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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:

Jerrybiddy of Jasper, GA May 22, 2008

Jerrybiddy of Jasper GA (05/22/08)
I purchased a new Murray riding mower about 5 years ago. My fuel tank leaks onto the electrical components underneath it.

I have not exploded in flames yet but it wont be long.

Gerald of Nanticoke, PA May 15, 2008

Gerald of Nanticoke PA (05/15/08)
Murray Riding Mower 12HP 30 cut...Battery repeatedly going down, defective power train to engage blade...engine leaks, profuse white smoke like a miniature nuclear bomb--no exaggeration! Unit will not run....engine literally spewed its contents! Thank God I was not burned!

While attending college, I was a salesman of lawn equipment. I meticulously maintain my lawn equipment. This mower has been a nightmare...with defective parts, fuel and oil leaks...spewing hot oil. Afraid to push the machine into my garage I left it at the curbstone last night with a sign--free mower! I am a Roman Catholic Priest--my parish maintenance personnel, who helped me with this machine,can testify to the truth of my statements...as well as my neighbor.

Economic damage: after 4 years a total loss of my investment of near 1,000.00. The need to hire a Nursery to cut grass last season: @900.00 Cosmetic damage: Oil/gas marks over driveway and flagstone path.

Travis of Charlotte, NC May 10, 2008

Travis of Charlotte NC (05/10/08)
Parents bought my first lawn mower after I purchased my first house. It was the inexpensive 99 Murray push mower at WalMart. My parents and grandparents had ones exactly like it previously and each one of those mowers lasted them at least 15 years before they gave the mowers away. Mine lasted 2 months. I accidentally hit a small rock that I didn't see. The mower stalled and would no longer stay on. It turns over but stalls.

I took apart the B&S engine and found the shaft that connects the piston to the blade was bent. I've never seen that happen. I've hit rocks with our other older Murray mowers and they might stall, but nothing broke on them. To purchase this shaft costs nearly the same as a new mower.

Plus, the older B&S engines don't have plastic gears like this one did. This engine was not produced for longevity. My current Craftsman mower with a B&S Quantam engine has hit numerous rocks and nothing has bent on it. Too bad the inexpensive mowers had become so cheaply built.

Larry of Somerset, PA May 9, 2008

Larry of Somerset PA (05/09/08)
I two Murray's lawn tractor and push mower bought in 90's. except for yearly maintenance and wear and tear they have performed very well.

Dawn of Birmingham, AL May 5, 2008

Dawn of Birmingham AL (05/05/08)
My 6.0hp 22 quantum walk behind mower model number 225111x92b. has a plastic gas tank that leaks and is very dangerous.

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