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    Lawn mowers and tractors

    Craftsman 20372 riding lawn mower & tractor

    About

    The Craftsman 20372 is part of the Lawn mower & tractor test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Lawn mower & tractor models like the 20372 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

    Predicted reliability: Predicted reliability icons are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased riding mowers, not under service contract, within the first five years of ownership for lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers and the first four years for rear engine riders.<p> </p>

    Owner satisfaction: Owner satisfaction icons are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their riding mower to their friends and family.

    Side discharging: How far and evenly clippings were dispersed from the discharge chute.

    Features

    Cuts in reverse Cuts in reverse Some tractors don't let you cut grass in reverse. While a good safety feature, this can also be inconvenient in tight areas. Certain models instead require you to engage an override switch.
    Yes
    Cruise control Cruise control Lets the tractor's driver maintain a constant speed without using the foot pedal.
    No
    Washout port Washout port Accepts a hose for cleaning the underside of the deck more easily than from above. Be sure to allow the underside to air-dry before stowing the machine.
    No
    Power steering Power steering Hydraulic or electric boost to reduce force required to turn the steering wheel.
    No

    Specs

    Deck size (in.) Deck size The manufacturer's claimed cutting width, or swath, in inches. Rear-engine riding mowers are about 30 inches, and lawn tractors are about 38 to 48 inches or more. Mowers with larger decks take up more storage space, but cut proportionally faster and therefore reduce cutting time.
    42
    Engine power (hp) Engine power The manufacturer's claimed horsepower for the engine. All other factors being equal, an engine with more power will be able to handle tougher jobs (such as tall grass) without bogging down.
    na
    Engine manufacturer Engine manufacturer The brand of engine on the tractor or rider.
    self branded
    Drive type Drive type Categorized by the drive system (engine and transmission), which controls a tractor's direction and ground speed. Hydrostatic-drive tractors let you smoothly increase or decrease ground speed infinitely with a lever or foot pedal. Gear-drive tractors involve shifting, clutching, and a distinct set of speed ranges. Tight-turning, "zero-turn-radius" riders use a dual hydrostatic-drive system to infinitely vary ground speed and allow a narrow turn radius by varying power to each rear wheel independently. Pedal-drive tractors use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to vary ground speed depending on how hard the drive pedal is pressed. Pedal-drive tractors do not have a hydraulic transmission like hydrostatic models, and they require shifting when changing between forward and reverse. Manual-drive tractors are similar in design to pedal-drive models except that the pedal is replaced with a detented lever that only allows several discrete ground speeds. They function like a gear drive tractor, but instead of a geared transmission, they incorporate a CVT. Rear-engine riders are smaller than tractors and have a rear-mounted engine.
    CVT
    Number of cylinders Number of cylinders The number of gasoline combustion cylinders in the engine.
    1
    Forward speeds Forward speeds All tractors with gear-drive transmissions have multiple forward speeds, usually five or six. Tractors with hydrostatic transmissions have infinitely variable forward speeds controlled by the operator.
    Variable
    Warranty Warranty The length of time the lawn mower is covered by its manufacturer for defects or repairs.
    2 years