Craftsman Briggs & Stratton Generator, 5600 Watt 10 HP Reviews


www.sears.com


4.7 of 5
(by 69 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 93% of reviewers recommend (64 out of 69)

Pros
  • runs great, powerful (3)
Cons
  • no fuel gauge (2)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

Great generator

I bought this generator 1-1/2 years ago. When I brought it home, after minor assembly, I added the included oil, filled it with gas. It started on one pull and ran perfect. I connected it to my home and "test drove" it for a couple of hours, and it ran flawlessly.

Well, the other day, 2/7 - 2/10, in...

read full review »
Posted on Feb 12, 2010
Most Helpful Critical Review

Can't fix oil leak

I bought this unit in Sept 08 and have yet to pull the start cord. It has leaked oil since I bought it, and it's on the third trip back to the repair shop. It takes two to three weeks turnaround to have them try and fix it. Each time I get it back, I let it sit in the garage for about 7 days, and there... read full review »
Posted on Mar 06, 2009

Craftsman Briggs & Stratton Generator, 5600... Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 69 in total

Solid Powerful and Mobile Generator

I bought this generator to run my 2HP Craftsman air compressor at a garage I was renting without power. It did this with ease and I barely used two tanks of gas the whole summer. I had no trouble hauling it around in the back of my truck. Did the first oil change at 5 hours on the dot with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5W20. It would be nice if they could make an easier no spill/mess oil drain. I was able to prevent a mess by putting it up on bricks and placing a huge plastic container underneath. The first thing I did after purchasing the generator was install an hour meter. I believe the higher end... read full review »
Posted on Mar 10, 2009

The Craftsman Briggs & Stratton Generator 5600 watts is OK for camping but a little noisy. The leg that holds the front of the generator up is not good it keeps bending and the rod it is attached to is a little light weight too. Other than that it works Good

Posted on Dec 02, 2009

Bah, what hurricane?!

This generator made civilized life possible. It worked great out of the box and got us through Hurricane Ike in September 08. It is noisy, but they all are. This thing powered: the side by side fridge, 2 computers (modems and routers too), 2 TV sets, a room lamp or two, two window fans, and other smaller items (cell phone chargers) all at the same time. It never even grunted at the strain! At night, it powered a room a/c unit and the side by side fridge, and a small lamp. The most it showed on the display was 20% of capacity. It did well on gasoline and oil changes were easy. Truly, one pull got... read full review »
Posted on Nov 15, 2008
My father and I each got one of these models for about $800 each after tax during Buffalo's October Storm last year. They work great! I love the heavy-duty cable that is supplied, and how it starts right up. We powered half my house with this generator (went right into the circuit breaker) and my neighbor's refrigerator too --- all without even pulling a quarter load! Pretty darned impressive. Haven't had a need to use it again, but it still starts right up and runs like a top. If it's anything like my 7 year old Craftsman mower, it will continue to run like a top, too. Great job, Craftsman engineers...... read full review »
Posted on Nov 09, 2008

Works like a champ!

I bought this generator in September of 2008 along with a manual transfer switch kit. After installing everything and testing it in the fall, the generator was put away in my basement until this past Friday. New England was clobbered this past Friday with a fast moving ice storm. The entire region is without power as there are trees and utility lines down everywhere. The generator came out of storage at 4:30 AM on Friday morning, was filled with fresh gas, and started right up on the first pull. It has now been running nearly continuously for the past four days, stopping only for refueling and... read full review »
Posted on Dec 16, 2008

Very nice runs well

My Mother and I got this Generator a few days ago due to the massive lose of Power in Houston due to Ike. We have been running all the time with no problems. The only time is off is to refill the gas and Change the oil. I am very impressed with how easy the pull starter is to start. One Pull and off it goes. I am very happy with it and would not hesitate to tell anyone to buy this Generator. Now we are ready for the next Hurricane season with this and one less worry.
Posted on Sep 25, 2008

Awesome

This generator has performed better than I expected. My first generator to use, I bought for hurricane Ike. I've been without power for 5 days and have been running this bad boy 24 hrs a day since, and power isn't expected for another 4-10 days. I've followed the directions and maintenance laid out in the manual. I'm running a TV, large fridge, computer, 3 fans, 2 lights and several chargers for phones and batteries. Couldn't be happier with this purchase.
Posted on Sep 19, 2008

Reliable

Purchased new following Hurricane Rita, stored two years until Hurricane Ike swept through our area this summer. First use, worked great, moderate loading of about 2300 watts, surge to 3000. Got about 12 hours to a tank of gas, no oil consumption to speak of. Easy for anyone to start (use full choke). The included Adapter Cord Set was real handy. I had to laugh though that the maintenance reminder cames on to check the oil every 8 hours, that seems rather conservative, unless there is a puddle of oil under the unit! Ran solid about 36 hours until we ran out of gas. Don't plan on siphoning gas from... read full review »
Posted on Nov 27, 2008

Great Buy

This generator got us through 10 days without power during the ice storm in Oklahoma. All I had to do was keep gas in it. I followed the manual directions to change the oil (easiest oil change I've done), and it kept us warm; running a space heater, refrigerator, TV, lights, microwave, and had power for more. I am grateful for the simple and reliable operation of this generator, and will keep it as an essential tool for future outages.
Posted on Jun 23, 2008

2 stars

Since this is a craftsman, thought it would be first rate......not. After working the first time, it has been back to the shop for repair 4 times in a year. Would not start, then power was down, finally oil warning message malfunction.
Posted on Jan 04, 2009

WHAT HAPPENED??

I BOUGHT MY 5600 W/AN RV IN 06. FIRST TIME CRANKED WAS AFTER GUSTAV. STARTED FIRST PULL, WORKED GREAT! STARTED 5 NIGHTS IN A ROW AFTER WORK . I WAS IMPRESSED. HOWEVER, 8 DAYS OF NOT STARTING THE UNIT, I TRIED TO START IT. TO KEEP IT LUBED UP AND PARTS MOVING AS PER MANUAL , IT WONT START. NEW OIL, NEW FUEL, CLEANED AND GAPPED PLUG. STILL NO FIRE! WHAT HAPPENED??
Posted on Nov 05, 2008

Darn good machine

Ok, I work for Sears Corporate; nonetheless I wanted to share with you my customer experience in purchasing this generator. Our neighborhood experienced a power outage during a recent storm. The power company said that it would take at least a couple of days for them to restore power. So I needed a generator and I needed it now!!! Although the unit is a little loud, it exceeds my expectations. The sales staff at the store where I purchased it was very knowledgeable about the product and assisted in making the correct purchase. I was in and out of the store in less than 15 minutes, including the... read full review »
Posted on Aug 07, 2008

5600 Generator

Bought a small unit (2700) after Katrina. All I could get. Bought the 5600 in anticipation of Gustav. Home, unpacked and running in ten minutes. Pulled small a/c, two fans, hair dryer and air compressor with 40%. This unit was easy to set up and will fulfill all of my needs......Have not checked run time as Gustav didn't hurt us here. But I have something that I have confidence in. It was the only generator I could find and sears came through with flying colors. Cranked on first pull. Rechecked it after breakin and same thing. Excellent unit. Would highly recommend it to anyone. Jim
Posted on Sep 02, 2008

Reviews of Craftsman Briggs & Stratton Generator, 5600 Watt 10 HP