My Opinion: The Yard Tractor Series is Craftsman’s most popular Lawn Tractors. This one, the YT3000 Model 28851, features a 42 inch deck and a 21 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum motor. This is my favorite mower with a 42 inch deck and will work well for a yard up to 1 1/2 acres. For the features it offers compared to all the other brands it continues to be the best value riding mower on the market and Craftsman’s best value Yard Tractor. It is one of the best 42 inch tactors under $1400. It has a motor that has an expected life 25% longer than the motor on other comparable lawn tractors, a hydrostatic transmission, a great cutting deck, plenty of available attachments and the industry leading Craftsman Turn Tight 6 inch turning radius. It is also priced $100 to $500 less than the competing tractors.
By Paul Sikkema. Find Paul on Google+
I suggest you use this article on the Craftsman Yard Tractor Series as your basis for comparing all the other lawn tractors on the market. After you are finished reading this review you may decide this tractor isn’t the right one but I know you will be able to make the right decision for you and your lawn. This is my longest review to date. I apologize to you if you are reading this on your phone. It’s over 4000 words. Settle in to a comfortable spot and enjoy! When you are done you will know more about lawn tractors than most dealer sales associates.
This lawn tractor review covers the Model 28851, 21 HP, 42 inch version of the Craftsman Yard Tractor with Turn Tight. There are seven other models in the series:
42 in Gear Drive 21 hp Platinum Briggs Model 25022, YT3000 Series
46 in Hydrostatic 21 hp Platinum Briggs Model 28852, YT3000 Series
46 in Hydrostatic 22 hp Kohler Plus Model 28853, YT3000 Series This review covers all the features!
42 in Hydrostatic 24 hp Platinum Briggs Model 28856, YT4000 Series
46 in Hydrostatic 24 hp Platinum Briggs Model 28857, YT4000 Series
54 in Hydrostatic 26 hp Platinum Briggs Model 28858, YT4500 Series
54 in Hydrostatic 26 hp Kohler Model 28008. YT4500 Series
The 42 in 24 hp Gear Drive Model 28925 YT4000 Series is discontinued for 2013.
Brand/Manufacture: Craftsman / Husqvarna
Model/Series: Yard Tractor YT 3000
Item Number: 28851 (49 State) NA (CA Version)
Where To Buy: Buy Online, Pickup At Your Local Sears or have it delivered to your home:
Buy Here: Craftsman 42 In. 21Hp Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Turn Tight Yard Tractor Non CA Deluxe high back
Street Price: Less than $1449.99 Check the Special Offers tab to get the best price and exclusive discounts.
Basic Quality: (Cheap, Good, Best, Premium, Don’t Buy) This is Craftsman’s Best Quality. The Craftsman LT2500 is less quality. The Craftsman Garden Tractor better. This is a direct replacement (upgrade) to your old green Craftsman Lawn Tractor. If you liked your old Craftsman, you will love this one!
Type: (Riding Mower, Lawn Tractor, Yard Tractor, Garden Tractor, Estate Tractor, Sub-Compact, Zero Turn, Stand-On) Yard Tractor. (More features than a lawn tractor, less pulling power than a garden tractor)
Compare it to: John Deere D120 42 in. 21 HP Front-Engine Hydrostatic Riding Mower at 1799, Ariens does not have a 42 inch hydro, Cub Cadet Model # LTX 1042KH 42 in. 22 HP Kohler Courage Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Mower at $1799
Craftsman 42 in 21 hp Turn Tight
Pros:
Fender Control Trans
Hydrostatic Foot Control Trans
Step-through Platform
6 inch Turning Radius Easy to maneuver.
Disperses clippings evenly in side-discharge mode.
Mulches well, fine clippings with little or no clumps.
Fills bagger to capacity.
Includes a washout port.
Includes cruise control.
Includes comfortable high-back seat.
21 hp Platinum Full Pressure Briggs & Stratton Engine
Cons:
Deck is a wide as front wheels!
There are other lawn tractors that work better on steep hills (Husqvarna YT42XLS at $2499 and Simplicity Conquest at $5499)
Retail Price: $1809.99. Usually on sale for over 20% off! Check The Best Sale Price Here: Craftsman 42 In. 21Hp Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Turn Tight Yard Tractor Non CA Deluxe high back
My Review:
You know I have been doing this blog for a while now and I have spent hundreds of hours researching, testing, reading reviews, analyzing and listening to you about residential lawn tractors. I know that most of you want to spend less than $2000 on a lawn tractor that will mow, mulch, or bag your yard well, do other yard tasks and last you a long, long time. This yard tractor gives you the all of those features plus a great Briggs & Stratton Premium engine all for less than $1500!
This is the best replacement to your old green or silver Craftsman Lawn Tractor. Go here to read about all of the improvement Craftsman has made just for you! 12 Reasons Why Craftsman Lawn Tractors Are Better Today,
I know zero-turn mowers are the hot topic today but for most of us residential zero-turns are not the best choice. They are too light and don’t work on slopes. They are too expensive for what you get. The Craftsman Yard Tractor Series with Turn Tight continues to be the best choice.
The Craftsman Turn Tight 6 inch turning radius on the YT Series allows you to quickly get your lawn done without the pitfalls of using a zero-turn mower. No learning curve to operate it. No divots or scuff marks in your lawn. No worries about mowing the septic mound or slopes. No extra cost for two transmissions. It will pull stuff. The Craftsman Yard Tractors have the tightest turning radius in the industry and it works well. It is the best value riding mower on the market today for most of us. Compared to all the other brands this yard tractor has more of the features you want at a lower price than the competition. It has a better motor than other lawn tractors in this price range, a hydrostatic transmission, a great cutting deck, and plenty of available attachments. It will handle all of the non-ground engaging attachments Sears, Lowes and TheHome Depot sells. With Craftsman continuing the “Turf Wars” this year it will be the best value yard tractor. This tractor has no changes for 2013.
I am not going to TELL you this is the best tractor. But for many of you reading this article it is the best lawn tractor for you. This tractor continues to be the best value tractor on the market for your average size suburban yard! This is a great lawn tractor with an excellent cutting deck. It has an oil port B&S motor, with yellow oil filter. It has only four anti-scalp wheels so it will mow your lawn without gouging or scalping the turf. This tractor continues to get the best reviews from the review organizations for value, cut, and dependability. Sears has the best service and repair network. They come right to your home if your ever have a problem with your tractor. You never have to bring your tractor anywhere or arrange for a pickup to have it serviced.
This lawn tractor will mow in reverse.
If you have a lot of landscape beds and yard stuff to trim around this is the best single cylinder lawn tractor. The 46 inch deck sticks out the side of the tractor a little bit farther than a 42 in mower. This makes it easier to get closer to landscape beds, fences and buildings without the tires making a mess. The Turn-Tight steering allows you to trim as well as a zero-turn.
Owner Reviews: Of the current reviews listed on Sears.com and Craftsman.com only 6 are actually for this tractor. The other reviews are misplaced and for other tractors. Of those six, 2 are for problems in 2011 that have now been fixed (a deck pulley was installed wrong at the factory) One review is of a problem the twin cylinder Kohlers are known for (this engine is a single cylinder) and one owner states he can’t mow in reverse (the lawn tractor mows in reverse with a simple turn of the ignition key)
Deck: It’s all about the deck and how it mows for most of us.
Craftsman, It’s all about the Deck
There is always a discussion about fabricated/welded decks and stamped decks over on the tractor forums. The reality is welded decks take more abuse, stamped decks cut better.Welded decks will take more abuse if you are the type to go around and bang your mower into trees, buildings, rocks and other obstructions. If you are mowing fields and properties where you never know what type of metal debris, rocks and other junk you may find a welded deck is the best choice. Welded decks need special, expensive baffles to mulch well. These kits can cost over $150. To install these “mulch kits” you have to remove the deck and bolt the kit into the deck. To switch back you need to again remove the deck and take the kit off. Most welded decks have poorer airflow and require you to buy a separate blower to use a bagger ($500-750)
The Craftsman 42 and 46 inch decks on the YT Series are stamped decks. These decks are engineered to mow well. Because these decks have channels and other stiffeners built into the design making these decks lighter but still as strong as a welded deck. The Craftsman decks have better corrosion resistance than the decks of the past. The powered coated finish resists scratches and rust-through so prevalent with decks 20 years ago. This process has been used for the last 12 years or so. I have seen 10 year old decks that have never been cleaned on top and underneath with no rust of flaking of the powdercoat.
Aluminum Spindles. This deck uses cast aluminum vented spindles with sealed bearings. There is no maintenance or lubrication needed and most last the life of the mower.
I have read some reviews where owners complain that they have had to replace the spindles multiple times on their lawn tractor. (Not just this deck, but other brands as well.) Spindles fail for only two reasons, operator abuse and improper maintenance. Lawn tractor decks are designed to mow lawns. They are not designed to mow fields, cut down brush, hit rocks, stumps, concrete, kids toys, water shut-off valves and other debris. If you hit something and you break a spindle be glad it broke. Replacing a $50 spindle is cheap compared to bending the $400 deck housing and having to replace that. You can also break spindles by not balancing your blades when you resharpen them. If one end of the blade is shorter than the other or it is bent out of factory specs the blade will vibrate and eventually wreck the spindle. If you hit something or if you sharpen the blades and the mower has more vibration than it did before, stop and find out what is wrong. If you don’t know how to properly sharpen blades always replace them with new.
This tractor gets high marks by owners for mowing, mulching and bagging.This lawn tractor will mow in reverse.
The Craftsman 42 inch Precision Cut Mowing System on the YT 3000 side discharges very well and regularly gets great reviews for evenness of cut. The wide discharge chutes spread the clippings evenly and doesn’t leave windrows and clumps like some decks. One of the key features of this deck is the vented spindles. The top of the spindles has slots that let air into the deck. This creates a powerful vacuum effect that lifts the grass and allows the blades to cut your lawn evenly. The blades are offset just right so there are no uncut strips when you make a turn.
These decks have four anti-scalp wheels so it will mow your lawn without gouging or scalping a rough lawn. These wheels allow the deck to ride over tree roots. These wheels do not set the height of the deck. They are just used to protect the deck from obstructions and your turf. The height of the deck is set with a spring assisted lever on the left fender. There is a little red tab that you can adjust to remind yourself where to set the cut height you prefer.
The Craftsman 42 deck on the YT Series is designed to mulch well with a simple $12 “plug” that snaps into the discharge hole. (See the picture with the mulch plug installed) This deck will mulch without special mulching blades. With the mulch plug installed you can raise the discharge chute out of the way for closer trimming on the right-hand side of the mower. For the purest’s there are optional mulching and premium mulching blades that enhance the mulching for extra thick lawns and for owners who want an extremely fine mulch. The other review organizations like Consumer Reports all verify that this deck mulches well.
Because the Craftsman 42 inch deck on the YT 3000 has such good airflow for side discharge mowing, it also bags well. The available 2 and 3 bin baggers are specifically designed to collect all the clippings and fill completely. They have “soft” sided bags that reduce the dust and debris around your neck and back.
What deck size do I need? Besides how large of a lawn you have to mow consider the gates, doors and strips between your landscape beds. The 42 and 46 inch decks on the YT 3000 and YT 4000 will fit into a standard size pickup bed. The 54 inch deck on the YT4500 requires a trailer with at least a 60 inch wide bed. With the discharge chute lifted up the Craftsman 42 inch Precision Cut Deck requires 45 inches of clearance. With the chute down, 50 inches. The Craftsman 46 inch Precision Cut Deck requires 47.5 inches of clearance. With the chute down, 54 inches. The Craftsman 54 inch Precision Cut Deck requires 57 inches of clearance. With the chute down, 61 inches.
I have hills and use tire chains: Tire chains will not fit on a tractor with a 46 inch 2-blade deck installed. This includes the Craftsman YT3000, YT4000, Husqvarna, Poulan Pro and Ariens. I have not checked the MTD built lawn tractors. John Deere does not have a 46 inch deck.
Engine: People who buy this yard tractor want a dependable mower with a dependable motor.
Note: This Briggs & Stratton Platinum motor compares to the Kohler Courage Plus. It is better than Briggs & Stratton Gold, Silver, Intek and IC engines found in most lawn tractors.
Craftsman Platinum Engine
Longer Life Engines: The Platinum Series Engine in the YT 3000 and YT 4000 Yard Tractors is a significant improvement over the engine in the 1990′s Lawn Tractors. Briggs & Stratton has made over 80 improvements to this engine ranging from efficient Overhead Valve Design to a better oil drain system that uses no tools and doesn’t get used engine oil all over the frame.
Better Fuel Economy: Today’s engine offer better fuel economy over the 1990′s version. They are also designed to run on todays fuels that seem to have more additives than gasoline.
Full Pressure Lube: The Platinum engine has an oil pump and actually pumps oil to the critical engine components. The lubrication system in this engine works like the system in your car. These engines will run on slopes that used to kill the old side-valve, splash lubricated engines. In addition, a long-life filter removes contaminants from the oil and provides less wear on the engine. This engine uses the same yellow filter found on the Briggs & Stratton Professional Series.
More Efficient Air Cleaners: The air cleaners on the Platinum Series are significantly better than the old paper or foam filters on your old Craftsman. Cleaner air into the engine means less wear and longer life. Advanced Debris Management System proactively deflects dirt and debris from the engine, and any remaining debris is trapped in the high-capacity, dual-sealing air cleaner cartridge.
MRS Spark Plug: Most Reliable Starting (MRS) spark plug delivers optimized performance and extended service life
It’s all about the details: Sears does two things to this motor that really sets it apart from the competition. First they use the high quality yellow Briggs Filter. This gives you the best oil filtration and this engine is designed to make the best use of the filter. Second, is the oil drain. The Craftsman exclusive no-drip drain tube is the easiest to use. Just unclip it from the engine, tilt it down to your bucket and unscrew the cap. No drips on your frame no cleaning, no oily film that collects dirt and debris on your tractor!
This article was first published at TodaysMower.com
These Craftsman tractors are assembled at the factory in Orangeburg, S.C. Like all mechanical devices I suggest you take some time and completely go over the machine when new and understand it’s operation. Read the manual completely. After you use your new mower for an hour or so I suggest you look at all the fasteners and check to be sure they are tight. Especially check the bolts that hold the transmission to the frame and the engine-to-frame bolts. Here is an article showing you the most critical bolts to check. 8 Bolts On Your Lawn Tractor You Need To Check Now I recommend this for all new lawn tractors but I especially recommend it on tractors made by Ariens, Husqvarna, Poulan, Cub Cadet, John Deere and Craftsman.
Hydrostatic Transmission – Simple to use, ideal for most terrain.
Hydrostatic transmissions are ideal for any type of terrain. The transmission in this mower is sized for it and has a proven to be a very reliable part of the tractor. This transmission never needs maintenance. Just clean the dirt and leaves off the aluminum case every few months. All of the components that make it run are completely enclosed in a sealed aluminum case. This transmissions is sized to the YT 3000 and 21 hp motor. It will give you long life for mowing, snow removal and yard work. Like most transmissions in lawn tractors it does not have posi-traction or differential lock for steep hills (greater than 15%). The Husqvarna YT46LS is the least expensive lawn tractor with a locking differential.
The pedal on the left side of the tractor is the parking brake. You do not need to depress that pedal to shift the tractor. The forward, reverse speed and braking is controlled one lever on the right side fender. To go forward move the lever forward. To stop pull the lever back to the middle position. (The parking brake pedal can also be used to stop the tractor.) To back the tractor pull the lever back. Because of the way a hydrostatic transmission operates the braking is part of the operation. When you move the lever towards the middle (neutral) the transmission brakes your travel automatically. You only need to use the left hand pedal to park the mower or to leave it stopped on a hill.
To take this a little farther. Lawn tractors with a hydrostatic transmission will not coast down a hill. The pedal on the left side of the tractor is not a clutch and is not a “feathering” brake like the one in your car. When you press on the left pedal you release the power to the transmission which locks the trans. In addition it sets a parking brake either on or inside the transmission. In other words, you can only go down a hill as fast as the transmission will let you and you can’t coast to a stop. This tractor will not “runaway” down the hill like the old tractors with a manual trans.
Comfort – If you are going to mow, you might as well be comfortable.
Start with the seat: When comparing this lawn tractor to others sit on the seat and ask yourself these questions.
Sit on the seat and envision yourself sitting there for 2 or more hours. Is it comfortable? Does it give you good back and lumbar support? Does it have side supports to help you stay in the seat on slopes and when mowing rough spots? The seat should be easily adjustable if you have more than one person using your lawn tractor. When you sit on the seat, is it level? Some tractors have heavy springs under the seat for “suspension” and it feels like you are constantly sliding forward.
The seat on the YT 3000 sits level, has a nice high back, good lumbar and side support and slides back and forth easily. There is plenty of seat adjustment so any operator from 5 ft 1 inch to 6 ft 4 in can easily operate this lawn tractor.
The Steering Wheel: Does the steering wheel have a rough texture so it is easy to grip? Smooth steering wheels cause your hands to sweat in hot weather. When it’s cold out and you are wearing gloves smooth steering wheels are very hard to use. Your hands keep slipping all over the place. The steering wheel on the YT is textured so your hands won’t get sweaty and your gloves won’t slide around.
Sloping Hood: Some big box stores are still using hoods from 10 years ago on their 2013 tractors. They are tall and boxy and you have to look around them to see in front of the tractor. I know this is a minor issue but if you are used to a sloping hood and then use one with the old box style you’ll realize how cumbersome the old hoods are when trimming and getting close to objects.
Getting On And Off: Ease of Use: The first thing potential buyers notice when they sit on the YT3000 is how easy it is to get on and off. Craftsman has designed this mower with a lot of space between the seat and the steering console to make it as easy as possible to get on and off this tractor.
Deluxe high-back seat, easy to use operator controls, good field of view. This Yard Tractor is very comfortable to operate and drive.
Reliability – What do I do if it breaks?
This tractor is serviced by Sears. Sears service techs come to your home to repair your lawn tractor. You never have to take it anywhere. There have been no issues with the build quality of the Craftsman Model 28851.
People who buy this yard tractor know what they are buying and this is just what they want. That is why you will find so many good reviews on Sears.com. This is a great tractor with a great cutting deck and may just be the best value for you and your suburban lawn.
Reliability – New to 3 yrs: This tractor is serviced by Sears. There have been very few issues with the build quality. One thing to know – Sears takes the tractor out of the shipping crate but they do not “setup” the tractor. (John Deere dealers are the only retailer who does) You have to put gas in it, and run it for the first time. If there is an assembly problem you call 1-800-469-4663 and a service tech comes out to your home and fixes the issue. The store where you picked it up from or the delivery team does not repair the tractor. If you buy another brand make sure you understand the repair policy if you have a problem. Many of the other brands make you take the mower to an “authorized service center”
Handling – Traction/Steering: This tractor has average traction and is similar to all the other lawn tractors from the other retailers. This tractor has better steering than all the other lawn tractors under $4000. I recommend you never use a mower like this on wet or drought-dry slopes.
Mow – Mulch- Bag: This tractor gets high marks by owners for mowing, mulching and bagging. But, be aware this is not a “high-speed” deck like you will find on a commercial lawn mower. It mows perfectly at 3-4 MPH but don’t expect it to mow as fast as the tractor will go (5.5MPH) and give you the same results. With this tractor/deck you set the height of cut using a lever on the tractor fender.
Specifications, Features, Benefits
The rest of this article is taken from the retailers website. Specs subject to change.
Type: Yard Tractor
Maximum mowing area per hour (acres): 1.4 acres at 4 MPH
Recommended for moderate slopes? Yes, Moderate slopes
Excels in mowing around obstacles? Yes
Will Mow In Reverse? Yes
Manufacturer: Husqvarana
Brand: Craftsman
Engine Power: 21 hp*
Displacement: 540 cc.
Manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton
Cylinders: Single, cast-iron liners
Type: OHV, oil filter, Pressurized with automotive style oil pump
Charging System: 15 amp regulated
Battery: DieHard
Choke/Speed Control: Integrated One Lever
Fuel Tank Capacity: 2.5 U.S. gal.
Transmission: hydrostatic
Transmission Control: Direction/speed – fender lever
Cruise Control: NA Fender Lever stays in position.
Forward Speed: 0-5.5 mph
Reverse Speed: 0-2.5 mph
Chassis: 11 ga.
Front Tires: 15x6x6
Rear Tires: 20x8x8
Front Axle: Cast Iron, lifetime warranty on axle
Hood Material: Steel
Hourmeter: No
Tool Tray: NA
Cupholder: Yes
Headlights: Yes
Translucent fuel tank or Fuel gauge: Yes, Under hood
Deck washout port: Yes
12-volt outlet: No
Steering: Type 2-wheel steer
Turning Radius: 6 in.
Uncut Circle Radius: ? in.
Spindle Bushings: Metal, replaceable
Seat Back Height: Deluxe high back
Fore-aft Adjustment: 6 in. while seated
Seat Suspension: Two coil springs
Deck Lift System: Spring assist, Fender
Mower Cut Height: 1.5 in. to 4 in., 6 position
Cut Height Increments: ? in.
Preset Cut Height: No
PTO clutch: Manual
Mower Deck
Type: Side discharge
Mower Cutting Width: 42 in.
Blades: 42 in.
Mower Deck Material: 13 ga.
Mower Wheel Adjustment: Yes
Mower Level Adjustment: Exact
Mower Drive System: In-line belt, Manual PTO
Mower Attachment: 3 point Not EZ-Off
Mower Drive: Belt Tension Spring
Mower Wheels Rotate For Deck Removal: No
Weight: 505 lb with mower, no fuel
U.S. Warranty: 2 year limited, 3 and 5 year optional protection plan
Where To Buy: Buy Online, Pickup At Your Local Sears or have it delivered to your home:
Buy Here: Craftsman 42 In. 21Hp Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Turn Tight Yard Tractor Non CA Deluxe high back
Click here to submit your review.
Craftsman YT 3000 21 hp - 42 in deck
Have owned/used this machine for over a year (into 2nd season). Overall, a pretty good machine with good power for mowing & towing. I think the turning radius is good but overrated. Handles slopes very well and mows reasonably well, sometimes requires 1/2 overlap to get clean cut (have mulching kit on) in one pass. Since we seldom mow when wet, the deck stays very clean on the inside. Maintenance is easy to perform.
Cons for me are centered around the mulching system. We installed the mulch plate having to remove the wing for side discharge for storage purposes. Since the mulch plate is only a bunge cord attachment, clippings blow up through a gap between the plate and mower deck. These clipping often end up blowing into your face depending on grass moisture and wind/travel direction. In addition, huge volumes of clippings collect on top of the mower deck under the tractor and are difficult to remove.
Response: @FoolBr1, There are a lot of trade-offs between a mower that cuts/bags well and one that mulches well. If a deck cuts/bags well is usually makes a poor mulcher. In this case your deck has a lot of vents that let the air in and help the blades lift the grass to cut it. When you side-discharge or bag all this air goes out the chute.
When you block the discharge with a mulch plug, all that air still has to go somewhere.....and it does blowing grass out from the right front of the deck. This causes all that grass build up on the deck. Blocking the airflow also does not the deck to lift the grass well and that is why you sometimes have to overlap.
A deck that is designed to mulch (has internal baffles installed under the deck) is just the opposite..it mulches well but does not bag well.
@Tom W, The first thing I need to know is if you are mulching correctly. I am going to assume you have a blue grass/fescue lawn. Put your mower on the driveway, lift up the discharge chute and measure from the sharp edge of the blade to the ground. Your cutting height needs to be 2 1/2 inches or more. (I prefer 3 to 3 1/2 inches for the best mulching)
For any blade to mulch well you also need to be mowing only 1/3 of the grass height at a time. So if you are mowing at 3 inches, you should only be cutting 1 to 1 1/2 inches of new growth at a time. Yes, I know….at this time of the year that may mean you need to mow twice a week.
Mulching also works poorly on wet grass.
There is no deck on the market except the Combi deck on the Husqvarna Articulated Rider that will both mulch and side discharge well with the same blades. (The Combi deck is rear discharge)
The Craftsman/Huqvarna 42 and 46 decks have the baffles built in. (read my updated review of the 28851. It explains the deck) You only need to add the discharge plug. The discharge plug just snaps in place. John Deere decks require an additional baffle kit and it is not easy to switch back to bagging and side discharge mowing.
The blades that come in the mulch kit work well but if your grass is thin and weak they do not have as good of lift as the standard or premium blades.
I have used the premium (gator blades) for 25 years and they are the best for mulching and bagging. But if you side-discharge they will leave little “cotton-balls” all over your yard when side-discharging long grass. Using them commercially I would stop and change blades when I went from mulching to side discharge.
With the premium blades if you bag and mulch all you have to do is remove the mulch plug and attach the bagger. To switch back to side-discharge you need to change the blades out for the high-lifts.
Read this article to get the premium blades and mulch cover without having to buy the mulch kit. Premium mulch blades
considering craftsman 28851 model (as I have a 1 acre lot) but concerned about truly fine mulching ability of this model. I have a 15 year old craftsman lawn tractor but mulching with mulch cover leaves clumps and grass clippings are not finely cut. When I use side discharge, grass clippings are not finely cut and grass clippings visibly builds up after 2 weeks of cutting with side discharge. Tired of bagging with grass catcher. So, with this experience, how good does this model really mulch? What can be done to enhance mulching? Do premium mulch blades truly enhance mulching?, Is there an available undercarriage mulch kit for this model which significantly makes a difference? If so, is it easy to install or will Sears install such a kit with delivery of new lawn tractor? is it easy to switch back and forth between mulching and bagging with this model? Any other make and model I should consider for best lawn tractor mulching 9not side discharge mulching)?
@Lottie, Good, I like the 28851. If you don’t like, don’t have time, or don’t know how to work on your own equipment the protection plan can save you money. The Sears plan covers wear and tear, flat tires and fuel related issues. You also get a 25% discount on service. The cost is cheaper than the insurance on your cell phone.
Thanks for the quick responds. After I sent the question I found your review. I think the 28851 would be a better mower for I need. Do you recommend purchasing the 3 or 5 year extended warranty
@Lottie, here is the Troy-bilt review: Troy-Bilt Review
The Troy-bilt has manual trans and compares to the Craftsman 28882.
The Craftsman 28851 has a better motor, higher horsepower motor, hydrostatic transmission (better), 6 inch turn-tight steering, better seat, 4 anti-scalp wheels. Both the deck on the Troy-bilt and the 28851 get good reviews for the deck.
Hi Paul, Can you tell me if you have reviewed the Troy-Bilt Pony 17.5 HP Single Cylinder Shift-on-the-Go 42-in Riding Lawn Mower? And if so what do you think. How would you compare it to the Craftman 28851.
@Curt, There is no best time of year because these tractors are available all year, but: The normal sale price is 20% off. There is usually an extra 5 or 10% off certain times of the month on sears.com (they don’t tell me when these happen but they are called Family & Friends, Shop-Your-Way-Rewards bonus, or midnight madness sales) You can get no interest for 6 months with a Sears card. And you get 1% back on the shop-your-way rewards program or 2% if you use it with a Sears card.
There also be a Labor Day sale, but most of the time they raise the normal sale price so it is the same deal you get above.
If there is a clearance tractor around, don’t be afraid to buy it if the price is less than a new one. It comes with the same new warranty and is eligible for the protection plans.
Paul. Sounds like this is the one for me. My question is when is the best time of year to buy to take advantage of the lowest possible price?
@heather, You are very welcome. Waiting for a clearance mower to go down does have it’s disadvantages….Someone else may think the current price is good enough and it gets sold. I have one acre of lawn, pull a small yard cart and don’t throw snow with my tractor so the YT 3000′s would be a good match for me. They have plenty of power for mowing. I have a feeling you will like it too!
I was waiting for the price to go down like you said, but they just sold this mower. So now the only YT3000 mowers they have left are the 21 hp 46″ and the YT 21hp 42″, but that one is pretty expensive for me, especially with the 3 yr maint. plan. I read your reviews about the 46″ and it seems pretty much the same. A couple hundred more, but I think I am just gonna go get it. Thank you so much for all your information and help. It gave me a clue on what to look for.
Thanks again, Heather
@sarang, I too have about an acre with lots of trees and landscaping. I like the 28851 because the turn-tight steering makes it very manueverable and the fender controlled hydrostatic transmission allows me to easily change speed and direction. My right foot will cramp up using a foot control (pedal)
That’s what I get for getting old
To mulch well you have to have your deck height at 3 inches or higher (preferrably 3 1/2 or higher) My father actually mows at 4 to 4 1/2 inches and his midwest/bluegrass lawn is so thick that you can sleep in it. That is No. 5 on the deck height lever on the 28851.
If you don’t cut this high, the grass will clump and leave a mess when mowing. Also, you shouldn’t cut more than 1.5 to 2 inches off or cut when the grass is wet.
Please understand that all lawn tractor decks are this way. It’s not just the 42 in Craftsman deck. As long as you understand how to mow, you will be satisfied with mulching and with the 28851.
I also recommend you use the premium mulching blades, not the standard wavy mulching blades. Especially if you have a weak lawn.
Hello,
Thanks for the excellent site – this is obviously something you’re passionate about.
I’ve never needed a lawn tractor before. I have a 3/4 acre suburban yard, with some slopes (nothing drastic, no ditches, etc.) and no significant obstacles (except a handful of trees and a berm). I’m looking for a tractor that will mulch well (I rarely, if ever, bag our clippings), is reliable, and easy to use (my wife will often mow the lawn also). Ideally, I would like to spend less than $1500. looking at your reviews, it appears that the craftsman 28851 will meet our needs, but I did see some complaints about it’s mulching ability. What would you recommend for us? Thank you.
@heather, remember the price of the brand new one is discounted 9 to 23% depending on the particular sale. The retail price of the 28852 here in Wisconsin is 1899.99 usually on sale for around $1599. That first markdown on the clearance sticker is based on the retail price ($1899), not the current sale price (1599).
Good Luck, I hope you get the tractor for the price you want to pay.
thanks. that gives me a lot to go on. i will go back and try and get a better deal. it seemed really high. the price on the yellow tag was not 20% off the retail. it was only $200 less then the brand new 21hp 46″ yt3000.
@heather, The YT3000 sounds adequate for your yard. You can also look at the YT4000 42 in 24 hp. It has a V-twin motor with a little more power. When pulling rocks be sure to keep your load to no more than 500 lbs or so. If you pull heavier loads regularly you will wear out the drive belt and have to replace it every couple of years (the 3 year protection plan covers this)
I would also get a cart with the biggest wheels I can get because a loaded cart will sink into your cinders and the tractor will have a hard time pulling it. Take a close look at the Universal 12.5 Cu Ft Poly Cart It has the big wheels and won’t dent or scratch hauling rocks. It is the toughest cart Sears sells.
Does the used one you are looking at have a yellow clearance sticker on it? If it does the pricing works like this.
1. They get the mower back and the tech goes through it. If there is anything that needs fixing, orders parts and puts them on when they come in.
2. Once he feels the machine is “good as new” he releases the mower and it gets a clearance tag. The mower has the full factory warranty and you can get the 3 or 5 year protection plan on it.
3. That sticker starts 20% off retail. (That price has nothing to do with the condition of the tractor) The price stays there for about 3 weeks and then it automatically drops about 10%. It keeps doing this every 3 weeks until it is sold. Read on for the good news………..
4. If you are willing to take a chance and wait you can get a really great deal.
Now, ask the sales associate when the next clearance event is. During that event Sears usually has an extra 10% off clearance merchandise (your tractor)
So it boils down to: do you have the patience to wait until it gets marked down again or the next clearance event happens?
Hi, i am looking to buy my first riding mower. went to the sears website and they recommended the yt3000 42″ 21hp for my yard. i live in hawaii, have an acre of uneven land with some slopes and trees. grass is weed grass, some thicker areas and some pretty sparce because i am still laying cinder. looked at a john deere, but they dont come to my house to fix it when it breaks, so decided to go to sears. your review is pretty good for that specific mower, so my question is: sears only has one left and it has been used for 2 weeks by someone with a ranch. they brought it back because they decided they needed to up grade, so they tell me. the price is 1440 + 400 for a 3 yr maintenance. should i even go there with this mower, or what would be a good price? it seems kind of high (even for Hawaii) for a used mower. or would you recommend a completely different mower?
thank you. heather
@ed, Three reasons I would buy the 28856. First the twin is smoother and has less vibration than the single in the 28851. That said, the motor in the 28851 is just as dependable and has the same long life. It has plenty of power to mow your lawn.
The second reason is if I was going to attach a snow thrower. 24 hp will let you move snow faster. Myself, I would only consider a snow thrower on a tractor if it was taking me over 1.5 hours to clean my drive with a 28 in walk-behind or if I had a very long drive.
Third, the 28856 has a foot control hydro with cruise. The 28851 has a fender control (no cruise needed) I prefer the fender control myself because that is what I have used for years. If you learned to drive a car before a lawn tractor you may like the foot control better.
If none of these reasons is significant for you buy the 28851.
Question please: I am interested in both the 28856 or the 28851. My question has to do with whether, given my situation, you would recommend the 28856 (2 cylinder) over the 28851 (1 cyl). I have a relatively flat piece of property totaling one acre with one slight sloping area in the front of the house so I’m leaning toward the 28851. The price difference is also significant – $1377 for the 28851 vs $1615 for the 28856. Are there other considerations which should drive me to consider the 28856 over the 28851?
@John, You are correct the covers are for your protection. They actually tend to collect debris instead of keeping it out. Most of us old guys would get rid of all this stuff if the government would let us:)
Paul, thanks for the response; I just learned something new. Having never owned a riding mower before, I thought the covers were there to protect the belt and mandrels from excessive debris damage. That’s why I thought about adding them; didn’t know if the ones from the 46″ deck would fit my 42″. Thx
@John, I’m glad you bought the 28851. It should last you a good, long time.
Sears feels the floorboards are wide enough that you don’t need the pulley covers. I guess I agree with them on this mower/deck.
I would never jump off the tractor with the deck running, let alone step on the deck as I am getting off it so the lack of covers is not an issue for me.
When I am mowing I would never hang my legs over the sides of the floorboards. I also would not wear ratty, torn or flowing clothes that would hang over the floorboard and get caught in the spinning pulley. I’m an old farm kid and that is one of the basic things you are taught. NEVER wear loose or tattered clothing around rotating equipment that might get caught in it.
Go to searspartsdirect.com and use 917.288520 for the model number. The 46 inch version of you tractor will pop up and you can order covers from the deck diagram.
Paul, I did end up buying the 288515 as you suggested. I noticed that it didn’t have mandrel covers even though similar mowers (Ariens for one) made by the same OEM have those covers. Sears also has the covers on their 46″ model. Is this something to worry about? I’m trying to figure out if I can get some after-market parts to cover the mandrels but haven’t had any luck getting the correct part numbers from Husqvarna.
Thanks!
@Stephen, The hydro in the 28851 will handle the slope and give you the longevity you want. Is the slope steep enough that you may have traction issues though? If you will have traction problems look at a mower with automatic traction control or differential lock.
My first riding mower. I have a steep slope ( St. Augustine grass) and worried about transmission longevity. Looking at Craftsman 25022 and 28851. Will the hydro last (my preference) or should I go with the manual? Is there something else you would suggest at or near that price range?
paul thank you for the help
@manzo, The front scoop will fit but you will have traction problems. You will need rear tire chains, a rear weight box and/or wheel weights to use it with any material other than light mulch or leaves.
paul how is the craftsman 24847 front tractor scoop i have a yt3000 yard tractor
@John, The Sears mall stores can offer you an installment loan. You can pay for your tractor over 4 years at a fixed interest (I think it’s around 14%) that way you can add the protection plan and still only pay around $40 a month.
Thanks for the detailed explanations, I really appreciate it. It looks like it’s back to the drawing board for me. Being on a super tight budget, I really can’t afford the extra $300+ for an extended warranty and it sounds like the regular one only covers about 20% like you said. Thanks!
@John, There is some confusion on the deck thickness. Sears.com has listed it as various gauges, but it is the same thickness as it has been for the last 10 years on the Husqvarna built models. If you measure a new deck and then go measure your neighbor’s old Green LT 2000 the deck thickness is the same. I’ll say it is 13 ga. The new Craftsman Premiums have a thicker ga deck.
Warranties: Like everyone else, Craftsman’s standard 2 year warranty (and the extra on frame and axle) ONLY covers manufacture’s defects. It is up to the tech who comes out to service the tractor to decide if the part is covered.
Plain and simple, your standard warranty only covers about 20% of what typically goes wrong with a tractor. Sears is better than most because they cover the labor to replace the part. But trip charges to your home are not covered. Sears has 11,000 techs in vans that come to your home to repair the tractor. Expect Sears service to require an up-front deposit for the tech to look at your tractor if it only has the standard warranty.
I do want to say that I make a little commission when you buy the tractor through this site but I don’t make a commission when you buy the protection plan so I am not trying to sell you anything here. I have looked at all the plans from Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and John Deere to see the differences. Sears is the most complete.
Protection Plans
Sears offers 3 and 5 year plans for about 6 to 9 dollars a month (paid upfront) and Sears will give you unlimited service coverage at no charge for parts, labor, and trip charges due to normal use. This locks in your repair costs for the time period. They will not charge you extra because gas goes up, parts go up or their labor costs go up.
Belts, tires, battery and all wear and tear items except blades are covered. Fuel related issues are covered. Protection from ethanol fuel is covered. If the tractor doesn’t start next spring. it’s covered. Tune-ups (oil, filter, air filter, spark plugs) are not covered.
They don’t charge for “no problem found” In other words if you can’t get it started and it turns out to be operator error they won’t charge you for coming out.
Your garage burning down, storms, floods or you dropping out of your pickup is not covered (that’s what your homeowners insurance is for)
Full product replacement if the repair can’t be made. If a part is no longer available and they can’t fix your tractor they will replace the tractor. If the same problem happens more than 3 times they usually just replace the tractor.
Full telephone support for quickly getting your tractor fixed. Sears tries very hard to get your tractor fixed within “one mowing cycle” They will go through the owner’s manual with you over the phone to explain the operation.
25% discount on non-covered repairs and installed parts. You get a discount for tune-ups or for the parts if you want to do the tune-up yourself.
25% discount on non-covered parts through Searspartsdirect and 25% reimbursment for parts bought at your local Sears store. You get a discount for blades, oil, filter, air filter, etc.
For most people the Protection Plans are worth it. It saves you time. You don’t have to do the repair yourself. You don’t have to haul your tractor anywhere. You don’t have to have a set of tools to do the repair. There are no hidden fees or charges during the covered time period. Unlike your uncle down the street, Sears will fix it right or replace it if they can’t. It gives you complete peace of mind that your tractor will perform for you for up to 5 years.
Paul, great site. Couple of questions – is it true that Sears has changed deck thickness from 11 to 13 Gauge for 2012? I’m also confused about the warranty vs. the extra Protection Plan. Doesn’t this tractor come with a 2-year in-home warranty? What does the Protection Plan provide other than an extra year of coverage? Thanks!
@EB, YES!!! The YT3000 is better because. 1. A lot better motor. 2. Cast iron front axle. 3. It will mow in reverse. 4. It steers better. 5. All Craftsman attachments work (the bagger on the 28884 can be hard to install) 6. Better seat. 7. Better Transmission. (The YT is a true hydro). 8. The YT is made by Husqvarna, the 28884 by MTD. 9. The YT has a 6 inch turning radius. 10. 4 gauge wheels on deck to keep it from scalping. 11. Heavier Frame.
In other words I think (know) the YT3000 will last you a lot longer.
Debating between the YT3000 model 28851 $1449 vs. LT2000 2884 $1199. Typical suburban lawn 3/4 acre. Will not be using a plow. Is it worth the extra $250 to step up to the YT3000 in your opinion? Thanks!
thank you
@manzo. You can get anything to fit with a drill and welder
The MTD hitch is not designed for a Husqvarna built tractor. But, the biggest reason NOT to try and install it is the YT3000′s transmission is not heavy enough to pull ground engaging equipment. The YT3000 is designed to mow lawn and pull a yard cart. It is not designed to plow the garden or level your drive. You need a garden tractor for that.
Now if you insist. The rear frame on the YT3000 is vertical and most garden tractor frames are angled. So even if you installed the hitch it would not lift as high as you expect it to.
will mdt sleeve hitch oem-190-608 fit my yt3000 28851 yard tractor
@Terry,if you have a YT3000 that is a gear drive (the shifter on the fender has numbers) then you need to use the clutch/brake.
If the shifter on the fender is just a Z where you push forward to go forward, you do not need to use the clutch at all. Make sure you have the deck handle above the steering wheel off so you can go into reverse without the engine shutting off.
I recently purchased a Craftsman 3000 with snow blade, when plowing snow do you have to press the clutch/brake pedal when shifting from forwar to reverse?