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Started By
Message
Does Craftsman make a decent riding mower?
Posted on 6/17/25 at 5:22 am
Posted on 6/17/25 at 5:22 am
Getting older plus surgery in both knees is making push mowing my yard harder and harder. Was looking at getting a small riding mower from Lowes and they carry the craftsmans brand. Is this just junk or will I get a good life out of one of these mowers? The cheapest one is 2k which is insane to me. Anyone have any experience with these or another brand of small riding mower?
12
Posted on 6/17/25 at 7:01 am to Canon951
I’d like to know as well. I’ve actually been very pleased with their stuff I’ve bought the last few years. I think since they rebranded under Stanley they’ve gotten a lot better than the last decade they had under Sears.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 9:14 am to Canon951
no
Posted on 6/17/25 at 9:39 am to sosaysmorvant
quote:
no
Relative to a dealer model or even "old-school" craftsman, no. They're not terrible though.
I have 1, and it's the same as all the other MTD mowers in the $12-1500 market. Fine for what it is
Posted on 6/17/25 at 9:40 am to jrobic4
Why Craftsman with better alternatives?
Posted on 6/17/25 at 10:57 am to Canon951
Craftsman doesn't make any lawnmowers that I'm aware of. They slap their name on various different brands. Look for a Snapper classic.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 11:28 am to LEASTBAY
They're MTD specials. Do not ever buy a MTD mower...unless youre wanting a light duty machine that will have issues.
This post was edited on 6/17/25 at 11:31 am
Posted on 6/17/25 at 1:17 pm to El Segundo Guy
quote:
They're MTD specials. Do not ever buy a MTD mower...unless youre wanting a light duty machine that will have issues.
I don't get this logic. If he is mowing his yard with a push mower it's probably not a very large yard and a light duty mower/engine is exactly what I would be looking for. I would buy the MTD, make sure you follow the break-in instruction for the engine and keep the blades sharp, oil changed, and air filter clean. You will be fine with it.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 6:37 pm to Canon951
My riding mower is a Craftsman 42" from 1997. Still going strong.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 7:39 pm to TimeOutdoors
quote:
If he is mowing his yard with a push mower it's probably not a very large yard and a light duty mower/engine is exactly what I would be looking for.
Then a battery powered machine would be best
Posted on 6/17/25 at 8:34 pm to Canon951
you are buying the engine, for the most part....then the quality of the deck
Keep it out of the rain, and it should last for years.....watch out for bug sticks, roots, they will give you probelms.
Keep the oil changed and blades sharp!
Keep it out of the rain, and it should last for years.....watch out for bug sticks, roots, they will give you probelms.
Keep the oil changed and blades sharp!
Posted on 6/17/25 at 8:36 pm to Canon951
We have had several. We use them for land out of town and local yard. Pretty hard on them. The engine and parts availability is the main thing. Kohler or B&S is usually what you get. Easy enough to repair, get repaired or order parts to repair. The newest is probably 15 years old up to 20 years old.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 8:42 pm to zippyputt
Posted on 6/17/25 at 10:54 pm to Bayou
I guess like most things they have cheapened the product to make money or stay solvent. Some newer products seem easier to repair in all honesty even if made more cheaply. If that makes sense.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 5:08 am to Canon951
Buy Husqvarna if wanting a Lawn tractor model. Stay away from any made by MTD.
Their 22hp 46 inch cut is a fine mower
Their 22hp 46 inch cut is a fine mower
Posted on 6/18/25 at 5:13 am to ISEN_AG
quote:
My riding mower is a Craftsman 42" from 1997. Still going strong.
Back then Craftsman was made by AYP,. AYP was bought out by Husqvarna. Husqvarna makes a quality lawn tractor. The craftsmsns of today are made by MTD. Dont buy one. It wont last.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 5:18 am to Canon951
Thanks for the responses. What about Cub Cadet? Tractor Supply sells those and they are in the same price range. Anyone have any experience with those?
Posted on 6/18/25 at 5:24 am to Canon951
Its made by MTD which was bought out by stanley black and decker.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 6:37 am to Canon951
Man, just get a snapper.
Bought a cub cadet from Lowe’s because I had always heard the name. Problems with the engine soon after. Lowe’s would do a thing. Had to call Lowe’s 800 number to get a list of authorized warranty places. One in false River, one in Gonzales, don’t remember the other. Rode by false river when I was out there close but nobody at shop , looked sketchy af. Took it to Gonzales had to pay for work upfront and was to be reimbursed when cub cadet paid him. Got it back running even worse, smoking like a mosquito truck. Had to pay for guy to come out and fix it didn’t last one round around the yard. Couldn’t get them on the phone so drove down to Gonzales and the shop was closed. Permanently. Out of business. No one answering phone. Lowe’s said oh well. Sorry, but it was my problem. Happy to see the scrap metal man load it up in his truck with a hoist.
But, might have just been a bad one.
Bought a cub cadet from Lowe’s because I had always heard the name. Problems with the engine soon after. Lowe’s would do a thing. Had to call Lowe’s 800 number to get a list of authorized warranty places. One in false River, one in Gonzales, don’t remember the other. Rode by false river when I was out there close but nobody at shop , looked sketchy af. Took it to Gonzales had to pay for work upfront and was to be reimbursed when cub cadet paid him. Got it back running even worse, smoking like a mosquito truck. Had to pay for guy to come out and fix it didn’t last one round around the yard. Couldn’t get them on the phone so drove down to Gonzales and the shop was closed. Permanently. Out of business. No one answering phone. Lowe’s said oh well. Sorry, but it was my problem. Happy to see the scrap metal man load it up in his truck with a hoist.
But, might have just been a bad one.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 8:23 am to Canon951
quote:
Thanks for the responses. What about Cub Cadet? Tractor Supply sells those and they are in the same price range. Anyone have any experience with those?
I bought one last year and I have been happy with it. I think they improved the choke on the newer model. I did swap out the blades to the mulching blades, but the blades that came with the mower worked fine.
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