Is the Craftsman 917.38851 a good mower?

[pdowty68]

Is this mower any good? I just got it and I wanted to know if it was one of the more rust prone models as some craftsman's are. I love craftsman, I'm not saying they are no good but some of their newer mowers tend to be more rust prone than other brands. I know proper care is everything but sometimes you just can't prevent rust.
Let me know what you think,
Thanks,
Paul

 

[ddbtdd]

I can't say yours isn't a good mower. If you didn't pay too much and you like it then it probably is. Is yours a 2003 with a Briggs 6.5hp and 21" cut? I bet with a little maintenance and some care it'll last you until you think you got your moneys worth out of it...

In 1997 I bought a gently used Craftsman 20" with the Eager 1 Tecumseh (I believe). Just a basic little mower. I change the oil about once a yr and clean the deck whenever I sharpen the blades. I put new front tires on it this spring. My Craftsman has been a great, easy starting mower for me.

 

[msaeger]

Is this mower any good? I just got it and I wanted to know if it was one of the more rust prone models as some craftsman's are. I love craftsman, I'm not saying they are no good but some of their newer mowers tend to be more rust prone than other brands. I know proper care is everything but sometimes you just can't prevent rust.
Let me know what you think,
Thanks,
Paul

Unless it's going to be stored outside where it will be wet for a long time I can't believe rust would be a problem. I have a 8 year old craftsman push mower and there's no rust on it.

 

[Carscw]

Storing a mower out side in the weather is not as bad as washing it then putting it in the shed.


You cut wet grass with it. Done of us cut in the rain when we have to.
You spray it down with water.
As you mow you sandblast the underside of the deck.

To me putting a mower in the shed does not stop the rust.

It's like people that drive their car in the rain or snow and park it in the garage out of the weather.

It is not rust that puts holes in decks it's hitting rocks, pine cones, sticks. That makes the deck weak