Craftsman 42-in. TURN TIGHT Gas Riding Mower

I've had the opportunity to use the Craftsman 42-in. TURN TIGHT Gas Riding Mower, model CMXGRAM7821291, and I have some insights to share. As someone who takes pride in maintaining a well-manicured lawn, the performance and features of this mower caught my attention, but not always for the right reasons.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that struck me about the Craftsman mower is its design. The 42-inch reinforced stamped steel deck feels robust, and the front-end bumper adds a layer of safety that's reassuring. However, the build quality leaves something to be desired. The mower feels a bit plasticky, especially around the controls and the seat. The seat itself is high-back, which should add comfort, but it lacks sufficient cushioning and adjustability. This can become uncomfortable during extended mowing sessions.

Engine Performance

The 19 HP Briggs and Stratton engine with ReadyStart technology is a highlight. Starting the mower is straightforward, and the engine generally performs well, even in tall or thick grass. However, I did notice that it struggles a bit when the grass is slightly wet, which is a common scenario. The engine's power is adequate but not exceptional, and there were occasions when it felt underpowered, particularly on slopes.

Maneuverability

One of the selling points of this mower is its 5-inch TURN TIGHT radius, which indeed makes maneuvering around obstacles a breeze. This feature is particularly useful for yards with lots of landscaping features or tight corners. The hydrostatic transmission allows for smooth speed transitions, and the foot pedal operation feels intuitive. However, the mower's overall stability could be better. On uneven terrain, the frame flexes noticeably, which can affect the quality of the cut.

Cutting Performance

Speaking of cutting, the mower's performance here is a mixed bag. The 42-inch deck provides a decent cutting swath, reducing the number of passes needed to mow the lawn. Yet, the cutting height adjustments are limited to five settings, with a maximum height of 4 inches. This should be adequate for most lawns, but the levers for height adjustment are not the most user-friendly. They require a bit of muscle, and I found myself wishing for a more straightforward mechanism.

The mower does a reasonable job on flat, dry lawns, but it struggles with uneven ground. The single hanger in the front of the deck can lead to uneven cuts, especially on slopes. Additionally, the deck is not counterweighted or spring-balanced, making it cumbersome to lift and adjust.

Durability and Maintenance

Durability is a critical factor for any mower, and this is where the Craftsman falls short. After a couple of seasons, I started experiencing issues with various components. The upper drive belt shredded, the PTO cable needed replacement, and the solenoid failed. These are relatively common wear-and-tear items, but the frequency of these issues was concerning.

Another significant problem is the mower's susceptibility to clogging and belt issues. The belt for the blades tends to slip out of the guides, requiring frequent stops to readjust. The absence of an oil filter means more frequent oil changes, which adds to the maintenance burden. The oil drain plug's awkward placement further complicates this task.

Comfort and Ergonomics

As mentioned earlier, the high-back seat is not as comfortable as it looks. The cushioning is minimal, and the seat lacks sufficient adjustability. This can lead to discomfort, especially during longer mowing sessions. The steering wheel also has a sharp ring of over-mold flashing that needed to be sanded off to avoid cutting my fingers.

Additional Features

The Craftsman 42-in. TURN TIGHT mower does come with some useful additional features. The optional mulching kit is a nice touch, allowing for a cleaner cut and better grass management. The variety of available attachments, such as baggers and carts, adds versatility to the mower. However, these features do not compensate for the fundamental issues with build quality and reliability.

Noise and Vibration

Another point worth mentioning is the noise and vibration levels. The mower is quite noisy, which is somewhat expected with a gas engine, but the level of vibration is concerning. Engaging the blades causes noticeable shaking, which not only affects comfort but also raises questions about long-term durability.

Final Thoughts

Would I recommend the Craftsman 42-in. TURN TIGHT Gas Riding Mower? It's a tough call. On the one hand, it offers some useful features like the tight turning radius, hydrostatic transmission, and optional attachments. On the other hand, the build quality, durability, and comfort issues are significant drawbacks.

If you have a relatively flat, small to medium-sized yard and don't mind performing regular maintenance, this mower could be a reasonable choice, especially if you can find it on sale. However, for larger properties or those with uneven terrain, I would advise looking at more robust alternatives. The frequent mechanical issues and lack of comfort make it hard to justify the investment for more demanding mowing tasks.

In summary, the Craftsman 42-in. TURN TIGHT Gas Riding Mower has potential but falls short in critical areas. It's a decent mower for light-duty use but not suited for heavy or prolonged tasks. If you're considering this mower, weigh the pros and cons carefully and be prepared for a more hands-on maintenance experience.