Complain about a product or service

MTD Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

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

James of Norfolk, VA November 6, 2009

I purchased a Bolens walk behind bagging lawn mower 4 years ago from Lowes. I have a small yard and it is used very little. During routine mowing a few days ago there was a terrible noice and I found that a sheet metal shield bolted to the inside front of the blade housing had broken--apparently from a stress fracture--at a crease near one bolt.

The shield had been hit and mangled by the blade. I had never noticed this shield. Looks like the housing as cast didn't extend down close enough to the ground so the shield was added on. A piece of it was thrown back into the bag before the mower shut down. This is a dangerous flaw.

Lowes told me to call MTD. MTD successfully shunted me off to an email site. Their answer two days later was that this was my problem and they recommended a service shop near my house. Perhaps this is business as usual, but I think more concern should be shown. I asked MTD if I could use the mower without the shield (if I can loosen the bolts and remove the managed piece), and they offered no answer.

If nothing else, I'd like my safety complaint about this mower model 11A414 E765 to be registered.

B. of May, TX October 31, 2009

I bought a Huskee Supreme 46" cut, model series 605 riding lawn mower made by MTD in May 2008. The big shield screw broke the 2nd month while I was mowing my yard. The parts supplier said he could not keep it in stock from so many people needing to buy new screws. The 90" belt has broken twice. At 30 a belt, I am trying to figure out why. I'm 64 years old, and I have had more trouble with this mower in a year, than any I have ever owned. There is a definitely a design/manufacture mowing deck problem that needs to be recalled, redesigned, and replaced for MTD riding mower owners. These mowers are not cheap and we deserve a reliable, working product. I would even put 38"deck under my mower if MTD would give me one, if it would solve the problem. PLEASE HELP US!

Don of Erving , MA October 13, 2009

This is actually a problem I had a few years back with a new cub cadet lawn tractor. The second time I mowed our yard the engine started spitting and sputtering. I couldnt get it to run smooth so the dealer took it bac for repair and gave me a loaner. I thought it would be a guick turn around since I had spent so much money and it was bran new. After a few weeks the dealer told me that Cub cadet wouldnt give him the go ahead to repair it. I had to contact cub cadet to push them. Thats when I learned about MTD and their track record.

Toward the end of the summer I finally got my mower back and the motor has run ok except for the back fire when you shut it off( they say thats normal) Within a year the paint started bubbling and now 5 years later it looks like a 30 year old lawn mower. I dont know how much longer the deck will last. I break a 35 dollar belt every year but they say thats normal too.

I will never buy another product made by MTD. I paid a little over 3 grand for this machine I thought it would last me a life time. My dad gave me his 1972 john deer in 1990 and I ran it until I purchased this pieice.

Ian of Hagerstown, MD September 10, 2009

I bought a 42" MTD yard Machine in May 2008. Two week ago, 29 Aug 09, while riding the machine the engine stopped and after checking the gas tank and finding it empty, put some gas in which quickly disappeared. I purched it from Home Depot and bough an extended warranty so I taught all was well on that front. However, Checking my warranty, I found that I had to use the manufacturers warranty 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. I called them and was told that it would cost me 40 for them to pick and deliver.

After receiveng the machine the repair facility said that they had to open up the engine to see why it failed before the warranty covers it. After 1 weeks the called and told me that I will be owing them over 100 because the engine is a seperate item form the rest of the tractor. I should have received a seperae engine warranty and manual when I purchased the machine.

The repair facility said that I should be using 89 octane and not 87 and that 87 is ethenol and has water in it. I played coye with other repair people in my area and it seem like this is a regular problem with the MTD people, hiding or misleading consumers with there warranty. 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. I noticed that I am NOT the only one with this problem. I refuse to be suckered into another 100 plus dollars after paying over 1200 dollars for a bearly used machine.

Al of Satellite Beach, FL August 17, 2009

Ever since I bought my MTDPro mower from Sam's Club 7/12/04, the self-propelled drive has slipped badly. While under warrantee, the authorized service location just kept suggesting I tighten the belt/clutch tension, which I did repeatedly. Out of warrantee, a service center replaced the belt but it kept slipping so I had to take it back. I've also replaced the belt 4 times myself along with drive wheel components that also failed.

Now, I believe my problem was probably caused by a defective design of the single steel bolt that holds the soft aluminum alloy transaxle housing to the rear of the deck. It had stripped the threads allowing the transaxle to flex, probably causing the pulley to come out of alignment with the transaxle. So all these years of unreliable, slipping drive may have been caused by this flawed design. I'm completely dissatisfied with this particular MTD product. Though I'm aware the unit is out of warrantee, I asked MTD to replace the mower with a similar self propelled model with a reliable drive system as compensation for the years of trouble I've had with this unit.

wayne of westminster, MD June 25, 2009

I have purchased 1 used and 2 new MTD products. The old Wards 18hp riding mower lasted an additional 5yrs from time of purchase(it was ten years old then) then the transmission succumbed, 15yrs of service is something i would be happy to see again. I bought a 18hp 46in which keeps throwing drive to deck belt is 1 yr old and starting to fall apart even with frequent maintenance and retightening of bolts etc., 2yrs previously I purchased a 24hp 54in deck and I again have gone through a lot of belts, and the transmission has failed only allowing forward motion at a very slow turtles pace. I like most other people on this page will not knowingly buy another MTD mower or other productI have around 10 acres in disjointed sections to mow and the MTD mowers have left me in the lurch too many times, even with 2 mowers I can not count on them to be operational when I need them . Very Disgruntled former customer.

mary of Grandville, MI June 21, 2009

Bought the MTD yardmachine 139cc EASY STAR 22' mower bought it home unpacked put in oil came with it put in gas took 5 pulls (NOT 2)to start tested it seemed to mow OK Intended to use next AM after buying more gas did that BUT mower wouldn't we emptied all gas out put in box bought it back less than 12 hrs passed but (1st excuse) store does not allow return "because gas had been in it" DA how do you know if it works?

We were told to bring it to the MTD's AUTHORIZED repair center which we drove 5 miles to it was closed 6pm for weekend called them MOnday AM they said the company would pay for repairs I DON't WANT A MOWER I (SENIOR WIDOW CAN NOT START BY MYSELF) besides how can I trust a company that doesn't honor so called 2 yr warranty beyond 12- hrs??? If we have it repaired? how often will they pay till fixed? How do we sell it for what we paid? not to mention the hours wasted trying to reach the company and writng complaint to Menards hdqtr by snail mail they have a complaint form online and they blew me off that the company was responsible blah blah....

James of Savannah, GA June 15, 2009

Don't Buy MTD Mowers -- Why? Because its management evidently decided to go cheap on a critical item: The sheer key that fits into the big-wheel, Yardmnan 21" model's mower's blade adapter.

Background: The blade adapter holds the mower blade to the engine's shaft so that the engine can turn the blade. The blade adapter should have inside of it what's called a "sheer key." Thus, when the user hits a big rock, root or hidden tree stump the key (sort of a rectangular, soft-metal nail) sheers off inside the adapter and thus prevents the suddenly stopped mower blade from warping or bending the engine shaft. The user then simply unscrews the blade adapter, shakes out the broken sheer key and replaces it (about a buck at a mower supply store).

But for my 200 Wal-Mart 21" MTD Yardman push mower, MTD decided to go cheap. It literally welded the sheer key into the blade adapter. So when I hit a hidden tree stump beneath the grass and it suddenly stopped the blade, the sheer key failed to sheer off and absorb the force. It thus bent the engine shaft. MTD’s authorized dealer refused to fix it under warranty, even though he agreed that it wouldn’t have happened had MTD not gone cheap (saved itself maybe .80 cents) and skipped using a real sheer key. The dealer agreed with me that it was MTD’s fault but MTD would not authorize him to fix my mower under warranty. Pretty cheap and sleazy, eh?

When I wrote the company and supplied color photos proving my claim, I got a sleazy lawyer’s double-talk letter non-response. It read like a Saturday Night Live parody of lawyers. Thus, I got no justice, but only stupid, sleazy management that literally paid a sleaze-ball lawyer probably the same 200 it could have paid me on my claim (the mower only had 5 hours of use on it but was a total loss because the labor cost of fixing the bent engine shaft exceeds 200).

Wanna bet MTD did this to untold other users? It’s nothing but a cheap-ass decision by MTD management (to save a lousy .80 cents), and it has now putatively resulted in economic and ecological time bombs all over the American landscape: It’s only a matter of time before another user hits a stump, rock, etc. and discovers that his mower’s instantly been turned into a pile of scrap so MTD could pocket .80 cents. Just a plain-ass cheap, sleazy decision by MTD management. Special note to MTD management: I have digital photos and copies of my letters to you and your sleazoid lawyer. I challenge you to dispute any of this. Specs: Yardman lawnmower model # 11A-588C755, Serial # 1C306KB0829.

I invite a RICO-wielding class action lawyer to contact me, as I will be more than happy to be the lead plaintiff in a class action, breach of express and implied warranty case against MTD.

WILLIAM of BERLIN, CT May 21, 2009

I bought an MTD mower, which required assembly. Both rear holes for the wheel bolts were not aligned, preventing assembly. I wrote to MTD about it, and it said for me to take it to a service center.

I'm very upset. Shouldn't MTD arrange to pick up, repair or replace, and return the mower? I'm 61 years old. How can I lug a mower to a service center? I don't have a truck.

Bobby of Stephenville,, TX April 15, 2009

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.