On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:25:11 -0600, tightwad wrote:
I'm not sure who is making mowers sold by Sears under the Craftsman name
now.
Sears cares little about the quality of the Lawn Mowers and other items
itsticks the name Craftsman on these days.
They will milk the Craftsman name until everybody finally realizes it is
no different than the cheap throwaways available at Walmart, Lowes. Home
Depot, etc.
You have to look at every aspect of the mower you anticipate buying.
Even John Deere Mowers are mostly manufactured by whoever will meet John
Deere's price point of the WalMart marketing philosophy clones. John
Deere still manufactures all of its John deere labeled Commercial
mowers, I believe.
Briggs bought Simplicity, Snapper and a number of others.
The who owns what has changed so much, in the last 3 years, I cannot
remember just who is manufacturing what and for who.
Thanks to Wal Mart there is not much American Made Quality left out there.

I hear you loud and clear. But where does one turn today who is not
filthy rich? Which line(s) of lawn mowers and lawn/garden tractors
are truly designed and built to last without going $$$commercial$$$ ?

Or did I just answer my own question?

I thought that Honda engine was the answer to all my past Sears
Craftsman woes. It was not. While it hasn't failed to start or
started leaking oil or exploded yet... the performance is absolutely
abysmal and the vibration is nothing short of astonishing. I just
shake my head every time I use it. :-(

Jake