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- Tight turning radius
- Cruise control
- Plenty of power
- Good value
- No fuel gauge
- Inconvenient to switch to mulching
- Speed specifications unavailable
- CARB-rated model costs more
- A few complaints about quality issues
The 42-inch Craftsman 28856 Tight Turn lawn tractor is built by Husqvarna, which earns high marks in both professional and owner-written reviews. Its 8-inch turning radius makes for outstanding maneuverability and speeds up mowing time, and owners say the 22-horsepower V-twin engine provides plenty of power for hills and tough mowing jobs. Cruise control is another plus.
This Craftsman lawn tractor is considered light-duty, but can handle lawns up to about 2 acres. We found a few complaints about quality, but overall, Craftsman lawn tractors made by Husqvarna have earned a good repair record. For California consumers, the similar Craftsman 28866 (*Est. $1,680) is CARB-rated. For a luxury lawn tractor that performs about the same but is easier to use, consider the Snapper NXT2346 (*Est. $2,600), which is CARB-rated but available in other states.
We found the most objective review of the Craftsman 28856 at ConsumerReports.org, where it's ranked and rated in comparison with a total of 51 other lawn tractors and riding mowers based on weeks of mowing tests. Landscape professional Paul Sikemma, who's made himself an expert on Craftsman lawn tractors, provides a detailed review at TodaysMower.com. Only a handful of owners review this model at ConsumerReports.org, but we found almost two dozen owner-written reviews published at Sears.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Based on weeks of objective mowing tests, this review ranks the Craftsman 28856 in comparison with 34 other lawn tractors plus 17 riding mowers of other sizes and types. Specific ratings cover handling and ease of use, plus performance in all three cutting modes. The overall Craftsman repair record is also compared with that of other brands, based on an annual survey of readers. A handful of owners also rate and review the Craftsman 28856 here.
Review: Tractors and Riders, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2011
Landscape professional Paul Sikemma recommends the Craftsman 28856 in this detailed single-product review, praising the 8-inch turning radius and saying that for most users, this lawn tractor will get mowing done as fast as a zero-turn mower. The main drawback is that the wheel track is wider than the mowing deck itself; if this would mean extra trimming along straight edges like fence lines, he suggests moving up to the 48-inch Craftsman 28857.
Review: 2011 Craftsman YT 4000 42 Inch 24 hp Riding Lawn Tractor Model 28856 Review, Paul Sikemma, Feb. 1, 2011
3. Sears.com
Nearly two dozen owners rate and review the Craftsman 28856 lawn tractor here (where it's called a Yard Tractor to identify it as a model of mid-range build). Most are satisfied with it, saying it's comfortable, powerful and does a good job. Complaints include a rattling hood (there's no lock-down latch) and a few poorly assembled units that had to be returned.
Review: Craftsman 42" 24hp V-Twin Briggs & Stratton Turn Tight Hydrostatic Yard Tractor- 49 State, Contributors to Sears.com
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