Craftsman M215 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
- Powerful 159cc OHV engine.
- Variable speed to match your pace.
- 3 in 1 grass clippings mode available.
- Comes with a 2-year warranty.
Since it was first introduced, lawn mowers have kept evolving, and the innovation does not look like stopping any time soon, despite so many brands in the market now. And one of the most popular self-propelled mowers in the market today is the Craftsman’s M215 lawn mower.
Lawn work can be tiring with the energy needed, the amount of time you’ll spend, and exposure to the elements during that time. And to make it less of a back-breaking exercise and more enjoyable, self-propelled lawn mowers were introduced. They work by engaging a speed control lever that pushes the mower forward. Craftsman M215 has variable speed, which means you can adjust the speed of the self-propelled mower to match your walking pace.
Craftsman M215 self-propelled lawn mower is known for its precision, versatility, and power, which have all worked to make it highly sought after in the market today. People know what they’re getting from this mower, and that is why the number of users keeps increasing even though it was released several years ago.
In this guide, we’ll see all about Craftsman M215’s self-propelled lawn mower, the things that have made it so popular, and things you may not like about it.
What We Liked
- An easy-to-use model that does not require hours of tutorials to learn.
- Front-wheel self-propelled mower to reduce stress.
- Wide 21 inches cutting deck reduces the overall time of working on your lawn.
- 6 adjustable cutting heights from 1.75 to 3.25 inches for your perfect lawn height.
- Dust blocking feature in the bagger.
- Comes with a 2-year warranty.
- 3 in 1 grass clippings mode available.
- Easy to start with the help of the auto choke and recoil starter.
- Variable speed to match your pace.
- Powerful 159cc OHV engine.
What We Don’t Like
- Will struggle in hilly terrains and inclines.
- The mower is heavy at 83 pounds.
- The handles aren’t padded, thus, putting a strain on your hands
- The noise level is high
Tabular Specifications of Craftsman M215 Self-propelled Lawn Mower
Tabular specifications provide a much clearer insight into the features of any product, and here in this specification table of Craftsman M215 Lawn Mower, we have covered all the minute details to help you make a better buying decision.
| Dimensions: | |
|---|---|
| Product | Craftsman M215 self-propelled lawn mower |
| Length | 39 inches |
| Height | 17.75 inches |
| Width | 24 inches |
| Cutting width | 21 inches |
| Weight | 83 lbs |
| Operator station | Open |
| Engine: | |
| Engine manufacturer | MTD |
| Engine type | OHV |
| Fuel | Gas |
| Cylinder displacement | 159cc |
| Starter | Recoil |
| Transmission: | |
| Transmission | Self-propelled Forward drive |
| Forward speed | Variable speed |
| Steering | Manual |
| Tires: | |
| Front wheel diameter | 7 × 7 inches |
| Rear wheel diameter | 11 × 11 inches |
Features of Craftsman M215 Self-propelled Lawn Mower
Why would anybody want to buy this mower? What’s so special? How does it differ from others in the market? These and more are what we’ll be answering by discussing the features of the Craftsman M215.
#1. General Specification
As the Craftsman M215 is known for its versatility, power, and precision, it has more to offer than this. As you read on the general specifications, you will have enough information before you even buy and start working with it on one of your lawns.
#2. 159cc Gas Engine
It’s no coincidence that we’re talking about the engine of the Craftsman M215 first. This lawn mower is fitted with a 159cc gas-powered engine. This power level brings versatility to the mower and is efficient enough to cut a quarter lawn easily.
With 6 cutting height settings available, you can adjust the height you want to cut your lawn to get the perfect design. The engine is made by Craftsman and uses the recoil starter type.
#3. Durability
Your lawn mower will be subjected to a host of different scenarios, including harsh conditions that will put the durability to the test. Craftsman M215 is built with sturdy materials, especially in the deck area. Most of its parts are strong enough to handle hits here and there, but other parts like the engine cover are made with a poor material that can break easily.
The engine capacity also works in extending the durability of the lawn mower. Your mower is not put under too much stress as the power is enough to handle most medium to large-scale lawns, thus, increasing the lifespan of the Craftsman M215 mower.
Aside from all these, Craftsman has gone a step further by providing a two-year warranty on the M215 lawn mower to offer cover to its users even further.
#4. Performance
Equipped with a 21 inches cutting deck, the Craftsman M215 self-propelled lawn mower covers a decent amount of ground in one cut for this type of mower. With this cutting width, you can work faster and save a lot of time and reduce stress. The mower deck can also be adjusted to 6 different cutting heights, which range from 1.75 to 3.25 inches.
As a self-propelled mower with variable speed, you can adjust the speed of the mower to match your pace, so you’re not pulling or pushing the mower, thereby expending more energy. With the Craftsman M215, mowing is no longer a chore but an exciting experience you will always look toward.
With the engine capacity, handling medium to large scale lawns is no problem. Its 11″ rear tires and its engine-to-weight ratio ensure you get smooth movement across your lawn. Craftsman M215 is a 3 in 1 tractor that handles grass clippings in different ways. It can use the side or rear discharge feature to push clippings to the side of the lawn, along with the option of bagging the clippings. And further, even utilizing the mulching feature to apply on the lawn.
Auto choke system reduces starter issues and improves usability. At 83 pounds, it cannot be classified as a lightweight mower, but being a self-propelled mower has ensured you hardly feel any of this weight. One very underrated feature of this mower is its ease of use. It is so easy to use that even newbies can quickly grasp how to use it properly without having to spend a lot of hours watching video guides.
However, the handlebars lack any form of cushion or padding to protect your hands. This leads to strain in your hands when you’ve worked for some hours – one of the drawbacks.
#5. Maintenance and Safety
As with any lawn mower, there needs to be frequent maintenance if you want to enjoy it for a long time. This is especially important for gas-powered mowers, which require frequent oil and air filter change. Doing routine maintenance would prolong the life of your mower and save you the cost of making wholesale changes in the long run.
While there is no fixed time to do maintenance, it is advisable to do maintenance in the spring just after the winter break. This changes depending on where you live and the frequency of your usage. Sharpen the blades when dull to keep your cuts crisp and clean. Sometimes, the blades need outright changing, so you’ll need to get new blade sets and replace the old ones.
The safety features put in this mower are to ensure safe usage. There’s a dust control in the bagger, safety hand controls, and large rear tires that increase the grip on the ground.
#6. Cost
Before you can ascertain if anything is a good buy, you have to compare its features against the price. Craftsman M215 self-propelled lawn mower is available on Amazon for $499, putting it in a decent price range.
It makes for a good buy considering its features like the 3 in 1 grass clipping modes and two years warranty that covers defects caused by the construction material.
#7. Warranty
As mentioned earlier, the Craftsman M215 lawn mower comes with a 2-year warranty to protect the user and show its trust in the product. However, this warranty does not cover everything. It only covers damages caused by the materials used in making the mower. It does not cover maintenance and repairs, damages caused by non-compatible parts or fuel, normal wear and tear, and damages caused by lack of proper maintenance.
Summary
What do you do with all this information? If you’re thinking of buying the Craftsman M215 do you go ahead? With the price of this mower and the features, this would make a great buy if you have a medium-sized lawn that is in an even terrain. The 3 in 1 grass clipping feature and warranty are some of the greatest pulls, which makes it a great buy for people who wouldn’t mind a slightly higher noise level when using the mower.
Craftsman M215 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
This 159 cc engine, Craftsman 215, is a powerful and versatile lawn mower. Plus, the 3-in-1 capabilities allow for side and rear discharging and mulching capabilities as well. Also, the front-wheel-drive gives the mower tip-up, turn, and maneuver around level terrain with ease.
