The Craftsman 28750 is a solid, value-priced garden -- or is it yard? -- tractor for bigger lawns and bigger jobs. Sears uses "yard" and "garden" interchangeably without differentiating; we consider this model a garden tractor -- and a pretty good one at that.

The 28750 (Sears item 07128750000) is powered by a top-of-the-line Briggs & Stratton ELS (extended-life series) engine that, with regular care, should be mowing lawns a dozen years from now. The 725 cc V-Twin two-cylinder engine has overhead valves, an automotive-type oil filter, two air filters and lots of design elements that make it a solid power source.

The transmission on this model is hydrostatic (automatic), which makes mowing less complicated but a little more expensive. If you prefer a manual six-speed transmission, consider the Craftsman 28745 (with a Kohler Pro V-Twin engine) and save about $400. Both are heavy-duty transmissions well matched to the engines. We especially like that the 28750 with automatic offers cruise control, a welcome feature if you have a big lawn to mow.

This garden tractor cuts a 54-inch path through the lawn. The deck has four adjustable wheels at its corners to minimize scalping the lawn over rougher terrain. Rear tires are large, 23 inches, with tread designed to get traction on grass -- even wet grass -- without tearing up the lawn. You should be able to cut up to about three acres of grass at one sitting. The turning radius on this model is standard at 18 inches.

Grass is discharged through an opening on the right side. Options include a side chute that sends the cut grass to a three-bag collector mounted on the rear, and an optional mulching kit that shreds the grass under the deck and drops it back in to the lawn to become future fertilizer.

What makes this model a garden rather than a lawn tractor is that it has the connections and the power to handle ground-engaging attachments, such as cultivators and other tools that can really put this unit to work in your garden. In addition, the 28750 can pull larger utility carts loaded with more stuff than can a lawn tractor, so load up your firewood!

Everything on this model is an upgrade from lawn tractors: the heavier-duty 11-gauge steel frame, the front bumper, the cast-iron front axle and the 4-gallon fuel tank. By looking at the large gauge -- actually a translucent side of the fuel tank -- located below the seat, you can easily check the fuel level.

Another nice feature is that Sears typically has before- and after-season sales on this and other large mowers. Shop smart and save 10 or even 20 percent. But even at the suggested retail price, this model is a good value.

The Craftsman 28750 is a pretty good garden tractor for the dollar -- especially if you need the extra power and attachments. If not, take another look at the lawn tractors.


Pros: Solid engine and transmission, well built, often on sale
Cons: Heavy, not easy to get through some gates