I have 1/2 acre of lawn and wish to replace an old Craftsman mower. Sears advertises a 17-HP Kohler Pro engine, 42 inch lawn tractor for $1200.00.

Is this a good value, and do you recommend Craftsman lawn tractors?

Thanks!

Dominique

I put three Barbados sheep on 1/2 acre. They keep it looking like a million bucks. they are hair sheep, no sheering, no pests, very low maintenance.

Much cheaper and fun to watch, too.

Of course animals are not everyone's choice...

speedball1

Hey Girl, Forget the sheep :. I have a 11 horse Craftsman 36" cut lawn tractor 15 years old and still going strong. You can shop around but Craftsman is a good name and they stand behind their products. Hope this helps. Tom

chabat

My dad has a Craftsman mower and I do not care for it.  It is louder than mine and bogs down easier than mine in high grass.  Also, his "jumps" really bad when it starts moving forward   where as mine is very very easy to control the speed  .   His is still new, too.  

His is a 14.5 HP single cylinder.  He paid about 1200.  I have a Yard Machine from Lowes, I paid $1248 2 years ago.  Zero Problems.  Mine is a twin cylinder 17 HP with automatic transmission.  I mow over an acre with it.  I have mowed Johnson Grass over 3 feet tall with it (had to cut it twice for a smooth cut with grass that tall), I have pulled a 4X6' trailer full of firewood with it, I have pulled Tree trunks that I cut down with it.  Its great!    

I think it just comes down to preference about whether to buy a Craftsman or not.  

The features I look for in a riding mower:
1. Twin cylinder for smooth power.  :
2. Briggs & Stratton motor all the way  . (Don't like Tecumseh - had more problems with them.)  :-[
3. Horsepower above 14  ;D
4. at least a 42" cutting deck  
5. Automatic transmission  8)
6. A cup holder if you can get it!!! Mowing is thirsty work!!  :P
7. If it seems "cheap" or you don't like the ergonomics, keep shopping, there are a lot of mowers out there.

Kohler is a good engine. If you like the mower go for it. $1200 is right in line for that size deck and engine HP.
Have fun shopping!   ;D

conservative85

what year and model is your old craftsman, would you be interested in selling it?

thebriggsdude

first off, craftsman at sears has a nice deal on one, more hp, intek with a cast iron bore, full pressure lube and a oil filter. which would be great, but any other one you get, first off, tecumseh (cheap, connecting rod with voids crap) buy briggs, my old 12hp I/C has been going since 1988 something, used twice a week more then 4 hours long at a time. secondly, sure you may be interested in a hydro trans, either stick with a transaxle, or a shift on the go trans, they are more dependable. but as for everyone liking craftsman, you do know its made by either mtd, or ayp. (metal, tool, and die) or (american yard products), but the sears warranty is next to none since they use their own warranty, run a weeder on straight gas and blow it up, they will replace it, first time, they don't do it again on account of stupidity. and as for big hp leading, yeah for decks, i have though a 8hp briggs engine on a murray from over 20 years ago, original engine, drove a 36 inch deck, and can haul my car. but as for engines, get one with atleast a cast iron bore, that or better, a industrial/commercial briggs&stratton. since i have seen em with the synchro balanced wieghts broken off, the engine cracked spewing oil, and still running, and I/C engine can freeze up from no oil and still come back to life till the rod finally snaps (don't try it, i see idiots all the time never checking their oil)

thebriggsdude

he must have a trans axle, my old murray can pop 3 foot wheelies if you are not careful, (let the clutch out slooooooowly) that may help