Lawn and GardenPerformance profile
MTD 960
The MTD 960 is a compact lawn and garden tractor built from 1973 to 1976. It's designed for small-scale yard work and light gardening tasks. This tractor has a simple 2-wheel drive system and manual steering, making it easy to use for beginners. The MTD 960 is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 326000 engine. This single-cylinder, air-cooled gasoline engine has a displacement of 32.4 ci, which is below average for tractors in its class. It produces 16 hp, which is about average power for a lawn tractor. The tractor has a belt-driven gear transmission with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear, allowing for different speeds when mowing or doing other yard work. It also features an independent PTO with a manual clutch, useful for running attachments like mowers or tillers. The MTD 960 has agricultural-type tires on both front and rear, providing good traction on grass and soil.
ManufacturerMTDPower16 hpEngine1-cylTransBelt-driven gear type
Quick specs
- Category
- Lawn and Garden
- Engine Power Output
- 16hp
- Transmission
- Belt-driven gear type
At a glance
How the 960 compares
vs. Lawn and Garden medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Lawn and Garden tractors
16 hp · 36th
This model
4
Median 18 hp
28
This modelLawn and Garden tractorsMediann = 380
The 960 ranks at the 36th percentile for engine power among recorded lawn and garden tractors.
Overview
About the MTD 960
The MTD 960 is a compact lawn and garden tractor built from 1973 to 1976. It's designed for small-scale yard work and light gardening tasks. This tractor has a simple 2-wheel drive system and manual steering, making it easy to use for beginners. The MTD 960 is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 326000 engine. This single-cylinder, air-cooled gasoline engine has a displacement of 32.4 ci, which is below average for tractors in its class. It produces 16 hp, which is about average power for a lawn tractor. The tractor has a belt-driven gear transmission with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse gear, allowing for different speeds when mowing or doing other yard work. It also features an independent PTO with a manual clutch, useful for running attachments like mowers or tillers. The MTD 960 has agricultural-type tires on both front and rear, providing good traction on grass and soil.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | MTD |
|---|---|
| Model | 960 |
| Category | Lawn and Garden tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1973–1976 |
Engine
| Make | Briggs & Stratton |
|---|---|
| Model | 326000 |
| Power | 16hp |
| Cylinders | 1 |
| Displacement | 32.4ci |
| Bore | 3.54in |
| Stroke | 3.27in |
Transmission
| Type | Belt-driven gear type |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 4 |
| Reverse gears | 1 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Cab | Open |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Independent with manual clutch |
|---|
Head to head
960 vs. Lawn and Garden median
How the MTD 960 compares to other Lawn and Garden tractors
| Spec | This model | Lawn and Garden median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 16 hp | 18 hp | -11% | 36th |
| Engine Displacement | 32.4 ci | 41.1 ci | -21% | 30th |
| Cylinders | 1 | 2 | -50% | 17th |
| Forward Gears | 4 | 6 | -33% | 23rd |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the lawn and garden tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 152–380 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared MTD tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTD 960 Fifteen Hundred | 15 hp | — | 1972+ | Compare → |
| MTD 960 Fourteen Hundred | 14 hp | — | 1970–1971 | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agria Hispania 7100 | 16 hp | — | — | Compare → |
| Bolens QS-16 | 16 hp | 849 lb | 1974–1977 | Compare → |
| Allis Chalmers 616 | 16.5 hp | 1,499 lb | 1972–1973 | Compare → |
| Ariens GT17 | 17 hp | 926 lb | 1979–1987 | Compare → |
| Bolens G152 | 15 hp | 1,034 lb | — | Compare → |
Explore
MTD siblings
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Gallery
MTD 960 photos
FAQ
Common questions
What years was the MTD 960 manufactured?
Production of the MTD 960 ran from 1973 through 1976.
What hitch category is the MTD 960?
The MTD 960 uses a Category Category 0 hitch.
How powerful is the MTD 960?
The MTD 960 has an engine power output of 16 hp. It is powered by a 1-cylinder engine displacing 32.4 ci.
What type of transmission does the MTD 960 have?
The MTD 960 uses a Belt-driven gear type transmission offering 4 forward gears.
What routine service does the MTD 960 need?
Regular maintenance for the MTD 960 includes checking and changing engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and filters, plus routine inspections as recommended in the owner's manual. Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for specific intervals and procedures.