Craftsman M105 Review
21-Inch 3-in-1 140cc Gas OHV Powered Push Lawn Mower with Bagger
92Great!
4.3 / 5 from 2658 users
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We spent 9.3 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
9 reasons to buy
Reviews often mentioned that the Craftsman M105 is easy to assemble, with clear instructions and no need for special tools. (35 reviews)
“Looking at the mower itself to put it in place was actually pretty self explanatory! Pull this, bend here, screw this in place. And it was done. 20mins.”
“This is an excellent mower that is relatively easy to assemble.”
“Easy to assemble, no tools needed.”
“Assembly was fairly easy after downloading the Assembly and Operators Manuals.”
“Easy to put together”
“Setup was pretty easy.”
“It was easily assembled.”
“easy to assemble”
“This Craftsman mower was VERY easy to put together. It took me all of 10 minutes.”
“The only assembly was locking the handle in place, filling with oil, and filling gas”
Several reviews point out that the mower starts quickly, often with just one or two pulls, making it efficient and user-friendly. (32 reviews)
“In terms of performance, it started up easily on the first pull”
“I was amazed the mower started with first pull and had no problem stopping and starting.”
“Once assembled, the oil added and the tank filled with gas, the mower started right up.”
“Otherwise the machine started on one pull after priming”
“It started up on the first pull.”
“this mower is so sturdy and starts on the first pull.”
“The best part...I pulled the string with ease, and it started right up!”
“starts first pull every time”
“it started on the very first pull”
“Put oil in, put gas in, pulled cord and mower started before I had cord pulled all the way back ! Freaked me out. Brand new mower, no gas in carb and it started first half pull !”
Many reviews highlight that the mower is light, making it easy to handle and maneuver around the yard. (16 reviews)
“light weight to handle made for a quick pass”
“I found it easy to push and maneuver.”
“He said it's very light weight”
“It was easy to maneuver and not hard to push.”
“The mower is lightweight compared to others I have owned over the years.”
“It’s lightweight and easy to handle.”
“The mower is light weight, easy to handle”
“It was very lightweight.”
“it's light enough to drag up and down the steep hill in my front yard”
“this one did a great job easy to handle”
Users noted the mower provides a clean cut, making the lawn look better after mowing. (6 reviews)
“The cutting was nice and clean looking”
“Mower cuts beautifully.”
“It does a great job mowing the lawn”
“Cuts grass evenily.”
“And, it cuts grass like a charm.”
“I'm happy with the job it did on my horrible overgrown lawn”
The mower reportedly handles rough and uneven terrain well, without hitches or stalls, even with tall grass. (5 reviews)
“We have a rough yard being out in the country, but it didn't faze it one bit. Ran over the bumps and dips as if they weren't there.”
“This mower fit the bill and did an excellent job even where the grass was overgrown.”
“The grass was literally knee high to a 6 foot person. That didn't matter to the mower. Cut through it like a hot knife through butter.”
“Our lawn had grown above a foot and this lawn mower plowed through every bit of it with no issues.”
“it's light enough to drag up and down the steep hill in my front yard”
Users have the option to use a side chute for discharging grass clippings, attach a bag for collection, or use the mulching feature. (4 reviews)
“I did choose the option of using the side chute for dispelling the grass. The mulching option I thought about, but the grass was too tall for my comfort to use it at the time. But will try it out eventually”
“The bag is easy to take off to dump in the yard debris bin.”
“It is a mulcher that has an attachment to do side-discharge.”
“Good option for fall leaf pickup.”
The auto choke feature is appreciated for its convenience, as it eliminates the need to prime the engine manually. (1 review)
“The Auto Choke feature of it is a nice touch, so no pushing a plastic bubble to prime it.”
The gas cap has a feature that clicks to prevent over-tightening, which users find helpful for easy removal. (1 review)
“the gas cap has a feature in it that clicks when putting the cap on so you're not having to use a monkey wrench to try and get it off due to accidentally putting it on too tight”
Handles are described as having a smooth finish, which is comfortable to grip and does not cause pinching during use. (1 review)
“it was a nice smooth finish with the coating so it doesn't feel rough on the hands”
2 reasons not to buy
Although most reviews found assembly easy, one reviewer stressed the importance of following the assembly instructions carefully to avoid damaging the mower. (9 reviews)
“The picture depicted on the shipping carton and the instruction book are in error. They both show the metal bag handle outside the bag at the top. Assembly in this manner leaves a big gap that allows debris to blow back to the operator.”
“only shipped with one handle bolt had to buy a bolt for handle”
“Handle is recessed to near the lawnmower blade in order to fit in the box. Requires (not unscrewing) pulling upward by a strong arm.”
“It has a leaf collection bag but only a rocket scientist would know how to put that together and there are no directions.”
“Assembly was pretty simple tho instructions had to be consulted for a few things (not so simple you can just throw the instructions before assembly).”
“READ the quick start instructions. My young man did not,lucky I was close by, as he did not extend the push bar as clearly states in those instructions.”
“Assembly was a nightmare as one of the 1/4 inch handle bolts was bent 15 degrees thus not allowing the handle to be extended. Had to drill out the bolt to replace.”
“I have really enjoyed the product, but it took over two hours to assemble.”
“Setup took about 30 mins. It’s was little challenging and I put the grass catcher, instructions were not so clear.”
The mower is not self-propelled, which could be a downside for people who expect or need this feature to make it easier to use. (4 reviews)
“And no - this is NOT self-propelled - it is a PUSH mower.”
“If your yard is larger or has any steep inclines, I'd recommend for a better self-propelled mower with a larger capacity bag.”
“It’s small and is not self propelled.”
“only thing is this is a push mower so if you have a large back yard and a large front lawn you will get a good work out.”
Bottom Line
The Craftsman M105 mower is praised for its no-hassle start-up and simple assembly, making yard work a breeze. It's light, easy to push around obstacles, and delivers a neat trim even on tough terrain. With options to mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings, it's versatile for any lawn. The comfortable handles and smart gas cap design add to its practicality. However, it's not self-propelled, so it might require a bit more effort to move. Make sure to follow setup instructions closely.
Facts
| Brand | Craftsman |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 21 inch |
| Features | Mulching, Bagging, Side Discharge |
| Max Cutting Height | 3-3/4" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1-1/4" |
| Power Source | Gas |
| Category | Push Mowers |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
| Weight | 72 lbs |
| Additional Info | Recoil Start, Auto Choke, Briggs and Stratton Engine, ReadyStart, Zag Treading |
Tips for Craftsman M105
- It is advisable to mow when the grass is dry to prevent the mower from bogging down.
- During assembly, pull the handles out of the deck area after loosening the handles adjustment knobs. This is to ensure that the handles are clear from the mower’s blades.
- Coat the mower’s deck with a fluid film spray to prevent grass and debris build-up.
Special Features
- Powerful 140cc OHV Engine: Strong motor makes cutting the grass quick and easy, without needing extra muscle.
- Recoil Start & Auto Choke: Starting the mower is a breeze—just pull the cord once and you're ready to go, no fiddling with buttons.
- 3-in-1 Mowing: Choose whether you want to shoot grass to the side, collect it in a bag, or chop it fine to feed your lawn.
- 21-Inch Cutting Deck: The wide blade cuts a big path so you can finish mowing your lawn faster.
- Adjustable Cutting Heights: Change the cutting level easily with a lever, so you can cut your grass short or leave it longer.
- Attached Bagger Included: There's a bag on the back to catch the cut grass, making cleanup a cinch.
- Durable Zag Tread Tires: The tires grip well, making it simpler to push the mower through tough spots and keep it straight.
- 2-Year Warranty: The mower comes with a two-year promise that it'll work like it should, giving you peace of mind.
FAQ
- Q:
Is the Craftsman M105 self-propelled?
- A:
No, the mower is self-push.
- Q:
Where can I purchase replacement blades?
- A:
You can purchase replacement blades here.
- Q:
Why type of oil do I need for the engine?
- A:
It is recommended to use 10W-30 motor oil.
- Q:
Can the mower’s handle fold down?
- A:
Yes, the handles fold down easily for storage.
- Q:
What assembly is required?
- A:
Just the mower’s handle and grass bag need assembly.
- Q:
Does the mower arrive with oil?
- A:
Yes, oil is included.
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| Final Score | 91 Great! | 89 Good! | 89 Good! | 88 Good! | 83 Good! |
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