2016 Craftsman Yard Tractor Line-Up – One Now With Power Steering!

118 Comments

1. 

   Dave

   Paul,
   Thank you SO much for explaining these tractors, and for explaining the differences between lawn mower types. Greatly appreciated the 2016 and 2017 annual reviews, as well as this particular review on Craftsman tractors. I am certain you saved me some headaches down the road. The wife and I purchased a Craftsman Pro 27038 and had it delivered. No, it’s not the ultimate lawn mowing machine, but it has many of the garden tractor features I wanted to secure. Better frame, high rated mowing deck, stout 2-cyl engine, a tranny I can change out for a K-66, etc. One thing I do not understand between it and the model 27042. Each looks to have the same 725cc engine, but the 27042 is rated for 4 hp more. I figure they choked it down on the intake or exhaust (or both). Not a fan of the foot pedal control, but with the cruise control I think I can make due.
   Going to order a front bumper and match paint it yellow like the rest of the Pro series…

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   January 12, 2018
   • 

     Paul

     Hi Dave, Congrats – you’ll like it a lot. Kohler only uses a few engine blocks and changes the carb and internals for the different power ratings. So the same engine block will be set up differently and listed with different horsepower ratings depending on the application. In this case, it could be carb jetting and/or the ignition power curve that was changed.

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     January 13, 2018
2. 

   Jeff

   Paul – Loving the site. Best, most detailed and unbiased information I can find anywhere. Thank You!

   Oddly enough I had my old Craftsman stolen from my shed recently, so I’m unexpectedly in the market for a new mower in late October. I probably only have 1 or 2 mowings left this year, but I was counting on using the mower to bag my leaves as well. We’re on 3/4 of an acre in the DC suburbs, but I’m on a steep hill and back to woods. It does get pretty rough close to the tree line and the hill in the front yard is more than my old mower could make it up without the wheels slipping and tearing holes in the lawn – so I learned to only mow down the hill. I have a small yard cart that I’ll pull around, and I’d also like to use a new mower to plow our driveway which is 250′ long and up the fairly steep hill. We don’t (typically) get much snow here on the Northern VA side of the line, 4-6″ is “a lot” for around here, but we’ve had 2 exceptions in the last few years with over 2′ and I don’t really want to get stuck.

   I was all set on the Craftsman 46″ 20442 a week or two ago, but held off trying to figure out if I could find a 3-bin bagger to work with it (came to the conclusion that it can’t be done – only the 2-bin bagger will fit). Looking again tonight the 20442 is still at $2199, but it seems like every other model is going on end-of-year clearance. The Craftsman 48″ 20391 is down to $1799 and the similar Poulan Pro 960420185 is back in stock at Amazon for the same price – both of those will fit a 3-bin bagger. I’m tempted to consider the Craftsman 20407 for $2399 just for the larger tires, but it really is more tractor than I think I need. I’d probably do OK with the Craftsman 20440 which is down to $1609 currently (but only takes the 2-bin bagger). Even the Craftsman 20444 is currently down to $2029, so I can’t see myself paying more for the 20442.

   If I could find the Poulan Pro PP20VA46 Model 960420188 or PP22VH46 Model 960420184 in stock for $1499 or $1599 respectively, or if they clearance out either the 20442 or 20407, my search would likely be over. Any advice here?

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   October 24, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     Hi Jeff, If a tractor has an .88 price it is on clearance. But, they typically take a long, long, long time to come down to a really good price. They will not tell you how many are left in your warehouse so if you want a particular model – don’t wait.

     Please stay away from the 20407 if you have hills. The transmission and large tire combination will work on flat lawns but the trans is not heavy duty enough for hills.

     Craftsman has quite a few good tractors in that $1499-$1799 price bracket. Red Craftsman yard tractors

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     October 27, 2016
3. 

   Rob

   Hi Paul,
   Thanks for your help with question so far. I bought the Craftsman Pro 20440 based on your review. I was thinking of getting a plow for the winter time. I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and have 125′, 11 to 12′ wide blacktop driveway. My nephew said is never be able to push snow with such a small tractor and suggested buying a snow blower. What do you think? We get anywhere from a couple inches, to (occasionally) a foot plus of snow. The driveway had a slight incline up towards the house, where I’d like to push the snow, but I might be able to push it downhill and across the street. Want to spend wisely. Thanks again, Rob

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   September 22, 2016
   • 

     Rob

     (Sorry my couple of typos. Typing on my phone and wasn’t able to scroll up to proof read. I think my post is clear enough. Let me know it’s not.)

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     September 22, 2016
     • 

       Paul

       Hi Rob, I’m an old fart who has a huge phone and still only uses one finger to type. You’re excused. 🙂

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       September 22, 2016
4. 

   Rob

   Hi Paul,
   Any idea which mulch kit I should get for my 42″ craftsman pro , model 20440? I saw 3 kits on the craftsman website.

   Thanks!
   Rob

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   September 21, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     @Rob. The correct mulch kit: Mulch Kit (33921)

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     September 21, 2016
     • 

       Rob

       Thanks Paul. I just stumbled onto one of your reviews of these blades:
       http://www.sears.com/craftsman-42inch-craftsman-advanced-bagging-and-mulching-blade/p-07133049000P?sid=I0084400010000100600&aff=Y&PID=4195712&AID=11034749

       Would that be considered an upgrade to the kit you pointed me to? In other words would I buy the kit you referred me to and then by the advanced blades ?

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       September 22, 2016
       • 

         Paul

         @Rob, I do like those blades better but the other kit comes with the mulch plug. You can’t get the mulch plug by itself. You can buy the ones you found and have a spare set.

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         September 22, 2016
         • 

           Rob

           Thanks Paul. Going to pick them up today from Sears.

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           September 22, 2016
         • 

           Rob Wolfbrandt

           Hi Paul, I picked up the kit (to get the plug) and bought the advanced blades. Just mowed with them and one of the best perks to me is the plug! I’ve got some dry, dusty spots on my lawn near the house and prior to having a plug the tractor made a mess blowing dust all over the house and into my mowing path (which I’d have to drive back through). The plugs completely mitigate this issue – very pleased with this. A few questions:

           1) Is it okay to mow pine needles and pine cones with the blades? I did this and tidied things up, but I’m wondering if it’s too much wear on the blades?

           2) Can these type of blades be sharpened?

           3) I kept noticing strips of unmowed grass, which I had to hit again (maybe 8 to 12″ wide). Not sure if this was due mowing to slightly damp grass, or if the grass was too long. It also made me wonder if I didn’t put the deck back on properly.

           4) Should I use the hose clean out to keep the inside of the deck clean?

           5) I typically mow at 3.5″, but leaves seemed to mulch better when I dropped it to 3″. I figure this helped keep the leaves inside the deck. Does this make sense? There aren’t a lot of leaves yet, and some were slightly wet and stuck to the ground. Probably would have worked better on a dry day.

           Overall I’m quite pleased. There would have been rows of clippings with the old blade (and no plug), given that the grass was fairly long, but I had none of this with these mulch blades. Thanks again for your help!

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           October 3, 2016
           • 

             Paul

             Hi Robert, You are welcome.

             Yes, the mulch plug keeps the dust from blowing all over for me too.

             1. Yes, Pine needles, leaves, dry grass, weeds all are fine.
             2. Yes, I actually take them off and use a flat-bastard cut hand file to sharpen them twice a year. You can use an electric grinder but be careful not to overheat the edge. There are a dozen youtube videos on the subject.
             3. If you have a 46 inch deck, make sure you got the 46 inch advanced blades. There is a 42 inch version. If the blades are right, it may be that since there is less lift on mulching blades you grass may be weak and hard to lift&cut. I have a lot of grass in the shade that way.
             4. I’m not a big fan of the washout port. I only use it when I have been mowing wet grass and the underside of the deck is full of slop.
             5. Yes, that makes sense because the lower cut allows the deck to “seal” to the grass better. For example, I like to cut about 4 inches but in the areas where my grass is very fine I have to mow it about 2 3/4 inch to get it too stand up.

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             October 3, 2016
5. 

   Matt L

   Hello Paul,

   Great Website! I have recently purchased a home in Maryland and Im already looking to replace my inherited Yard Machines 42″ mower with something a little better. I live on a 1.5 acre rectangle lot of generally flat to slight incline (5% or less) smooth lawn. I would also like to use it for hauling firewood and mulch ect. with a tow behind cart. In addition i also have a 200′ long driveway that would need to be plowed in the winter time. I cannot seem to make up my mind on which tractor to go with. Based on many of the reviews im trying to decide between the Craftsman Pro 46″ 20442 or the more heavy duty 54″ 20445 for an extra $1k. Is the 20442 up to the task? Or is the 20445 overkill for my application. Thank you for the help
   Matt

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   September 5, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     Hi Matt, The deck is a little more than I normally suggest but you will get done a lot faster with the 54 than a 46. But, the larger tractor will make a big difference using a plow or front mounted snow blower. The 20445/20447 has larger tires, heavier duty transmission and can carry more weight for traction. It aslo take the heavy duty dozero blade. If you ever think you may want to attach a snow blower instead of a plow I do suggest spending the extra money now and buying the 20447 with power steering.

     Craftsman Pro Series 54″ 26 HP V-Twin Kohler Power Steering Garden Tractor with Turn Tight® Extreme

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     September 5, 2016
6. 

   Ron

   Paul,
   Thanks for a very informative website!

   We have 28 acres of farmland/woods and mow about 2 total acres around the house and along our 0.3 mile/1600 ft gravel drive. Our JD L110 finally died after 8 years of good use so I’m looking for a new mower/tractor. I really like the 54″ Craftsman Garden Tractor but that is a big deck and a 46″ deck will fit in our pickup bed (the L110’s 42″ deck was fine so 54″ isn’t really needed). The other factor is I might like to be able to attach a snow blower to clear our long drive in winter.

   I know the 54″ Craftsman 20408 would work but would like your advice on any 46″ tractor that would mow well on rough and sometimes hilly lawn (used to be PA hilly farmland) and that could handle a snow thrower and maybe tow a yard trailer for light-medium duty hauling? I may end up with the 20408 but it can’t be moved easily in a truck bed.

   Thanks.

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   June 14, 2016
7. 

   Ward

   Paul:
   Based upon your recommendation I bought a Craftsman Pro 20442. I now have about 5 hours on it (half a dozen mowings of my 1/2 acre yard) and thought I’d provide some feedback.

   Overall, I like the mower very much. It does provide an excellent cut as the review states. With its 24 hp engine it has loads of power and I really like the hydrostatic transmission. It seems to be well built and very stout. It starts instantly and runs smoothly. Access to the air, oil, and fuel filters is great as is the oil drain tube. Oil changes are a breeze.

   There are a few things I don’t like but they are relatively minor:
   1. It is LOUD. I wear foam ear plugs plus good quality plastic muffs and it is still louder than I would prefer.
   2. The cutting height adjustment doesn’t allow me to leave the grass as tall as I would like. Even on the highest setting (4) it cuts the grass fairly short. When the grass is stressed I’d like to be able to leave it a half inch to an inch taller. To my non-technical eye it doesn’t appear there is any way to adjust the deck height to change the standard settings controlled with the lever.
   3. On even slightly rough ground the ride is pretty harsh and you have to go fairly slowly (my tires are inflated correctly.)
   4. The headlights are on all the time and there is no way to turn them off. I never use the tractor in the dark and would like to have a switch to turn the lights on and off myself.
   5. I don’t care for the procedure with the ignition switch and button to allow you to back up with the PTO engaged and turning the blades. (I’m sure the product liability lawyers insisted on this but it is a nuisance.)

   Overall I’m pleased with the tractor and don’t regret the purchase at all. I hope this feedback will assist others in making their purchase decision.

   Best regards and thanks for this great website.

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   June 11, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     Hi Ward, I’m glad you like your mower. Let me comment on your 5 minor complaints.

     5. I also don’t like to do something before I can back up with a running lawnmower but I also know that there are too many people, places and things that can cause me not to look 2 or 3 times before I back up. Every accident that we have had this year from backing over children or animals has been with equipment where the reverse mow was not there or not functional. I have made the choice and decided long ago to learn how to use the reverse mow feature and change my habits so I never run over my dogs, grandkids or the neighbors.
     4. At least they are still halogen so they will burn out eventually.
     3. Lawn tractors don’t weigh much so they are not that good in the first place on rough ground but the Craftsman Pro will be a little worse because it has a very stiff frame. While the stiff frame makes for a great mow – it doesn’t do a lot for your backside. When these tractors finally start costing $8000 or more than they will put suspension seats on them.
     2. I talked to you and the highest you could get the cut was 3 inches. In my opinion there is something wrong and I suggest calling sears repair and have a tech figure out what’s put together wrong.
     1. It’s funny, we now have “quiet” snow blowers that are 45% quieter than the old versions. I would think it would be more important to make lawn mowers and tractors quieter since the windows are open more in the summer.

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     June 14, 2016
8. 

   Mike

   Do I need to use any special oil or what type of oil is best for the Craftsman Pro Series 24 HP V-Twin Kohler 46” Yard Tractor with 5 inch Turn Tight Electric Power Steering

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   June 7, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     HI Mike, I prefer a heavy duty oil. Air cooled engines run hotter than your car engine. Mobil One or a heavy-duty oil.

     10W30 above 32 degrees F, 5W30 below freezing.

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     June 7, 2016
     • 

       Ward

       I noticed in the FAQs on the Kohler website that Kohler recommends that you put at least 50 hours on a new or rebuilt engine with standard oil before switching to a synthetic oil in order to allow the rings to seat properly.

       Best wishes.

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       June 11, 2016
       • 

         Paul

         Hi Ward, Thank you. I wanted to get their take on “standard” oil so I went and found their wording. Just to be clear they don’t mean regular car oil, they mean a heavy-duty fossil based oil like their heavy-duty Kohler oil.

         What kind of oil should I use in my engine? Can I use synthetic oil?

         10W-30 (Command Oil) is recommended for Command, Courage, Command PRO, Command PRO CS, Triad OHC, and Aegis engines for temperatures above freezing (32°F, 0°C). SAE-30 is an acceptable substitute if temperatures are above 50°F, 10°C. K-Series and Magnum engines should use SAE 30 (Magnum Oil) above freezing. 5W-20 or 5W-30 can be used in all engines when temperatures are below freezing. For more complete oil specifications refer to your owner’s manual. For optimum performance, Kohler’s special blend oils are available from your KOHLER dealer.

         Synthetic oils meeting the classifications listed in the owner’s manual may be used, however oil changes still need to be performed at the recommended intervals. To allow the piston rings to seat properly, Kohler recommends operating a new or rebuilt engine for at least 50 hours on standard oil before switching to the synthetic oil.

         Can I use any oil or fuel additives in my KOHLER engine?

         Kohler does not recommend using additives or cleaners in the oil or fuel system. Air-cooled engines operate at higher temperatures than liquid-cooled automotive engines, and additives developed for automotive use may not perform properly at higher temperatures. Oil additives can prematurely break down, altering the properties of the oil and leading to extensive internal damage or failure. Fuel system cleaning additives have a tendency to separate and turn acidic, causing damage to fuel system components. However, a fuel stabilizer is recommended in the fuel during periods of non-use (one month or more) to retard fuel deterioration.

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         June 11, 2016
         • 

           Ward

           Kohler’s language about “standard” oil wasn’t that clear and I wasn’t clear either. By “standard” I think Kohler just meant non-synthetic and that’s what I meant also.

           I’m going to call Kohler tomorrow to clarify something else. The guys that delivered my 20442 said to do the first oil change at 5 hours but I haven’t seen anything from Kohler that says to do that (maybe I just missed it.) My tractor now has 5 hours on it and I was going to do an oil change and use 10W-30 Mobil 1 when I found the FAQ recommending that synthetic oil not be used until the engine has at least 50 hours on it.

           I’m going to ask Kohler when the first oil change should be done. The tractor’s LCD service minder/hour meter notifies you to do oil changes every 50 hours but the maintenance manual for the 7000 series Kohler engine says every 100 hours. I’ll try to get a definitive answer from Kohler.

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           June 12, 2016
           • 

             Paul

             Hi Ward, Yes, too much of this stuff is written by people with way too much experience. They forget that most people don’t know what they know. I always try to clarify because I don’t want people using the cheapest car oil they can find and then expecting their mower engine to last.

             Craftsman’s operator’s manuals are very conservative. The statements are conservative because a few of the engines they sell are still splash lube and Craftsman still recommends straight 30 wt for them. Since that is the most conservative oil change schedule they don’t change the books for the different engines. The oil change frequency also has not been modified since 2000.

             When you talk to someone on the phone make sure you specify that you have the 2016 Kohler 7000 Elite from Craftsman. Kohler’s commercial engines and the older Courage residential engines will have different maintenance schedules.

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             June 12, 2016
         • 

           Greg Grote

           Ward. I look forward to your reply, because I also recently purchased a 20442 and it has 4.5 hours on it. Thanks for posting!

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           June 12, 2016
         • 

           Ward

           And the answer from Kohler regarding an oil change at 5 hours on a new engine is………non-existent.

           The reason is that Kohler doesn’t seem to care enough about its customers to provide a tech support line to allow you to talk directly with them. Their 800 number (1-800-544-2444) gets you to a voicemail system that doesn’t give you an option of talking to a live person. Engine questions get transferred to a Kohler parts distributor (Gardner, Inc.) who in turn tells you they don’t answer tech support questions and they refer you to a local dealer to get your tech support questions answered. One local dealer said that even he has trouble getting any help out of Kohler.

           In answer to the question, the local dealers I spoke with did recommend an initial oil change at 5-10 hours on a new engine. (I should point out that the Kohler manual for my 7000 Elite engine says nothing about doing it and only recommends oil changes every 100 hours in the maintenance schedule.) To me it makes sense to do an oil change after 5-10 hours since the process of breaking in an engine involves wearing away of microscopic particles of metal that accumulate in the oil and act as an abrasive and most of this occurs during the first few hours. Removing the particles in the oil reduces the abrasive effect and so would seem to be a good thing.

           I also talked with three Kohler dealers about oils. One said he uses “a lot of Mobil 1.” Another said his dealership uses Shell Rotella (a heavy-duty oil formulated for diesels) and doesn’t even sell Kohler brand oil. The third recommends Kohler oil and said the additives in it seem to make the lifters quieter.

           Sorry I can’t be more definitive. My choice is going to be to do the initial oil change at 5-10 hours and use Kohler 10W30 oil (about $6/qt at the dealer) and the Kohler oil filter (about $10). Since I’ll only need to change oil once a year I’m going to use Kohler oil and filters until the warranty is over and then switch to Mobil 1 or Amsoil synthetic. Synthetic oils don’t really cost much more than dino oils these days and I believe have some advantages.

           Hope this is at least somewhat helpful.

           Regards

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           June 14, 2016
           • 

             Paul

             Hi Ward, They all had the same answers i would give. Mobil One for Synthetic. Shell Rotella is a heavy duty semi oil. Kohler oil is also designed for air cooled engines.

             You can always use Harley Davidson oil in a pinch 🙂

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             June 15, 2016
9. 

   Evan in MA

   Hi Paul,
   Your site is a great resource of mower information. Thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into it. I was hoping you could recommend a mower for me. I just moved into my first home and am in desperate need of a riding mower for my 1.20 acre lot. The lot has several flower beds, ~2 dozen trees, smooth and bumpy areas, and the majority of lot is on a slope ranging from 1-10 degrees. There is one area that has a slope of ~20 degrees that I plan on handling with a push mower. I will be using the tractor mostly for mowing the lawn, but may eventually end up using the snow thrower(or blade) and dump card(nothing to heavy) attachments. The two tractors I’ve narrowed my search down to are the Craftsman model #s 20442 and 20391. I would go with the 20442, but I’m concerned about the K46 transmission holding up over time with the slope of my yard. What mower would you recommend for me? Is there a different mower I should be considering?

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   May 30, 2016
   • 

     Paul

     Hi Evan, The K46 is designed for a 42 or 46 inch deck so I am not concerned about it in the 20442. My only concern is a mounted snow blower. If I knew how long your driveway is or where you live I can use the average snowfall to suggest whether a tractor is right or if a walk-behind snow blower is better choice. In most cases today a walk-behind is a better choice. A snow blade, dump cart, etc. is just fine with this tractor.

     The 20442 steers the best. If you and your spouse use it both of you will really like how easy the 20442 is to use. Remember the 20391’s speed foot control is about 3/4 inch higher than the pedal on the 20442 and some people just don’t like that.

     I really like the way the 20442 cuts. I also like the quality that we are seeing right from the factory.

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     May 30, 2016
10. 

    J. Friedman

    Hello Paul, I just purchased a new craftsman pro T8200 Pro Series Model # 247.202420 Serial # 1E106H40007. This is the California-only model. I also purchased the 2-bin bagger 71.24019 SKU 19A30003799 Model # 247.240192. I’ve read the manual and called Sears 800-659-5917. This bagger does not match up to the frame. Can you provide any insight? Has anyone else mentioned this issue? Here are my findings. #1. The mower comes with pre-installed shoulder bolts to hang the bagger mount. However, the picture on page 9 of the bagger manual incorrectly shows and also incorrectly reads, “…Mount the hitch support using the holes closest to the mounting hooks.” The mounting assembly and hitch support bracket cannot fit onto the pre-installed shoulder brackets in this manner. After I installed the hitch support FURTHEST from the mounting hooks, the assembly seems to fit exactly as intended. Can you shed any light on this situation? Thank you!

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    May 23, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi J. Friedman, I have not had anyone comment on the bagger this year. That is the correct bagger but I have a feeling the installation instructions are for the other lawn tractors. This bagger fits the $1100-$1400 lawn tractors, the Craftsman Pro models and a few older models made by MTD. Basically three different tractor frames. I’ll bet the instructions are for the $1100-$1400 lawn tractors.

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      May 24, 2016
      • 

        Mike

        Paul,

        I have had the same issues, have bought two bagger and neither will fit the 42″ Pro Series riding mower. I am taking the mower back because I need a mower and Sears can’t seem to decide what bagger fits.

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        July 31, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi Mike, This is not a problem with Sears but it may be a problem with the Sears store or online personnel you are talking too. The correct bagger is 24019 period. There is only one and it fits.

          There are no three bin baggers. There are no other baggers that “may” fit.

          Just type 24019 in the search bar on sears.com. It comes up as the “Craftsman 42–46 In. Cut 2-Bin Bagger”

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          July 31, 2016
11. 

    Terry

    One thing that bothered me when looking at the Craftsman tractor is the location of the gas tank behind the engine. Doesn’t it seem a hazard if you have to refuel with a hot engine? What is your take on this? My old tractor has the tank in the rear.

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    May 16, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Terry, Number one never refill mower with a hot engine with and old gas can.

      I do like this gas can. It’s sealed and it won’t drip or spill for me No-Spill 1405 2-1/2-Gallon Poly Gas Can (CARB Compliant). You will be surprised how well it works compared to you old can.

      Now, to answer your question. Husqvarna made single cylinder tractors have the gas tank under the hood. MTD made tractors both single and twins have the tank under the hood. As far as I know there have been no accidents, recalls, government recalls or independent safety warnings about the tank under the hood. I’ve thought about it a lot over the years and I don’t have any concerns, Why?

      Think about it, all of your other small engines have the gas tank right on the engine.

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      May 16, 2016
12. 

    Joe

    Hi Paul. Love your site.
    I was interested in the Craftsman Pro 20440 (because of the size), but the price on the 20442 has come down and is only $46 more and like your point that it will cut down on the amount of trimming. Sears website has the same dimensions listed for both models, so I’m guessing they aren’t including the deck. Do you know how wide each model is, deck + shoot? My concern is it fitting through my shed door. Thanks.

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    May 10, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Joe, The deck with the discharge up is about 1 1/2 inches wider than the cut. So the 46 inch will fit in the back of a full size pickup (48 inches) The chutes stick out about 8 inches on the Pro models but are very easy to lift up to go through a doorway or gate.

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      May 10, 2016
13. 

    Fidel

    Hello Paul, I am looking to buy a lawn tractor this year to mow a 3/4 acre lot that is mostly flat, I don’t have many trees to go around and the only thing I plan on pulling is a lawn sweeper to pick grass clipping and leaves in the fall. I want to stay with a 48″ or smaller deck (so I can haul it with my truck) and spend less than $2500 if I can.

    I have narrow my search down to the Craftsman Pro Series 24 HP V-Twin Kohler 46” and the Poulan Pro PP20VA46 that is sold thru Amazon and I wanted to ask what are the major differences between these two models? I am thinking they are are about the same, so it is going to come down to the price as being the major difference. I have also been looking at the Toro TimeCutter SS4225, but I have never driven one so I might t have to get my neighbor to give me some lessons on how to drive one. Thank you for all the great information that you have available on your site.

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    May 8, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Fidel, I don’t suggest putting the Toro SS4225 in the back of a pickup without help. You can’t drive a zero-turn on ramps because it is too easy for the front end to turn and the Zero-turn will fall off.

      Differences:

      Craftsman Pro is made by MTD, Poulan Pro is made by Husqvarna.
      Craftsman Pro’s deck cuts smooth lawns very well, Poulan Pro’s deck cut rougher lawns well.
      Craftsman Pro has a Kohler engine, Poulan Pro has a Briggs.
      Craftsman Pro uses a hydrostatic transmission, Poulan Pro use a CVT. They hydro is easier to use, the CVT is more durable and goes faster for your sweeper. 7.5 MPH
      Craftsman Pro has cruise.
      It’s a tough choice.

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      May 10, 2016
      • 

        Fidel

        Paul, thanks for the answer, my yard is not golf course smooth, but is not pasture rough either and like you mentioned is a tough choice between both machines.

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        May 10, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi Fidel, when in doubt I’m suggesting the Craftsman Pro Series 46″ 24 HP V-Twin Kohler Riding Mower with Turn Tight® Extreme. We have been having wonderfully good luck with that tractor. It mows well. There has been no mechanical problems. It is being assembled at the factory correctly 99.9999% of the time. People love how it steers and drives.

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          May 11, 2016
          • 

            Fidel

            Paul, I have one more question about the Sears riding mower, what is the max weight that you recommend towing with that model? I am thinking of buying a broadcast spreader down the road and I wanted to get an idea of what size to purchase. Thanks for all the help and now I just need to keep an eye on the sale price of the lawn tractor, I am not in a hurry to buy it right now, but I am going to needed by next year.

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            June 2, 2016
            • 

              Paul

              HI Fidel, You can pull 400 lbs without concern.

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              June 3, 2016
14. 

    Bruce Liere

    Thank you. It seemed a little strange to me. I thought that maybe the blades were made of aluminum foil.

    Bruce

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    May 6, 2016
15. 

    Bruce

    Paul,

    Thank you for all you do. I am interested in buying the Craftsman Pro Series 46″ 24 HP V-Twin Kohler Riding Mower. I don’t think I need it for the grass in the summer as I have about 3/4 acre to mow, as much as leaves in the fall. Lots of oak leaves until November! Reading the reviews on the Sears website, a few of them mention the blade digging into the turf and bending. Not sure how they accomplished that, but do you know if this is a problem? Seems that the “benders” think the blade is too thin.

    Thanks for your help,

    Bruce

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    May 6, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Bruce, Some people think they have to mow bent grasses short. Some southern bent grasses get so thick that it’s almost impossible to cut them and the blades can stick in the turf. Then again some other people like to mow way to short and then they blame the mower when things break. Myself, I would rather use a rake and shovel to remove rocks and level high spots. Using your mower to level turf and wear down rocks can get expensive….

      Residential mower blades have been this thickness since the 90’s. The 2016 blades are no thinner than a 1999 blade. They will bend if you hit something hard and will wear out quickly if you mow too short on sand.

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      May 6, 2016
16. 

    Tim

    HI Paul. I bought the 46″ Craftsman Pro 20442 based on your review. Great yard tractor! But ever since I started it up for the second mow (1.3 hours on it), the hour meter display has had an x-like icon flashing on the left side. It’s a rectangle with an “x” in it and two of the resulting quadrants are blacked out. The tractor now has 3.1 hours on it (3 mows), mows great, and runs great, but the icon is still flashing. The manual doesn’t reference this icon anywhere. I bought the Sears service agreement and have talked to 3 different reps who can’t figure out what the icon means. They’ve had me disconnect and charge the battery, but the icon is still flashing. They have all told me not to worry about it and I’m now waiting for a call to schedule a service visit. Do you have any idea what this icon is and what it means? Thanks for all the great info here! Springfield IL, 1 acre with half smooth and half somewhat rough and sloped.

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    May 4, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Tim, The hour meter is just an hour meter. It has no diagnostics in it so there is nothing wrong with your tractor. That said, The hour meters are supposed to blink at about 50 hours to remind you to change the oil the first time. They blink for about 5 hours and you can’t reset them or turn the blinking off. They either changed that or you have a bad one. The tech will mostly likely order a new meter and replace it. It’s funny because the manual doesn’t say anything about the blinking but the installation paper that comes with the replacement meter does.

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      May 5, 2016
      • 

        Tim

        Thanks for the info Paul! But I do think the meter displays some minimal diagnostics. The manual says it flashes a battery icon and the words “batt low” when the battery needs to be charged, and also an oil can icon when the oil should be changed. But like I said, no mention of this “x” icon. Also, when the tractor was delivered, I was told to change the oil after the first 6 uses. Is that necessary? Thanks again!

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        May 5, 2016
17. 

    Dave

    Hi Paul, do you have any idea if Cub Cadet will be offering the tight turn steering on their XT2 mowers any time soon? I have a good Cub Cadet dealer close by and would like to buy from him. Additionally, is there any difference in the cut quality and mulching performance between the 42″ and 46″ Cub Cadet XT2 stamped mower decks?

    Thanks!

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    May 3, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Dave, The 5 inch Turn Tight Extreme is a Craftsman Exclusive and if I remember right the tech is Craftsman’s. So, I would not expect to see it on a Cub Cadet for a long time.

      Consumer Reports likes the 46 inch the best by one point over the 42. Essentially that means they like them both. I like a 46 inch deck better because it sticks out the side of the mower just a little more so it is easier to trim with.

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      May 4, 2016
      • 

        Dave

        Thanks for the quick response. I really appreciate your input and have one more question for you. Do the Cub Cadet RZT S zero turn mowers rip up the grass on turns like a regular zero turn mower?

        Thank you.

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        May 5, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi Dave, No, that’s the beauty of the Steering wheel ZTR’s. The steering is actually all 4 wheels. So there is no turf scuffing at all.

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          May 5, 2016
18. 

    Shawn Mars

    Thank you so much. So much good info.

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    April 29, 2016
19. 

    Shawn mars

    It helps alot, but the big question is are the Poulan’s going to last?

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    April 28, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Shawn, Yes, one thing no one wants you to know – the Poulan Pro 960420188, Poulan Pro 960420184, Craftsman Yard Tractors, Husqvarna YTH, Husqvarna YTA Are all the same chassis, deck, etc. They change the color, the hood, the engine and transmission depending on where it is sold. So if you believe a Craftsman or Husqvarna will last the Poulan will too.

      Making them last really has to so with some basic maintenance that needs to be done every year and treating the machine with a little respect.

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      April 28, 2016
20. 

    Shawn mars

    Great Site Paul.
    From Pittsburgh, PA.
    Have almost 1 acre, mostly flat yard. Not that smooth. Clay was built up when the house was built, 3 foot slope to neighbors and back yard.
    Was looking at: (the Poulan’s only available at Amazon, plus have a $100 rebate)
    Poulan Pro 960420188 Briggs and Stratton 20 hp Pedal Control Automatic Drive Riding Mower, 46″ 46000 Outdoor Power Issue – Over LTL Weight Max $1499.99
    Poulan Pro 960420190 Briggs 19 hp Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Drive Riding Mower, 46″
    or $1499.99
    Craftsman 42″ Fast Auto 22HP Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight® V-Twin Riding Mower $1549.99
    or
    Craftsman 42″ Fast Auto 19HP Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight® Riding Mower $1449.99
    I think i prefer the first Poulan as they have the thicker, bigger decks, and better upgrades.
    I would just like your opinion on these choices.
    Thanks
    Shawn

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    April 28, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Shawn, no matter what the literature says the decks on the Poulan and the Craftsman are the same thickness. The Poulan does come with the reinforcement plates. There is the Craftsman 46″ Fast Auto 19HP that you missed.

      So, the three questions are:
      1. Do you want a 20-22 HP V-Twin or a 19 HP single cylinder engine? V-twin’s are smoother and have less vibration. The single’s use less fuel and have plenty of power.
      2. Do you want a hydrostatic Transmission or the CVT automatic? The hydro is what you are used to. The CVT is stronger and goes 7.5 mph but the foot pedal is 3/4 inch taller and many people don’t like that. The CVT also sound different. You can hear a gear noise when you back up. The hydro’s are quiet.
      3. Do you want one in the next week? The Poulan’s are shipping as fast as Amazon gets them into their warehouse but I have no way of knowing when they will get in the warehouse. It could be tomorrow or two weeks from now. The Craftsman’s are either in store or less than 5 days out (in a nearby warehouse)

      The normal price of the Craftsman 42″ Fast Auto 22HP Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight® V-Twin Riding Mower is $1699. The $1549 is good only through April 30th.

      Does that help?

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      April 28, 2016
      • 

        Ryan

        Hello Paul, I am trying to figure out the difference between the 46″ fast Auto and the 48″ fast auto. I am cutting about an acre and have good amount of hills on the property. For this reason I think I have it narrowed down to these tractors because of the CVT feature. I do not think that the extra 2 inches of cutting is worth the additional $ that the 48″ tractor is. Can you tell what the benefits of the 48″ are? Also, for hills do I want a heavier tractor and if so which one is heaver? Thank you .

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        October 3, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi Ryan, The Craftsman 48″ Fast Auto 22HP Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight® Riding Mower has a Bigger engine, better seat, bigger gas tank, wider rear tires. The 48 inch has the 22 HP v-twin and a high-back seat. The 48 inch is heavier by maybe 30 lbs. The wider 10 inch rear tires on the 48 will also help with hills.

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          October 3, 2016
21. 

    Donald

    Fantastic site, Paul. Thoroughly examining the information here and reading some forums, I feel stuck between three options, which are the best options I have locally including available used commercial grade mowers. It seems to me that I should consider a higher quality machine so I don’t have to do this search every few years. In the end, one might be as good as the other. I have no mechanical skill beyond routine maintenance.

    I have about 1.5 acres of grass + weeds to cut on my property. it is an older lawn and bumpy with larger bushes. My goal is only to cut grass and not use the tractor for snowplowing, tilling, etc.
    I am interested in one of the three:
    1) Craftsman 25583 42” = $1399 at sears.com
    2) John Deere WG36A Commercial Walk Behind from 2014 ”36 = $2250 used with only 36 hours
    3) John Deere 345 from 2006 with 720 hours “46 (no rear differential) serial#m00345c085493 = $2750, includes MC519 material collection system, liquid cooled V-Twin, and proof of regular maintenance from day 1

    These are all quite different, I realize. The real question is, if I am mowing my grass for the next 20 years, which option makes the most sense? By my calculations, the 3rd option, which is overkill, is actually the best overall deal. I would not hit 2,000 hours on it for 25+years. By that time, I will almost certainly have purchased multiple Yard Tractors. The walk behind makes some sense since it is basically brand new.

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    April 22, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Donald, I usually don’t suggest buying used because most people don’t have the knowledge to fix and keep a used one running. That said the JOHN DEERE 345 is an interesting deal. That tractor sold for $7500 new and I’m sure the yard vac was another $1800. Here is one I found to make you fell good about your deal: JOHN DEERE 345 with MC519 .

      Now the price is right and the tractor will hold up…but be aware that you may have to replace the transmission somewhere along the way. I think that has been the weak spot for that era Deere. It’s $1000 for a new trans – even if it does fail that still puts you well under the normal used price for that mower.

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      April 22, 2016
22. 

    Max

    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for all your time and effort. I live in VT and have about 1.5 acres to mow, pretty flat, and rough in some places.
    I have narrowed my search to the 20438 42″ Pro or the 20391 48″ Turn Tight. I want to be able to pull a lawn cart, and maybe do some snow blowing in the future. One of my main concerns is reliability. I am in a pretty rural area and having to take the tractor to the nearest dealer or having one come to me will be difficult.

    Thanks for you help,
    Max

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    April 20, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Max, If you want to put a snow blower on a tractor I am going to suggest you go with the Craftsman Pro Series 42″ 22 HP V-Twin Kohler Riding Mower with Turn Tight® Extreme.

      It’s a little more money but you get the best and strongest front axle and a little more power for running the snow blower. Sears techs always come to your home for warranty work. Sears also offers a protection plan that covers most wear and tear items, free trip charges to your home and free labor for the repairs. You can look at the prices for the protection plan when you go through the checkout process on sears.com.

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      April 21, 2016
23. 

    Mike Miragliotta

    Hi Paul,
    I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the 20442 Pro 46″ with Turn Tight. It’s coming Monday. I am going to order the mulching kit (have to order separately to take advantage of the Shop Your Way Points) but I was wondering if I should purchase Gator blades and use them instead of the blades that come with the mulching kit. Any thoughts? If so, do you know which ones I should order that fit the 20442?
    Thanks,
    Mike

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    April 20, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Mike, finding just the mulch plug is hard so I suggest ordering the mulch kit first. Later on then order the gator blades. The gator blades work especially well for leaves in the fall.

      Gator Blades: Replacement Gator Blade 942-04244A

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      April 20, 2016
24. 

    Mike in Maine

    Hi Paul, I am looking into purchasing the T2500 (25583) with a 2 bag grass catcher on it also. I have about 1 acre to mow in Maine which is 98% flat and no real obstacles and pretty smuch smooth. There is one area that has a slight slope of 13-15%, according to the app on my phone, from having to replace a leach field in the past. It is only 10 feet long and 8 feet wide. I went to Sears today and sat on the T3000 because I was thinking about getting one with a cruise control but with the seat far back and my foot on the petal my knee was about up to the steering wheel. I plan on goin gback and double check and make sure the seat was as far as it could go though. I am 6 feet tall. Does the T2500 and the T3000 have the same transmission in it? I’m glad you put a statement in your articles about the transmissions being a lot better then they were in the past because after reading readers comments online it had me worried that 6 months down the road the tramission was going to go out on me.

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    April 18, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Mike, Yes the the 25583 and the 20390 have the same transmission. The only difference is the 25583 has a single cylinder 19 HP engine and a low back seat.

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      April 20, 2016
25. 

    Mo

    Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

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    April 17, 2016
26. 

    Mo

    Hi Paul,

    I’ve been reading through your post over the last few days. I have 1 – 1 1/2 acres to mow. Two-thirds of that is sloped. The steepest parts are around 15 degrees.

    I was thinking 42″ – 46″ deck from Craftsman or the Amazon Poulan Pro line. I had determined a CVT would be better for my needs do to the hills.

    I went into Sears and sat on some mowers today and the CVT pedal is very uncomfortable for me (6′ 4″ with a size 13 shoe). The 2016 Craftsman Pro hydro pedal was comfortable, so I feel that’s a better option to pursue from a safety viewpoint. I’m now hesitant to buy from Amazon with not being able to sit on the mowers.

    Will the K46 hydro trans on the Craftsman 20440 and 20442 hold up for the hills or is there something else I should consider? I should note: $2,000 is the high end of my budget.

    Also, I would like to eventually attach a snowblower for the winter and get a cart for yard waste/moving mulch in the warm months.

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    April 16, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Mo, If you use this article every tractor that is listed as hydro uses the short pedal. Ignore the picture on Amazon with the tall pedal. This picture is not right. Article: Poulan Pro Tractors.

      Also the mowers are shipping as they get the semi’s in. I had a buyer this week get his in 2 days even though the website said “out of Stock”

      The 20444 and the 20442 will handle your hills well. The model I would not suggest for your yard is the 20444 yard tractor.

      The Craftsman’s are good choices for a snow blower. I would recommend the Poulan Pro 960420184 Briggs 22 hp at Amazon also. It has the hydro trans, short pedal and a Craftsman or Husqvarna snow blower will fit on it.

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      April 16, 2016
27. 

    Greg Grote

    Hi Paul. Really great site. Thanks for your willingness to share your knowledge and experience!

    I have a small lot … less than 1/2 acre. I’ve been using a Toro Recycler 22″ for several years and it’s been a good mower, but my zoysia is filling in quite well and I can no longer keep it cut low enough with the Toro, so I have been looking for something with enough power to do the job. The bigger push mowers (e.g., 30″ Toro) seemed to hold promise, but reviews from other owners with zoysia dashed those hopes, so I’m now looking at lawn tractors.

    My lawn is hilly (half walk-out) and not terribly smooth, so your comments on that topic have been interesting to read. It looks like 42″ is the smallest deck (I’m thinking smaller will mean less chance of scalping, and easier to part in the garage). I doubt that I will get a blade or thrower here in central MO because I do just fine with my little electric Snow Joe, but I could see me occasionally renting a roller to help smooth out some of those bumps 😉

    After reading a ton of stuff and visiting several dealers, I would love to get something like a JD X350 because I’d like to think it would last a really long time (I take good care of my stuff), but after reading your site I wonder if I wouldn’t be just as happy with something like a Craftsman 20390 or Craftsman Pro 20440 (especially since I would pay $1200-$1600 less!), or even a Husqvarna, etc.

    I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts.

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    April 14, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Greg, If you really like to walk there is one mower that’s made for your grass. It’s the Sarlo BigMo. If you are from the south you already know how good these mowers are. It’s not cheap but it will last 30 years. Check out the news release here. Sarlo Power Mowers, Inc. launches BigMo™, a first-of-its-kind lawn mower.

      Yes, I feel there are a lot of advertising dollars in the 300 series Deeres. If you really want the X350 I am going to suggest the Craftsman Pro 20440 or 20442. I know you said you would like a 42 for storage but a 46 inch sticks out from under the tractor just a little more so it trims around obstacles better. It cuts as well as the 300 series Deere and the 5 inch Turn-Tight steering is rugged and makes the tractor very easy to use. Here is a link to the 20440: Craftsman Pro Series 42″ 22 HP V-Twin Kohler Riding Mower with Turn Tight® Extreme

      Remember, if the slope is too steep to back up – it’s too steep to drive up. I used to mow a bunch of houses with walk-outs and we would always mow down hill – drive up the back side and repeat.

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      April 17, 2016
      • 

        Greg Grote

        The Big Mo (a name the local Mizzou fans would get a kick out of) looks interesting. It needs an extra 36% torque (compared to my 22) just to push that 30″ blade through the same grass, let alone zoysia, and it costs the same as a 20440, so I’ll be looking forward to seeing some applicable reviews on it. But I’ll bet it’s more maneuverable, and easier to keep the underside of the deck clean (I don’t like the smell of fermenting grass in my garage), so it’s interesting enough that it may cause me to hold off on a purchase to hear how it performs. Thanks for pointing it out to me!

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        April 17, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          @Greg, You may not be able to find reviews of it online. Sarlo has been around forever and they are a great company but they don’t sell online, so they don’t get much press or online reviews. They are from Fort Meyers, FL so they know the southern grasses. If you are really interested contact them and find one to demo.

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          April 17, 2016
          • 

            Greg

            Alas, Salo has no dealers in my part of the country (MO). So I’m back to considering the 20440 or 20442. I recall you talking about a mower with a bit of flex in the frame that might be better for a yard like mine, but I can’t seem to find those comments now. Would you please point me in the right direction? Thanks again for the help!

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            April 20, 2016
            • 

              Paul

              Hi Greg, The 20391 Red Craftsman has a little flex in the frame and that allows it to mow rougher lawns better. it also allows it to have a little better traction on a lawn that has a lot of dips and bumps.

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              April 21, 2016
28. 

    Alex Wassell

    Hi Paul. I’m looking to buy a garden tractor for my 1.5 acre property in upstate N.Y..It will be used mainly for snowblowing a 3oo foot sloped driveway, and moving gravel/dirt (not cutting grass). The John Deere 425 and 445 most interest me, as they seem heavy duty and long lasting. Plastic bodywork doesn’t do a thing for me. The major differences between these models seems to be a higher compression ratio on the 445, as well as fuel injection (the 425 has a carburetor).Do you have a recommendation? (I have not ruled out a newer model John Deere or Husqvarna/Craftsman, in spite of the plastic). I would be looking to get a bucket (Johnny Bucket Jr. type that uses the snowblower mount. Thanks for a very helpful Website.

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    April 14, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Alex, I don’t deal with used equipment here. There are too many factors that go into finding the right used equipment. I suggest going to mytractorforum.com the members are welled versed in the used stuff.

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      April 14, 2016
29. 

    Mark

    Hello from jersey. First off, great info, lot of hard work, thank you for your time. Since our landscaper is overpriced moron, I’m looking for new mover for church. I do a maintenance there, so I figured, couple more hours is not big deal. We have little over 2 acres, mostly flat. I’m also planning on getting blower later on. So far I’m leaning toward Poulan pro pp20va46 or craftsman 20390. Which one would be better for my situation? Not many hills, no heavy pulling, occasionally snow blower. What is main difference between them? Please help me decide. Thanks very much

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    April 10, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Mark, I’m actually going to recommend the Craftsman 20391. The 48 inch deck will get the 2 acres done faster and the 10 inch rear tires will help a lot when using a snow blower. Otherwise it’s the same tractor as the 20390. The Craftsman’s have better support for snow blowers weights and chains.

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      April 10, 2016
      • 

        Mark

        Hi Paul. As you mentioned in previous reviews, is transmission strong enough for 48″ deck? Mower is for non profit organization, I really can’t afford to buy another one next year. It’s little more money, I just hope that is worth it. Sorry to bother you again. Thank you very much.

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        April 11, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi Mark, No, this transmissions is strong enough to handle all your work…and last.

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          April 11, 2016
30. 

    Paul

    Hey Paul. Awesome site and thanks so much for all your time and effort you put in to it. I was trying to avoid asking a question but I have read just about all the zero turn and tractor articles and Im still a bit unsure. I just bought a house on a 3/4 acre that is flat with little obstacles. I have narrowed it down to two mowers really.. The Craftsman Pro 20442 and the Hustler Raptor ZT 42″/52″. I really just want the best looking cut (mowing in straight lines without having to drive in circles). I was pretty set on the Raptor for this reason but then I found your reviews on the Craftsman tractors with the 5″ turn radius. Would this work similar to a zero turn? The appeal on the tractor for me is being able to hook the snow blade/plow to do the driveway in the winter. However, I don’t know how effective it actually is. Being able to hook up a de-thatcher or aerator might be nice too. I guess my question is: Would i be better off getting the Raptor and buying a snowblower or buying the 20442 with blade/plow? Thanks in advance.

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    April 7, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Paul, I’d like to know the city and state where you live and how long your driveway is to really answer your question if a blade or snow blower is better. In general, If you driveway is less than 100 feet long and you get more than 40 inches a year than a snow blower will work better than a blade.

      I like the 42 inch Raptor a lot but I also like the Craftsman 20442. You will get a great cut from both of them and both will stripe well. You can pull a small cart, dethatcher, etc on you flat lawn with the Raptor.

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      April 9, 2016
      • 

        Paul

        Thanks for the info Paul. My driveway is about 60 to 70 ft. I live in Wilmington, DE where we get about 25″ a year. The local dealer where I was looking at the Raptor told me I couldn’t pull anything more than a spreader. He said anything with drag would be too taxing on the tranny. I really liked the Raptor a lot but the idea of saving 1k on the craftsman is appealing.

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        April 9, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          @Paul, Good, you dealer is being conservative on the Raptor. All of the “under $3400” ZTR’s use the EZT-2200 transmissions. They are designed for mowing flat, gently sloping lawns and not much else. When he says spreader only we are really saying the same thing – 200-300 lbs max. i.e., a spreader, a lawn sweeper with leaves, a small yard cart with debris or loose mulch.

          By the way, Two ZTR’s I really like for 1.5 acres or less is the Raptor 42 inch and the Ariens IKON 42. They are built well and will last. Of course the Craftsman 20442 is a great choice. It gives you the maneuverability of a ZTR with the ability to pull more stuff. Plus, if you ever want to add a snow blade you can. That said,

          A 70 ft driveway is pretty small for a tractor and snow blade. By the time you make a pass, turn around and get ready to make another you could be almost done with a walk-behind snow thrower. My choice for you is the Toro Snow Master snow thrower. You can go over to this article to read about it. Toro SnowMaster

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          April 10, 2016
          • 

            Paul

            Thanks for all your help Paul. I will go take a look at the products you mentioned.

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            April 10, 2016
          • 

            Paul

            Hey Paul. After reading your input I have ruled out the Raptor and focused on 2 Craftsman tractors. I love the Raptor but I think the yard tractor will be a better fit for me. I visited 2 different Sears stores and was able to poke around the 20391 and the Pro 20442. Im torn. I like both and was leaning towards the 20442 but my cheap side likes the $500 savings in the 20391. As stated before, quality of cut is most important but I want a versatile machine that can occasionally aerate, pull a cart with mulch, add a snow blade (if i don’t get a thrower), and maybe pull a sweeper. Do you think one of these is a better fit? Is the 20442 worth the additional $500? Thanks in advance.

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            April 19, 2016
            • 

              Paul

              Hi Paul, Well, there really is $500 more in the 20442 so don’t be afraid to spend the money.

              1. If you want the best cut Consumer Reports lists the 20442 as the best cut of all the tractors tested. It only competitor is a $3400 Deere. The 20391 ranked in the middle of the 30 or so tractors they have listed.
              2. The 5 inch Turn-Tight Extreme is the strongest front axle in the industry right now. It not only turns as tight as a zero turn but it will last.
              3. The Briggs Platinum in the 20391 has a good reputation but the Kohler 7000 is taking over the industry. It’s fuel efficient, has a really tight torque curve and is reliable enough that it has unseated the Kawasaki FS series as the best residential engine.
              4. Both will handle a snow blower or snow blade.
              5. Both will handle the pull behind equipment you want to use.

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              April 21, 2016
31. 

    Edward

    Hi Paul, Another stuck on the fence situation between the 25581 and the 20390. From what I can tell, stepping up to the 20390 for another $350 at today’s prices gets you: a better seat; cruise; fuel sight; hour meter; and 2hp/V-twin. The dimensions are similar, but the 20390 weighs 100+ more pounds??? What am I missing?

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    April 5, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Ed, Don’t have a clue. I have no idea why the same tractor will be listed with different weights on just about every site. In other words a Craftsman will have one weight the same tractor with an orange hood will be listed differently and the same one with a black hood will be list different yet. The shipping crate weighs about 20 lbs.

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      April 5, 2016
32. 

    Bill

    Hi Paul,
    Thanks for all the great information on the different Craftsman models. When I went to look at the store I felt I knew more about the mower’s than the salesman. I’m going to buy the T3000 and was wondering about the mowing in reverse. Do I just keep the key in the mow in reverse option or do you have to move it each time you want to go in reverse? Can I bypass the reverse shut off easily? Thanks again!

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    April 3, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Bill, Yes, as long as you keep the tractor running you don’t have to move the key again to mow in reverse. I personally would not mess with the reverse mow feature on it. It’s very easy to get used and is not irritating like some of the other brands.

      For liability reasons, the neighborhood kids safety and pets I can’t tell you how to disable the switch.

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      April 3, 2016
      • 

        Bill

        I understand, thank Paul!, As long as it’s not a pain I’ll leave it as is.

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        April 3, 2016
33. 

    William Davis

    I love this site, I’ve learned alot. Thanks.
    I’m looking for my first riding mower (42″) to mow my less than 1/2 acre , flat, residential yard. I’ve narrowed it down to three Sears mowers :
    T-series #25581 or #20390 vs the Pro Series #20440
    They all sound like great choices, which way would you go?

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    March 31, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi William, The Craftsman 25581 is a very good tractor. For a 1/2 acre lawn that is the one I would buy. The 20390 is the V-Twin version. If you wanted to also use a snow blower or mow really dense grass like St Augustine then the 20390 is the best.

      If you have a smooth yard Consumer Reports has rated the Craftsman 20440 as having the best cut. I agree that it works best for really nice lawns but on older lawns like my 30 year old lawn, I can’t tell the difference between it and the 25581/20390.

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      March 31, 2016
      • 

        William Davis

        Thanks for the reply.

        I was leaning toward the single cylinder 25581. I didn’t think I would miss the extra power of the v-twin. But I first wanted to make sure there weren’t any other benefits to the v-twin that I wasn’t aware of. Does one have longer life or a better reputation, etc ? Except for the engine and the seat, they seem identical.

        I was also not sure why Sears would offer two premium mowers that seem to overlap (the 20440 and the 20390). They could almost paint the 20390 black and yellow and call it a Pro Series. In many ways the T-series actually seems better than the Pro Series. This made no sense to me.

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        March 31, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          Hi William, Everyone nowdays has overlapping price points. Craftsman has the Red Yard Tractors made by Husqvarna and the Pro Series made by MTD. Troy-Bilt has the Bronco and XP (MTD). Cub Cadet (MTD) has the XT1 and XT2. Husqvarna has the YTH-YTA and DXL-XLS. John Deere has three – the 100, 200 series made in Kentucky and the 300 series made in Wisconsin.

          Some people want inexpensive, some people want quality and having different price points allows them to offer a choice.

          A V-Twin runs smoother. There is less vibration through out the entire tractor. Will a V-Twin last longer? Not really, The Single in the 25581 and the V-Twin in the 20390 are the same quality. The Kohler 7000 in the 20440 is a different brand but is aimed at the same customer and price point. So I feel it has the the same quality.

          I like the 25581 Craftsman 42″ Fast Auto 19HP Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight® Riding Mower Husqvarna built tractor myself. I’ve had many of these tractors over the years so I know them well, trust the quality and know they will hold up well on my one acre yard. The engine, transmission and hood has changed but the rest of the tractor is pretty much the same. Understand, I don’t buy new, I get used ones, clean them up and use them a year or two and then find someone who needs a good tractor that can’t afford new. I’ve picked up many that are 10-20 years old that only require $50 of parts to make them as good as new.

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          April 1, 2016
          • 

            William Davis

            Thanks for the advice.

            Does one, both, or neither have the ability to pull a yard roller?
            How much can they pull? Is this or without the driver’s weight?

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            April 1, 2016
            • 

              Paul

              @William, They can all handle a 18 by 36 inch roller filled with water. If I had a lot to do or I had a 18 by 48 roller I would go with the red Craftsman. The 25581 and 20390 have the strongest transmission for that type of pulling.

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              April 1, 2016
34. 

    Steve

    Hi paul,
    Do you have any information on the type of transmissions installed on these yard tractors specifically the craftsman pro 46″ 42″ and 50″ models. The sears site shows them as tuff torq but does does list the model (k58 k46 etc.). Any information i have found has been conflicting and it would be great to know before purchasing.

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    March 29, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Steve, The Pro 42 and 46 inch models have the K46, the 50 and 54 have the K58. Cub Cadet’s, Troy-Bilt’s and Columbia’s are also set up this way. Good rule of thumb. If it’s a hydro and costs less than $2500 it will have the K46 – over and it will have the K58.

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      March 29, 2016
35. 

    Ward

    Paul:

    I took your advice and now have a new Craftsman Pro 20442 sitting in my garage. Before using it I want to make certain I’v done everything necessary to ensure it is set up correctly and ready to go.

    Other than adjusting tire inflation to the recommended pressures and checking the blades for level, is there anything I need to do? Things that come to mind are:
    1. Fully charge the battery with a charger
    2. Verify that the HST has the correct amount of oil in it (or is it safe to assume it was filled correctly?)
    3. Put a good coat of paste wax on all the exposed metal
    4. Grease wherever there are zerks
    5. Adjust the height of the anti-scalping wheels

    Also, at the end of the season, what do you recommend for winter storage. Some people say to run all the gas out and store the mower empty and others say to add some fuel stabilizer (Stabil?) and leave gas in it.

    If this proves to be a good mower, I’ll remember you in my will. If not, I’ll find out where you live. LOL

    Thanks for all the effort you put into this website and the great advice.

    Best regards

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    March 21, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Ward, If you are willing to wax it I’m not worried about you having to find out where I live 🙂

      1. Good idea – that tops the battery off and gives it a balance charge.
      2. Not needed and you couldn’t do it anyway without taking the hydro out of the tractor. There is no actual dipstick on the K46. It’s sealed for life. Take your air gun and blow the dust, leaves, dirt off it a couple of times a year is all you have to do.
      3. Wax is good.
      4. I think there are 4 zerks? One the front wheel hub and front axle. The deck bearings, pulleys, etc are all sealed.
      5. The anti-scalp wheels don’t ride on the ground but if your ground is rough or you have tree roots sticking out of the ground lower the wheels to the bottom position.

      Check the pins and clips that hold the deck on. We have had one tractor where the clips were not put on correctly.

      Of course if you ever have any questions – just ask.

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      March 21, 2016
      • 

        Ward

        Thank you, Paul.

        The weather looks good for tomorrow and the yard needs mowing so I’ll have a go at it.

        The only remaining questions I have for now are:

        1. Is there any special procedure for break-in of the engine. (For example, with new cars, it is recommended that you vary the engine RPMs a lot and don’t run it at a continuous RPM during break-in but I don’t know whether that applies to lawn tractor engines as well.) How many hours does it take to break in a lawn tractor engine?

        2. For winter storage, do you recommend running the engine out of gas and storing it empty or adding fuel stabilizer (e.g., Stabil) and leaving fuel in the carburetor? I’ve heard both ways recommended so I’m looking to you for the definitive answer. :<)

        3. With a twin-blade deck, how should the blades be oriented so they don't touch each other when they spin. I assume you don't want them passing tip-to-tip. Should one blade be aligned at 90 degrees to the other, i.e., one blade pointed forward/backward when the other is pointed to side-to-side?

        Thanks again for all your help.

        Best regards

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        March 22, 2016
        • 

          Paul

          HI Ward, Good for you! They are forecasting 8 inches of snow here tonight! At least I’ll get to play with my Toro SnowMaster one more time.

          1. The manufactures state that you don’t need a break in of these engines. Some racing professionals even state you should break in an engine at the same rpms as you would normally run it. If you want to break it in the old way 50 miles on a car is one hour one a mower so after the first hour you should be good.

          2. I use Seafoam Motor Treatment. I put in 2 tablespoons per gallon in my gas can. That way all my fuel is treated and I never have to sorry about draining the carb or prepping for storage. You can also use STA-BIL 360 Performance or Briggs & Stratton Advannced Fuel Treatment. Don’t use regular Stabil. It does not have a moisture absorber.

          3. Your deck is an offset deck meaning one blade sets slightly behind the other one. That allows it to cut without leaving a strip and they won’t hit each other. The old timed decks had to be set at 90 degrees using a gearbox or timed belt.

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          March 23, 2016
          • 

            Ward

            Thanks, Paul.

            So if I’m reading your answer to question 3 correctly, with my deck it doesn’t matter at all how the blades are aligned?

            Does the blade alignment make any difference in the quality of the cut, e.g., is it better to have the blade tips pass each other at the same time as opposed to passing at say 90 degrees?

            And the Seafoam treatment keeps the gas from “going stale” and turning to gum/varnish even after several months?

            Hope I’m not imposing with all these questions. The answers should be useful to others as well.

            Best regards

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            March 23, 2016
            • 

              Paul

              Hi Ward, Correct, they align themselves.
              Absolutely not. You can’t control that anyway because the pulleys are smooth.
              Correct, in my opinion it’s the best fuel stabilizer currently on the market. It works for all types of fuel.
              Not at all, it is getting busy!

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              March 23, 2016
36. 

    Steve in Massachusets

    Hi Paul,
    Just took delivery today of the 46″ Craftsman Pro Series 24 HP V-Twin Kohler 46” Yard Tractor with 5 inch Turn Tight with Electric Power Steering. While things went smoothly with the delivery and so far am happy with the transaction (have not started up the mower yet), the tractor arrived fully assembled with a 2-bin bagger and mulch kit. I understand the big box stores like Lowe’s / Home Depot charge extra for tractor assembly so kudos to Sears / Craftsman for doing the assembly as part of the free delivery – it saved me some time in the garage and throwing out packing materials. I started looking through the owners manual and was a little surprised not to see a parts list for things like the oil/air filters, spark plugs, blades and other commonly replaced items. No problem – figured I could find it on sears parts direct but had trouble there as well and had to use the chat support. Have been reading your page for awhile and it appears you have a rapport with Sears and Craftsman so maybe you pass this on to them. Will let you know how I like the tractor once I cut some grass.

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    March 19, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi Steve, Sorry for taking so long, I had to run down to my local Sears Store to make sure they didn’t change anything from last year.

      All Craftsman tractors made since the early 90’s have a sicker under the hood. This sticker lists the common maintenance parts. Lift your hood. The center column is the part numbers from sears.com. The right hand column are part numbers from
      .

      When you buy from searpartsdirect using the link above be sure to put in 90055 in the coupon code box. That will give you 10% off the parts. You can also use the partsdirect number on Amazon.com to see if they have a better price.

      I will mention to them to add the oil capacity to the sticker.

      

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      March 20, 2016
      • 

        Steve in Massachusets

        Paul, Thanks for posting the picture, and for the links, yes I do see the same sticker on mine as well. The tractor is put together very well – and I think I got a pretty good deal. Will let you know how it operates once I start it up and how it cuts.

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        March 20, 2016
      • 

        Steve in Massachusetts

        Paul,

        I finally got a chance to cut my 3/4 acre lawn with my 46″ Craftsman Pro Series 24 HP V-Twin Kohler 46” Yard Tractor with 5 inch Turn Tight with Electric Power Steering. It is pretty much how you described in your reviews – what a great machine and great cut! The 5 inch tight turn steering works great and is a really solid set up – you just need to take the tight turns slower or you risk plowing. And you are correct about the stiffer frame on this model, you can feel the bumps in your lawn, although for me not a big deal as my lawn is fairly level and flat. The power steering worked great as well, really notice it more at the slower speeds. Was wondering if you have any idea how long MTD has been using the electric power steering and any feedback as to how they are holding up as compared to hydraulic? The Kohler V- twin is powerful and a smooth runner – especially compared to my older 19 HP Kohler Courage single cylinder, and the V-twin is quieter as well. All said this is a great mower – And I think I got a good deal as well. Got the mower, bagger, and mulch kit delivered, and fully assembled (with no crating to dispose of) for $2475 (before tax) during the promotion Sears ran in March, and used the Sears points to get a spare deck belt, oil and air filter. I think a comparable John Deere X300 series would start in the$ 3400 range (without power steering and a smaller 42 inch deck). All said I couldn’t be happier and highly recommend this mower.

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        April 18, 2016
        • 

          Susie

          Hi Steve,
          I am trying to decide between the model you just bought and the same one — only without the power steering. Does the power steering really make a difference? I have a shoulder injury that could use some help.
          Thanks for any info on the steering. I will ask Paul in the thread I have already going, but hoping you might have some thoughts.
          I am also in Massachusetts and if it was on sale now for that price, I would own it now and ask questions later!

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          April 26, 2016
          • 

            Steve in Massachusetts

            Hi Susie,
            My opinion on the power steering is that it is most beneficial and noticeable at slower speeds, such as when you are taking a tight turn, or turning when stopped.
            I think the estimate that Craftsman gives of 40% less torque required than conventional steering seems about right. When you are moving along at 3 or 4 mph, there really does not seem to be too much noticeable difference as compared to no power steering, in my opinion. I was originally planning to go with the non-powered steering as well, but when that promotion showed up in March I splurged, and I kind of like gadgets anyway! I was a little concerned about the longevity of the electric motor, but from what I can tell doing internet research, it looks like MTD has been using this electronic power steering unit on Cub Cadets since around 2010 and I did not see much in the way of negative reviews. I also see they are using it on their larger XT3 garden tractors as well, so I am going on the assumption that if it was not a robust design, they would have stopped using it by now. I think either tractor is a great choice, as I am very happy with this tractor. It cuts great, and has a strong running motor, and the tight turn steering is solid. I seem to remember Sears ran another similar promotion in May of last year so you may get your chance soon!

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            April 26, 2016
37. 

    John

    I was directed to this website by a member of another board I read regularly….fantastic info here. I’ve been using a many years old (got it used, cheap!) Craftsman LT1000 for our (about 1/2 acre to mow) yard.

    Looking at smaller residential Zero Turns and someone pointed me to this review of the Craftsman Pro. Might have to change what I was looking at based on it…

    But…it still leaves me with a few questions…I have only one (small) hill on the side of the house..not steep, but the ‘corner’ where the front yard meets the side hill is a bit of an angle….on the LT1000, it’s fine (OK, I grab the wheel well in the back so my fat ass doesn’t slide out of the seat…but the mower does it fine). How do these do (42″) on hills?

    Interestingly enough, it appears that same Kohler engine is in some of the Zero Turn mowers I was looking at…assuming a similar deck design and size (same size/hp engine)…is there any appreciable cutting speed difference between a Zero Turn (say 5.5 – 6 mph ‘max speed’) and a rider that says 5 mph max speed…actual cutting in a straight line, not saving time in the turns?

    (A last thought…I occasionally tow a small wheel barrow/dump cart to move brush, leaves, a bit of soil, etc…with the LT1000…I assume these Craftsman Pros can do that easily…but can a ZT mower do the same? (not too much weight ..only 100-200 lbs max)

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    March 18, 2016
    • 

      Paul

      Hi John, Please read these two articles on Zero-turns: Section 1 in the first article covers most of your questions. The Best Zero Turn Mower Buyer’s Guide – The best ZTR for you is not that hard to figure out. and Do you really need a zero-turn mower? 17 reasons why you may not want one.. I don’t recommend 42 inch ZTR’s on hills. The steering wheel versions do ok and a few heavy-duty models like a Hustler Raptor HD otherwise…..

      ZTR’s in the price range you are looking at don’t mow any faster in a straight line than a good yard tractor like the Craftsman Pro. The Craftsman Pro turns almost a tightly so you will see very little difference in mowing times. If you can fit it on your lawn I suggest the Craftsman Pro Series 46″ 24 HP.

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      March 18, 2016