
@Keith, I know I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I saw that the first time. I’m not sure if it is the 19 year old kids that are doing the web stuff or the people they outsourced the work to overseas who never have seen a lawn tractor!
No, It’s not front wheel drive…………