CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Name: CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower
Price: 1799 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 6.7 (59 reviews)

Curated from 59 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: December 23, 2024

CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Brand: CRAFTSMAN

Price: $1799

Snoop Score:

6.7

Sentiment

5.3

Popularity

5.4

Technical

7.9

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Snoop's Take

The Craftsman 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower is designed to provide efficient and powerful lawn care, enabling homeowners to maintain their yards with ease. Featuring an 11.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine and a 7-speed manual transmission, this mower is capable of handling up to 2 acres of grass with a durable 36" steel deck. Consumer sentiment reflects a mix of experiences with the mower's performance and reliability. Many users appreciate its power, stating, "If it runs and cuts, it's a good deal," while others have noted issues with starting and mechanical reliability. Feedback also highlights concerns over clarity regarding features like the mulching plate and the mower's performance in small areas, indicating that potential buyers should consider their specific needs. Overall, while the Craftsman 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower is recommended for its robust performance and longevity, prospective buyers should weigh the mixed feedback and potential mechanical issues before making a purchase.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Riding Lawn Mowers & Tractors

If it runs and cuts, it's a good deal.
Positive Feedback

It's not a bad price, but, where you live makes some difference, and it's a bit unclear: that is just having side discharge; NO bagger?... NO mulching plate?
Negative Feedback

6.7

CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Buy on Amazon for $1799

Residential Lawn Care

9 / 10

Commercial Landscaping

9 / 10

Accessory Upgrades

1 / 10

Seasonal Maintenance

9 / 10

See how this compares to all Riding Lawn Mowers & Tractors

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Reliable performance if it runs and cuts

“If it runs and cuts, it's a good deal.”➕

“Agreed, if it runs and cuts, that's a good price.”➕

“It eventually had some holes in the mower deck that rusted through.”➕

Reliable power and performance

“Growing up I had an MTD that I cut my parents yard with.”➕

Longevity of Craftsman mowers

“Even so, spending 2 grand on a 13 year old lawnmower seems a bit risky, even if it comes with 800 worth of attachments.”➕

“I am still using a almost 30 year old Craftsman CV14 Kohler Engine., bought March of 1995.”➕

“Still using a 20 year old Craftsman 21hp/v twin. Never an engine problem.”➕

Reliable performance with Craftsman mowers

“I really like the newer craftsman mowers with the kolher motors and I think that would be a decent choice for a rider especially with tight turn option.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Lack of clarity about features like bagger and mulching plate

“It's not a bad price, but, where you live makes some difference, and it's a bit unclear: that is just having side discharge; NO bagger?... NO mulching plate?”➕

Takes a long time to mow small areas

“Takes 4.5 hours to mow less than .75 acres”➕

Mechanical issues causing starting problems

“Craftsman Lawn tractor won't start and making a popping noise”➕

“Check your valves. Looks like the lash is loose or bent pushrod”➕

“It’s got compression. I’ve seen these engines fail when they overheat and the valve guides move in the head causing bent pushrods.”➕

“Doing valves on OHV engines is REALLY EASY though. You'll barely need any tools; just feeler gauges, and adjustable wrench of some kind, and whatever tools you need to remove the valve covers.”➕

Frame durability issues

“I regret ever having bought that mower.”➕

Difficulty with snow equipment

“Pushing any kind of blade is not easy for any standard duty rider.”➕

Engine dies when releasing brake or engaging PTO switch

“Old Craftsman lawn tractor, dies when you let off brake/clutch pedal or engage pto switch.”➕

“If there was a short in the clutch, it would kill the engine when you turn on the pto switch, but it wouldn't kill the engine when you release the brake.”➕

“Check the ground to the relay (the seat switch relay).”➕

“Normally if this circuit is OK, it is the OP presence relay, which is just a standard OTC Bosch lighting relay at your favorite auto parts store.”➕

Frame durability issues reported

“Suggestions for riding mower with accessories Currently looking at [Husqvarna](https://www.husqvarna.com/us/riding-lawn-mowers/yth18542/) which offers snow plow, dirt scoop, and pull behind cart.”➕

Lack of diversity in mower brands

“Engines, the king is TORQUE rating and this is often hard to find as they bury it and it is the one true measure as its SAE tested.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$44	8.6	Details	Buy
CRAFTSMAN 42" Gas Riding Lawn Mower	$1999	7.3	Details	Buy
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$56	6.8	Details	Buy
CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower	$1799	6.7	Details	Buy
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$47	5.6	Details	Buy
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$49	4.5	Details	Buy
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$44	4.4	Details	Buy
88JUNYh Lawn Tractor Seat Cover	$59	3.6	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Expectation of superior content from riding mower users

“Damn, thought this was going to be filled with deluxe, high tier, chill-dude content.”➕

Discussion about tire types for lawn mowers

“Just saw airless tires on a lawn care companies mower”➕

“Oh that's beautiful, wonder how much they cost...”➕

“Search "Tweels" by Michelin, they sell them for skid steers and loaders as well. Pretty cool tech.”➕

“I run a landscaping company, we have changed out all our airless tires to standard tires. Airless is not the way.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion about different mowing strategies for yard layout.

“Craftsman mowers get no love? I need a recommendation.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Consideration of model age and parts availability

“The operators manual says Model No. 28724, repair parts manual says Model No. 917.”➕

Advice on inspecting older mowers before purchase

“What should I be wary of when giving it a look over and test ride/cut?”➕

Comparison with other brands and models

“I really couldn’t ask for more.”➕

“Briggs ohv engines come by blown 10x as much as flatheads.”➕

“Only go electric if you don’t have to deal with too much slope.”➕

Discussion of push mower vs rider efficiency

“I'm leaning towards a wide area push but I know it won't save me as much time as a rider would.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Humor about lawn mower texting

“Texts from Lawn Mower”➕

“No kidding lol. Still so confused”➕

“It literally could have been the lawn mower texting you and it would have been more coherent”➕

“That's what I thought it was based on the title. I was like damn even the lawn mowers are smart now”➕

Discussion on hitting a phone battery with mower raises safety concerns

“I accidentally hit a phone battery with my lawn mower what should I do”➕

Discussion of various lawn tractor brands and models

“Great point! I stay away from Ethanol as well.”➕

CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Curated from 59 real Reddit conversations

CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Snoop's Take

CRAFTSMAN 36" Gas Riding Lawn Mower

Residential Lawn Care

Commercial Landscaping

Accessory Upgrades

Seasonal Maintenance

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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