Compare/Sears Handiman R-T vs Sears Suburban

Sears Handiman R-T vs Sears Suburban

Verdict: Sears Handiman R-T vs Sears Suburban

The Sears Handiman R-T and the Sears Suburban are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Sears Suburban leads on rated power with 6 hp against 5 hp. Sears Suburban is the newer design (1959 vs 1939). In short: choose the Sears Suburban for outright pulling power, or the Sears Handiman R-T if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Sears

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Sears

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

5 hp

6 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Distributor

SearsReference

Manufacturer

David BradleyReference

Sears advertised the ability to swap the engine and transmission pulleys, giving about 20% faster speeds.Reference

Over-center clutch lever selects forward, reverse, or neutral. Variable speed lever adjusts speed of travel.Reference

Steering

manualReference

—

Original price

—

$555 (1961 electric )Reference

Engine

Fuel tank

9.5 LReference

—

Displacement

23 ciReference

14.1 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

76 x 83 mmReference

70 x 60 mmReference

Power

3.7 kWReference

4.3 kWReference

Fuel system

carburetorReference

Air cleaner

oil bathReference

—

Rated RPM

3200Reference

—

Starter type

hand-crankReference

—

Oil capacity

2.4 LReference

1.9 LReference

Sparkplug gap

0.635 mmReference

—

Intake valve clearance

0.203 mmReference

—

Exhaust valve clearance

0.381 mmReference

—

Starter

—

electricReference

Starter volts

—

12Reference

Transmission

Type

belt-driven sliding gearReference

belt-driven mechanical CVTReference

Gears

2 forward and 1 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverseReference

Clutch

mechanical belt idlerReference

—

Oil type

—

SAE 90 EP Gear LubeReference

Oil change

—

500 hReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

145 cmReference

110 cmReference

Ag front

4.00x8Reference

Ag rear

6.00x22Reference

6.00x12Reference

Ground clearance

45 cmReference

—

Front tread

68/80/91 cmReference

—

Rear tread

68/80/91 cmReference

—

Weight

—

63 kgReference

Length

—

185 cmReference

Width

—

86 cmReference

Height

—

94 cmReference

Shipping weight

—

217 kgReference

Variants

917.60601

—

1959 recoilReference

917.60602

—

1959 electricReference

917.60613

—

1960 recoilReference

917.60614

—

1960 electricReference

917.60616

—

1961 recoilReference

917.60617

—

1961 electricReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Sears Suburban attachments

Electrical

Ground

—

negativeReference

Battery volts

—

12Reference

Attachment overview

43" Mower deck

Cutting width

—

109 cmReference

Cut height

—

2 to 8 cmReference

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.