The Yardman Lawn Tractor 12.5 Hp / 38 inch Deck

The Yard-Man 13AC76LF055 38-Inch 344cc 12-1/2-HP Powerbuilt Briggs & Stratton 6-Speed Transmission Lawn Tractor is easy to start, easy to learn how to drive and very easy to use.

This lawn tractor is praised highly by its owners for these qualities, which mean it is suitable for all types of users, including seniors, ladies and the older teenagers (since it's a lot of fun to use it is also a great way to get the latter group out of bed and into the yard to help with the household work-load).

Features at a glance

Driving the Yardman 12.5/38

The engine of the 12.5/38 Yardman by MTD comes from the well established Briggs and Stratton range. It generates 12.5 horse power and provides reliable and steady output on normal and sloping terrain. It has an electric ignition system and develops a speed of up to 5.5 mph.

This model comes with a 6 speed 'shift-on-the-go' system that allows you to change gears without stopping. While this is a manual transmission lawn tractor, it is relatively easy to get a feel for how it works.

The size of this lawn tractor would mean that on the whole it is suitable for around 1.5 to 2 acres. However, some users report that it can handle much more with ease, as long as there are not a lot of big slopes.

Cutting with the Yardman 12.5/38

Whilst a relatively small cutting deck of 38 inches (96.5cm) might lead you to expect a slightly smaller turning radius than it has (18 inches (45.7cm)), this Yardman tractor is still agile enough to work comfortably around most obstacles.

Cutting is even, but you need to ensure deck levelling wheels are properly fixed during assembly to avoid scalping. There is a manual lever for Blade Engage Control and blade lift and also 5 position height adjustment.

Keep in mind however, that is this not really a machine optimized for very rough or bumpy terrains.

Working with the Yardman 12.5/38

Users report that the initial assembly of this Yardman lawn tractor is easy. It takes about 20 minutes to get it from box to action. You will need to make sure you properly tighten the seat and steering wheel before you hit the lawn though.

All Yardman lawn tractors utilize a standard side-discharge for grass disposal. Although mulching and bagger kits are available, they need to be ordered separately.

Cleaning of the cutting deck might require a little extra work if you don't do it on regular basis.

Available Accessories

Mulching and Bagger Kit

Good Points

• User friendly
• Great value for money
• Reasonable deck size for its power
• 2 year warranty

Bad Points

• Manual transmission may be unfamiliar (though this is what keeps the price down)
• Relatively low powered engine
• Does not come with a mulching kit as standard

Conclusions

If you have a decent size lawn and you're on a budget this Yardman lawn tractor is likely be a good choice for you. The description 'Yardman by MTD' is usually the sign of a good machine and this one is easy to operate and provides a good cut.

With a manufacturer's 2 year warranty, this is a good choice for a beginner or the person just looking for a straightforward mowing machine. This machine will ceratinly take the pain out of your mowing chores.

Purchase the Yard-Man 12.5/38 lawn tractor from Amazon.com.

We recommend Amazon because it is a respected name that you know you can trust and it usually offers the best value deals around, online or offline.