Name: Craftsman (42") 21HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Turn Tight Yard Tractor
Brand: Craftsman
SKU: 11045
Availability: InStock
Rating: 2.72 (18 reviews)

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Craftsman (42") 21HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Turn Tight Yard Tractor

Model: 28851

Features

Specifications

Reviews

How-To Articles

Manuals

21 HP Briggs & Stratton Platinum OHV Engine
Easily handles a large volume of work
Efficient full pressure lubrication extends engine longevity
2.5 gallon fuel tank delivers hours of cutting with fewer refills
12 Gauge Steel Frame
Exceptional durability & stability
42" Wide 13-Gauge Steel Deck
Cut large areas faster; spring loaded for easy lifting
4 adjustable gauge wheels prevent scalping
6 cutting positions from 1.5 to 4 inches to match lawn conditions
Turn Tight Technology
Super-tight 6 inch turning radius saves time around obstacles
Deck Wash Cleaning System
Easily rinse clippings & debris off 2 steel blades & under deck
High Back Automotive-Type Sliding Seat
Wide step-through area adjusts for shorter & taller operators
Hydrostatic Automatic Transmission
Fender shift moves tractor up to 5.2 MPH forward; 2.9 back
Headlights & Cup Holder
Mow longer with less fatigue

Specifications

28851

Engine

Engine Brand

Briggs & Stratton

Starting System

12-Volt Key Start

Engine Cycle

4-Cycle

21 HP

540 CCs

Fuel Tank Size

2.5 Gallons

Engine Cylinders

1 Cylinder

Oil Filter

Yes

Overview

Weight

505 Pounds

Consumer Warranty

2 Years

UPC

085388586742

Deck

Cutting Options

Side-Discharge

Deck Material

13-Gauge

Blades

2 Blades

Deck Construction

Stamped

Deck Positions

6 Positions

Cutting Width

42 Inches

Cutting Height

1.5-4 Inches

Deck Lift System

Manual

Engagement

Manual

Drive

Speeds

Variable

Maximum Speed

5.2 MPH

Maximum Reverse Speed

2.9 MPH

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheels

Transmission Type

Hydrostatic

Drive System

Hydrostatic

Accessories

Rear Bagger

Sold Separately

Seat Type

High Back w/ Seat Springs

Mulcher Kit

Sold Separately

Headlights

Included

Wheels

Front Tire Size

15 x 6 Inch

Rear Tire Size

20 x 8 Inch

Tire Type

Pneumatic Wheels

Reviews

(18)

Craftsman 28851 Reviews & Ratings

B&S / Sears very poor warranty protection

By Paul F.

Westwood, Massachusetts

Review Posted 11/22/2016

...in the second year of use it started to burn oil which was caused by bad head casket..unit under manufactures warranty that replaces the head gasket only if replaced by sears service...cost of gasket free but must use sears service $250/$300 to come dianose/replace gasket...the warranty would replace THE GASKET FREE IF REPLACED BY SEARS BUT WOULD NOT GIVE IT TO ME FREE a useless warranty...I bought the gasket locally and replaced it with the help of internet video...since then mower/snow blower works ok....notice other reports of gasket issues...B/S should put a better gasket on motor. WHEN YOU SPEND $1K PLUS FOR UNIT IT SHOULD WORK problem free!

Paul F. Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

3/5

Quality

2/5

Performance

4/5

Value

4/5

Pros:

Price

Cons:

Low Quality

Very poor value.

By Jon L.

Eagle Bridge, New York

Review Posted 06/29/2016

We purchased this mower a little over 3 years ago. The mower is serviced every year in the spring. for the last 2 years the mower will not go up the smallest hill or turn without the mower coming to a complete stop.

I have had it in the shop for new batteries, tires, and several new belts. I just got it back and it is worse now than ever. This mower is a piece of junk i would not recommend.

Jon L. Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

2/5

Quality

1/5

Performance

1/5

Value

1/5

Piece of Garbage

By Joe

Wisconsin

Review Posted 05/26/2016

Bought this exact mower a year or two ago. Worked fine the first couple of months. In the fall before winter the "battery" dies. We are given another under warranty. The mower is properly winterized and the battery is stored in the basement which is finished therefore same conditions as the rest of the house.

Spring comes, once again the mower wont start. Bring it to sears. They claim its the battery. Same thing happens in august. Once again the claim the battery. Now the warranty is gone. I have to jump it off of my car to start it every time. It sits on a battery charger when not used.

Now when i try to start it the mower doesn't even react. Wont jump, wont work with a new battery, but the expert technicians say its the battery. Now we cant even get it fixed under warranty. No help even know the "expert technicians" were the ones who diagnosed it wrong 3 times.

Joe Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

2/5

Quality

1/5

Performance

1/5

Value

1/5

Cons:

Low Quality, Unreliable

Not Durable

By Chan S.

SW Ranches, Florida

Review Posted 05/03/2016

I purchased this Tractor mower about three years ago. First the front wheels went out of alignment. It is also not adjustable.

Next, the blade cable went. After that, it was the belt. Finally, the engine block had a hole. It is now junk.

Chan S. Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

1/5

Quality

1/5

Performance

2/5

Value

2/5

Pros:

Easy To Use, Easy To Store

Cons:

Low Quality, Unreliable, Durability

Runs and cuts

By Glenn T.

Ellicotville, New York

Review Posted 09/12/2015

Had this machine for a few years. So far no problems. I change the oil and filter twice a season , and use synthetic oil. This mower is basically a Husqvarna. This mower would not be good for commercial type use , or heavy duty field cutting in my opinion. Mine is pretty loud which might bother other owners , but not me.

I see a lot of negative reviews on this machine. In my case I guess I'm lucky cause mine always runs. I also use non ethanol blend fuel , with an additive to keep fuel system clean. I don't like the safety feature of auto shutoff when you get off the mower . I'm careful not to slam into rocks , and trees. While I mow. Engine must be at full throttle while you mow , or belts will slip. Since I've owned this machine I've replaced 2 belts . 1 battery. Half dozen oil, and air filters. And 4 blades.

Glenn T. Recommends This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

4/5

Quality

4/5

Performance

5/5

Value

5/5

Junk says it all

By Walter D.

Westport, Massachusetts

Review Posted 08/16/2015

Had so many problems with the initial mower ( Last problem was when the rocker arm FELL OFF) that Sears gave me a replacement. Same kind of junk, rides like a cement mixer, now burns oil like it's a hundred years old. Waste of money buying Sears riding mowers.

Walter D. Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

3/5

Quality

1/5

Performance

1/5

Value

1/5

Stuck in forward

By John B.

Miller Place, New York

Review Posted 06/25/2015

Received the lawn tractor at 9 am and stuck in forward at 9:30. Found that the retaining washer, on the shift lever had come off. I went and called Sears Service and they could not get here for a week. Called the delivery and they will have a new machine here in eight days. For a little retainer they will put this machine in the used store. I followed up by going to the local Sears hardware where it was ordered and spoke to the salesman there, showed him on the floor model what had come off, to see if he had any pull with service. No dice. New machine will be here Friday.

John B. Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

3/5

Quality

3/5

Performance

2/5

Value

3/5

follow up review

By we to low

westport, Connecticut

Review Posted 04/20/2015

So the Sears tech comes to the house and I explain to him how the machine was used and I give him the spark plug that was removed.

He immediately notices the same thing I saw, oil on the spark plug, after some work on it, he concludes that its the head gasket, so he orders a new cylinder head which includes a head gasket.

essentially I'm getting half of the motor replaced, technician said it was leaking oil from day one and he just wants to make sure we don't have any issues from here on out.

Its under warranty so I paying nothing, but for a machine that has less than 20 hrs on it, its not good.

I would like to add that I do like the machine, and I'm just going to see what I can do about the motor, maybe replacing it with a top of the line BS or a Honda or Kawasaki.

I have a little wonder leaf blower that is 10 years old and has a BS Intek I/C motor that has never given me trouble, so I'm guessing like everything else, the entry level motors are not good.

we to low Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

3/5

Quality

2/5

Performance

4/5

Value

2/5

Uh oh

By We too Low

Westport, Connecticut

Review Posted 03/31/2015

I have to update my review, I gave this product rave reviews last year, however this year I have to have a Sears technician come out.

Again, I want to say that I had no issues with the machine last year, bagging system was fine, the cut on my lawn looked great.

Just last week, I wheeled the tractor out to do my seasonal tune up in preparation for the spring that has yet to arrive in CT.

All is going well until I remove the sparkplug, I see a film of oil covering the top 1/3 of the plug and I almost started to cry, any man or woman that works on engines knows that this is not good.

The good part is I called Sears, they wasted no time in setting up a day for the tech to come out, he will be at my house April 8th.

Honestly I don't care what he tells me, I know it's a sign of things to come with this engine.

The BS platinum engine has had some serious issues and there is plenty of information on the Internet to back me up.

I'm going to try to get him to replace it with a Honda engine and if he can't then I will have to deal with it until it breaks and when that time comes, I will not buy anything with a BS engine.

I love the tractor, but the engine sucks.

We too Low Does Not Recommend This

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Rating Breakdown

Features

1/5

Quality

1/5

Performance

3/5

Value

3/5

Stay away From Craftsman

By Tim Zarek

Stanton, Iowa

Review Posted 09/14/2014

Bought 2 riding lawnmowers from Sears, and both had problems with their engines. One was a Kohler, and one a BG.

Kohler, motor cv730 - Sears would not warranty. BG, valve studs came loose - Sears sent out repairman to fix the studs, but the valve cover leaked oil on the muffler. I had to repair that myself.

Then the next year, the motor developed a knock. Now I have $6,500 worth of Sears junk I'm unable to use. Kohler engine replacement was $1900.00. I also have a Craftman tiller, and the shifter broke inside the transmission. No luck with sears on that either.

Tim Zarek Does Not Recommend This

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Expert Response

Sorry to hear you've had such bad luck there. You could try checking out some of the Top-Rated and Best-Selling Mowers on our site.

For a reliable tiller, we also have Top-Rated and Best-Selling Tillers listed on Tillers Direct.