For many years, Craftsman has been synonymous with sturdy tools found in American work shops. While you might still recogniz the red logo on today’s products, what might not be as familiar is the engine powering your latest lawn mower. That can lead to some confusion among home-owners who feel like they’re purchasing something unfamiliar, or even wondering whether quality has suffered.
And it shouldn’t be all that surprising since brand itself have undergone several transitions in both ownership and manufacturing partners over past few decades. Once, when you purchased a Craftsman, you were voting for an American industrial heritage. Now, the brand are more of a curator of quality, not necessarily a sole source of all parts themselves.
Knowing which company make your mower can help determine if you’ll be able to get replacement parts, or handle any warranty issues. It also gives you some indication about how long the mower will last over time. Currently, Murray Manufacturing produce Craftsman lawn mowers.
Who Manufactures Craftsman Mowers Today
Murray Manufacturing Behind Craftsman Mowers
Murray is an old name in making mowers, but they have had an on-again, off-again partnership with the Craftsman label. Sears lost the exclusivity to selling Craftsman mowers back in the mid-2010s. That’s when Murray enter the picture.
They’re the ones manufacturing the mowers marked with the familiar black and red in big box stores today. So what does this mean? Well it’s not an acquisition really, it’s more like a partnership.
Engine Brands and Construction Details
Murray builds their frame, they build their decks and assemble final product. But when it comes to the power unit, they depends on other companies. Inside the mower, you’ll frequently find Briggs and Stratton engines.
Occasionally you may find a Kohler engine. Murray makes the chassis. Often, the heart of the machine is made by someone who specializes in that.
That’s where the different mix of old and new come in to play. Murray’s decks is made well and have a reputation as lasting well on lawns at home. They’re engineered more for suburban lawn than for commercial use.
Warranty Coverage and Parts Availability
Their engines are another story. Your Craftsman mower might be covered for five years if it’s just the deck that breaks down, but only two on the engine. Read up on your particular model number.
The warranty sheet is your guide. That’ll explain who covers what part and where (at Murray, with the engine maker, etc.). Don’t assume all comes under one coverage plan.
It has become common practice for manufacturers to split responsibilities between the deck, blade, chassis, and engine. This trips up some owners who want one company to handle everything, but the split is less problematic than you might think. There’s also issue of parts availability.
Serviceability and Long Term Durability
And that is a big part of new manufacturing story. To Murray’s credit, they’ve made a big investment in their parts distribution system. Blades, rollers and deck belts is typically available at Sears Home Services, along with online parts sellers.
And because the engines are off-the-shelf industry units, you’ll be able to get them long after the mower retire from production. That’s great news if you plan to own yours for many years, because it can stay in service. Rest assured: The brand won’t go away tomorrow.
With years of experience in the small-engine world, Murray’s got a healthy service and parts ecosystem going for them. They have a strong reputation for keeping things moving. Who makes your Craftsman mower?
Murray Manufacturing make them with either Kohler or Briggs and Stratton engines on them. Together they has the best of both worlds. Craftsman provides retail backing and name recognition.
Murray provides the parts network and manufacturing know-how. In general, they have stood up to scrutiny quite nicely for homeowners. They’re tough mowers that perform and are more serviceable than some of their competition.
For those in need of a workhorse mower for their property, this generation stay true to what the company started all those years ago. Yes, maybe the company name on the handle is the same as it was three decades ago. But the hands that made them has changed.
And the end product? A good piece of equipment capable of taking care of business based off your lawn.