Craftsman M430 Walk-Behind Mower Review
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- I haven't seen many videos around this push mower with decent mowing action, so here you go! AMSOIL Links below!
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Review
15:20 - Let's do some mowing!
AMSOIL STORE - www.amsoil.com/c/products/1/?...
Save 25% here! - www.amsoil.com/offers/pc/?zo=...
Stripe Kit - www.mtdparts.com/en_US/walk-b... - Zábava
Thank you for your review & detailed explanation of this mower! I've been thinking about a Toro Timemaster for a while but cost was a big holdup. Never heard of this mower until I walked into Lowes a couple weeks ago & found it in clearance brand new, unopened box. Someone bought it online & whatever reason didn't want it so they returned it to the store. Manager said they don't actually sell them in the store & just wanted to get rid of it. They had it priced at $700 & with opening Lowes credit it took another $100 off...so I got it for $600+tax! I couldn't believe my good luck! And you taught me a few things about this beast of a mower. Thank you again!
Wow, you got a heck of a deal! So the engine is very similar to the Timemaster. Both have the full aluminum carbs (no plastic). I've also heard the TimeMasters can have belt slip after prolonged use causing the blades to hit each other. This mower staggers the blades so I do not believe they can touch. Enjoy the new machine!
@cbidwell91 Thank you for all the information!
Looks like a really well designed mower
When it comes to oil its best to follow manufacturer recommendations. things just tend to last longer that way.
Thanks for your comment. I'd agree and disagree with that statement. But for this mower, the oil I'm using meets and exceeds manufacture specifications. I also back up any extended intervals with oil sampling. Briggs oil will work great for you and you'll likely never have an issue.
Great review CB!
Thank you kindly
Great review
I am on my 3rd season with my Timemaster. I use it to cut a .60 acre lawn with hills. It works very well.
I like the Craftsman's design as the Cubbie too esp the swivel wheels and easy oil change.
Toro, Craftsman DR.... would be better served if they want to do a wide area walk behind right, then they need to add a few things such as 12" pneumatic rear wheels, 10" swivel pneumatic front wheels and a one gallon tank. A 223cc engine is plenty for a dual blade walk behind. No need to increase that.
There are plenty of us with up to an acre who love a walk behind. I will get a rider maybe.....at 85 years old. I am 57 now.
There are definitely things they could improve to make them a bit better, my real wheels specifically wear quite fast. I'm on my 3rd season and they are basically bald. My yard is relatively flat, so anyone with much elevation may see increased tire wear. For the price point, they both serve really well. I've heard great things about the Toro, so I'm glad you're enjoying it!
@@cbidwell91
Thanks for the reply.
I use syn oil from Walmart. It is in a red container. For the same price as dino oil, it is a steal to me.
I do not have tire wear issues on the Timemaster. Weird...I guess.
I am going to pick up another 28"-30" wide area mower to have a backup. I may get the Craftsman to change it up if I get a deal on it.
Great info
Nice little machine I didn’t know craftsman made them
Yup! It's an MTD product shared with Cub Cadet and Craftsman. There may be another "brand" out there somewhere that I'm not aware of.
I’m looking for a video showing the underside of the mower. I’m curious what the blades look like
same engine as Timemaster. Looks good.
Indeed it is!
Does anyone have problems with the self-propelled. I change the belt. It works for a little bit and then falls off. No belt tensioner. Is it the cable?
Great video man appreciate your thorough explanation of the mower.
I have one super random question; can you walk it backwards easily? I have spots in my yard where I like to side discharge away multiple passes one direction. I usually will drag my non self propelled behind me and then move over and start a new cut over a width. It wouldn't be the end of the world if it didn't but for me it would be a con for MY needs. Thanks in advance for any response.
Very easy to pull backwards. I honestly don’t have any issues with its mobility. I find I use the zero turn ability more than pulling backwards anyway.
Nice cut
I've had mine for a couple years now and my biggest complaint is the gas tank size. Seems like it runs out fairly quick. Otherwise I'm very happy with it.
Yeah, I'd agree with that if my yard was larger. I can mow my front lawn two directions and my entire rear lawn without having to fill up. But I have to add gas to the tank every time I mow. So for me its pretty ideal, but anything over a 1/4 acre and I could see it being an issue.
Just bought mine, and it should be delivered tomorrow! I'll definitely get a stripe kit too. Was it easy to install?
Congratulations! Yes, stripe kit was very simple to install. I think I had to finesse the main bar as it didn't line up perfectly into the mounting hole but it wasn't anything a simple set of pliers couldn't handle.
Thanks for the review. does it fit through normal backyard gates?
I think a typical gate is roughly 32-36 inches wide, so should fit. I'd recommend measuring yours and seeing if its more narrow than 30 inches.
Thanks for the review. I’m looking at purchasing this mower but I have a very steep backyard. How would it do handling going uphill, as well as over time on the rough terrain?
Rough terrain is hard on all push mowers. For this mower, you can lock the front wheels straight or allow them free 360 degree rotation. If you're going up steep areas, it may be better to lock the front wheels to try and keep the mower as straight as possible. Now, my yard isn't steep at all, and after 3 years my rear tires have worn considerably. That may be something which will wear even quicker if you're trying to get up a grade. The mower is very "rear heavy" so it will be able to get traction down.
Thanks for the response. So when comparing this mower to the Toro TimeMaster, and the Cub Cadet CC 760 ES, would you recommend one over the other for hilly terrain?
@@roberthartley5430 I've actually never used either of the mowers you're comparing against, but I will say the TimeMaster has the exact same engine as the Craftsman. The CC 760 appears to be much heavier duty with a larger fuel tank (Craftsman is quite small on the tank size) and wider deck, but the front wheels don't appear to lock. The TimeMaster also requires the blades to be "timed" since they are side by side, vs being offset in the Craftsman. The CC760 may need to be timed as well. All 3 will climb a hill being RWD. That Cub looks really nice though :)
Does the strip kit come with everything like roller because on site it does not show roller.. Angel
Yep! Everything you need comes in the kit. No idea why they don't include the rollers in the photo. Bad advertising lol.
Well I'm trying to get the same oil that you're talking about in your video. Can you help me. Thanks
Understood! Here is a link to all of the 4-cycle power equipment oil for small engines. www.amsoil.com/c/4-stroke-power-equipment/12/?zo=5062459
Are you using the amsoil dominator oil ?
Thanks
Not in this. I use the 10W30 Small Engine Oil. Dominator is a racing oil, so that will not be going into my lawn mower. Dominator also doesn't have the same long term additive package that the small engine oil does.
Great video How much does it weigh
The entire box from Lowes is 275 lbs.
Fast 30s are another quantum leap in the industry. I experimented with the Timemaster in the commercial environment for a year. Did really well, but seemed fragile and sensitive. Commercial 30s are too heavy and don't handle well in the curves. Those large caster wheel assemblies, how do they feel. Sturdy, or flimsy?
They don't feel too bad. Again, like the video, I can't stress enough that this is not a commercial mower. But, the welds and caster assembly seem to be quite sturdy. Nothing like these commercial grade mowers, but plenty for my use. They don't stick and make it quick easy to control. The wheels are held on by a thru bolt with a locking wing nut. I broke a wing nut, but they have never backed off.
@@cbidwell91 Wow thanks. Was curious.
How much heavier is the machine with the striping roller?
You don’t even notice the stripe kit in weight. It’s a pretty light attachment.
Thank you!
I can’t find anything for a craftsman M105 as for a roller KIT
You may need to get a universal kit if no OEM options are available.
Look up cud cadet or troy bilt/mtd 28" roller kit
hello, i bought one online. its missing the oil drain tube! do you have a place to find and get parts??
Hopefully the store you purchased from will cover the cost of the hose. MTD parts website has the majority of items you'll need. Looks like they offer the hose, as well as, hose/Npt fittings.
www.mtdparts.com/en_US/prior-year-models/craftsman-m430-28inch-self-propelled-lawn-mower-cmxgmam201202/12ABW63B793.html?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvrOpBhBdEiwAR58-3Mirno1o6ieRkiCtuAiOzLguSgBSf9PqEWg-0CYXy0h4_rckY2pZMxoC-4AQAvD_BwE
Thank you. Not sure why mine did not come with one.?
@@andyc.6908 No problem. Yes, mine was attached when I bought it. All I did was setup the mower how I'd like it (Mulch vs side discharge). Everything else was done, minus minor assembly.
@@andyc.6908 hey man - did you ever attach the tube? i bought one that also didn't come with one. I can't for the life of me find the oil drain plug, seems to be covered by the deck and the only way to access it is to remove the entire engine, that can't be right...
A lawn mower shop can install it. They drill a hole in the back and tighten it on. You need the hose and clip .
What is deck size?
28", dual blade.
I just bought mine but I can’t get it started!!!
No way! Have you been able to get it running yet? Double check oil level and make sure it's the correct amount. Not sure if the new ones are all electric start or not, but you may want to try pull starting it. If there is a shut off valve, double check its position.
I had this issue when I purchased mine. Adjust the screw on the carb
Where did you get the stripe kit?
Link is the video description!
@cbidwell91 ya... after I sent it I saw the link lol sorry.
I wanna get that mower. But does it come with the roller? Cause in the link it just looks like brackets
@@techman9634 Lol no worries. Yes, I don't know why it doesn't show rollers, but the kit comes with everything you need to install it, including the rollers. Looks like it may be backordered now too...
Does this mower have a self push mode? I dont care to use self propelled
I'm not sure I'm aware of the difference. This mower has a handle that you press up against which engages the rear wheels. Its all pressure based, so speed is variable to the pressure applied to the handle.
@cbidwell91 overall would you recommend this mower? And does it come with a side shoot so you don't need to use the bag?
@@live2fishrourke35 Yeah I absolutely love it. Works great for my needs and will be good if I move and get a larger yard. You can mulch with it, side discharge or bag. Comes with everything you need to do all of those, including two sets of blades (mulching and high lift).
Where did you find the roller kit?
Link in video description!
@@cbidwell91 do you have to buy the rollers separately? Just wan to make sure I get everything
@@tspluegerif you buy the stripe kit, it’ll come with everything you need.
@@cbidwell91 awesome . It just doesn’t show them so I was wondering.
Are you still liking this mower?
Yep! I’ve had it for 4 years now and the rear tires are quite worn. Other than that it’s held up great. Still on original blades.
@@cbidwell91 I wanted to buy it but I ended up buying the toro timemaster 30.
@@MINAR3L_GR3Y_2V Great mower. You will likely love it!
My blades won't engage
What all have you checked?
Crappy front wheel arms, build them like FERRIS.
Quality of the deck is garbage. Look at those lousy and tiny rear wheels, Which offer absolutely no traction on any kind of slopes. And speaking of hills, This weak little machine could never handle anything more than a few degrees of slope. You couldn't have one hundred of these for the price of one good commercial commercial walk behind lower and they still couldn't do the work. And this guy is absolutely dreaming if he believed you could use this machine commercially; It wouldn't last one season. This review was absolutely terrible in my opinion. Don't waste your time.