The Craftsman gas edger is an excellent and powerful tool that is ideal for homeowners who want something easy to use. In this Craftsman lawn edger review, we will look at the product in more detail.
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Table of Contents
Main Features
- 140cc engine
- Tri-tip blade (9 inches)
- Loop handle for greater comfort
- Sturdy, large wheels
- Affordable
- Robust design
Power and Engine
The Craftsman is a gas-powered edger that operates on a Briggs and Stratton 140cc engine. Briggs and Stratton is a company renowned for their smooth and efficient engines and this is a huge selling point for the Craftsman edger. This is a great amount of power for this type of tool and gives the blades the boost they need to give a precise and efficient cut.
The engine on the Craftsman lawn edger harbours enough power to make light work of tough ground. This makes it perfect for gardens where the soil is more compacted or made up of tougher elements.
Some homeowners are put off owning a gas lawn edger because the engines can be tricky to get started, but that isn’t the case with the Craftsman lawn edger (140cc.) Just three pumps and a quick pull of the safety bar, pull the cord and you’re on your way to a perfectly edged lawn.
The engine is pretty generous where fuel consumption is concerned and doesn’t make a huge amount of noise. Furthermore, you are getting a ¼ gallon tank which is an impressive size for a piece of equipment this size
Performance
If you want perfectly manicured edges then you are going to want a tool that is up to the challenge. What we really loved about the Craftsman 140cc gas edger was that it delivers impeccable performance, and it won’t break the bank for the privilege.
You could be forgiven for thinking that such an affordable 140cc edger would have to have a compromise somewhere. But when you compare the performance to some of the more high-end models, it is honestly difficult to see much of a difference.
With the engine running, you begin to make the first cut and you can feel how easily the blades penetrate the ground. If the soil is compacted or particularly dry, it can be difficult to get a decent edge, but the Craftsman edger blade makes light work of this.
What’s more, the edger is more than adept at cutting through thick brush, weeds and long grass. Even if your edges were looking hugely unkempt prior to using, they’ll come up a treat.
Ease of Use
When it comes to edging your lawn, you want a tool that is reliable, convenient and easy to use. The Craftsman lawn edger delivers on all fronts. If you are looking to buy your first edger, this is a great tool to start with thanks to how easy it is to operate.
We have already discussed how simple this gas-powered edger is to start, no messing around with an unreliable engine that won’t get going. But more than this, the entire experience is effortless from start to finish.
Gas-powered garden tools are always going to be heavier than their electric or manual counterparts owing to the presence of a hefty engine. However, the Craftsman edger is relatively lightweight at just 59lbs. Even better, the handles have been ergonomically designed to give you an extremely comfortable experience. It is fitted with a loop handle that offers great grip and easy access to the controls.
If you have never used a gas-powered edger before now, you may have some concerns about how you will obtain an even cut. This has all been covered in manufacturing and as such, this lawn edger boasts spring suspension which can help the user to remain steady; the result? A much more even and clean cut.
For gardens that have a lot of obstacles, some lawn edgers make the job a lot more difficult than it needs to be. Fortunately, the Craftsman 140cc gas edger is equipped to handle even the most challenging yards. It features a curb hop with a height of five inches which allows it to cut along raised surfaces easily and with just as much precision. The only issue you may have is learning how to cut curves but this will come with practice.
Owing to how precise and efficient this lawn edger is, cutting around the entire garden takes no time at all. Cleaning up is just as easy since the Craftsman lawn edger (140cc) features a handy rubber flap which sends any cuttings and debris off to one side. Once you are finished, all that is required is a quick sweep and you can sit back and admire your handiwork!
Blades
We have discussed how precise a cut the Craftsman delivers and that is largely down to the strong steel tri-tip blade that powers through roughage and ground as though it is butter. At 9 inches, you get a good level of penetration and the blade can be angled at either side up to 15 degrees, giving you the option to cut in a way that suits your preferences.
This versatility is backed with a choice of six cutting heights. The minimum is 1.25 inches. Switching between the cutting heights and depth is super simple thanks to a single lever that is easily accessed from the handlebars.
The blade in the Craftsman walk-behind edger is driven by a belt and this gives it a beautifully smooth operation.
Durability
One of the things that stands out most about this lawn edger is how robust and well-built it is. The engine is extremely hardy and will last many years but the body of the edger is also super tough.
Most notably, it sits on four durable wheels. Two eight-inch wheels at the back offer excellent stability and two front wheels measuring seven inches sit close together for ease of movement.
Since the blade is made from steel, this gives you the assurance that it won’t break, snap or rust. Steel is one of the most durable materials when it comes to outdoor tools and is widely used because of this.
What are The Pros and Cons of the Craftsman Lawn Edger?
There is a lot to get excited about with the Craftsman lawn edger, it boasts reliable and powerful performance that is comparable to much more expensive models. But much like anything, there are downsides. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Solid blade for precise cutting
- 140cc powerful engine
- Range of cutting heights
- Easy to handle
- Comfortable handle
- Lightweight
However, as with anything, there are some things that could serve as a disadvantage with this grass edger.
Cons
- Can be tricky to put together
- Some durability issues with the belt
Who Should Buy This Edger?
This is a great choice for people who are just getting started with edging their garden. Not only is it an affordable piece of equipment, but it is also incredibly easy to use. If you have never used an edger before, this is a huge plus and will ease you into using more complex tools. I personally found this edger to be simple to use and feel it would be perfect for a beginner.
The Craftsman lawn edger is also a great choice for people with larger lawns. This is because of the precision and quick operation that makes covering larger areas a breeze. You may also find it useful if you have a lot of challenging ground to cover since it will easily cut through thick brush and weeds without an issue.
This gas lawn edger is also an excellent choice for people who have a lot of obstacles or curbs in their yards. Thanks to a curb hop, several cutting heights and spring suspension, getting around tricky spots has never been more simple!
Maintenance
One of the biggest problems with this lawn edger is that the belt breaks quite easily. This means that one of the most frequent maintenance jobs will be to replace the belt.
Aside from this, you will need to make sure that you perform annual maintenance on the engine as you would with any gas-powered garden tool to ensure it has a long life.
Summary
The Craftsman edger is a decent bit of kit if you want an affordable yet effective edger that will get the job done. It may not be the most powerful on the market, but the power it does have is more than sufficient for what is needed.
The edger has a range of features that make it a delight to use so if you’re just getting to grips with edging, this is a great beginners model.
