From Craftsman: At just 6 inches, Craftsman Yard & Garden Tractors continue to set the bar with the tightest turning radius among all major brands in it’s class, beating the closest competition by 50%! The Turn Tight Technology has not changed from 2011, but Craftsman Lab testing has validated that the technology and has found the turning radius is not 8 inches as previously advertised, but 6 inches! If you have a 2011 model, be assured that the steering on your tractor is actually 6 inches.
Let’s get a perspective on this problem. Is it even a problem?
2012 Update: My Perspective
After a season I have to say there have been no problems with the turn-tight on the YT3000, YT4000 and YT 4500 tractors. Everyone likes the turning radius and it is plenty tough enough to handle all your mowing.
The only concern I have heard was from 2 GT6000 owners. They had problems with the tie rod bending. We were able to determine with the one tractor that they were driving it like a sports cars and going way too fast around the corners. This was causing the tie rod to bend. Go ahead and read the rest of this article to find my solution.
The other tractor we were never able to find the exact problem why they tie rods were bending. Sometimes it’s not possible to troubleshoot using email 🙂
2011 Article:
There will be thousands of you who will be looking to buy a new mower this year and you will consider the new Craftsman yard and garden tractors with Turn Tight Technology. You will read the reviews on mysears, craftsman.com, viewpoints, consumersearch, and the tractor forums. You will find many helpful reviews and a few reviews from people who hate this new steering. I want to spend a little time explaining why you will read some of these negative reviews.
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If you remember in 2010 I wrote an article on the steering on the new Craftsman Professional tractors. I warned you that to go below a 14 inch turning radius the new lawn tractors had a “negative camber” that was very different from the steering you were used to on your old Craftsman. This new Turn Tight steering is also different from what you are used and it will take a few simple changes in the way you drive to make it work well for you.
This is the first time this tight of turning radius (6 inches) has been offered on a residential mower, but extremely small radius turning has been available on commercial mowers since the 70’s. This tight of steering is similar to the steering used on the old front mount commercial mowers. The Toro Groundsmaster, Jacobson Turfcat and John Deere F930 all used a radical steering to give those mowers a very tight turning radius. I have a lot of experience driving and owning these older units, so I want to give you a little heads-up with your new tractor.
I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I like this new Turn Tight Technology. I think it is the answer that most of you have been looking for that want the maneuverability of a zero-turn mower but don’t want the hassles of a zero-turn. Zero-turns are expensive, notorious for tearing up your lawn, being hard to learn to drive and the residential zero-turns in particular, being terrible on hills. Besides…these new tractors will pull stuff!
Ok, So what problems will some owners have with the new Turn Tight Steering?
1. Speed. When grass is very wet or very dry is becomes slippery. Especially when you are mowing downhill it can be slippery enough that your tractor will not want to turn well. Because you are inside the magical “14 inch” radius the
Turn Tight will be a little more sensitive to these types of turns and there will be times when you can’t use the Turn Tight feature. So what do you do? Plain and simple – slow down to make your turns. When you come up to your turn slow down to a “walking speed” and then make your turn. Use common sense (your own experience mowing your lawn) to determine when you need to slow down and make a turn.
2. Camber and Radical Geometry. To help you turn Craftsman has put a small amount of negative camber into the steering. This causes the wheels to “tilt” towards the inside when you make a very sharp turn. This helps the tractor turn better, but …… if you mow in extremely sandy soil the front wheels may dig in and leaves scuff marks when you make the turn. So if you typically mow more sand burrs than grass you may find that you can’t use the Turn Tight feature without tearing up your lawn. The solution, don’t turn it as short as the actual mower will turn.
3. Wide Stance and Obstructions. Structurally this new front steering has been beefed up to handle the tighter turning radius but you need to realize it is now 2 inches wider than your old Craftsman riding mower. This means that you and your teenager need to watch out for the tree sticking out of the ground and the corner of the foundation the first few times you mow. If you smack a tree with the front steering going full speed you may just bend or break it. The front wheels are now as wide as a 42 inch deck. If you do a lot of trimming and have inside curves in your landscape beds I suggest going with a 46 inch or 54 inch deck
4. Making sense of the negative reviews.
Let’s put the negative reviews you may read into perspective. There will be thousands of you who buy these new tractors. But how many will actually go back to the review sites and tell everyone else how you like your new yard tractor?
I haven’t asked Sears, Kmart and the review sites for specific data, but my educated guess is for every thousand mowers sold, 2 to 3 people write a review. And those reviews are skewed by owners who either really like their mower well enough to tell everyone else or by owners who have had problems with the mower (or the retailer) and need to vent. This skewing is further compounded by the fact if one person is really unhappy they will go to ALL the review sites and vent.
If each of the 1000 Sears Full-Line stores sell only 20 yard tractors a year and each of the 1500 Sears Essentials, Sears Hardware and Sears Hometown stores sell only 10 a year that means at least 35,000 tractors sold. How many reviews do you typically see on a review site? Thousands? No, Go take a look on Sears.com. You will see 10 reviews, 26 reviews and in a few case maybe 60 or 70 reviews for a given tractor.
So when you read 5 negative reviews for a yard tractor on one of the review sites remember that there are at least another 5000 people out there who are satisfied enough with the tractor not to write.
2012 update: I also have realized that many customers have problems and write negative reviews because they don’t want to use the methods Sears has to get their problem resolved quickly and fairly – they just want to gripe and complain. There are ways to get your problem resolved. 1st read your sales receipt. There are specific ways and phone numbers on the receipt to help you.
Here are the four main numbers you need to know at Sears: Always call the repair number before you call a Sears Store or return a mower to a store.
Repair
Delivery
Installation
Part Orders & Inquiries
Rob
I have a 2018 54” craftsman turn tight mower and after hitting raised roots while turning around trees and watching the front wheels flip completely 90 degrees to the tractor jammed up tight against the roots the steering is all %#<€ ed up! Loose and WAY toed out, weaving and sloppy with the steering wheel way uncentered but the worst thing was when both front wheels broke the hubs out. So now I’m watching the grass get longer while I try to find the correct wheels to buy. In retrospect I would rather have the regular front end.
Scott
@David Garofalo I’ve owned one of these disasters since 2014. It is the (then) top of the line 54″ model, which was also billed as a garden tractor and not just a lawn tractor.
The entire tractor has been replaced once because the first one simply fell apart in under 20 hours. That was under the original warranty and the store took it back and gave me a new one. Too many failures to list! I think most of them were due to poor assembly at the store, so with the second one I went through all the initial assembly steps myself — which pretty much confirmed my suspicions about the first one.
With the second one, based on the experience with the first one, I bought the Sears 5 year extended warranty. I don’t usually buy them, but in this case it really saved my bacon!
Let’s start with the deck. Terrible quality and I’m now on my THIRD deck (fourth if you consider the deck on the first one that broke in less than 20 hours – I think it was actually at 11 hours.) After the last one exited warranty, I had it re-welded and now it’s holding up just fine. But as they come from the factory? Junk! Cold welds, no depth, no fusing. In some places you couldn’t tell there was a weld except for the small strip of unpainted metal.
The quick change blade system is also junk. After five SETS sets of latch covers, and a total of seven broken latch assemblies (more than once I’d check the deck after mowing and find the only thing holding a blade in place was the magnets in the spindle assembly, and the blade latch was either open or broken off) so at my request and at no charge the Sears tech replaced them with regular spindles and blades.
But the real problem? The turn tight steering!!! It has been completely rebuilt FOUR times (by Sears, under warranty.) By completely, I mean everything between the steering wheel and front wheels. All the gears, bushings, plates, links, spindles, front axle, etc. The steering is now in need of another rebuild!!! After having the local Husqvarna shop look it over, it needs the entire frame replaced. This is because the weldment that holds the front axle is built into the frame. And that weldment has both bent (widened) and the pivot bolt hole wallowed out, which is part (not all) of why the steering is once again toed out (almost 4 inches difference between front and back!)
Note, I could have bought another warranty extension, but unlike the first 5-year $600 one — a bargain, as it turned out — the additional 2 or 3 year extension cost almost as much as a new Cub or Deere.
I doubt I will put money into fixing this crapper again. Under warranty, sure, I would. But, it would have been cheaper for Sears and/or Husqvarna to have simply replaced the entire tractor with one without turn tight. I asked, they wouldn’t. But, as they didn’t — I’ll probably buy either a Cub or Deere and dump this junker.
Now, to be fair, I’m sure this so-called garden tractor works just fine on a perfectly manicured glassy smooth lawn. So long as you don’t bump the front wheels on anything, don’t catch a stone or root or gopher hole in the midst of a sharp turn, or catch a vine with the deck and break a hanger. In perfect conditions, it probably works perfectly well.
Naturally, that’s not my lawn. I have five acres and three of them are not show quality. They are rough and the finicky bits of the Husqvarna built Pro Series just are not up to it. It’s a big tough tractor if you only look at the frame and the ground drive. But the steering and mower bits are just too fiddly for anything serious.
For example, I have a Johnny Bucket. It was on an old Deere that the engine and gearbox finally gave out. But it would carry the JB. I can’t use the JB on this Pro Series. About a half hour is all it takes for it to steering to start its toe out phenomenon. So I bought another old Deere sans mower deck and use it for the JB and other ground contact stuff. The Pro Series, regardless of its garden tractor claims, only mows and doesn’t do that well.
Back to the lawn, for comparison, my previous 42″ MTD lawn tractor had no problems other than routine maintenance for many years. My neighbors have larger lawns of the same type, and their decade old Cub and Deere lawn tractors are doing just fine. Lawn tractors, not garden tractors.
So, my advice? If you’re mowing glassy smooth grass, with few obstacles, and don’t need ground contact, especially not front mounted, then okay, it’s a good mower. (Ironically, the more you need turn tight, the worse off you’ll be!) But if you need something that will hold up, handle rougher terrain, and do some ground contact work — don’t buy one of these clunkers.
Mary
We have about 3 acres to mow with some slight hills. We were seriously looking at the Craftsman T310 tight turn riding mower. Live in Southern Indiana any suggestions? Also who sells this mower besides Lowes? I cannot seem to find one.
Paul
Hi Mary, I’ve said for years – don’t buy a mower with a 54 inch deck for less than $2500 but the price of mowers has gone up. So now I say, “Don’t buy a mower with a 54 inch deck that costs less than $2700. Why? That mower uses a regular K46 lawn tractor transmission and I’m a little concerned about how long that transmission will last with the large rear tires and wide 54-inch deck. A lot of owners only get 5 years or so out of that transmission/deck/combination. But – if all you do is mow with it. If you don’t pull regularly pull heavy loads uphill with it, it may last longer. That said,
I recommend a mower with a heavier duty K58 or K62 garden tractor transmission. The two I will both use the K58 and not that much more considering you will get a lot more life out of the tractor.
1. Cub Cadet XT1 GT50. This tractor is made in the same factory as the Craftsman but you get the heavy-duty transmission and a longer 5 year warranty. If you buy it from a dealer you also get a lot better service if you have a problem with it.
2. Cub Cadet XT1 GT54 FAB. This mower is a solid step up from the Craftsman and the GT50. It also has a heavy-duty transmission, the 5 year warranty but also has a heavy-duty welded steel deck. A lot of owners relly like how easy this mower steers.
David Garofalo
I know this is an old thread, but have these Craftsman tight turn mowers improved? Also an question, is transporting a lawn tractor safer than a zero turn mower?
Paul
Hi David, The Craftsman name is now owned by Stanley, Black, and Decker. Sears is gone. That said, the lawn tractor at Lowes is pretty much a copy of the lawn tractors Sears used to sell. There have been no improvements that I am aware of. The sales pages at Lowes do say they are using a hydrostatic transmission instead of the automatic but SBD is not publishing parts lists and diagrams for me to verify what tranny they are actually using.
Norm
Looking to replace my 2004 model Craftsman dyt4000 . Yard is 3 acres in Louisiana with pines trees and oak , myrtle and elm trees with a mildly slopping ditch . Had good luck with the craftsman mower , it still has the original rear tires . It has 370 hours on it , works fine , looking to upgrade . I like the 20447 , and the Husky gt 54ls . My wife wants the 20447 for the power steering . I pull a leaf catcher and a cart . I don’t want a zero turn . Thanks . Norm .
Paul
Hi Norm, I’ll talk about both.
The Husqvarna is a good choice and if you have a good local dealer I would have no problems suggesting it. Three things about the GT54LS you should be aware of.
1. It uses a proprietary blade system. You have to use Husqvarna blades.
2. Of all the decks that Consumer Reports tests they feel the stamped 54 inch Husqvarna mows the poorest. It gets the lowest rating for side discharge mowing.
3. The Differential lock is not needed for your type of mowing. If you do use it – it takes a while to get used to how it operates, specifically with the diff locked the tractor does not like to turn. You have to stop the tractor to release the diff.
Craftsman 20447.
The Craftsman 20447 is the same tractor as the Model 20445 except it has the power steering. Consumer Reports gave the 20445 their best rating for large decks last year. It side discharges, bags and mulches better than all the others. In addition, new owners have reported back on this blog that they really like how it runs, steers and drives.
So, I have a feeling the 20447 will be a great choice for you. All around it’s a great Garden Tractor and with the addition of the power steering it’s one of the easiest tractors to use. By the way the power steering unit does cost that much. If you buy it after market for you ATV or UTV it’ over $1400.
Her is the link to buy the 20447 online. Sears gives you the best deals when you order online and have it delivered for free to your home: Craftsman Pro Series 54″ 26 HP V-Twin Kohler Power Steering Garden Tractor with Turn Tight® Extreme
Richard
Hi Paul. I have a Sears YT 3000 6 speed Gear drive that is not shifting properly. Sometimes it shifts to a new gear and sometimes it wont. It now refuses to go into reverse. Is there any adjustments I am mssing? I figured out the crummy brake system and can now address that but , not having Neutral or Reverse is a pain on a 4 year old tractor.
YT Richard
Paul Sikkema
@Richard, With the engine off does it shift OK? If it’s stiff with the engine off it may just be the linkages need WD-40. Reach up under the fender on the gear shift side and spray everything down. Also spray down the idler pulley pivot points. I talking about the idlers on the belt that runs from the engine to the trans.
These transmissions don’t usually go bad.
The braking system on tractors is basically just a parking brake.
Richard
I will give that a try Paul.. I sure DO NOT want to have to rebuiild or repalce that trans..I will spray the linkage and idler pulley pivot points every which way from Sunday.. Thank You Paul .. I will post how it goes.. YT Richard
Ryan
I’m looking at buying the new T-2000 with the geared transmission. I have a 100 yard hill with a moderate slope and am a bit nervous about buying a hydrostatic.
Is the “turn tight” axle and a geared transmission a good fit? The teenagers sometimes mow the lawn and I can’t imagine them slowing down for a turn. I’m having a tough time seeing myself downshift.
I know the MST tranny doesn’t have a clutch, but can you “shift on the fly” at all? Feather the brake and slip gears. or do you need to come to a full stop everytime?
Paul Sikkema
@Ryan, It’s a good fit. No it’s not a shift-on-the-go but we all slam it through the gears instead of stopping to shift. This transmission has been around for years and it is all but indestructible. I have a 15 year old version and when I’m afraid I may hurt the tractor with the hydro…out comes this one. Last year I used it to “sled” fifty or so 300 lb boulders for my wife’s landscaping project. The old gal never missed a beat.
When you shift on the fly with this tranny it will jerk when it goes into the next gear but you and the kids will soon get used to it. It shifts on the fly best when you move the throttle down to 1/2 speed when you shift, then speed it back up to mow.
Make the kids stay in 3rd or 4th gear to mow and it will do fine.
Rick
My brother has bought himself a Sears Professional ride on with the 46″ deck and a 24 hp kolher engine, with the tight turn and the front wheels will toe out when going ahead and return to neutral when you back up is this normal for this type of steering or a flaw with the product and do you or anyone know what the flaw may be ie; the front tie rod the steering gear box or shaft it`s self, help it is still under warrenty and under 45 days of ownership Thanks
Paul Sikkema
@Rick, No that not normal. Call 1-800-4MY-Home and get a tech out to fix your steering. He will come out, diagnose the problem, order parts. When the parts arrive at your house he will come back out and replace them.
Rick
They have replaced just about everything on the ends of the front axles and the problem still is there and almost seems worse Thanks for the fast reply this site rock`s
Paul
@dave, I like the MTD made 28980 and it has had no issues at all but in this case I would go with the yt4000. The YT has a good oil pump motor, the new turn tight steering, and the snow thrower is made to fit on it first. The mounts for the MTD were an afterthought and it takes an extra hour or so to get the Craftsman snowthrower mounted to the 28980.
And Berko makes a heavy – duty snowthrower that fits on the YT4000 easily.
If you are going to mount a blade I STRONGLY suggest going with the 24428 instead of the 24441. The 24428 is a lot heavier, easier to operate and mounts so you get “weight transfer” to the rear of the tractor. You will have to take the deck off to mount the 24428, but it is worth the extra time.
Paul
@dave, The deck on the Pro is the best 42 inch MTD makes. It was rated 2nd last year by Consumer Reports (it was on the Craftsman Revolution) The engine is worth $300 more by itself. The YT is Briggs best residential engine but the Pro has the “commercial” Briggs. Chrome valves, heavy bottom bearing, electronic ignition and fuel control. I like the electric PTO myself and is worth $75 to me over the manual. It is no easier to change the deck. I don’t know if the tractor still comes with the bumper, (the 2011’s don’t) but if it does that’s another $125 worth there. So to me you are getting $375 to $500 more value than the YT so the extra price is worth it.
I have one customer who has two of the Pro models and mows 20-25 hours a week with them. He had no issues at all with it.
Marty
That was an excellent answer to Mark’s question. As I have written before here, this tight turn technology may be good for some people but I’m more than pleased with the 12″ Craftsman Pro (28980) that I purchased earlier this year. I’ve now had a chance to use it a few times to scalp and cut down some pesky weeds before the lawn actually grows grass and the 12″ radius is perfect – as is the rest of the tractor. In fact, it is so perfect that it looks like Sears is keeping it as is for this year. I do not see a 2011 model on the website. Either that or they are going to discontinue this series when they sell out of 2010s, which would be a shame as it seems (so far) to be very well built and an excellent value.
Only one little thing I noticed the other day and I’ve called Sears to come out to look at it (of course they can’t get here until April so I’m glad it is nothing important). That is the rear scalp wheel on the deck on the right side (looking down from the seated position) hits the rear tire of the tractor when the deck is raised to the last two highest cut positions. I never run it in those high positions but I should be able to without the deck wheel hitting the rear tire. The deck looking down on the left side is square with the frame but it is angled to the rear a bit too much on the right side causing the rear deck wheel to rub against the rear tire when in those two highest mow settings. I’m sure it is a minor adjustment but wanted to call Sears to see how responsive they would be. As you mentioned before they might have been more responsive if I had purc