Craftsman 38905

*Est. $220
Reviewed
April 2009
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Craftsman 38905

Pros
  • Value
  • Bags, mulches and side-discharges
  • Reliable recoil starter
  • Easy to change bag
Cons
  • Side discharge could be better
  • Steel deck more rust-prone than other types
  • Engine more polluting that other types
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 
 

The Craftsman 38905 is a step above the cheapest Craftsman gas push mowers, but reviewers say it boasts some worthwhile improvements. Its Briggs & Stratton engine is more powerful than those on even slightly less expensive Craftsman mowers. And while the Craftsman 38905 is still a recoil-start model, owners say it really does start on one pull. This mower can mulch, side-discharge or bag clippings, though one comparison review says that side discharging isn't great. Owners also like the well designed 2.1-bushel bag, which is easy to empty and change. The two-year warranty is short compared to more expensive push mowers, but average for this price range. The engine is a regular two-stroke, not a less polluting OHV engine. Push mowers are best for relatively flat lawns (or for those who want more of a workout). A self propelled mower like the Lawn Boy 10795 Insight Platinum (Discontinued) is easier to push and has a less polluting engine, but costs a lot more.

We found owner reviews for the Craftsman 38905 push mower at Sears. While there are only a few reviews posted so far, we also check reviews for similar Craftsman mowers, particularly those that use the same Briggs & Stratton engine. ConsumerReports.org also includes this Craftsman lawn mower in its comparison tests of about a dozen push mowers, rating it for performance and ease of use.

Where To Buy
 
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org evaluates the Craftsman 38905 push mower alongside a dozen others in tests for mulching, bagging and side-discharging clippings. Editors also judge ease of use and allow readers to comment. Ratings are based on several weeks of objective tests.

Review: Lawn Mowers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2009

2. Sears.com

Since Sears is the only place you can buy Craftsman lawn mowers (made by Toro), this is the best place to find user ratings. We also looked at reviews for mowers using the same Briggs & Stratton 190 cc engine as this model. Reviewers particularly like the recoil start, which owners say is reliable and really does start with one pull. The easy-to-change bag is another plus.

Review: Craftsman Rear Bag Push Lawn Mower, Contributors to Sears.com

3. J.D. Power & Associates

Craftsman ranks third among 10 brands of walk-behind lawn mowers, behind only Honda and John Deere in this latest J. D. Power and Associates customer-satisfaction survey of more than 2,220 users. On a 5-point scale, Craftsman earns 4-point ratings on all three factors: durability, ease of use and performance.

Review: 2009 Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Study, Editors of J. D. Power and Associates, Sept. 10, 2009

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