Executive Summary: 2013 Update: Yes, there was that one problem with the safety switch on the deck. Craftsman fixed that for 2013 and decided to change the model number to avoid all confusion. Read the review of the 2013 Model 29000 here: Craftsman 29000
This is Craftsman’s new Small Yard Solutions Rider. I got a chance to test it yet April 17th. Read the comments at the end of this article to see what I thought about it. Hint: It is a good as I expected! It features a 30 inch 3-in-1 deck, 6 speed shift-on-the-go transmission and a short turning radius for a riding lawn mower. This is not the same mower that Sears had last year. This new mower has the same proven trans as the LT 1500 series tractors.
UPDATE 3/24: I had a chance to look this one over last week. This rider has a very nice metal rack and pinion steering. It steers very easily and turns shorter than the Weedeater and the Craftsman 28034. I like the tire size on this mower. The tires are very large for the size of the mower and you will not have the traction issues the Weedeater One’s have. There will be a mulch kit for it, and a bagger. Update: 3/28. The mulch plug and bagger are ready to order. See the attachments at the end of this article.
You can adjust the steering wheel height! This means that short and tall people can comfortably drive this mower!
5 foot 2 inch rider with steering down / 6 foot 2 inch rider with steering up
Is this the right mower for you?: If you just want a good mower and you have a flat lawn about 1/2 to 3/4 acre put this little rider at the top of your list. This mower will go through a 32 inch gate. This mower is fun, agile and easy to drive, but it is limited to mowing a flat lawn and pulling a small yard cart. If you try to pull heavy loads or use this mower on hills you will not be happy with it. This tractor will mow up to .75 acres an hour.
This tractor uses the popular and dependable MTD shift-on-the-go transmission. The 30 inch deck is a vented design. At this point there is no mulch kit or bagger available. This is a great yard mower and is designed to primarily mow lawns. If you need a tractor that will pull a heavy yard cart, sweeper or other normal pull-behind attachment look at a different tractor.
Brand/Manufacture: Craftsman / MTD
Model/Series: Craftsman 420cc 30″ 6-Speed Rider (49 States) Mid Back
Where To Buy: Craftsman 420cc 30″ 6-Speed Rider (49 States) Mid Back
Buy It Here! Craftsman 29000
Basic Quality: (Cheap, Good, Best, Premium, Don’t Buy) This is a “Good” quality. The Craftsman LT 28881 series is less quality. The YT-3000 series are better.
Type: (Riding Mower, Lawn Tractor, Yard Tractor, Garden Tractor, Estate Tractor, Sub-Compact, Zero Turn, Stand-On) Riding Mower. This is considered a rear engine rider even though the motor is in front of the rear axle for better weight distribution.
Craftsman 420cc 30 in 6-Speed Riding Mower
Pros:
Proven Transmission
Tight Turning Radius
EZ on and off
Will Fit Through Most Gates
Cons:
For Small Yards
Use for light attachments ONLY
No anti scalp wheels
Retail Price: $999.99 Check The Best Sale Price Here: Craftsman 420cc 30″ 6-Speed Rider (49 States) Mid Back
My Review:
There is not a large market for this small of a mower and when Briggs decided to stop making their 30 inch a few years ago no one wanted to fill the gap right away.
Last year Husqvarna came out with one (Craftsman, Weedeater, Poulan Smart Rider) but the transmission was not heavy enough and Craftsman decided to stop selling it in the middle of the season. This year though MTD has developed this mower for Craftsman. It features their bulletproof 6 speed shift-on-the-go trans.
This mower is designed to go through most gates, mow small yards and be inexpensive. ($400 less than the 28034) I expect a lot of customers to give this little mower good ratings as long as they use it for it’s intended purpose.
This article was first published at TodaysMower.com
I’m not going to go into a lot of detail at this time. After I get a chance to drive it in April, I’ll come back and fill you in. I don’t expect ANY problems with the rider though. This mower uses “standard” technology and won’t give you problems in normal use. If you have specific questions leave a comment below and myself or the readers will be glad to answer them.
Comfort – Ease of Use:
Power For Mowing: The motor is adequate for side-discharge and bagging. I’ll let you know about power for mulching.
Reliability – New to 3 yrs: This tractor is serviced by Sears.
Handling – Traction/Steering: This tractor has a low-effort steering. I recommend you never use a mower like this on wet or drought-dry slopes. It is too narrow to work on slopes.
Mow – Mulch- Bag: The 30 inch blade on this mower will cut great, but will tend to scalp your rough lawn. If you have a rough, uneven lawn be aware of this and just raise the deck up a notch and it will mow fine.
Specifications, Features, Benefits
The rest of this article is taken from the retailers website.
Type: Riding Mower
Maximum mowing area per hour (acres): .75 acres at 3 MPH
Recommended for moderate slopes? No
Excels in mowing around obstacles? Moderate to good
Manufacturer: MTD ?
Brand: Craftsman
Engine Power: 11.5 ? hp*
Displacement: 420 cc.
Manufacturer: MTD ?
Cylinders: Single
Type: OHV, oil filter, Full-pressure Lubrication
Charging System: 12 v ? amp regulated
Battery: 155 ? cold-crank amps
Choke/Speed Control: Integrated levers
Fuel Tank Capacity: 1.3 U.S. gal.
Transmission: Six Speed Shift on the Go
Transmission Control: Fender/Clutch pedal
Cruise Control: NA
Forward Speed: 0-5 mph
Reverse Speed: 0-2.8 mph
Chassis: Frame Welded heavy-duty/Primer/Paint E-coat/powder
Front Tires: 13×5
Rear Tires: 16×6
Front Axle: Steel Tube
Hood Material: X
Hourmeter: No
Tool Tray: No
Cupholder: Yes
Headlights: No
Translucent fuel tank or Fuel gauge: Yes
Deck washout port: Yes
12-volt outlet: No
Steering: Type 2-wheel steer, Telescoping
Turning Radius: 18 in.
Uncut Circle Radius: ? in.
Spindle Bushings: Metal, replaceable
Seat Back Height: 11 in.
Fore-aft Adjustment: 5 in. while seated
Seat Suspension: NA
Deck Lift System:Fender
Mower Cut Height: 1 in. to 4 in., 5 position
Cut Height Increments: ? in.
Preset Cut Height: Yes
PTO clutch: Manual
Mower Deck
Type: Side discharge 3-in-1
Mower Cutting Width: 30 in.
Blades: 1.
Mower Deck Material: 14 ga. Steel
Mower Wheel Adjustment: NA
Mower Level Adjustment: Exact
Mower Drive System: In-line belt, Manual PTO
Mower Attachment: 4 point Not EZ-Off
Mower Drive: Belt Tension Spring
Mower Wheels Rotate For Deck Removal: No
Dimensions
Wheelbase: ?-in.
Overall Length: ?-in.
Width without mower: ?-in.
Width with mower: ?-in.
Width with mower: (deflector raised for storage) 32-in.
Height: ?-in.
Weight: 332 lb with mower, no fuel
U.S. Warranty: 2 year/Unlimited hour
Optional Attachments
Mower Model Number: 25000
Mulch Kit: 3352
Baggers: 24035
Click here to submit your review.
Draning the oil
Hi Paul,
I was wondering if you've come up with a better way to drain the oil?
I'd like to have a cleaner way for my next oil change. You mentioned easy-to-find pipe and connectors might be a solution in November 2012.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Response: No, Plumbing your own drain using 1/4 inch pipe is the only way right now. Craftsman has that wonderful drain on the YT series but since this motor is built by a different manufacture I\'m sure we won\'t see anything similar for anytime soon.
Love the Mower!
Paul,
I posted in the spring after I ordered this mower. I used it all summer and fall and love it. I had a couple issues with the switch on the chute but that was easily corrected. I bought the mulch plug and it worked great on my bermuda and zoyzia lawn. I also bought the bagger but haven't been as thrilled with it compared to other I've owned. Overall it's an excellent mower and I think I made the perfect choice. I noticed that the mower is not showing on the Sears site, have they discontinued it already?
Response: I\'m glad you like you 25000! Other than adjusting the chute switch I have heard of no other problems either. Sears has sold out of the 2012 model and they stated the 2013 will be out sometime in Feb. That\'s why it is not showing at the moment.
Draining the oil for the 25000
Paul, I made a huge mess trying to use the included drain chute to drain the oil in my 25000 mower. You mentioned putting an extension on the mower. Can you be more specific with details on how to do this? Thanks.
Except for getting access to the battery and the oil issue, I'm happy with my purchase.
Response: Jim, I\'ll work on this an put together the entire project in the next month. It\'s not a hard job, but I want to find easy-to-find pipe and connectors
Overall, very good mower
We purchased the Craftsman 25000 RER mower early in the summer 2012. I have been using it on average once a week to maintain a 3/4 lawn with lots of trees to dance around. This mower seems to cut and mulch very well (with the optional mulch plug). Seems to have plenty of power, even pulling a trailer. There is much to like about this mower - looks, power, handling, comfort, fits into tight spaces. That being said, there are some quirks. The steering sticks at full lock, left or right. THe cowling makes access to the battery difficult. The oil drain tube did not work too successfully spilling oil everwhere. Finding alternate blades (pure mulching or hi-lift) proved a challenge with the 6 point (rather than the more common 5 point) star hole in the blade. The optional bagger blows dust profusely (my backside is black after bagging leaves). The 'safety' interlocks are problematic. The shift between your legs took some getting used to. The mower tends to blow leaves out instead of sucking them into the bagger. Also, hard to tell when the bagger is full. I did have a new (longer) trailer hitch made, so it is not covered up by the triangular bagger mounting plate. Now I can leave the mounting plate on AND use the trailer hitch. Neither Sears nor MTD have been especially helpful, sorry to say. Would I buy it again, yes! My biggest concern is long term availability of parts, since this is not a hugely popular model and could be discontinued or redesigned in the future. Gotta go - time to suck up those pesky fall leaves again!
Response: Mark, I\'ve been told that blades will be available in-store next year at Sears. Sales have been strong enough that this mower will be around for quite some time.
I agree with you on the battery access, the oil drain, the interlock switch on the deck and the shifter between your legs.
If I had one I would put a pipe extention on the oil drain so it doesn\'t make a mess.
This mower is new and you are right, there is a real lack of knowledge about the mower yet. But, the engine and trans have been around for years. It will get better in the coming years. Troy-Bilt and Lowes are also selling this (with a different engine and name on the hood) so I expect to be able to get parts.
Works great for me
I bought this mower May 12, 2012 and it was delivered May 16. I also bought the 40" aerator and it was delivered at the same time. I've used it 6 times, one time to aerate my 1/3 acre lot, which is not level and has a slight slope in the back yard. After the first use, I ordered a mulch plug frm MTD. I couldn't drive the mower through two of my 36" gates. Wouldn't fit. With the mulching plug in place, I can go through all gates. I have to say I am really happy with this mower. Even though it's a slight hassle to have to stop the cutting blade before going into reverse, it becomes routine after a while. It cuts very well. I use the number 2 cutting height. I've had no problems with scalping. It turns really well. I run it in number 3 speed. Because my lawn is not flat, I do have to wait for the dew to dry, or the tire will slip on the slopes. I was amazed at how well and easy it was to use the 40" aerator. The mower had no problem pulling the aerator, which had 30 pounds of concrete block in the tray. The aerator did an awesome job of taking 21/2" to 3" plugs out of the lawn. I weigh 165#, and the mower did not have a problem aerating the lawn. I've had no problems at all with either piece of equipment. Only once did I have a problem which was reported on another review, and that was when I stopped the blade, put the mower in reverse, backed up, then put the mower in forward, and it didn't go forward. I put the mower back in reverse, then forward, and it went forward. So, this was a one time issue. The mower starts flawlessly. The washout feature is great.
I am really satisfied with this mower and aerator.
Love my new mower, but have noticed an issue with the transmission. Put it in reverse...worked okay. Then I stopped and placed it in forward and engaged the PTO. When I took my foot off brake, it went in reverse and was mowing. What could cause this malfuntion. I've tried to duplicate, but so far it hasn't occurred again.
Response: I have heard of one other instance of this. It was the shift linkage was not adjusted quite right.
Craftsman 25000
The seat on my new Craftsman 25000 lawn tractor is not making sufficient contact with the PTO switch. I weigh about 170 lbs and when seated, the PTO switch is not fully pressed. I was able to start the engine by holding the brake/clutch down with my foot, completely depress the PTO switch with one hand, and turn the key with the other. Any suggestions?
Response: @Mike, Make sure the chute switch is making contact first. The chute switch is giving most people the problem.
If you are sure the seat switch is the culprit call sears service and have a tech come out and replace the switch or seat as needed to make it work correctly.
Call 1-800-4MY-HOME to set up an appointment.
@Jeff, You can adjust the front-to-rear (pitch) but there is no adjustments for the side-to-side. The only way to adjust the side-to-side is with tire pressure.
Does anyone have any idea how to level the deck side-to-side….or is it strictly in the tire pressure?
Than ks
@Ray, How did you get it to do that?
The mower will mow in reverse.
@Mike, No. I haven’t heard of this problem on the 25000 but there are a few things you can look at. I don’t exactly know what you mean by uneven cutting lines so I’ll go through a few ideas. Be sure to follow the safety steps in your manual when you do these things.
1. Put your mower on a flat, level surface. Check the tire pressure to make sure the front (right and left) tires have the same air pressure. Do the same for the rear.
2. Leave the deck at your normal mowing height and measure from the bottom of the deck to the ground in four places (front, back, left, right) Left to right measurements should be the same (within 3/8 of and inch) The front will be a little lower than the back measurement (about 1/4 inch)
3. If the left to right or the front to back difference is more than 3/8 inch see what you can do to even it out. There may be a bent lift rod, or there may be something stuck in the lift mechanism.
4. Remove the discharge chute and rotate the blade to the opening. Inspect it for knicks, dents, gouges and warping. If the blade is chewed up, replace it. (I always have at least one extra blade around so if I find a “surprise” in the yard, I can make the repair right away.)
5. Measure the blade from the sharp edge to the ground. Rotate the blade 180 degrees (to the other edge) and measure again. The measurements should be within 1/8 of and inch (replace the blade if the measurements are more than 1/4 inch)
6. If the blade looks good, get under the deck and clean it, sometimes grass build-up can cause weird air-flows that give you a poor cut.
7. While you are under the deck look at the blade again. Each end should look the same. If one is twisted more than the other, replace it.
Let us know what you found.
I have a Craftman 30″ Rear Engine and I have enjoyed. My only problem has been with cutting. Lately, when I cut my grass there are uneven cutting lines. Have you heard of this before or what can I do to correct this problem? The mower is less than two months old.
@Mike T, The 28 inch craftsman 28034 is the same as the Snapper. Read my review on the right.
The mulch cover safety switch on the 25000 is giving everyone problems. The mounting hole on the mulch cover is not large enough and the switch doesn’t engage. Most homeowners are using a small block of wood between the mulch cover and the switch to keep it engaged.
If you do this I’ll bet your mower will start and run fine.
Sears is working on a fix, but in the meantime this will keep you running.
This is the ONLY problem people are having with the 25000.
I absolutely love my Craftsman 30″ model 25000 lawn tractor; that is when it works. When the first tractor arrived, it worked well. The next time I tried to use it, it wouldn’t start. Since it was going to be quicker to get a new one in exchange quicker that a tech could could be scheduled to repair it, I opted for a new replacement. Used the second one successfully twice. When I went out to mow just before leaving town, it would not start. Turn the key, and not a sound. Both safety switches were engaged and proper starting procedures were being followed.I love the mower, but do I risk a repair, ask for a third new tractor, or get a refund and go another direction? There are not many 30″ tractors in this price range. The 28″ snappers are at least $300 more and do not come with an electric start. Any suggestions?
@Ed K, I mow my bluegrass/fescue lawn at 3.5 to 3.75 inches and because of that my mulcher works very well. My wife like to mow the dog yard at 2 inches and a mulcher doesn’t work at all. It leaves clumps and a mess all over the place.
Paul – I’ve had a chance to use my mower a couple times now. Overall I like it a lot, it handles great and it’s a comfortable ride and I especially like that it fits in my garage. I have been using the Mulch plug and it works fine. However, compared to my neighbor’s 42″ twin-blade (craftsman LT1000, the lowest model) it’s not quite as clean of a cut, and the 42″ would spread the mulch a little bit better. Also, this 30″ mower’s tires are thinner, and thus tend to leave a little more “track” on my lawn than the thicker tires of the 42″ tractor. But again, this is a minor complaint, the 30″ really does just fine, it’s just not the best. This 30″ has no anti-scalp wheels, but it doesn’t need them. The 42″ I used didn’t have the wheels either and I scalped many spots, but not so with this 30″. Finally, the mower has plenty of power to lug my fat butt around and up and down the ditch in my yard with no hesitation. My research indicates it’s probably around 15hp. I should have plenty of juice to pull a leaf-sweeper in the fall. All in all I’m happy with this purchase and it should be good for years to come.
Jack – I think there’s a liability risk by telling you exactly how to do it. That being said, it’s VERY EASY to disable. Takes 5 seconds once you see it, requires no cuts. Just look at all the wires around the levers – you’ll figure it out.
@Jack, I’m glad you like it! Myself, I really like the steering on this rider. It is so easy to turn. It’s a very simple mower and I expect it too last well for you.
Thanks for your prompt reply. When I bought it the other day I noticed they had some Husqvarna’s that mow in reverse. So I did some research and discovered it is not illegal to modify it. This mower is very simple, all I have to do is electrically fool the system and it’s just a matter of finding the correct switch and voila, I can now mow in reverse. I have no kids or pets to worry about anyway and I had two small kids with my old mower and used to mow in reverse all the time. It’s getting out of hand, they even have irons that have warnings not to iron clothes while wearing them. Thanks for your great reviews on this mower. I made the right decision as I have a smaller yard than my last one and this one looks sweet with an 18″ turning radius.
@Jack, Yes these laws are ridiculous and so are the seat belt laws, requiring air bags in pickups, helmet laws, toe guards on push mowers, helmets on a construction site, speed limits in residential neighborhoods, food safety inspections at restaurants and electrical codes for new buildings.
What’s next? Requiring that every new car have a backup camera and proximity sensors……or every table saw made in the future have the SawStop safety feature built in.
You would think every person who owns a mower would have enough common sense to turn around and look before they back up. Unfortunately that’s why there are these laws. People don’t have the experience to know they should look before mowing in reverse and run over their dog, cat, kids, spouse, etc….
Unfortunately ALL of the current lawn tractors and zero turn mowers manufactured by MTD for Sears, Troy-Bilt, Yardman, and Yard Machines are built not to mow in reverse. About the only mowers MTD makes that will mow in reverse are the cub Cadet steering wheel zero-turns and the 2000 series tractors.
Now for the bad news…..the only wiring diagrams for MTD lawn tractors are those given to the manufacture of the wiring harness so they can build the harness.
How can I modify the 25000 to get it to mow in reverse? I am electrician and I can do it with the right wiring diagram. I have NEVER seen this before, my last Craftsman could mow in reverse. These laws are ridiculous.
@Nick, I don’t know why the salesman thought it was horrible. So far everyone has been happy with this machine. But, you are plenty tall for this rider and you may feel cramped on it (weight is not an issue) I feel the mower is the right size for your yard as long as you are comfortable on it.
FYI: I find it’s not the mower, or the customer. The salesman failed to ask the right questions and didn’t correctly match the mower, yard and customer. Too many people only look at the price instead of determining the best mower for them and then looking for the best sale price on THAT mower.
Take a look at these two tractors before you make your final decision.
Model 28881. This is the exact replacement for you old Craftsman. 42 inch deck and the rest of the tractor is the same dimensions as your old one. It’s $1049 until 4 am.
Model 28851.The 28851 is a longer tractor and it has a lot more room for your height. It’s $1304 until 4 am. This is one of the best value tractors on the market right mow. It has a great motor, turn tight steering, hydrostatic transmission and a really nice seat.
Paul Thank you for the review of this product. I went into the local sears a couple days ago to check this unit out after reading your review. I was very surprised to hear the “salesman” do everything he could to talk me out of buying this unit. He said he had sold one to somebody a few days prior and the customer brought it back the next day saying it was horrible. He told me he vowed at that point not to sell it to anybody else.
I have a completely flat hard with only a couple minor dips. It is a bit over 1/3 an acre. This seems like it would be perfect for me. I currently use a craftsman riding mower from around 1985 and it still works like a charm. It was a hand me down from my parents and they never bought the bagger. I am mainly buying a new mower so that I can have a bagger and get my lawn mowing done a lot faster and easier. I want to buy a mower that will last me another 30 years without major issues. I am also a larger guy, 6’5″ 210, do you think that my height and weight will make this mower break down faster over time? I don’t plan on hauling anything with it other than myself and the clippings. I can buy this mower with the bagger for $1000 right now which seems like a great deal.
Thanks for any advice and help with making this purchase decision. Also, do you know what the rules are about bringing it back (and the bagger) if I do buy it and decide that it doesn’t work well enough for me?
PS Here is a pic of my current mower
https://picasaweb.google.com/111674024493980557610/Mower?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Paul,
I received my mulch plug. It was ordered a few weeks ago and came in last week. I picked it up at my local sears (Near Pittsburgh). It took me 30 seconds to take the chute off and install the mulch plug. I have cut my yard twice since then and the results are terrific. Plenty of power and the blade does a wonderful job with mulching.
@bill, Please read the first 6 comments at the end of this article. I wrote and update there and a few of the new owners have told us about their new 25000. The general opinion is: it mows and bags well. The mulch plug is still not ready (May 15th now) but it should be fine with that big 30 inch blade.
Hi Paul,Anxiously awaiting your review on the Craftsman 25000. It’s now available in Wisconsin. Have heard you cannot mow in reverse?! Does the provided mulch blade do a good job? What about the grass catcher performance? What is your opinion on which extended warranty is the best value? Thanks. Bill
@Tim, On this mower you remove the discharge chute and replace it with the mulch cover.
Go to searspartsdirect.com. Type in 247.25000 and select “search by model” The parts diagram for your mower will come up.
Select the Lift diagram and look at part #17. The right end has a nut so you may be able to put some washers there.
The other spot I see to make some mods is the lever #18. You may be able to remove that lever, and bend it a little in a vice or you may be able to drill a new hole in part #1 where that lever connects. The lever looks like it is attached to to #1 with self-tapping screws.
Paul,
Sears delivered my tractor a few weeks ago. I have cut once and am very happy so far. (The statement here about the reverse switch was removed because of liability concerns) The only thing I am a little unhappy with is that with the blade setting in position one, I think it cuts a little too close. In position two, it seems much higher (too high for my liking). Any suggestions on how I could find something in between? Maybe a couple washers on the blade bolt so I can cut in position two but the blade will be a little lower to the grass?
One other comment….My mulch plug is scheduled to arrive at my local Sears on Thursday. When connecting the plug to the blade deck, would I take the current shoot off (and leave it off) or would I connect the mulch plug undder the shoot and leave the shoot on?
@Bob, I apologize. Spring has sprung up here so I am out in my yard, I have a sick dog and my part-time job is giving me way to many hours this week. Here is what I wrote to EdK April 19th.
I really like the steering on the 25000. The rack and pinion style is very quick and effortless. It is as easy to drive as the Craftsman Premium with power steering.
Personally I don’t like the shuttle shift under the seat. You have to reach down between your legs to go from forward to reverse. I will caution if you can’t tie your shoes sitting on a chair be sure to sit on the demo at a Sears store and try the shifter before you buy the rider. I wish the shift was up alongside the seat. That’s the only complaint I have.
The speed and power are just right. The larger motor on the Craftsman will make all the difference for mulching.
Consumer Reports did not give the Troy-Bilt their best rating for cut. The Troy-Bilt has the same deck as the Craftsman. But they have never given a single blade 30 in deck a high rating (they like a 42 inch twin blade deck) I didn’t see a problem with the cut. It was even and the deck lifted the grass well and cut it evenly.
Compared to my $2400 30 inch Dixon, the Craftsman is a great buy!
Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to feel confident about buying this mower.
I am planning to purchase this riding mower, however I would like to see your test review before I make a decision. When do you plan to complete your test.
Thank you
@Ed K, I really like the steering on the 25000. The rack and pinion style is very quick and effortless. It is as easy to drive as the Craftsman Premium with power steering.
Personally I don’t like the shuttle shift under the seat. You have to reach down between your legs to go from forward to reverse. I will caution if you can’t tie your shoes sitting on a chair sit on the demo at the store and try the shifter before you buy the rider. I wish the shift was up alongside the seat. That’s the only complaint I have.
The speed and power are just right. The larger motor on the Craftsman will make all the difference for mulching.
Consumer Reports did not give the Troy-Bilt their best rating for cut. The Troy-Bilt has the same deck as the Craftsman. But they have never given a single blade 30 in deck a high rating (they like a 42 inch twin blade deck) I didn’t see a problem with the cut. It was even and the deck lifted the grass well and cut it evenly.
Compared to my $2400 30 inch Dixon, the Craftsman is a great buy!
Paul- how did the test drive go??? I’m dying here for the updated review!!! (even though I already ordered one, it doesn’t arrive until May)
Also, in case it’s not mentioned anywhere here, you can get the mulch kit from troy-bilt right now if you don’t want to wait for Sears to get it in stock. Part num 19A30012OEM.
I think the cut is just as good as my neighbors who has a lawn service come out, but I am no expert. Yes this lawnmower does scalp your lawn if you have the deck too low on uneven ground I found that out when I accidently lowered the deck. I cut my grass at 4 inches so even with a not so flat yard The cut is even without scalp marks. I would suggest buyers do as I did and start off on a higher deck setting and work your way down as they see fit. I am happy with my purchase thus far!
@ James, Thank you! How does it cut?
Well to answer the question about the bagger I just mowed my grass here in Illinois yesterday with my bagger attached and it works great! The unit has 2 bins that when full fill up one of those brown paper yard waste bags. The best part is if you need a smaller storage space as I do, you just simply detach the bagging unit by unscrewing one wing nut and lift up.
@James, I don’t have any contacts at MTD.
To keep the price of that machine under the rest of the tractors I can understand why the rubber insert went away in the final production model. I have stared at that notch and the only explanation I can think of is that will keep a pop bottle from falling out of the holder. That makes sense to me because if I had something riding with me it would have a screw on lid and the best solution would be a 1 liter Pepsi, Coke or Water bottle.
@ Eric, Yes the plug is listed at only $20