My Craftsman mower "died" after 6 years and needed some additional maintenance so I decided to purchase a new mower. The description / specs listed on the Sears site is not very detailed, especially when it comes to the engine size. Some mowers are rated via torque others indicate "cc" for the engine size. This is important inforamtion and should be consistent between mowers for comparison. Also it would be nice to know the difference between the Plantinum and Gold engines.
So I purchased this mower yesterday, and mowed that afternoon. Easy first set up and start ... why wouldn't it be. It takes me about 1.25 hours to mow my lawn. This mower is slightly under powered for thick grass. The under side of the deck gets built up with clippings and needs to be cleaned during mowing. The rear wheels get matted with clippings and eventually the clippings fall off in clumps.
Craftsman Push Rear Bag Lawn Mower is not recommended by Xudd
The 625 Gold Series Briggs & Stratton Engine easily delivers the power for any yard task. The Dust Blocker Rear gives exceptional bagging results. 21" 3-in-1 Dome Deck allows for all cutting options (bag, mulch, or side discharge). Comes fully assembled. Not for Sale in California.