Absolutely an amazing mower. May 10, 2010

I recieved this mower last year.  I have no problems with it, it runs great.  My dad bought it for me so I could mow our yard with ease.  I help me dad with trees that fall down in our woods.  He cuts them up and i tow the trailer full of wood with the mower.  Its great for leaf pick up in the fall.  I recommend just taking good care of it, wash it after two mows.  Also change the oil every year and she will always run like new.

The side rear discharge,easy to unload, with my bad arm. February 24, 2010

 It is really easy for me to unload the grass cuttings on my side rear discharge Craftsman lawn mower.  The ease of the lift bar really helps me since I have limited stength in both arms and hands.   Don't know how I would keep my yard looking so good with out it. 

Marginal Mower, Limited Options October 14, 2009

First use, the clutch cable snapped on me, and the blades would not engage. The engine would die and not restart, it kept cutting out on bumps and small ditches due to the supposed safety features. I had to disconnect the bag switch just to keep from cutting out on hills. Every small bump caused the bag to move off the switch and cut the engine. Anything that it runs over can bump it off the switch. All they need is a longer switch plunger to fix this issue, add another 1/2 inch to it and it would be fine.

I am told by one Sears rep it has a mulcher kit, try and order one, it says not available for this model! Can't put a plow on it, or a trailer. Had the gas cap issue with the dying, Sears shipped a vented cap ( they know it's an issue but still sell it with the non vented caps ), a serviceman showed up and had to repair it using a cable from another tractor! This was brand new by the way, not a return or refurb. It's funny, since it cannot be used with a snow blade that it has headlights on it. I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but who actually mows their grass in the dark? Funny you can get a snow plow for smaller tractors, but not this one with a 17.5 HP engine.

Reverse is very slow uphill, and not even great on flat surfaces. it cuts a nice swath, but I have 30 days to determine if I'll keep it or not, so I'll try it a few more times this fall and if one more issue arises, it's going back and I'll never buy a Sears mower again.

It's a nice looking machine, and when it works it works well, has great turn radius and all, fits through a typical chain link gate easily, but to have all this happen on the first day of use is bad business, and get this...they want ME to pay THEM 60 dollars to have it taken back to the store! that is what clinched it for me. They sell me a lemon and expect ME to pay  for them to take it back!

A good riding mower overall for small lawns September 01, 2009

Overall Good. s/b 3 1/2 stars. I did not have any of the issues about the bagging or gas cap or stalling. The dumping is pretty cool. As long as you make sure it is centered correctly the switch on the bag is not a problem. I must say it is a bit loud on the exhaust though. Maybe there is a quieter muffler on the market. For a 17.5 hp, it seems that reverse is poor when backing up on inclines...not powerful enough. I also was misled with tractor attachments and being able to mulch by a salesmen at the stores I visited... I blame myself on not checking into it further. Did not notice that information until I put gas in the second time. There is a decal inside the hood near the headlights. The mower should go a tad faster forward and reverse a little more power-full on inclines. Very pleased with turning radius and size of the mower. Especailly for the yard I am using with. Very pleased with the mower overall. Please send feedback if there is any advice on some of these issues. Thanks Sharkey