Am I biased?
April 1, 2011
From Mark: I can’t help but notice your relentless affinity for everything “craftsman”. You mention in a link in part of your “reviews” that you get paid for a craftsman purchase. After a brief time (1-1 1/2 hrs) of going through your site it is evident that you are clearly biased. I am still leaning toward purchasing a craftsman tractor but question whether you are indeed an independent “reviewer” or a department at sears…
@Mark, Actually my favorite tractor is the B2250 Kubota and the X748 Deere. My favorite residential zero-turn is the Husqvarna MX6128ZT and the new MZ5225T. My favorite mower is the Toro Grandstand. I hate the Craftsman SRD mower and two other Craftsman’s (you will have to read my reviews to figure out which ones I don’t like) But it’s really not about me and my bias. It’s about finding the best mower for you.
A little more about me not in the press release tab. The Gravely Pro-Stance is based on a design I gave Dane Skag (original owner of Skag and Great Dane Mowers) in 1996 so of course I like that. I own and mow my lawn with a 2004 Dixon 30 inch zero-turn. I do not own or have ever owned a Craftsman riding lawn mower. I just sold a KutKwik SuperSlopeMaster and have a 96 inch Ransomes fairway mower hiding out behind the pine grove.
Update August 2011: I just had a customer give me their 12 year old Craftsman Tractor model 917.27077 so I now own a Craftsman. The owner did not want to pay the $10 haul-away fee Sears charges and I needed a tractor to pull my yard cart so it was a great deal for both of us. (My Dixon zero-turn is NOT designed to pull a yard cart) The tractor was actually in great shape considering he had NEVER done any maintenance to it. The only thing I really need is to install new steering gears.
Now let me answer your concerns;
First, I also get paid a commission if you buy a John Deere, Cub Cadet, Craftsman, Ariens, Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, AgriFab, Snapper, Hitachi and many other products by clicking through one of the links on my site and buying online. I get paid this commission not from the company’s website itself (for example Sears) but through a third party. (It’s called Affiliate Marketing). If you would like to know more just Google the term.
Second, I am not done with my reviews and I won’t be done until at least May 1st. Craftsman and Snapper published their 2011 line-up in Jan. Deere in Feb. Ariens (Home Depot) just announced their 2011 line-up last week. I still don’t have all of the 2011 Cub Cadet and Husqvarna info I need to write complete reviews.
Third, If you live near Chippewa Falls, WI you are welcome to stop by and visit.
Fourth and most important. My goal is to help you decide which mower is best for you. There are too many horror stories of websites taking your money and not delivering the product or not taking care of it after the sale. My customers here are willing to shop online and buy online and it is my job to help them find the best value for their money and purchase from a company they can trust.
That decision you have to make I know is based on price, availability, service, and reputation of the brand.
Most of my readers want a mower in the $1000 to $3000 dollar price category so I focus mainly on these mowers. And that’s where most of the Craftsman’s are priced. Lawn Tractors in the $4000 to $8000 range are a completely different area and I don’t know if there is even enough interest online to review them.
Sears is hard to beat in any of these four categories for 2011. This year they will match Home Depot and Lowes on price for any comparable tractor. This year Sears is keeping more inventory in their central warehouses so they can move inventory around the country faster get it to you faster than they have in the past. Sears has nationwide in-home service. You don’t have to worry about your local dealer going out of business in 2 years. You don’t have to own a trailer or pickup to have take it somewhere to have it serviced. Sears is the only retailer that offers 5 years of in-home problem free use. (They offer 7 years on Husqvarna Tractors) The only thing not covered are tune-ups and blades.
Starting this year Sears will cover fuel related problems with their 3, 5, and 7 year protection plans. Manufacture warranties and extended warranties from other retailers will not cover fuel related problems.
You know there are currently only four major manufactures of lawn and garden tractors (Husqvarna, Briggs & Stratton, MTD and John Deere.) Sears uses 3 of them to make the Craftsman lawn and garden tractors. If you look at each Craftsman and compare that to the actual manufacture’s brand, in every case the Craftsman has a bigger deck, or a bigger motor, or a better motor or more features for the same money or less. Sometimes a lot less than the exact same model with a different color or name on it.
One more thing I like about Craftsman. I believe the lawn tractors in this country are at least 15 years behind where they could be. For example, I just got a press release of a lawn mower coming to the US from Japan that is far superior to anything you can buy under $8000 made here. Great Britain’s Countax has a rough cut deck that fits under a lawn tractor. Craftsman is one of the few retailers that is willing to try new things and see if they sell. The Revolution, the SRD, the Turn Tight and the 30 hp 28985 are just a few examples.
So it’s not that I am biased. In fact if you can look independently at all the tractors and pick the best value (price, availability, service and reputation) in the $1000 to $3000 it is hard not to pick a Craftsman.
(Ok, the new Snappers are pretty cool:)
Hi Paul,
I have a brand new never been used 30″ FastAttach hydraulic tiller that I purchased new in 2000 when I bought my 2000 TroyBilt 22 hp GT. I would like to begin using the tiller but the TB is tired and worn out. Mostly the steering I purchased in May of 2009 a Craftsman PGT9000 and a Husqvarna 2354GXLS. Will the tiller fit either of these GT’s. Both have the electric lift sleeve hitch but I’m concerened with how the belt drive pump assembly attaches under the GT at the mower lift arms.
Thanks for your site.
Tony
@Tony, Well, I get to say it… I don’t know. The Craftsman and Husqvarana have the same basic frame. Only a mounting hole or two will be different. But how that relates to the Troy-Bilt, I don’t know.
I am going to guess that the Troy-Bilt was made by MTD. If it was there is a lot of difference between the Craftsman/Husqvarna and the Troy-Bilt. You won’t be able to get it to fit without a lot modifications.
But..You can do just about anything with a welder and drill
I am wondering if you could help. I am looking at a Kubota B 2250 tractor with loader. The serial number is not on the tractor and it is estimated between an 1985 and 1990, a 22-25 HP. with 1,00 hrs. Shuttle Shift. Any idea on how I can find out the value of such item?
Thank you.
Dennis
@Dennis, New that tractor with a deck and loader was around $12,000. A good looking used one still goes for 7 to $10,000. Watch eBay and check on the tractor forums for values. You can also ask your local auction houses if they have sold one in the last few years. Last, there is a “blue book” that the dealers use to figure out what these tractors are worth. If you are looking at this at a dealer you can be sure he is close to that value otherwise ask a farm implement dealer if he will look it up for you.
First, thanks for the site. Very helpful. I have about 8 acres. I mow 4 acres a couple times a year with rotary cutter/tractor but need zero for the other 4 acres. I have been looking at Husqvarna mz6128zx but not sure about Briggs 28 HP engine. Friends in the business are trying to steer me to Koehler or Kawasaki and telling me to get Scat or Embark. I figured I will mow less than 100 hrs a year. Land is flat with very few obstacles. Is the mz6w28 the right mower for me? If serviced well how long should it last me? Thanks for your time and insight.
@Will, A lot of landscapers are loyal to Skag, but I have always felt they are “over-engineered,” meaning the machines are overly complex and hard to work on. When they run, they run well. But when they break,,,they are a pain to work on.
I love the Exmark. They are fantastic machines that will last 2500 hrs or more before needing major work. With two 60 inchers and two Great Dane Surfers my crews mowed over 400 acres a week.
Stay away from used Exmarks and Skags. Don’t buy a used one from your landscaper buddies. Landscapers tend to keep their mowers until they are wore out. No matter how cheap you pick one of these up, most of the time you are stuck with thousands of dollars in repairs. Don’t buy a used one unless you know the previous owner went bankrupt and there is still some life left in the machine.
I personally feel the MZ6128zx is one of the best values on the market. It is built a lot heavier than the consumer models, but the price is 3 to 4 thousand less than a commercial of the same size. If I was starting a lawn mowing company today I would have one of these and an Exmark Vantage on the trailer.
Briggs has come a LONG way in the last 10 years. I have no problems recommending the commercial series Briggs that is in MZ6128. This motor will last you the life of the mower. Kawasaki has also come a long way. 10 years ago a Kohler was the ONLY commercial motor that would last more than 800 hours. Today both the Briggs Commercial and Kaw will give you 1200 hours or more.
Thanks again. That is the kind of unbiased info I needed to make my decision. On my way to pick up the Husqvarna. I really apprecaite you getting back to me so soon. I am going to pass the word out around Montgomery, AL about your website.
Will
Hi Paul,
Do you own the Craftsman 28034 or have you just tested it? I see in your review that you state you use the 28034 but in the Am I Biased section, you say you own a different mower.
I think your reviews are very helpful. I have a 1.25 acre lot but probably just under an acre to cut. My property is mostly flat, a few small hills aside from my septic drainage field and my wife says she’ll use it. I’m just trying to figure out the best mower for my property and one that will last. Thoughts?
Thx. -Rick
@rick, I did buy a 28034 this spring but I am not using it on my home property. I have it on an acreage I own a few hundred miles from home. The person using the mower for me has not had any problems.
My wife has a friend that also owns a 28034 and I maintain it for her. She loves it and the only thing I have had to do with her’s was change the oil in the last year.
Thanks Paul! Any issues with the recall last year for the side chute problem? I believe it only affected 500 mowers. As a kid, I used a Snapper mower like this on a neighbor’s lawn and it seemed like a good rider. I just want to make sure that if I spend this kind of money that I use it wisely. Again appreciate your advice.
@rick, the chute issue as far as I know was just the nut and washer that holds down the chute not being. I have heard of nothing since.
Paul, yours is a thoughtful and articulate response to a baseless charge of bias. Unfortunately, the buying public has certain prejudices that are assaulted by your recommendation of Craftsman. Until recently, I had used a lawn care service, the owner of which I generally respect. When I told him I was awaiting delivery of the Craftsman 28857, he responded that I should have purchased a Deere. Even after advising him that feature for feature, the Craftsman represented a better value, he then replied “I could have found you a used Kobota for around 3 grand.” I told him that the Craftsman, including bagger and 5 year warranty cost me less than $2500. He was still stuck on the Deere. I simply told him that his bias was showing and that he did not have one legitimate reason to prefer the Deere. This kind of blind brand loyalty is how many companies maintain their financial foothold. Fortunately, this may change due to the innovative features of these new YT mowers, especially at their incomparable price points. I have yet to figure out why I should pay $1899 for a Deere with an inferior motor and cutting deck. Or $3600 for the X304 with a tight turning radius. My neighbor has the 135 and his cut is no where near as even or smooth as the Craftsman. Go figure.
Great reviews. I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a Snapper NXT 2346 until I read you reviews. Now I’m really leaning towards the Craftsman 28857, but the current price point isn’t quite there yet. Do you have any insight as to when the next Family & Friends or other promotion will be coming up?
@ Kim, The next Family & Friends is June 12.
Sears is also doing a lot with the Shop Your Way Rewards (SYWR). If you are not signed up, go to sears.com, get signed up and watch the emails. The SYWR also has special points promotions quite often that give you bonus rewards points.
Remember anything over 20% is a great deal. They are running quite a few midnight madness sales, 3 hour sales and early morning sales that are just as good (or within a few $) as the F&F.
Go to this page on my site and then click on the buy link to Sears.com.
http://todaysmower.com/2011/2011-craftsman-yt-4000-46-inch-24-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28857-review/In the upper right hand corner of the sears.com page is the current deals.By the way, the manufacture is having difficulties shipping as many of the 28857′s as Sears needs right now. Be patient….It will take about 2 weeks to get your mower. If you don’t need the 24 hp motor look at the YT 3000, 28852
http://todaysmower.com/2011/craftsman-yt-3000-46-inch-21-hp-riding-lawn-tractor-model-28852-review/It is the same tractor with a fender shift and single cylinder motor.Hey Paul~
Thanks for your quick response!
I live in Michigan, so won’t need it yet for a few more weeks and they gave me a raincheck. I did look at the 28034, but the discharge chute was more complicated and didn’t include the mulching kit that comes with 28001, AND it was $400 more.
I have a lot of oak trees and hope this makes leave clean up a little easier – I’ll let you know
Becky
Hi~
FYI- In regard to your comment about Sears stocking inventory in their warehouses: I was just at Sears tonight (Grand Rapids, MI) to check out the Craftsman Smartrider (28001). None in stock, nor any idea when they’ll have some. I’ve also tried all of the links on your site(sears, kmart), and they have none available either. Pretty frustrating!
I appreciate your reviews – thanks!
@Becky, The 28001 is selling way above all expectations and Husqvarna is having difficulty supplying enough. Please don’t buy the Weedeater or Poulan versions. They don’t have as big of a motor.
I don’t know where you live so I don’t know when you really need your mower but I asked around last night and it looks like Sears will be able start getting more around April 24th. There is a shop your way rewards promotion sometime this month and a Family & Friends coming the first Sunday in May so you will still be able to get the great deal they had this week. I will keep tabs on this and when you can order one again, I’ll post it on this site.
If you really need one soon, look at the 28034. This great little rider has one of the best reputations in the industry. It’s priced higher than the 28001, but I know it will last you forever. Fell free to ask any other questions.