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MTD - Riding Mowers

MTD • Lawn Tractors • Lawn Tractor Muffler • Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers • Chipper/Shredder • Cultivator --- • Troy-Bilt

Jeff of Sevierville, TN October 22, 2009

Bought this tractor (model 808K) used with 42 hours on the meter for 900. Thought I was getting a good deal. Joke was on me. Broke a drive belt the first time I used it. I bought a new one and replaced it myself. Quite a feat since I have never worked on a mower before. The third time I mowed my acre of gently sloping yard, the transmission locked up when I hit a 2 inch stump with the mowing deck. I was traveling very slowly and the deck was moved about 1 inch.

I have hit lots of larger things with my very old Murray from Wal-Mart and had no problem. the repairman told me it was a design flaw and that this transmission is easily bound up. Cost... 120 to remove, loosen and re-install. The fourth time, drive belt again. These belt cost nearly 40 each by the way.

The fifth time I used it the electric PTO clutch fell off the mower in lots of small pieces. A new one direct from MTD is 349.42 plus 29.99 S&H. I have lost about 1500 dollars on this tractor and my wife's respect for making such a "poor decision". Well, I have a nice used MTD with only 54 hours on it for sale... CHEAP! It has a new drive belt, new PTO clutch, sharpened blades, and a newly serviced transmission. Call me if interested.

James of Ocala, FL August 22, 2009

this model was built in 2000 and sold in walmart, is the murray lawn tractor model 40508x92d. it has a defective fuel tank,just as the other models that are being recalled with the defective fuel tank. the two-piece fuel tank separated at the seam.it caused fuel to leak, this model should also be recalled do to the same exact problem.

Sezair of Vernon, NJ August 15, 2009

I bought a 42" MTD yard Machine May/2008 In July of 2009 while riding the machine the engine blew out. Checking my warranty, I felt relieved because it was still under the 2 yr warranty by MTD. I read all their disclaimers on the warranty and fully believed I would be covered. They had a 1800 number to call for nearest service center which was in Hamburg, NJ. I called them and was told that it would cost me 50 for them to pick it up and another 50 to have it delivered back to me upon completion of work.

Then once they got the machine they started saying oh, we have to open up the engine to see why it failed before the warranty covers it. 2 weeks passed and they never called me back, so I called them up and they said oh we never got around to it. But the owner promised they would check it in 2 days, which he did.

His conclusion was that the engine blew because of no oil and it would not be covered by warranty. But the engine was full of oil prior to it blowing when it was running and full of oil when it was sent to the service station. The owner even commented on how the oil looked clean and then says the engine blew because of no oil? I said to him there is no way it blew because of no oil because there was oil in it before it blew and after. I made sure I checked the oil before each time I cut the grass, just like I checked the gasoline level. Besides in total I cut the grass only 7 times since May 2008.

I want to know one thing? Why does MTD mislead the public that it has a 2 yr warranty on the engine when it has no plans on honoring the warranty.

Terry of Martins Ferry, OH May 27, 2009

I bought a Troy Bilt lawn tractor (made by MTD)in the spring of 2007 when I retired, thinking I would "treat myself" to a new mower. My last MTD lawn tractor lasted 14 years and cost less of course. I do not need a bigger, more expensive tractor as all I do is mow the lawn. This machine was a 1,200. tractor from Lowes in Wheeling, WV. It gave one summer of service, although the mower deck belt kept flying off.

The second season, the "variable drive" transmission began slipping while going down hill. After repeated attempts to get answers from MTD service, I was sent to the local warrantee shop. They told me the tractor could not be fixed, but since it was out of warrantee, they could cobble together a fix that "might last a couple of years." I struggled on, with more e-mails and phone calls to MTD. I mowed only every other or every third week due to the price of gasoline. Going down hill was like a roller coaster ride, except the transmission would re-engage from time to time and try to throw me off the tractor, then free wheel again. (no doubt to run over the complaining customer!)

This spring I started out by having to buy a new battery. That being replaced, I once again started mowing with my lame tractor, deck belts flying, transmission like a bucking bronco. I got two mowings and it gave up, this time two deck bearings are bad. I'll not throw further good money after bad! If there is a class action suit against MTD and Lowes for selling junk, I want in on it.

Flo of Big Indian, NY November 18, 2008

Flo of Big Indian NY (11/18/08)
Bought a 24-HP log splitter for 1000.00+ at Lowes in 1997. I used it minimally (and not at all for 4 years)until last year. I began splitting about 6 cords a year. This is my second year, and the engine died after 3 cords. The repair shop wants 900.00 to fix- engine blown. I just rebuilt the carburetor two months ago for 165.00. This machine has been maintained and stored properly. I don't think I got my money's worth, that's for sure. I rented an old splitter with a Tecumseh engine-20 HP- and it still running great. Engines shouldn't die so quickly. And you wonder why we are all going Japanese or Swedish...

Costs more to fix than it cost originally for the new log splitter.

Derrick of Sebring, FL November 14, 2008

Derrick of Sebring FL (11/14/08)
This is a copy of the e-mail I sent to the MTD Customer Service site, which got me only a generic response. I don't have a question, I have a complaint. I spent 1000 for a Yard Machine lawn tractor, used it twice before the transmission went out. Now, it is going to cost me at least 70 for a warranty repair (the cost of the repair shop picking up and returning the tractor).

I'm angry about the machine breaking so quickly. I'm angry because it took almost a month to get someone at MTD to give the repair shop authorization to do the warranty repair. I'm angry about having to pay to fix a brand new mower. It's still on its fisrt tank of gas! And I'm angry because when I called Customer Service today to voice my disappointment, the service rep blew me off and then hung up on me. I will never buy another MTD product. And I will tell my friends and neighbors to avoid you as well. I wouldn't want anyone else to pay for a defective product and insulting customer service.

So far, I am going to be out 70 for pick up and delivery of the mower by the repair shop, plus the inconvenience of having to fix a brand new machine.

Moose of Marion, AR October 16, 2008

Moose of Marion AR (10/16/08)
I am a 1st year owner of a USED Murray 42 tractor. I have had NO problems out of my tractor. It ALWAYS starts the FIRST time. I have a one acre yard and the fuel used isn't much. One full tank gets me 4 almost 5 cuts. It cuts evenly and I am about to buy the mulch kit for it. The gentleman I purchased from was the original owner and took very good care of it. Maintained it very well, usual tune up in spring and out of season maintance every year, he said. And it shows because it runs very well. I cut my yard once a week since bought in June and NEVER had one problem. No parts to buy, no leaks, no idle issues, etc. I am VERY pleased with this purchase and look foward to many more years of service from my tractor.

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