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Buying this mower next month when the friends and family pricing starts at sears. Anyone have it on here? Any good things about it or bad experiences? Thanks!!

Model 28851 YT3000 21HP BRIGGS 42 inch deck

Until someone answers, this user has a YT-4000. Even though it is not your exact mower, you can see how he likes it. Here is a picture of his mower:
View Profile: cuda - Lawn Mower Forum

That looks good! I'm thinkin the only difference in the one I'm looking at and that one is the larger HP v twin Briggs engine

Hi Cauzey, I purchased my mower last summer and so far I am pleased with it. It has a minor problem whereas the drive belt slaps the parking brake linkage and makes some racket. The Sears tech tried to fix it but could find no solution. I may just remove the the parking brake linkage since I don't use it anyway. As you can see I have added a few personnel touches, got to make your own. Before I made my purchase I contacted a local mower repair man and asked him what he would buy if in the market and he said a Craftsman. I took his advice. Craftsman's always made good tools and such even thou the mower is made by Husqvarna to sears specs. Good features at a good price.
Hope this helps,
Cuda

Thanks for the info! I def like the extra touches you've done haha. What made you go with the larger HP vtwin?

CauZey said:

Buying this mower next month when the friends and family pricing starts at sears. Anyone have it on here? Any good things about it or bad experiences? Thanks!!

Model 28851 YT3000 21HP BRIGGS 42 inch deck

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12185"/>

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I do not have this mower but it is a very good mower for the money. In my opinion craftsman is one of the better riding mowers.
Like has already been said go to a couple repair shops ( not a dealer ) and ask them what they think. A dealer will just tell you to buy what they sell.

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Good point about dealer vs repair shop

CauZey said:

Thanks for the info! I def like the extra touches you've done haha. What made you go with the larger HP vtwin?

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To tell you the truth I don't know why, it really didn't matter, I was looking for cutting width and features like auto transmission, cut in reverse and small turning radius. I believe this mower was on sale at the time and I liked the price and free delivery. Not to mention the 5 year warrenty. And oh yes the color, reds where it's at, green :thumbdown:
Cuda

I thought the oil easy dump tube was a neat feature and the adjustable seat

CauZey said:

Buying this mower next month when the friends and family pricing starts at sears. Anyone have it on here? Any good things about it or bad experiences? Thanks!!

Model 28851 YT3000 21HP BRIGGS 42 inch deck



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CauZey,
My only advice would be that if that 21hp Briggs and Stratton is an "INTEK" V-Twin, instead of a "VANGUARD" V-Twin I cannot, from my experience, recommend the engine. To give you some background to why I say that; I was convinced from several sources(this forum, next-door-neighbor & other friends) when I was shopping for a new ZTR to replace my Craftsman Lawn Tractor that the most reliable high-quality mower engines were currently the Kawasaki's and the purchase of my new Gravley Pro-Turn 152XDZ included me stongly considering the Kawa FX691V 22hp engine that came on it. Historically, I had always been a Briggs & Stratton "fan" and for many years felt they dominated the market. My first lawn tractor I purchased in 1993 was a Lawn Chief sold by True Value hardware. It was a 46" cut and had a B & S Vanguard 16hp engine and this had to be the best lawn mower engine I have ever seen!!! My son "just retired" that mower(yes, 19 years old) and that engine still ran like new, never used a drop of oil and had never seen anything except premium grade gasoline. I gave that Lawn Chief to him in 2006 when I purchased a larger 54" Craftsman(made by Husqvarna) with a 24hp B & S Intek engine which I gave to my son just recently when I purchased my Gravely. Like I said, the Lawn Chief still "ran", but the deck was beginning to rust out and the deck lift system had gone to pieces and the deck simply "rolled on the gound" so it was time to retire it. The Craftsman B & S engine(24 hp Intek) was a far cry from that 16hp Vanguard. It would not "accept" premium grade gasoline(ran like the choke was always on, sputtering and backfiring) so I had to run regular grade in it and unlike the Lawn Chief the Craftsman would "bog down" when I let the grass get a little tall and actually kill the engine even though the engine had 8 more hp that the Lawn Chief Vanguard. When the 2006 Craftsman was 3-yrs-old(just out of the engine warranty) the choke came apart inside the carburetor. A local shop wanted $200 to repair the caburetor so I just opted to remove the air filter and spray starter fluid in it each time I mowed which was a lot cheaper(very disappointed in the engine "breaking" so soon)!!! Fortunately, my-father-in-law who had some experience with small engine repair took the Craftsman and repaired the choke before we gave it to my son(he said the tiny screws that held the choke in place had vibrated out, were "gone".....so most likely went into the cylinder and out the exhaust into the muffler.....and "fortunately" didn't RUIN the engine). I consider the lack of proper "torquing" of those screws when the engine was built as a major manufacturer fault and another reason why I believe B & S is no longer the "dominant" mower engine!!! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
P.S.
My ZTR weighs 1,051 lbs and I doubt that 2006 Craftsman weighed half that. But the 22hp Kawa FX691V doesn't give the least indication it is "bogging down" in tall grass versus the 24hp B & S engine "dying" on occaision. I know there has been a topsy-turvy(and I think even class-action lawsuits) hoopla over the last few years about small engine "horsepower ratings", but I still can't recommend that 24hp B & S Intek to anyone!!!
P.S.S.
My other next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old Ariens residential 42" ZTR that has the exact same B & S engine(16hp Vanguard) that my old Lawn Chief had. His mower also still runs like the day he bought it. I think B & S has lost sight of how they built engines 15-20 years ago!!! Bottom line...more hp does not always equal better performance.

The YT3000 I'm lookin at is a single piston Briggs. 21 HP. But with all that you said Ill prob stay away from the lager 24 HP vtwin briggs

CauZey said:

The YT3000 I'm lookin at is a single piston Briggs. 21 HP. But with all that you said Ill prob stay away from the lager 24 HP vtwin briggs

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Does the YT 3000 use that Platinum Series engine a made for Sears thing?

Yes I believe so

CauZey said:

Yes I believe so

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Why did you pick that particular motor, for what reason?

Well that motor or the 24hp vtwin are the only ones to choose from on that mower with the auto trans

Ric said:

Does the YT 3000 use that Platinum Series engine a made for Sears thing?

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Ric,

That kinda thing makes me wonder if the Intek 24hp B & S was a "made for Sears thing"(or a "made for Husqvarna thing" for their Craftsman assemly line, who I believe builds most of Sear's lawn tractors......we all know Sears doesn't "manufacture" anything). And maybe, the 16hp Vanguard B & S was a "made for True Value Hardware/Lawn Chief thing"(no longer in business....I think Ace Hardware bought them out). That's another "pitfall" of buying from big box retailers is that there are so many "retailer-specified" variations(the B & S engines on a mower bought at Home Depot or Lowes could potentially even be different than the Sears....maybe better quality, maybe not). When I bought my Gravely from a dealer, I knew that the Kawasaki FX series engine was the same engine specs as what are on the Kawasaki website. Also, my next-door neighbor went to a dealer that carried Husqvarna mowers and bought a Husqvarna mower that was almost "identical" to my Craftsman(features, etc.) yet he got a lawn tractor with a "much better quality" Kawasaki FS series(Heavy Duty) engine and didn't pay that much more than I did. I would never advise anyone to buy a lawn tractor(or especially a ZTR mower) from a big box retailer.

Ric said:

Why did you pick that particular motor, for what reason?

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Did not know that riding mowers came with motors. Every one I have even seen had a engine on it. Just saying

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CauZey said:

Well that motor or the 24hp vtwin are the only ones to choose from on that mower with the auto trans

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I'm asking because either of those engines seem to me a little small to me compared to the Cub Cadet that I owned.

Oh well maybe so , it's only a 42 inch deck so I can still get thru most gates. The CTX crafty s go up to 30 HP.

CauZey said:

Oh well maybe so , it's only a 42 inch deck so I can still get thru most gates. The CTX crafty s go up to 30 HP.

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Just be-aware that the when purchasing your mower that you should look at the engine displacement, not necessarily HP, it can make a big difference in the performance of the mower.

Have to put my two cents in. I don't like that unit due to how it is constructed. Gage of all the sheet metal is too small. Unless they changed them the deck spindles are not greasable. Front axle is metal tube with a poorly designed pivot point bearing. Did they add grease fittings to the wheel axles? If you're going to use this for a business, I would be surprised if you get two years out of it, without a major expense. Just my opinion, which many on this forum feel isn't worth a dam.

Rivets said:

......Just my opinion, which many on this forum feel isn't worth a dam.

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I think your opinion is worth a lot....you DO know your stuff! :thumbsup:

Ill be using it for a business that is just starting. I don't have too many accounts at this time. I'm pretty sure you can grease the front axles and I think the deck is 12 gauge? Ill check and get back

Rivets said:

Have to put my two cents in. I don't like that unit due to how it is constructed. Gage of all the sheet metal is too small. Unless they changed them the deck spindles are not greasable. Front axle is metal tube with a poorly designed pivot point bearing. Did they add grease fittings to the wheel axles? If you're going to use this for a business, I would be surprised if you get two years out of it, without a major expense. Just my opinion, which many on this forum feel isn't worth a dam.

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Now I know I'm not supposed to do this but I agree with you, I think there are a lot better mowers out there for or in the same price range that he's looking in than the craftsman.

Rivets said:

Have to put my two cents in. I don't like that unit due to how it is constructed. Gage of all the sheet metal is too small. Unless they changed them the deck spindles are not greasable. Front axle is metal tube with a poorly designed pivot point bearing. Did they add grease fittings to the wheel axles? If you're going to use this for a business, I would be surprised if you get two years out of it, without a major expense. Just my opinion, which many on this forum feel isn't worth a dam.

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Rivets,
I for one agree with most everything you said. The jury is still out regarding greasable mandrels(especially the ones on cheaper mowers). I learned(and believe) during my research last fall when I was shopping for my first ZTR mower, that "some/many" manufacturers simply put grease fittings on their spindles to give the customer a "warm & fuzzy feeling that they are maintaining the spindle bearings".....when in fact it is nothing more than a placebo effect. This is because over 90% of the lawn mower blade spindles manufactured today have "sealed bearings" inside them and all you are doing is filling the spindle housing around the bearings with grease and the grease NEVER touches the ball bearings. But mower manufacturers know that customers want to grease their spindles, therefore they request the grease fittings to be added to the mandrels. What's your take on this subject??? Have you ever taken apart a spindle that has a grease fitting? I had a reputable mechanic tell me host of the spindles he replaced/repaired that had grease fittings indeed had sealed bearings inside when he opened them up.
P.S.
I tried to hint to the O.P. to go to a Husqvarna dealer, spend a few more bucks, get one with a Kawasaki engine and he'd most likely end up with a mower much, much better than that Craftsman(which was also probably built by Husqvarna, just not the same quality of materials and construction as you pointed out).

I've posted this before and I'll say it again. Yes, most of the spindle bearings are sealed. By put grease inside a jackshaft housing you are going two things. First you are filling that cavity with grease which will not let water in and when you add more grease it will displace any water that does get in and keep it away from the bearings. Second, those bearings are going to wear and the heat will breakdown that rubber seal. If the seal is compromised the grease will add extra life to that bearing. Back when decks were better constructed, with heavier metal and greasable assemblies, we never replaced as many jackshaft assemblies as we do today. As I said earlier, just my opinion, which most don't think is worth a dam. I know that there are a lot who are going to disagree with me, but I just call them as I have experience them.

CauZey said:

Ill be using it for a business that is just starting. I don't have too many accounts at this time. I'm pretty sure you can grease the front axles and I think the deck is 12 gauge? Ill check and get back

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If you're going to use this mower for a lawn care business you're going to work yourself to death. You would be better off buying or spending your money on a good commercial self propelled push mower. It's a 13 gauge deck and 12 gauge channel frame.

Husqvarna does make the crafty mower I'm looking at. I haven't looked at Husqvarna because mostly only lowes sells them around here. But I'm pretty sure they are between 4-500 more. Do you think the Koehler engine is worth it considering that everyone says if I'm going to cut yards as a business buy commercial or buy the cheapest decent mower you can buy? At this point in time I don't have enough accounts to make me feel as tho I should get a commercial unit. This is why I was lookin at craftys...

I def will be buying a high line honda push unit as well

CauZey said:

I haven't looked at Husqvarna because mostly only lowes sells them around here.

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Here are all the Husqvarna dealers in your area: Dealer Locator | Husqvarna

CauZey said:

I def will be buying a high line honda push unit as well

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Which mower line? The Honda HRX's or HRC's? Either way you will NOT be disappointed!

Honda Lawn Mowers - HRX HRR HRC HRS Mowers

CauZey said:

Husqvarna does make the crafty mower I'm looking at. I haven't looked at Husqvarna because mostly only lowes sells them around here. But I'm pretty sure they are between 4-500 more. Do you think the Koehler engine is worth it considering that everyone says if I'm going to cut yards as a business buy commercial or buy the cheapest decent mower you can buy? At this point in time I don't have enough accounts to make me feel as tho I should get a commercial unit. This is why I was lookin at craftys...

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You say you don't have enough accounts to make me feel as though I should get a commercial unit. You may spend a little more now for a commercial unit yes, but if you decide you don't want to be in business you can re-sell the commercial unit a get the majority of your money back, I doubt very much you can do that with that craftsman. You will not go wrong spending the little extra and buying commercial.

Not sure yet on the honda going to see my dealer and talk to her some about them. But as far as Husqvarna over craftys I just looked at all of what I could find on their site with a 42 inch deck and all of them say 16" turning radius vs 6" on the crafty. That's a big deal to me. Plus they cost more. Some of the features the husky has I'm could care less about like cruise control. But I'm with you on the Koehler or kaw engines they are def a step above Briggs

I'm just a little nervous about gettin a 6500$ commercial mower. I was going to , had it picked out and all(gravely) but then I bought a house so I'm holding back some. Plus with having a tractor this season I can use it as a bagger this winter , retire it as a back up once I have enough accounts to make buying a better commercial unit worth while

CauZey said:

I'm just a little nervous about gettin a 6500$ commercial mower. I was going to , had it picked out and all(gravely) but then I bought a house so I'm holding back some. Plus with having a tractor this season I can use it as a bagger this winter , retire it as a back up once I have enough accounts to make buying a better commercial unit worth while

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You don't have to spend $6500 on a commercial, look at the Toro Toro | TimeCutterｮ MX4260 - Zero Turn Lawn Mowers it's $3799 or you can look at the Cub Cadet Commercial Z Force for $4199 Oh check the spec's on the Toro.

Ric said:

You don't have to spend $6500 on a commercial, look at the Toro Toro | TimeCutterｮ MX4260 - Zero Turn Lawn Mowers it's $3799 or you can look at the Cub Cadet Commercial Z Force for $4199 Oh check the spec's on the Toro.

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I agree with ric. I use a timecutter residential model for my small business, and i looked awful hard at the mx series. Would love to have the upgraded hydros, engine, and deck.

How many yards are you planning to do? Id look at the zturn over a tractor. Mow twice as fast and have room to expand.

A_tank96

Prob 20 a month solid.

CauZey said:

Prob 20 a month solid.

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So like five a week?

Yeah. Will be getting more I'm sure. Plus I work with a lady who has another 30 accounts I'm sure ill use it some there too

CauZey said:

Yeah. Will be getting more I'm sure. Plus I work with a lady who has another 30 accounts I'm sure ill use it some there too

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I would definitely look at a ztr then. Someone on lmf said this. " Lawntractors do a lot of stuff pretty well, and zero turns do one thing amazingly well. Cut grass."

Youll cut your mowing time in half at least and have room to expand. I got the timecutter z and im doing 8 yards this season, but something about that size would be nice for you. Theres a reason lawn pros use ztrs..

Carscw said:

Did not know that riding mowers came with motors. Every one I have even seen had a engine on it. Just saying

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You didn't know that mowers had a motor?
Holy crap then for all these years please tell me what I've been draining out of my motor and replacing filters on and putting back in because I thought it was called MOTOR OIL.

An engine is a specific type of motor. That's why it's not incorrect to speak of a motorboat, or outboard motor, a motorcar, or a motorcycle, even if the boat, car or cycle is clearly powered by combustion. Just Saying.

Ouuuucccchhhhhhh

CauZey, sorry I opened a can of worms on you, but just hate it when I see people purchase things that don't fit their needs. Too often I see advice being given by those who don't have enough experience to give advise. It gets me in trouble, that's why many don't think my opinion is worth reading. I just wish that people would give opinions based on experience and not by what they hear or think, just to look like they know something. Best advise I can give you. Go to the dealers and landscapers in your area and find out what they do. They know the area and the best equipment you will need. We cannot look out your front door and see what you are dealing with.