Compare/MTD 860 Twelve Hundred vs MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred

MTD 860 Twelve Hundred vs MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred

Verdict: MTD 860 Twelve Hundred vs MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred

The MTD 860 Twelve Hundred and the MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred leads on rated power with 14 hp against 12 hp. MTD 860 Twelve Hundred is the lighter machine (340 kg vs 396 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred holds more fuel (17.0 L vs 5.7 L) for longer stints between fills. MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred is the newer design (1971 vs 1968). In short: choose the MTD 990 Fourteen Hundred for outright pulling power, or the MTD 860 Twelve Hundred if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

MTD

Fit score

Best match

Clear

MTD

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

12 hp

14 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

MTDReference

air-cooled horizontal-shaftReference

Image courtesy of Mark RidleyReference

Engine

Fuel tank

5.7 LReference

17.0 LReference

Displacement

24.36 ciReference

32.4 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

87 x 67 mmReference

90 x 83 mmReference

Power (gross)

8.9 kWReference

—

Starter

electricReference

Starter volts

12Reference

Power

—

10.4 kWReference

Transmission

PeerlessReference

EatonReference

Gears

4 forward and 1 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverse (2-range)Reference

PTO & Hydraulics

Mid PTO

independentReference

Clutch

manualReference

Mid PTO Type

pulleyReference

—

Dimensions

Wheelbase

113 cmReference

125 cmReference

Weight

340 kgReference

66 kgReference

Front tire

16x6.50-8Reference

Rear tire

23x8.50-12Reference

27x9.50-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

16x6.50-8Reference

Lawn/turf rear

23x8.50-12Reference

27x9.50-12Reference

Length

160 cmReference

—

Width

88 cmReference

—

Height (steering wheel)

100 cmReference

—

Height (hood)

91 cmReference

—

Shipping weight

340 kgReference

396 kgReference

Front tread

78 cmReference

71 cmReference

Rear tread

88 to 104 cmReference

76 to 88 cmReference

MTD 860 attachments

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Battery volts

12Reference

Attachment overview

42" Mower deck

Type

belt-driven gearReference

shaft-driven hydrostaticReference

Cutting width

106 cmReference

Variants

960

—

gearReference

990

—

hydrostaticReference

MTD 990 attachments

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.