Decent push mower - was hoping for a tad more. May 04, 2010

Has a fairly strong motor, still bogs sometimes but has not yet choked out on me.  Very light weight and easy to handle on rough/odd terrain. This '09 model is much nicer than the 2010 model as the newer one is mainly made of plastics in such places as the wheel hight adjusters as well as a few other areas that gave me concern of its length of functional life. The deck washer is a neat idea but did not alone sell me on it and the new handle on the 2010 is a tad nicer as well. All of which were out weighed by the more solid construction of the '09.

Gas tank is rather small, need to fill it more regularly than with previous lawn mowers. Also the rear debris deflector is rather annoying as it would catch the grass in the middle and then the deflector would flip up and drag on the ground causing a fair amount of resistance mowing. Upon expection, noticed that there are two bolts holding it on with a length of approximatly 2 inches each leaving no support at all for 95 percent of the length. Self fix to this was to purchase a lenth of threaded metal that just fit in the diameter of the deflector and bolt that onto the mower - replacing the two stock bolts. Something that should be a stock feature from Craftsman.

Best performance for the $$$ May 03, 2010

My dad needed a mower, and I, as the son who works at Sears Lawn and Garden, could not help but get him this mower. It was on closeout, but still in the box and everything. I bought it and it sat in my living room (still boxed) until I could bring it home for my dad to use; he was replacing two mowers that had died on him, both of which were relatively new (less than 3 years old). His current 3.5 hp Weedeater mower was literally a year old,and he found that the only way the thing would start was to spray starting fluid into the carburator. My dad is almost 70, so I figured I would get him a mower that required no hassle, but also had the power to mow on a dime (he lets his grass go a little high).

This mower, with a B&S 675 series motor, handled very well. By the time I got it home, I decided I would use the thing myself (afterall I did buy it). We got it out of the box, and it started right up. I wanted to test the mowing capability myself...so I started my usualy square patern (where you mow at the edges and eventually work your way in) with the side discharge facing inward. With high, damp grass and mowing over clippings the mower did not bog down once. I did not have to slow down but mowed at my pace, which means I went FAST. It cut very well, and only used about 3/4 a tank of gas.

Clippings did go everywhere, however. The deck was covered in dust/grass, but the yard looked great, and it outperformed my expectations. To date, he says the mower cuts great, and his neighbors have used the mower, and they get the same results. I did buy the Protection Agreement, mainly because in my experience at Sears, these things are valuable as heck for getting new parts, such as wheels, bags, and throttle cables...or getting the thing serviced altogether. It really is a good mower, and I figured if the same engine was being used on a self-propelled mower, and we have never had complaints on them, that a little overkill in the power department was appropriate.

Well done Craftsman for making an awesome mower that really packs a punch!

Better than the 2010 model April 05, 2010

I bought this mower on closeout because it was better than the 2010 model which has more plastic on it than my toys had from when I was a child. I got it home, poured in the oil and gassed it up and it started with one pull on the ripcord. Very easy to use and I don't need a self propelled mower because that feature is not necessary. It does not require priming and it starts on the first pull. I have always been a fan of Briggs & Stratton engines and Craftsman tools as they are aways faithful. I had a Yard Machines mower from 2002 that just quit working. They don't build stuff like they used to but this mower is well built.

The Craftsman 675 Limited Edition is one of the best push mowers April 01, 2010

I got my Limited Edition 675 series on sale for $100 at a Sears Outlet store, brand new, but discontinued.  It came with a bag and the standard 3 in 1 blade.  I have the big wheel setup, key start, self propelled, and the hose washout function.  The only thing I have not done is use the chute because mine didn't come with the attachment, but I prefer mulching anyhow.  

I moved to a place that had not been mowed on a steep hill (like a 15% grade), and the weeds where about knee high.  Some of those weeds were the stick kind.  I used the bag and took the weeds down while going up the hill without the engine slowing down.  It didn't leave any weeds behind that I could tell until the bag was packed full (and it packs the bag full).

I also have used the bag to pick up pine needles.  A lot of pine needles, and it worked like a vacuum.

Since I mowed the first time, I have been mulching.  My grass gets about 4" high with weeds and 2" with grass... at the highest in spots.  I make sure to clean my mower out each use like they recommend and I don't get any clumps sitting on the yard.

Additionally, I have had no issues starting it.  With either the pull or key start it will start most times on the first try, if not, then by the second time for sure.