Why do you hate MTD?

[Spiffy]

And I wasn't going to get sucked into this... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Note sure if the blue font took on the 4 points I'm responding to:
<font color="blue"> </font>
<font color="blue"> </font> 1*This practice is deceptive or at least misleading to consumers.
2*By using badges which imply that their product is something it's not.
3*I found it to be just the opposite of that.
My MTD Wards PowerCraft with mower deck cost $1300.
My Real Bolens (before MTD got a hold of them and trashed them) cost $728 including the mower deck; and was ten times the tractor that the PowerCraft is.
4*The proper thing for MTD to have done was to continue production of the tractors wearing the badges
<font color="blue"> </font>

<font color="black"> </font> 1. Of course it's deceptive... just like the consumer "wants" [give me a CC or JD for the "Walmart" price; I don't care how you do it]. Anybody intelligent enought to be on this forum is probably sickened by great names on lesser machines, but....to "hate MTD", they have to be more deceptive than JD, craftsman, etc.

2. Again we're all disturbed by what the big corporations are doing, but you can't hate them for doing what a bunch of moronic (but very lucrative) consumers are asking for.

3. The econimcs of inflation, material, etc makes this one enough fodder for another thread if not another site, but one thing should be mentioned: the average consumer is no longer drawn to simple & ruggged, they want sleek looks and "bells&whistles" (some of which are really nice), but this adds price or subtracts value somewhere else (i.e construction).

4. Oh do I wish for an honest world where things were proper and where nameplates still meant something. In many cases (maybe most) the quality line [granted few real "workhorses" are left, refer to 3] wasn't dropped, instead they expanded the cheap end. But to answer the title of this thread, is MTD more deceptive than JD or Craftsman, etc?

Your not going change corporate until you change 75% of the consumers... I've tried to no avail, so instead I just relish in the fact they're the ones paying for the nameplate on my [better quality] machine!

Chad

 

[slowrev]

You must have never owned a Fiat...
//
Good point. And I have not owned a Fiat, learned from others mistakes on this issue.
I believe the FIAT ( Fix It Again Tony) is so full of problems it becomes nearly impossible to single them out. I guess this is the closest to a lemon brand that I know of. Work on all week to drive on the weekend.

Ben

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> When you take in to the shop and they clean the fuel system and fill the tank with new fresh gas and you bring it back unload it and mow for an hour or so and it goes right back to doing the same thing how could it be a bad gas or a water in gas issue?
I did not do any maintenance of a poorer quality on the MTD than I do on any of my other equipment and they never give me such problems as the MTD does.
As far as the low oil issue you can't run it low as it keeps increasing the level on the dipstick.
The tractor has always bellowed blue smoke from the exhaust when first starting.
It has done this from the day I got it and first started it. </font>

I'll say it again, B&S IS NOT a part of MTD manufacturing!! Your statement is still FOUL!

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> A good small engine mechanic would have found this. There is a cause for everything, no mystical lemons that cause unfindable problems.<font color="red"> Engines can be replaced </font>.</font>

That is what LBrown 59 should have done.

He states, "The tractor has always bellowed blue smoke from the exhaust when first starting.
It has done this from the day I got it and first started it." Enough said.

 

[GerardC]

Brian:

<font color="blue"> I always chuckle a little when I see Cub Cadet. The Cub Cadet used to be a model in the International tractor line, as was the Cub (larger). </font>

You can without a doubt tell the difference. I noticed the 'IH' on the back of the one unit. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I also understand and realize that they aren't built like "back in the day".
Example: Like the Jaguar built today, that is now owned and built by Ford. People need to stop expecting things to be today as they were in the past.
Don't get me wrong, as I do understand where you are coming from, but times change, people change and products change! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> He states, "The tractor has always bellowed blue smoke from the exhaust when first starting.
It has done this from the day I got it and first started it." Enough said. </font>

Mine did that, and I took it back... There's no reason it keep it more than a day if it's not working right the first day!

I bought a "Bolens" push mower from Lowes last year. It didn't making it through one full cutting of the 50 x 100 area that I have fenced for the dog. I took it back the next day for a refund. They were more concerned about the fuel in the tank than why I brought it back.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Like the Jaguar built today, that is now owned and built by Ford )</font>
Is your point that this is a good or bad thing? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif If you like owning a car that now has a better reliability record, won't bleed oil all over your driveway and you can trust to drive it out of the site of your house then you must mean this is a good thing! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GerardC]

If I remember correctly, I believe you posted about it here on TBN, right?

 

[CUMMINS]

hey how bout this you buy a mtd product and then you will know why we all hate mtd

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( *hey how bout this you buy a mtd product and then you will know why we all hate mtd )</font>
============*I think he's had more than one of them and has been satisfied so this won't work on him.

 

[BRIGUY]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'll say it again, B&S IS NOT a part of MTD manufacturing!! Your statement is still FOUL!
)</font>

I would bet on the fact that the Briggs motors used on MTD products are (MTD spec) only. You will probably not see the exact same engine on a non MTD product.

Here is my theory

It probably goes something like this. We (MTD) will buy 100,000 of 10 hp motors only if you can build them for x dollars each. Briggs cheapens them up to get the contract. They probably don't worry about it because the don't expect the equipment to last 20 years any way.

Maybe some of The small equipment dealers would know better than me

 

[BRIGUY]

For example you can buy a whole 16 hp lawn tractor at walmart for less than I can buy a 16 HP motor. Something has to be different.

 

[JINMA224XR]

Hey Cummins,

Man I'm with you, count me in, cause I sure do Hate My MTD Mower. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I've been using mine for 17 years now, and the blasted thing just keeps on going. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

All my Neighbors have nice shiney new mowers now,, but I still have to keep using my old,, 17 year old MTD mower. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I just really do Hate MTD. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Moon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For example you can buy a whole 16 hp lawn tractor at walmart for less than I can buy a 16 HP motor. Something has to be different. )</font>

Bri Guy, I think you got it right. I had bad luck with two MTD products, before I knew they were both made by MTD. Then word of mouth from others with bad luck with MTD was enough to make me stay away.

Do I "hate" MTD? No. Will I buy MTD products? No.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!

Moon of Ohio

 

[slowrev]

For example you can buy a whole 16 hp lawn tractor at walmart for less than I can buy a 16 HP motor. Something has to be different. )
//
If I went to a manufacturer and wanted a price quote on 100,000 small engines I believe I would get a very good price. Most seperate small engines that are sold are sold at near retail price.
Ben

 

[JINMA224XR]

<font color="blue"> I would bet on the fact that the Briggs motors used on MTD products are (MTD spec) only. You will probably not see the exact same engine on a non MTD product.

Here is my theory

It probably goes something like this. We (MTD) will buy 100,000 of 10 hp motors only if you can build them for x dollars each. Briggs cheapens them up to get the contract. </font>

Hey BriGuy,

I totally agree with your THEORY . And I TOTALLY and PASSIONATELY HATE MY BRIGGS & STRATTON 12 HP/IC Engine that is also 17 years old, and isn't smokeing or using excessive oil. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Other than OIL & AIR FILTER CHANGES, I haven't had to do a thing to the engine and I really do hate it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I'm totally with you man and have truly had bad luck with mine, because all my neighbors have gotten at least one and some have gotten up to 3 new machines over the years and I still have to keep using my OLD,,, 17 Year OLD MTD . /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I Totally and Passionately HATE MTD. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jpr62902]

Joe, I'm not responding to your post, just the thread in general.

Can someone please enlighten me as to the constructive purpose of this thread? It seems to me that those who have had good luck with their MTD's are not going to be convinced otherwise and likewise for those who have had bad luck with their MTD's. What gives?

 

[Tractors4u]

I can understand the:

MTD Cub Cadets aren't as good as the old Cubs

MTD Bolens aren't as good as the old model Bolens

Other than that they are just a box store brand. How much do we expect. I did have an MTD that was a hand me down from my dad. It worked great.

What surprizes me is that no one has mentioned Murray. Are they built by MTD. The MTD I had seemed to be built tougher than the Murrays you can buy at Wal Mart. I worked at Wal Mart during my college days, 1987-90. During spring and summer we had Murrays returned constantly. I saw front axle ripped from the bottom of the frame. They were practically a disposable lawnmower.

 

[slowrev]

Can someone please enlighten me as to the constructive purpose of this thread? It seems to me that those who have had good luck with their MTD's are not going to be convinced otherwise and likewise for those who have had bad luck with their MTD's. What gives?
//
I suppose the only constructive purpose taking place in the thread is self justification. Or maybe to learn how to convince the wife that we have to buy a 4,000 lawnmower instead of a 1,200 one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ben

 

[slowrev]

What surprizes me is that no one has mentioned Murray. Are they built by MTD.
//
The last I heard on this Murray is still Murray, not MTD or AYP.
Ben