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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:

Bob of Waxhaw, NC July 16, 2008

Bob of Waxhaw NC (07/16/08)
I purchased a Murray 21 HP 46 cut lawn tractor, #465306X8 which is listed on recall list as not to use the mower. Murray is out of business and Briggs & Straton bought them out. No one will render any compensation for this mower I have which is falling apart

The spindles have been replacfes. all of the pully guards have fallen off of the mower. The mower deck is falling apart and the starter ring gear and starter gear are completly distroyed. I cannot use the mower and have had trouble since day one. I need a descent mower that I don't have to be worried about being injured or killed when using it. I feel that someone should relace this mower if it has been know to be a danger.

Rebecca of Columbia, SC July 3, 2008

Rebecca of Columbia SC (07/03/08)
My Murray Select 40' Riding Lawn Mower was completely submerged in the lake for about 5 minutes when it was 6 yrs old. We allowed it to dry out for 3 days and my neighbor dried the spark plug and twiddled a bit with it and it started right up! Still runs 3 yrs later @ 9 yrs old.

Just wanted the comment posted since this is a good product!

John of Seale, AL June 28, 2008

John of Seale AL (06/28/08)
I have a murray riding lawn mower that is about 15 years old and runs fine. The plastic gas tank started to leak a couple of years ago at the seam and I just used JB weld to save money and it works fine. I also have a 100 Murray push mower and it works like its brand new. NO COMPLAINTS HERE!

Taylor of Sweetwater, TN June 16, 2008

Taylor of Sweetwater TN (06/16/08)
my family bought a murray 3.5 hp push mower at walmart and well lets just say 2 months later it stopped working and my family and i have tried working on them and still no luck we tried to take it back to walmart and they could not take it back for some odd reason anyway the lawn mower still to this day will not work i will never buy any product from murray or briggs and stratton

Louis of Fabens, TX June 4, 2008

Louis of Fabens, TX (06/04/08)
What Complaint? Can't a person say THANK YOU???

I bought a Murray walking mower 22 years ago this June for less then 100.00. It has been used at least once a week (on a large lawn) from late April through Mid October for these 22 years. Changed the wheels last year and changed the grass catcher this morning. It runs just as good today as the day I bought it.

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