Craftsman M105 140cc 21″ 3-in-1 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower w/ Bagger Review
Craftsman has a reputation for producing high-quality tools and lawnmowers. This is true with their Craftsman M105 3-in-1 gas-powered push mower. Right out the gate, they assert this statement by noting that it’s made in the USA out of their manufacturing plant in Tupelo, Mississippi, and it’s backed by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. There are also very affordable upgraded 3 and 4-year protection plans available.
While this is a statement of confidence, Craftsman goes beyond just their word and their good name in the build quality as well as the nuts & bolts engineering of the M105. This push mower has a robust Briggs & Stratton 140 CC 4-stroke gasoline engine that powers the blades under the 21-inch diameter cutting deck. The engine was designed with Craftsman’s popular auto choke ignition system, which spares you from having to fiddle around with priming and choking the engine
The Craftsman M105 is also very versatile. It’s a true 3-in-1 lawnmower that can be set up for side discharge, as a mulching mower or as a rear discharge bagging lawn mower. It also has a dual-lever system that allows you to adjust the height of the 21-inch cutting deck from as low as 1.25-inches to as high as 3.75-inches for a custom cut based on your lawn’s conditions.
Key Features
- Gasoline push mower
- 140 CC Briggs & Stratton engine
- Auto choke ignition system
- 3-in-1 mulch, bag or side discharge
- 21-inch diameter cutting deck
- Cuts from 1.25-inches to 3.75-inches
- Weighs just 65 lbs.
- 2-year warranty
- Made in the USA
Performance
The 140 CC Briggs & Stratton engine in the Craftsman M105 is powerful enough to drive the blades under the 21-inch diameter cutting deck. The auto choke ignition system really does work nicely and spares you from having to fuss around with a primer or trying to figure out how to adjust the choke at just the right time.
If there’s a minor complaint about the Craftsman M105 it’s that it is a straight-up push mower without any sort of self-propulsion system. Though it only weighs 65-pounds and Craftsman did engineer the wheels to help it move easily across even somewhat bumpy turf.
Ease Of Use
The 7-inch front and 8-inch rear wheel of the Craftsman M105 make it easy to push the Craftsman M105 across your lawn with confidence. The dual lever cutting deck adjustment system is easy to use and lets you independently alter the front and rear of the cutting deck.
Something else to note about the Craftsman M105 is that the handles were designed to fold down neatly for compact storage. It is a real space saver for people with a small garage or limited space in the garden shed. Though the gasoline engine is not designed to hang on a wall, as the internal fluids can shift and potentially leak as time goes on.
Special Features
The 3-in-1 versatility of the cutting system is handy. You can set it up for side discharge, rear discharge bagging, or as a mulching mower.
The auto choke ignition system makes it easy to start and is handy for users who aren’t mechanically inclined.
The dual adjustment level deck adjustment system lets you quickly change the height of the 21-inch high cutting deck from as low as 1.25-inches to as high as 3.75-inches.
The folding handles make for compact storage during the season, as well as making the Craftsman M105 small enough to store on a heavy-duty free-standing garage shelf over the winter.
Cut Quality & Options
The Craftsman M105 is a very versatile push mower. You can adjust the deck from 1.25-inches to 3.75-inches. This is nice for times when you might want to keep the grass cut short when seasonal rains and sun promote vigorous growth. Then if the weather turns dry and hot for a week or more, you can leave it longer to help protect some of the soil’s inherent moisture.
The Craftsman M105 is also a true 3-in-1 lawn mower. You can set it up for side discharge which will kick the harvested blades of grass out the side of the 21-inch diameter cutting deck. The rear discharge mode lets you collect harvested grass clippings in the bagger to feed your compost pile or side-dress garden plants.
The mulching modes are also handy for helping to feed your turf while also preventing thatch buildup from choking your lawn. The tiny bits of grass it leaves behind decompose to gradually feed nitrogen back to the roots of your grass. Though if you’ve noticed your grass growing vigorously, you might want to switch back and forth between mulching and bagging every other week.
Maintenance
The auto choke ignition system makes it relatively easy to start the engine. This also tends to produce less carbon buildup inside the carburetor, which also helps to reduce long-term problems with the spark plug fouling over time.
Of course, you will need to do still handle some basic routine maintenance, winterizing, and blade sharpening. This is par for the course with gasoline-powered push mowers like the Craftsman M105.
The replacement blades for the Craftsman M105 are relatively inexpensive. So, it won’t be a headache if you simply want to buy new blades every year or two rather than teach yourself the fine art and science of sharpening lawn mower blades on your own.
Safety Features
The Craftsman M105 has all the standard hand safety controls you expect in a gasoline-powered push lawn mower. Just make sure to completely turn off the Briggs & Stratton engine before removing the bagger from the rear of the 21-inch cutting deck.
Cost-Effectiveness
The fuel efficiency of the 140 cc Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine is impressive for a four-stroke motor. The auto choke also reduces the long-term maintenance costs. Though it’s truly the 3-in-1 functionality that reduces that buildup issues, which saves you the most money in the form of not needing a lot of seasonal aerating.
