PowerSmart 170cc Review
Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower, 21in., 3-in-1 Mulch, Bag, Side Discharge, 6-Position Height Adjustment
84Good!
3.9 / 5 from 1062 users
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We spent 8.4 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
8 reasons to buy
Reviewers have mentioned that the PowerSmart 170cc mower is easy to assemble, taking minimal time and effort to set up before use. (17 reviews)
“The mower was well packaged and easy to assemble.”
“Most of the mower comes assembled. The main thing to assemble are the push bars. So assembly took less than 15 minutes.”
“this was the easiest lawnmower to put together, I got it up and ready in about ten minutes.”
“It was easy to assemble”
“Easy to set up and get started. Even for a novice like me.”
“Easy to assemble and use”
“Light weight and very easy to put together.”
“Easy to assemble.”
“Was easy to assemble took about 15-20 min”
“This mower was easy to build”
Some reviewers have mentioned that the lawn mower starts easily, often on the first or second pull, which enhances the user experience. (16 reviews)
“she started first start”
“It started easily”
“Using this technique, this mower has started for me with ease with every single use. Usually starts on the 1st or 2nd pull. At times on the 3rd pull.”
“it took me about two tries to start it which is awesome”
“cranked on the first pull and has run great since”
“It started easy enough”
“it started on the 1st pull.”
“fire right up at first try”
“1st pull everytime after that.”
“cranks up on the first pool”
Multiple reviews describe the mower as lightweight, which makes it easy to maneuver and operate. (14 reviews)
“On the plus side, it is lightweight”
“the mower is light compared to other mowers”
“pretty light-weight”
“Light weight and very easy to put together.”
“Very light non vibrating push mower”
“Lite enough for my 120lb wife to use.”
“Light weight, easy to push.”
“Great price and light”
“light”
“light on the wheels considering how big the engine is”
“metal is light weight”
“When I received the box I noticed it was light. When I compared it to my old mower it was significantly lighter.”
“Easy light weight”
One review appreciated the grass bag's capacity, indicating it can hold more clippings than expected before needing to be emptied. (3 reviews)
“The bag holds more then I thought it would.”
“I like the mower with the bag that catches the grass”
“does well with putting all cut grass into bag”
One reviewer describes the PowerSmart 170cc mower as fuel efficient, meaning it uses less fuel during its operation, which can be cost-effective for the user. (2 reviews)
“fuel efficient”
“It took about a little under a quarter tank of gas”
There are mentions of the mower having a steel body, which indicates that it is built to last and can withstand regular use. (2 reviews)
“It is not all plastic, the body is steel”
“Much sturdier blade than other mowers of the same size.”
The mower is stated to be stronger compared to battery-powered mowers, indicating a more powerful performance. (2 reviews)
“This is the third mower I have purchased. It is the strongest”
“I liked that this mower was stronger than my battery powered mower.”
A review noted that the mower could handle thick St. Augustine grass well, especially when the correct height is set for mowing. (1 review)
“I have fairly large front and backyard with St Augustine grass...this mower has...its reliability after several months of use in thick St Augustine grass.”
3 reasons not to buy
The PowerSmart 170cc lawn mower's wheels are described as not very sturdy, with a basic design that can easily crack or break, affecting the mower's overall performance. (14 reviews)
“One wheel broke off the front and the other is wobbly. The back guard broke off.”
“The wheels are not the greatest, they are not very sturdy to begin with, they are just a hollow post on a shaft with a lock nut, no washer no splines to connect to nothing. not to mention both my front wheels cracked and broke off in the first 15 minutes of run time.”
“Out of the box the wheels are broken.”
“Third use: front, right wheel broke off.”
“Came out of the box with a broken wheel”
“The wheels are flimsy.”
“The handle is cracked near the base and the wheel.”
“The wheel broke”
“wheels broke immediately”
“Front wheels are junk.”
“Used it halfway through my yard and the wheel snapped off.”
“the wheel is broken”
“when you want to use it the wheels comes off and not able to put back on just snapped off the first two minutes of it being used”
“The front housing that holds the wheels cracked on both sides after only 2 uses.”
The back guard has been noted as being made of cheap, flexible plastic that can easily go under the blade or be damaged. This part is not securely fastened, leading to early failure during use. (10 reviews)
“The guard on the back is thin and very flexible. If you pull the mower back, the guard will go under the blade. It lasted me 30 minutes before going under the motor and being chopped up.”
“Unfortunately the guard on the back of the mower is made of cheap plastic and not secured well. It failed on the first mow and the holding ties were lost in the grass.”
“Second use: the rear grass discharge flap broke off - fortunately, I found the springs in the grass and reassembled using wood screws to screw into the plastic.”
“Sometimes the flap give you a hard time when backing up.”
“Back ripped off”
“After the first time using the mower today it almost completely separated from the connecting piece.”
“Then the second time I used it the bagger flap fell off now every time I clean the bag I have to be careful not to get shot in the eye.”
“the back flap has broken off”
“the handle mechanism attaching the push bar to the deck ripped through the cheap light plastic”
“The handle is anchored in plastic. When you push the handle, it stresses the plastic and the bolt pulls through the plastic.”
Several plastic components, including the wheel mounts and panels for the grass catcher, have been reported to deteriorate or break due to the heat generated by the mower. (8 reviews)
“Four months later, this mower is unusable. The plastic cannot handle the heat from the mower.”
“Wheels and other accessory parts are made of plastic, so not the sturdiest.”
“The bolt connection that allows the handle not to fold over the mower completely ripped out from base of mower.”
“She broke the handle within the first few minutes of use because the frame is held together by weak plastic.”
“Plastic parts are cheap”
“That would be good if it were not for all the plastic parts on the mower. My very first time using the mower, the two bolts that secure the push handle pulled through the plastic holding the nuts.”
“handle broke off the body where handle housing is attached made of plastic”
“The front housing that holds the wheels cracked on both sides after only 2 uses.”
Bottom Line
Get your yard looking sharp with the PowerSmart 170cc mower. It's a cinch to put together and fires up with just a pull or two. This lightweight machine is easy to push around, and the big grass bag means fewer trips to the compost pile. Built tough with a steel frame, it's got the guts to cut through thick grass. And it won't guzzle gas, so you save cash. Just know that some bits are plastic and might not take a beating as well as the rest.
Facts
| Brand | PowerSmart |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 21 inch |
| Features | Mulching, Bagging, Rear Discharge, Side Discharge |
| Max Cutting Height | 3.9" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1.5" |
| Power Source | Gas |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
| Weight | 66.3 pounds |
Video Reviews
Special Features
- 170cc OHV 4-cycle engine: This mower has a strong engine to cut through grass easily, so you won't have to struggle to get a clean yard.
- Self-Propelled Rear wheel drive: It moves by itself, especially good on hills and bumpy ground, so you don't have to push hard.
- 3-in-1 Steel Deck: You can choose to mulch, bag, or toss the grass out the side. It's made of tough steel so it lasts a long time.
- 21" Cutting Blade: The blade is wide so you can cut more grass in one go, saving you time.
- Dual-lever height adjustment with 6 positions: You can easily change the grass cutting height to exactly what you want, with just two levers.
- Quick-folding design: Folds up quickly to take up less space in your garage or shed.
- Auto choke and recoil starter: It's easy to start up, almost like starting a good truck, you won't have to fuss with it.
- 15 Gauge Steel Deck: It's built like a tank with strong metal that won't give up on you.
- 1.4 Bushels Bagger Capacity: It can hold a lot of grass clippings, so you won't have to stop and empty it all the time.
- Suitable for various terrains: Great for all kinds of yards, whether they're flat, sloped, or a little wild.
- SAE 10W-30 Oil Included: Comes with the oil you need, so it's one less thing to buy before you get started.
FAQ
- Q:
What is a generic filter number and brand?
- A:
Stores do not sell them. You can’t look it up because the engine make is not identified. I had to buy a Honda filter and cut it down.
- Q:
Any sparkplug?
- A:
Yes it has a spark plug.
- Q:
What running shoes are recommended when you use this? Mine aren't fast enough
- A:
New balance
- Q:
Can it be delivered to Bakersfield,Ca.
- A:
I got delivered to me so i dont see why not.
- Q:
Is this side discharge?
- A:
Mine was convertable. Rear bag, side no bag
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| Final Score | 85 Good! | 97 Superb! | 90 Great! | 83 Good! | 79 |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Power Source | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| Cutting Width | 21 inch | 21 inch | 22 inch | 22 inch | 22 inch |