Best budget lawnmower? Craftsman M230 163CC honest review

[@jacksonworkshop]

Would you buy this mower?

[@sidneywhite749]

I find it hard to see oil on dipstick.

[@jacksonworkshop]

@@sidneywhite749 it definately can be tough to see. One of the things I don’t like is that there is no way really to change it out u less you dump it out

[@jarlaxiko]

I got the m230 vertical storage version and it is very durable. My dogs chewed the cord and I have replaced it twice. It really can take a beating, the only issue I have is that the front wheel drive is very weak so I feel like I am pushing most of the weight of the mower, but as Jackson showed this baby fires up with one pull everytime. I have left out in the rain for weeks and still never had an issue with it starting.

[@jacksonworkshop]

I wish I had gotten vertical storage. I certainly plan to upgrade eventually. But for cost I think it gets its moneys worth. Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@mrbubetube]

a 163cc engine shouldn't struggle on the average residential lawn. might be something wrong with the mower or your gas. you might want to ask a mower mechanic about that. I've seen the Craftsman M100 mower with a 140cc engine go through thick high grass without bogging down. There's videos of that on youtube.

[@jacksonworkshop]

@@mrbubetube there is nothing “wrong” per say. What I was trying to convey was a very overgrown lawn with this mower on a low setting will struggle. When I first moved in my lawn was overgrown, and this had a tough time on a low setting. Thanks for watching and commenting! I appreciate you!

[@mrbubetube]

Here's a video of a Craftsman M100 mowing tall thick grass. kzbin.info/www/bejne/joSTlqCieJ14iMU If that would bog down your 163cc engine, you need to get your engine checked by a mechanic.

[@jacksonworkshop]

@@mrbubetube hmmm good to know thank you!

[@mrbubetube]

@@jacksonworkshop ya, when you say your engine would bog down, was it going through tougher grass than that? I was really impressed with the M100. I didn't think it would handle that thick grass as well as it did.

[@jacksonworkshop]

@@mrbubetube ya that was very impressive to be honest I just watched it! Mine was about that long. Now that I think about it though I don’t think my grass was discharging out of the side vent piece like that? Perhaps too much build up causing it to bog down? Thoughts?

[@jacksonworkshop]

@@mrbubetube I also think I had my mower on the absolute lowest setting

[@mrbubetube]

​@@jacksonworkshop Oh ya, I wouldn't mow tall grass on the lowest setting on any mower. I'd mow it twice, with a high setting on the first cut and a lower setting on the second cut. Plus I'd make sure the blade was sharp. You also need to have a clean deck with no buildup of grass so the fresh cut grass will discharge properly.