TodaysMower.com » 2010 Riding Mowers

Weedeater 190cc 26” Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower Review

Paul — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:52:31 +0000

The new Weedeater is also affectionately called the Weedeater One, the Weed Eater We One or the Weedeater We-One

This mower answers the questions.

I’m tired of walking but all the riders are too big.
I’m not allowed to push mow my lawn anymore.
I want a rider, but my lawn is too small.
I wish I could get a mower like my grandpa’s old Big-Mow or Ride King.

I wanted to see one of these new mowers before I wrote a review. I thought: The price is too low. It’s too cute. It has to be just a toy.

Weedeater One Riding Mower

The True Value store near me put one on display yesterday and I spent some time going over every inch of the machine. I was primarily looking for weaknesses in the design. As I looked at the mower I compared it to the 28 inch Craftsman 28034 and the 38 inch Yard Machines by MTD

My Review:

What I like:

First, The Weedeater One has electric start and can mow in reverse! Most of the small mowers like the Yard Machines and other cheap mowers don’t have the reverse mow option. This was a welcome surprise.

Second, Everything on the mower was built well. The frame is heavy and all the mounting brackets for the deck are at least 1/8 inch steel. It is built MUCH heavier than the Yard Machines and just as heavy as the Craftsman 28034. It was pleasantly surprised how strong every component on the machine was designed and built.

Third, the mowing deck, spindle, and blade is well designed and heavy duty.

The 190 cc motor is large enough for the size of the deck. You may run out of power going up and down long hills or in really heavy grass but as designed (small yards that you mow every week) it will have plenty of power.

A bagger and mulching blade will be available soon.

What you may not like:

The Weedeater One does not have a hitch. It makes sense not to have a hitch because this is a riding lawn mower not a garden tractor. The Ride-King and Big-Mow never had one and thousands of them were sold. If you need to pull cart or other items you may want to look at a different mower.

The wheels are a little small for me and you may not like this mower if you weigh more than 220 lbs and mow sandy soil. I think it will sink into poor turf on sandy ground. Most of you will not have a problem with this.

See It In Action:

I have included links to four videos Weedeater put together to show you the features and how to use this new mower. Watch all the videos. They will help you decide if this is the right mower for you.

Weedeater One 360 view

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRJFDi07DE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ouy1ZfouGo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9lD6kywPeg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6-xjdz5bs8

I wish every manufacture put videos like these together for all their powered lawn and garden products.

To buy one:

You can purchase this mower through the links below: If you do I will make a commission on the sale. My local True Value had it regularly priced a $749.

Weedeater 26 inch Riding Mower at Sears

Weedeater 26 inch Riding Mower at KMart

Weedeater 26 inch Riding Mower at Walmart

2010 Craftsman Riding Mower 30 inch 17.5 hp Model 28035 Review

Paul — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:15:26 +0000

The Side Rear Discharge Lawn Tractor (SRD) has changed from last years model. This model costs less than the 2009 and still gives you the same quality of cut and bagging capability. While I don’t personally like this mower, but it may be just right for you if you have a small yard, raise your own produce and have gone “green.” See the rest of my review after the Specs.

Listed On Sears As: Craftsman Briggs & Stratton Silver 17.5 hp 30” Side Rear Discharge Tractor

Click on the coupon to check prices and read more.

Buy Online – Pick Up At Your Nearest Sears

Buy Online – Have Delivered To Your Home. Use the coupon code during the checkout process to save an additional $5 over the sale prices listed on Sears.com. Be sure to sign up for the free “Shop Your Way” rewards card and place the number in your Sears.com Profile. Signing up will always give you the best possible prices including the Craftsman Club savings if there is one on this mower. (The Craftsman Club savings vary from month to month and are for specific mowers for that month. Be patient, if there are Club savings it will be reflected JUST BEFORE you click pay)

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

Model 20835

Click On Picture To See a Larger Version

Specs:

Read My Review Below These Specs:

Brand: Craftsman
Series: SRD
Model: 28035
Ca Model: N/A
Engine HP: 17.5
Engine Brand: Briggs & Stratton Silver
Cylinders: 1
Transmission: 6 speed gear
Transmission Control: Lever on Fender
Mower Width: 30 inch
Blades: 1
Cutting Positions: 6
Gauge Wheels: No
Washout port: No
Blade Engagement: Manual
Turning Radius: 16 inch
Front Axle: Welded Steel Tube
Rear Tires: 16 x 6
Seat: Mid-Back
Slide Seat Adjust: Yes
Service Minder: No

Bagger: Included

My Review:

For 2010 Sears lowered the cost about $200 by changing from a hydrostatic transmission to a manual six speed. This change puts this mower into the price range of the other 28 to 32 inch mowers on the market. (This mower includes the bagger)

Specifically this mower is 32 inches wide (cutting width 30 inches) and is designed to bag your clippings and easily dump them on your compost pile. SRD means: the clippings discharge out the side of the deck, into a chute inside the mower. The chute goes to the rear of the mower and the clippings dump into the integral bagger.

Just back up to your drop pile, reach over to your left, pull out the bag lever and dump your clippings. No need to get off the mower to dump.

Sears improved the safety switch on the bagger. There were quite a few complaints about the bag not sitting on the switch properly and the mower kept cutting out. With the new switch this has been eliminated.

You can not use the mower without the bag. There is no side discharge option but there is a mulching kit available. It has a hitch inside the bag compartment so you can remove the bag and pull non-ground engaging attachments like carts and thatchers. The bag comes off very easily.

Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:

Needed Accessories:

I will add accessories in a few weeks.

Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:

2010 Craftsman 28 inch 12.5 hp Model 28034 Review

Paul — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:49:42 +0000

Summary: I am going to start the reviews this year with my favorite. If you have 1/2 an acre or less to mow this may just be the perfect mower for you. This mower is simple, rugged, and will give you years of use. You can find a cheaper mower in the 2010 Craftsman line up but I feel you can’t find a better value if you have a small lot. Below the Specs read my complete review.

Listed On Sears.com As: Craftsman 28” Rear Engine Tractor

Model 28034 Click On Picture To See a Larger Version

Specs:

Brand: Craftsman
Series: RER
Model: 28034
Ca Model: N/A
Engine HP: 12.5
Engine Brand: Briggs & Stratton Gold
Cylinders: 1
Transmission: 5 speed disk
Transmission Control: Lever
Mower Width: 28 inches
Blades: 1
Cutting Positions: 6
Gauge Wheels: N/A
Washout port: No
Blade Engagement: Manual
Turning Radius: Listed at 28 inches?
Front Axle: Steel
Rear Tires:15 x 6
Seat: Mid-Back
Slide Seat Adjust: Yes

Bagger Model 24982">

Model 24982 Bagger

Bagger: Bagger Model 24982

Mulching Blade: Oregon Gator Mulcher 3-N-1 Lawn Mower Blade For Snapper 28-Inch 99-928 #96-628

Mulch Cover: Click on the SearsPartsDirect Banner in the right-hand column and type in 7016983 for the part number.

My Review:

If you have one acre or less of lawn. If you have an “English Garden” If you have gates to go through or paths to mow this is the mower for you. In 2004 Briggs & Stratton purchased Simplicity/Snapper. Along with the merger came Snapper’s rear engine rider. Snapper invented the rear-engine rider and now you can buy it under the Craftsman name.

You already know this mower. It has been around for years. It mows well. It’s agile. It’s simple. It get the job done and keeps on running for years. I won’t get to drive the Craftsman model until April, but I don’t have to……. I know the machine. It is a simple machine and it works!

Craftsman is offering this mower with the standard deck and hi-lift blades. Craftsman does not have a mulch kit available yet, but you can buy a “Gator Blade,” and a mulch cover through the links in the specs section of this article.

One of the features I really like about this machine is you can grab the front axle and stand it on the rear end. You can inspect it, clean it and store it this way. (If you store it on end, you must take the battery out) This is a really nice feature if you have a small space to store your mower!

The Disc Drive Transmission design has been around for years and eliminates complicated clutches and provides easy forward/reverse drive. The disc travels across the drive plate to achieve ground speed. This is the same type of transmission found a the majority of snow blowers. Simple, effective and almost bulletproof. You should know that the transmission is designed to pull you, a loaded bagger OR a light duty cart. If you try to use this mower to pull heavy loads you will prematurely wear out the drive “tire” in the transmission. It is an easy repair if you do wear it out, but keep in mind this mower is only designed to mow lawns, not be a “garden tractor.”

The steering on this mower is the fastest of all the mowers. The one-to-one steering ratio helps you maneuver easily around tight spots and make quick turns. It is not hard to steer and you will really like the quick response.

The deck follows the front axle and has a pivoting frame. This allows the mower to easily adjust to the contours of any lawn for a smooth cut. If you have a lawn with a lot of short dips and rises this feature lets the deck follow those contours easily. The deck is easily adjustable if it ever needs leveling.

In my opinion there is no better mower for a small lot than this one. It mows well, is very maneuverable, simple to repair, simple to clean and can be tipped up on end to take up less room in your garage.

Click on the coupon to go to Sears.com to check prices, buy, and read more.

Buy Online – Pick Up At Your Nearest Sears or Buy Online – Have Delivered To Your Home.

By clicking on the link to this product and purchasing it within five days through Sears.com I get paid a commission. The $5 off coupon is a little thank you for purchasing from me.

Ask a question, leave a comment, tell us about your mower below:

Needed Accessories:

I will add accessories in a few weeks.

Craftsman RER Riding Mower Model 28034 Parts, Accessories, Attachments