2009 YTS 4000. 380 Hours. Only things replaced-- 1 Battery, 2 Blade Belts, 2 Drive Belts, New Blades every 2 years! That's it People, If you DON'T Purposely beat it up, it will LAST A LONG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Living on 50 acres, I have a 65’ wide 1/2 mile long driveway lane to mow PLUS 3-5 acres of lawn and pasture that this Craftsman 24 hp model takes care of. In actuality, I have a 2008 (11 years old) and a 2010 (9 yrs old) I bought the 42” hydrostatic because it has the power needed for steep grades and rough terrain. I opted for the hydrostatic option as a reward for using manual shift all my life!!!! Buying the 42”, it fits into a standard pickup bed if it should need to go into a repair shop. NEVER, folks! I have never had to have any work done at a shop. No mechanical failures... nothing.

I replaced the blade engagement belt on the 2008 about 5 years ago, and ran over a nail in the pasture this summer. That’s it for repair history. I do the super simple oil change once/twice year, vacuum the air filter after every usage (new filter each Spring), use only unadulterated premium gas with Stabil every single time, check tire inflation periodically, and my nice neighbor sharpens the original blades once a year. I never mow when it is raining, keep the mowers in the garage, and only mow afternoon and evenings when moisture is off the grass.

I feel extremely qualified and capable of grading this mower as a 5 Star implement. After my first purchase in 2008,I bought the second exact same mower in 2010, to give me a backup if the older machine broke down. That has never EVER happened I CANNOT BELIEVE THE 24 hp, 42” hydrostatic Craftsman is “discontinued!” Not right!!! This economically priced Sears brand mower is a wonderful machine for any large yard and/or “small” acreage.

I installed the soft double bagger system on both on my Craftsman lawn tractors. I mow either way and have never had any equipment failure with any of the accessory parts, deck, lights, gears, steering...etc. I mow with experience and caution.... never fast. I check for obstacles (neighbor beer bottle) pine cones, branches, exposed rocks or roots, old fence wire, a dead animal...you name it. On our steep houseyard side hill, I try to be smart, not careless and get myself squashed under a tipped over mower. Even on a mild grade, I balance by gripping the wheel well.

In all, I intend to see my two Craftsman 24hp 42” hydrostatic lawn tractors working faithfully for my lifetime. They have a hard job May through November, get proper care, good gas, and are protected from the elements most of their lives.

5 STARS all the way, Sears. I cannot possibly be an outlier. In fact, these two machines are manufactured in different places and in different years. My favorite (2008) was assembled in Mexico.

Thanks for letting me write. Hopefully this model will return to production.

Happy owner

PS: the Pros/Cons will not allow me to check boxes.

All + for pros
No cons from me

We used to love it but no more . We will never buy another Craftsman .

Sold Murray with 14 hp opposed twin it was 20 years old. Got this one, did not like so much I guess I was so used to old faithful. Anyhow it started to run on one cylinder only after 50 hrs. It need new coils. They should not have failed in a new machine but Lawnmower man said it happened on these engines sometimes. It been great since have 160 hours on it now. All belts are wearing well. They never come off have bagger it great for fall leafs.

I wish the deck had a bit more adjustment. I brought this as a left over floor model for half price. So even with still having to get the coils it was good. I think the older opposed twins were better. I will probably go for Cub with Kawasaki in the next year or so. I go only run non ethanol gas. So for anyone who has one with problems check your coils if you need new ones you might like the machine eventually.

Purchased this mower just over a year ago, transmission replaced within a month. Unit now has 22 hours of service and the transmission has failed again.

Will have it repaired, because it is still under warranty, but then will be sold. 22 hours of service and 2 transmissions. Spoke with corporate office, they literally could care less. Bye bye Sears!

On my third transmission. This is my third and last Craftman tractor I will ever buy. The tractor hasn't run right since it was dropped off. We still use the our second old Craftman for yard duty after 8 years.

I have seen the quality drop off the face of the earth. POS! Stay far away. I hope they don't take this post down. I am a real person that doesn't abuse equipment.

Oh yeah, when you call for service, please call several weeks in advance of your problem.

This mower is a replacement for a previously defective Craftsman 26 HP mower. That one had to be replaced due to defective axle. After receiving the replacement, it worked well for the fist three mowings, however has now developed severe power issues. Craftsman and Kenmore products have all gone down hill in quality. I recommend that anyone reading this review consider buying another brand of mower other then Craftsman. Sears has been having financial issues and their product quality is reflective of those issues. Don't Buy!!!!!!!

Bought this brand new, has 116 hours on it. I have replaced an engine head and today the hydrostatic transmission failed. The price for the transmission is $685 without the labor. It's going to the scrap yard and I'll will never buy a Sears product again.

I really like it was hard start end up be choke .move cable back toke about 10 min after hood was off . Runs great had it now for few years now. I had an Ariens tractor that I bought for 35 hundred. never like it cutgrass to low ran rough . I would give it a 5 star.

It's been good to me. I feel a nice smooth ride compared to the Ariens tractor that I had. Sears tractor is hard starting when engine is cold. I feel going burn my starter out use starting fluid get it going .

I enjoy driving it does good job cutting grass. For money it was good deal for me. I say it good tractor. I like to see a primer built in so start easy. Can somebody give me tip how start this quicker?