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Getting a Small Rider

13 years ago

A friend picked up a Murray rear-engine 12HP mower recently, literally from a 'little old lady', supposed to be in nice shape (how good a shape can a Murray possibly be in, even if new?). I'm going to get it for $175. All I want with it is for driving it up into the rear half of my lot to grind up leaves and control undergrowth - it'll be a lot faster than the push mower :). Obviously the lot will be policed up of rocks, stumps, whatever.

Does anybody have any hints on anything in particular to look for? I don't have the model info yet. I'm guessing it's ten years old.

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Comments (7)

rustyj14
13 years ago
Only thing i can say is: Thats a heck of a lot of money to spend on a machine that you are going to mow rocks, sticks, and trashy lots! But, it is your money! I could think of other ways to spend that money. I'd look for something in the $50 75 range, and spend the rest on beer!
andyma_gw
13 years ago
My weed wacker is a 20 something yr old Toro SP with a Suzuki 4 stroke engine. I set it up for bagging and dump the chopped up weeds in the mulch pile. Craigs list free stuff
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tomplum
13 years ago
The rear engine Murray did well enough. Actually, I've seen Murrays get beat for years and they don't know what to do but ask for more. Don't let the built in garage look fool you. $175 in average shape is a great deal. They were tough enough, easy enough to service generally. Take off the two large screws in the panel ahead of the seat, and the whole body shrouding slides off around the engine. The only thing that I don't wish on you is to have replace the traction belts and what goes with it. But generally drives on RER's are kinda a pain anyways. Unless you like turtles...
1saxman
Original Author
13 years ago
Hey Tom; thanks for the input, that's what I was looking for. I didn't know you hung out over here. I guess I will too if I get this thing!
tomplum
13 years ago
I think that we'll need pics!
rdaystrom
13 years ago
rustyj13, Is that all you can come up with? Perhaps you should spend less on beer. He said the lot would be clear of rocks, stumps, or whatever. $150 could be a good price or not depending on condition. My best advice saxman would be to run and drive the machine, engage the deck, check the oil, and look under the deck at the blades. If it looks like a little used good mower then $150 isn't a bad price. The trouble is that some people don't have a clue about the condition of their own equipment. Perform your own evaluation.
Greg Goyeneche
13 years ago
I tend to agree with rdaystrom.

I'm not very fond of MTD or Murray RER's. Prefer Snapper, Ariens, or Deere. However, for that kind of money and for your own use, should be a good deal.

Check it thoroughly, including engine for smoke and compression. Does it idle smoothly and accelerate properly when you "snap" the throttle. Oil leaks?

As for mower: Deck rust, spindle bearing, condition of belts; Brakes, steering loose?

If it looks OK after checking above, or you think you can fix easily and inexpensively, go ahead.

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