Replacing my Murray! Need advice!

slammer · Jun 22, 2004

( Evening,

After three years of below average service, I think my Murray lawn tractor has finally given up the ghost! Better said, I don't want to spend any more money on this pig to bring it back from the dead!

I was playing around with getting a finishing mower for the B7800, but decided this would be overkill. Also, I've got a pile of yard-size attachments that would be obsolete if I don't replace the lawn tractor. So I think I'll replace the lawn tractor with something that can offer me a little bit better dependability (or any for that matter!). I was set on an 18.5hp Husqvarna with a 42" deck and hydro tranny, until the last time I went to TSC. They sell a Huskee Supreme 23hp with a 46" deck and hydro for about $350 less than the smaller Husqvarna.

Husqvarna quality speaks for itself (I have their chainsaws), but I don't know anything about the Huskee brand at TSC. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Does anyone have any experience with the TSC brand? I like the tractor, and the price is right, but I don't want to make another Murray mistake!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The engine is a B&S with a spin off oil filter, so that seems pretty high quality, but for all I know the rest of it could be a re-badged Murray!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I like the Huskee, and the price to features ratio is right, but I don't want to buy another lawn tractor in another three years! Help, should I go with the HUSKEE or stick with th"HUSKY"?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

You might want to check this link before you buy a Huskee. Might be interesting to MTD owners also.

Complaints

slammer · Jun 22, 2004

( some are going to disagree, but i bought a CRAFTSMAN 18 HP GT AND IT IS STILL GOING STRONG 14 YEARS LATER. , and i use it a lot, probaly over 100 hours a year, only thing i ever had to repalce othe than normal wear items was a starter motor about 6 years ago. )

I would rather have an old Craftsman than a new one anyday. They are not the same animal now. Back then they were a premium machine. Glad you have had such good luck with yours!

Slam

slowrev · Jun 22, 2004

The electric clutches in riding mowers are an expensive repair that seems to happen a lot. I prefer the old belt drive types of decks. Simpler is more reliable and cheaper.

slammer · Jun 22, 2004

Here is a link to some Murray info. It aint pretty.

Slam

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/murray_riding.html

slowrev · Jun 23, 2004

Slam,
I guess Murray has gone downhill as most of the companies have, but they didn't have as far to go downhill as some other companies. I guess some of the other companies have now dropped to where Murray was years ago. I always hate it when you buy something that lasts well and when it is time to get another one it has turned to junk. This includes a LOT more than just mowers. Guess I will just keep re-furbishing the older better ones as long as I can get parts.
Sounds like some of those problems were Briggs problems, who just bought Simplicity /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

slammer · Jun 23, 2004

( Slam,
I guess Murray has gone downhill as most of the companies have, but they didn't have as far to go downhill as some other companies. I guess some of the other companies have now dropped to where Murray was years ago. I always hate it when you buy something that lasts well and when it is time to get another one it has turned to junk. This includes a LOT more than just mowers. Guess I will just keep re-furbishing the older better ones as long as I can get parts.
Sounds like some of those problems were Briggs problems, who just bought Simplicity /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
)

SlowRev, It is bad man. I hated to rain on anybodys parade but the fact is were all gonna have to be rich to buy a **** lawn mower before long. I picked up the engine failures in the link also and while I am not a big B&S fan I don't blame them for all the problems noted. On four occasions I have seen the big twins come in that had supposedly "blown up" for no apparent reason. In all 4 cases parts of the air filter were sucked into the engine! This only happens for one reason. A filthy, clogged airfilter. That's just one scenario. Then there was the guy that thought it was OK to run used motor oil from his truck in his mower cause "it's just a lawn mower". Sheesh!

Slam

Molerj · Jun 23, 2004

Slam, I too work on mowers. Mainly riding mowers. Mainly MTD, AYP, Murray/Noma with a few others thrown in. How about a few of the problem areas:
Cheap spindle assemblys, less than stout blades, cheap steel pivot axles (especially MTD), cheap bushings (actually nylon insert type things), Bolts that vibrate loose (check the transaxles, they come loose & create all kinds of problems), deck problems (especially uneven cut when on level, making turns, well, most of the time!) Hoods that literally fall off. They are plastic & the heat from the exhaust melts the plastic on the front. I can go on & on as you well know.

slowrev · Jun 23, 2004

Thanks for the info on the Air cleaner thing Slammer., I was not aware of that problem, did not seem to be an issue on the older briggs. My father in law almost never changes the oil or cleans his air cleaner on his old murray unless it won't run. Told me the other day "you only need to change the oil every 5 years or so", WOW! I guess he is just blessed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

slammer · Jun 23, 2004

Molerj, Agreed 100%! You have perfectly described the ongoing misery that is Murray. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Slam

slammer · Jun 23, 2004

Slowrev, GEEEEEEZZZZZZ!!!! He must be blessed! Sadly he is probably the typical consumer. Present company excepted of course! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Slam