Review of Craftsman 27000 series Lawn Tractor w/ 20 hp Intek V-Twin engine (store, purchase)
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When I was ready to purchase my garden tractor I walked into the Seas store and walked out with not one but two Craftsman LTX-1000
My LTX-1000 features Briggs & Stratton's upper-end 20 hp Intek V-Twin engine garden tractors. This was a special version of the Craftsman 42 inch blade 27000 series tractor. I featured a 2 cylinder, full pressure lubrication system engine with cast iron cylinders. I have not discovered any other tractor that has this particular combination. It has a hydrostatic transmission, which means it is semi-automatic and does not have a standard transmission although it was offered as an option.
The tractor has a left foot operated clutch/brake pedal that will take some getting used to at first. It does not take much time to operate the tractor without a jerky start. The two-cylinder engine is very smooth compared to a one-cylinder option with less horsepower. If you foresee a future need beyond lawn mowing, i.e. snow throwing with an optional snow thrower you will find the extra 4 horsepower very useful.
The hydrostatic transmission is operated with a lever on the right fender and is in easy reach of the operator. You control the tractor speed with the lever as well as shifting into reverse. You can crawl up a steep hill or shift into high gear and motor down the road to the next task.
After purchasing the tractor for mowing our one-acre lawn, we moved into the country and found new uses for the machine including weed control on more than five acres. I found that it was a good idea to walk the area that was going to be mowed to remove obstructions. This was for two purposes. The first is that the 42-inch cutting action would produce flying debris and children should not be allowed around the mowing area. Secondly, the towers supporting the blades will break if an obstacle, such as a large rock is encountered. Sears parts outlets keep these towers in stock, as breakage must be normal for heavy use.
It is also a good idea to purchase the special case hardened cutting blades for more than just general lawn use as the regular blades lose their edges easily with normal use. I love my Craftsman LTX-1000 Tractor and can't wait to get back in the seat and mow, mow, mow.