Craftsman 22" 190cc Self Propelled Rear Bag High Wheel Platinum Lawn Mower Non CA

I find reviews to be very helpful when deciding on a product, so here is my review of this Craftsman Mower (Model # 37454). If you are trying to decide between a push mower and a self propelled, I would definitely recommend a self propelled. Why get beat up pushing a lawn mower around when you can just squeeze the handle and the mower moves for you. Now to decide between front propelled or rear propelled. Some may disagree, but I recommend a rear propelled. It just makes sense. There isn't enough weight in the front of the mower (especially if you are bagging) to keep the front propelled wheels on the ground without slipping. OK, now about the mower itself. First of all, this mower is really nice looking and you really couldn't ask for any more features. 22" cut, 3 in 1 mower, 700 Platinum Series Briggs and Stratton engine, Rear self propelled with ball bearing wheels, Variable speed control, Large rear wheels, One lever height adjustment, Large bag with viewing window and EZ Deck wash system. Also, the handle bars have comfortable padding on them which the picture doesn't show. The only thing this mower doesn't have is key start, which I think is unnecessary unless you are physically unable to use the pull start. My mower always starts up right away on the first pull. Now that I talked so highly of this mower, here are a few of the cons: the window on the bag is a great idea, but is already starting to stain green, so not sure how beneficial it will be unless you clean the window all the time. The EZ Deck Wash System is also a good idea, but obviously running a little water to the underneath of the deck isn't going to remove all of the clumped on grass. I also agree with some of the other reviewers that pulling the mower backwards takes a little getting used to. You have to push forward a little bit to disengage the drive mechanism. This mower is also a little expensive, but I say spend the extra cash. Remember the old saying "You get what you pay for". Luckily I got this on sale. Overall, I highly recommend this mower. Hope this review helps.

This mower STINKS, don't buy it!!  The only good thing I'll say about it is that they've made the opening of bag larger so the grass comes out easier when emptying.

Here's my list of complaints:

The bag may be bigger, but it doesn't actually store more grass due to the alignment of the opening to the mower chassis. So when the lower half of the bag fills, it covers the hole to the chassis and effectively blocks up the bag at about 3/4 full.

The rear wheels are positioned wider than the front wheels, so cutting straight alongside a sidewalk edge is a pain.

Speaking of rear wheels, when you try to pull the mower backwards, the wheels lock up. The manual says push forward to release the wheels, well they unlock but only for a couple wheel rotations and then lock again. Just what I wanted, to do the 2-step with my lawn mower when all I want to do is pull it back 6 feet.

This is advertised as a mulching lawn mower. Ha! It labors with my grass and leaves clumps behind after 1 week's growth. Engine is underpowered. I don't have petrified grass that we're working with here!

Have to shut off the engine when emptying the bag. Big point here, and it's my fault for not picking up on when I bought it. What a pain. Have to shut it down and start it up each time. Why are you still making a lawn mower that can't disengage the blade and leave the motor running???

The automatic drive engagement is quirky. They say variable speed, NOT!  If you try to get the thing to go slowly by only slightly pulling back on the lever, it is jumpy, as in, it goes, then doesn't.

Last mower I bought was Craftsmen with a Honda engine (that was able to disengage the blade), and that one truly had a variable speed engine and drive. This mower is nothing close to my previous one. Tried to take this mower back but was told I'd pay a 15% restocking fee so I didn't. I get so annoyed each time I use the mower that I'm kicking myself for not taking it back when I had the chance, even if it would have cost me $45.

Seriously, don't buy this mower, it stinks. No more Craftsmen mowers for me.