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Murray Lawn Mowers

Murray Lawn Mowers • Self-propelled models • Belt failure • Riding models • Push models • Gas leaks • Other problems • Murray Defenders ---- • 2003 Lawn tractor recall • 2002 Lawn tractor recall

Few things are as infuriating as a lawn mower that doesn't work. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with many of the Murray mowers we hear about. Whether it's flimsy plastic gears, poorly-designed belts or gas leaks, the inexpensive Murrays seem to have more than their share of problems, as the complaints in this section indicate.

But wait ... there is another side to the story, and it comes from Ben of Frederick MD (8/19/05):
I am the owner of a small engine business and am not partial to any brand. I work on all small engines as well as sell every name available. I was appalled at the ignorance of your writers in your complaints on Murray lawn equipment. Most of the complaints were not against Murray at all, but more of the individual stores they got them from. If you have a problem with Wal-Mart�s customer service, that is not Murray�s fault, take it up with Wal-Mart.

As far as recalls go, every big name company has them, it is important to check them and know them, if your equipment has been recalled Murray always handles things properly if the CUSTOMER does. If you do what they instruct you to do (such as call them to make an appointment at an authorized shop) they will take care of you -- Murray�s customer service is impeccable compared with some of the others on the market.

The other thing is most of the complaints are direct result of a user failure. If you do not follow your instructions on simple operating procedures you will break something. As far as the woman with the blown motor �squirting oil� I can explain that. I do not even need to see the tractor to tell you what is wrong. This person put too much oil in the motor to start with. Then found it nearly imposable to start. This is because there was oil in places not meant to have that kind of pressure causing it to have back pressure in the crankcase.

Then when the person at the (I believe it was Wal-Mart) store did get it started, it blew oil everywhere, because there was nowhere else for the oil to go. The Wal-Mart man then proceeded to tell her (in his ignorance also) that the motor was �blown.� Then when she took it to a real dealer they set it aside on the basis of �this is an irate person that needs to cool down and doesn�t know anything about this situation.�

The other possibility is, depending on how long it was run with the overfilled oil, the motor could have actually had internal damage caused by the excess oil. This explains the wait, major work takes time. In short, your �consumers� had many complaints yes, but only a few of them were legitimate and even those were often misdirected.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints:

Keith of Waldorf, MD May 13, 2009

I bought a Murray 21" self-propelled mower, with 5 hp B&S "Quantum" engine in 1988. I've used that mower for 21 cutting seasons, and it still starts on the first or second pull! Every time! I've had to replace the 'drive unit' and drive belt ONE TIME in 21 years. I've replaced the blade every three years, and sharpen the blade every two times used. (Mower used every week during cutting season!!)

Routine maintenance is all that has been done. Oil change twice a season. New air filter every Spring. A couple of drops of oil on the axles before each cutting session. There was a recall for the gas tank leaking when I first bought it. (Briggs & Stratton recall, btw!) No problems since.

After 21 years, this engine is still as 'tight' as a new one! No smoke. None. MAINTENANCE is critical. If you don't take care of it. . . it won't take care of you.

Not bad for a 249.00 lawnmower from Price Club.

What bothers me is when somebody doesn't take care of something and they expect a manufacturer to replace (or refund ) because of there own inability to properly maintain the equipment!

Deborah of Dallas, TX May 8, 2009

While I was mowing yesterday the extension to the mower broke on the left side at the bottom near the bolt. We have not had this mowing for very many years. Some seasons it wasn't even used. Didn't mow or paid someone else to mow the lawn. I am very dissappointed in this mishap. I would like your company to send me a new arm or extension to replace broken one at companies exspense. What I call the arm is what I use to push the mower. I was not hurt but very well could have been. I hope I don't need a new mower. The bolts at the bottom tell me this can simply be replaced and hopefully without having to go through this defect again.

Scott of Shiocton, WI April 24, 2009

I found the leaking gas tank recall on the consumer affairs web sight. I checked my mowers model number and it isn't the same as the numbers shown in the recall but the tank on my mower leaks on the seam also. I tried to contact Murray via the web sight and by phone. The web sight doesn't come up and the phone call redirects me to a phone number. How can I fix this problem?

Jim of Durand, WI April 23, 2009

Jim of Durand WI (04/23/09)
On 5-30-2002 I purchased a Murray 20HP lawn tractor Mod 425614x92 from Walmart. On March 6, 2003 Murray recalled the lawn mower due to fuel tank can crack and leak fuel, posing a burn and fire hazard to consumers. Approximately 2 years ago my fuel tank began to leak and I took the mower to Countryside Coop in Durand, WI for tank replacement which I paid for. Neither Walmart, Murray or Countryside Coop notified me of the recall. I found the recall on the internet today while searching for spare parts. I feel I should be reimbursed for the cost of replacing the tank by someone.

Hugh of Lawrenceville, GA April 12, 2009

Hugh of Lawrenceville GA (04/12/09)
I have a Murray Rider Mower that has just be a lot of trouble to get started. We've had it looked at three times, and it works for a short time, then it's back to the same thing.

The costs of having it looked at over and over has cost us a lot.

P. of Springfield, MO April 12, 2009

P. of Springfield MO (04/12/09)
I've used the same Murray push mower for 19 years and have no complaints about it. Even though regular maintenance on it has been sporadic, it still runs and does its job without complaint.

Kurt of Metairie, LA March 23, 2009

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