Craftsman 21-in. Gas Push Mower

Navigating the world of lawn care tools can be both exciting and daunting, especially when you're on the hunt for a reliable gas push mower. Recently, I had the opportunity to test out the Craftsman 21-in. Gas Push Mower, model CMXGMAM2703840, and my experience was a mixed bag of both promising features and some rather frustrating shortcomings.

First Impressions and Assembly

Right out of the box, the Craftsman mower makes a decent impression. Assembly was straightforward, and I appreciated that it came with engine oil included, sparing me a trip to the store. Once put together, the mower felt lightweight yet sturdy, thanks to its 8-inch rear wheels designed for better maneuverability.

Engine and Performance

The heart of this mower is its 140cc Briggs and Stratton engine with auto-choke. In theory, this should make for easy starts and a hassle-free mowing experience. Initially, the mower started on the first pull and ran smoothly, which was promising. The auto-choke feature worked as advertised, eliminating the need for priming.

However, as I continued to use the mower, the engine's performance began to wane. After just a few uses, I noticed that the engine would start to sputter and sometimes even stall if I wasn't moving at a snail's pace. This was particularly frustrating when trying to get through thicker patches of grass. Despite changing the spark plug and using fresh gas, the engine's performance did not improve significantly.

Cutting and Mulching Capabilities

One of the standout features of this Craftsman mower is its 3-in-1 deck, which allows for mulching, bagging, or side discharge. The dual-lever, 6-position height adjustment ranges from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches, giving you ample flexibility to manage different grass lengths.

In practice, the mower did a satisfactory job of cutting the grass. The mulching feature worked well, finely chopping the clippings and returning them to the lawn. However, the bagging option left something to be desired. There were noticeable gaps where the bag attaches to the mower, allowing debris to escape. This meant I often ended up walking through a cloud of dust, which wasn't pleasant.

Build Quality and Durability

Craftsman has a long-standing reputation for quality, but this mower fell short in this department. The build felt somewhat flimsy, and several components seemed prone to issues. For instance, the rod between the front wheels was bent, making it difficult to adjust the wheel height. Additionally, the mower began leaking oil after just a few uses, which is a significant concern for long-term durability.

The plastic components, while making the mower lighter, also contributed to a less robust feel. The air filter, in particular, seemed to get dirty quickly, impacting the engine's performance. Regular maintenance became more of a chore than expected.

Noise and Vibration

Another point of consideration is the noise level. The mower is notably loud, which could be a drawback if you have close neighbors or prefer a quieter mowing experience. The engine also vibrated quite a bit, which added to the overall discomfort during use.

Maintenance and Support

Maintenance is a crucial aspect of any gas-powered tool, and this mower requires quite a bit of it. The auto-choke system, while convenient, seemed overly sensitive to changes in the air filter's condition. Even a slightly dirty filter could cause the engine to run rough or stall.

Customer support was another area where the experience was lacking. Navigating the Craftsman customer service system was cumbersome, and getting a satisfactory resolution for issues was not straightforward. This added to the overall frustration of owning this mower.

Conclusion and Recommendation

After using the Craftsman 21-in. Gas Push Mower, it's clear that while it has some commendable features, it falls short in several critical areas. The initial ease of use and the 3-in-1 cutting options are definite positives. However, the inconsistent engine performance, build quality issues, and high maintenance requirements overshadow these benefits.

For those with very small lawns and a penchant for frequent maintenance, this mower might still serve adequately. However, if you're looking for a reliable, low-maintenance mower that can handle a bit more wear and tear, I would advise looking elsewhere. The frustration of dealing with engine issues and the lack of robust customer support make it hard to recommend this model wholeheartedly.

In summary, while the Craftsman 21-in. Gas Push Mower has potential, its drawbacks make it a tough sell. Consider your specific needs and perhaps explore other options before making a purchase.