Why do you hate MTD?

BRIGUY · Apr 6, 2005

JINMA224XR

I have seen Briggs motors go a long time also.

But Every time I bring up a 17 year old machine I get something like this.

(
Brian:

Not for nothin', but all you've mentioned or shown is past history. Times change and so do the designs, styles and materials (of everything), not to mention the global economic factor.
You'll NEVER get the quality/longevity of your grandparents refrigerator today, period. )

( 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 .
)

What kind of machine do they have that is outlived by MTD 3 to 1????????

viking65 · Apr 6, 2005

Murray is a Murray...or should I say was a Murray. Murray recently declared bankruptcy. My local home depot was blowing out their Murray inventory and I asked why the Murray stuff was priced so low. The Home Depot guy said that "Murray declared bankruptcy but they are still answering their phones if you had a problem with one of their mowers"....well that's comforting to know.

GerardC · Apr 6, 2005

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. 

You got it.

BRIGUY · Apr 6, 2005

O/K so at even 1/2 of dealer cost on the engine that still leaves about 300$ for the rest of the tractor.

Sounds about right.

GerardC · Apr 6, 2005

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? 

MAYBE 1/10th of the posters that degrade MTD have responded to this thread /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. It's here where they can tell us why they do.
I'd say most of the hate has to do with the B & S engine that MTD does not manufacture.
KOHLER engines are also available on MTD products which many believe is a far superior engine, and if someone has that engine in their MTD, I believe they haven't much to say about the MTD product itself.
My $.02

LBrown59 · Apr 6, 2005

( Hey Cummins,

I've been using mine for 17 years now, and the blasted thing just keeps on going.

**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
Joe )

**That's cause they keep having to replace their wore out short lived MTDs.

You got the only good one -you lucky dog!

BRIGUY · Apr 6, 2005

( What kind of machine do they have that is outlived by MTD 3 to 1???????? )

LBrown59 · Apr 6, 2005

( JINMA224XR

I have seen Briggs motors go a long time also.

But Every time I bring up a 17 year old machine I get something like this.

(
Brian:

Not for nothin', but all you've mentioned or shown is past history. Times change and so do the designs, styles and materials (of everything), not to mention the global economic factor.
You'll NEVER get the quality/longevity of your grandparents refrigerator today, period. )

( 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 .
)

What kind of machine do they have that is outlived by MTD 3 to 1???????? )
***************
Must be the neighbors are having to buy 3 MTDs to keep up with his one.
Looks like he was the lucky one who got a good one.

JINMA224XR · Apr 6, 2005

What kind of machine do they have that is outlived by MTD 3 to 1 

Hey Brian,

I don't want to call out specific Brands, as I don't want to bash others, but I have seen this over the years.

I think what is happening is this:

Consumers that buy the lower end mowers at WalMarts, Lowes, Sears, Home Depot and other large chain/discount Stores, are the consumers that do not have a lot of money's(On Average), to spend on a Lawn Mower/Tractor. Also these same consumers do not have much maintenance/mechanical ability or/and the necessary incentive to read the owners manual for preventative maintenance that they can do themselves,, especially lubrication of the Tractor and the Engine. When something small goes wrong, then they usually overlook it or use some Duct Tape to Patch it or use some Super Glue, Wire, Odd sized bolts, or other such methods to keep their machine going a while longer. When the machine finally does lock up and will not go any further,, then they load it up and take it to the Lawn Mower Man/Repair Shop. He in turns charges full retail for the replacement repair Parts and at least that much or more for his labor. Which can result in a bill of about 2 to 300 dollars or more. Many choose not to repair the machine and then go out and buy another Nice Shiney New Mower.

Most of this can be avoided,, by not being afraid to change the oil, air filter and to grease the tractor properly with a grease gun. But this requires incentive and the willingness to get their hands dirty. Most consumers that buy the lower priced units from the Discount Stores are not willing to do this, PERIOD. Then when the unit fails to go,, then they say the very OLD PHRASE ( IT WAS JUST JUNK ).

I have had people to ask me,,, SHOULD I CHANGE THE OIL IN MY LAWNMOWER .... My reply is,"Only if you want it to LAST".

Now the other alternative is to buy a more expensive unit, and they will go much longer, WITHOUT, good preventative maintenance, but sooner or later, they will also need lubrication and maintenance also, or you will wind up with a broken down EXPENSIVE MACHINE .

If you did a survey, I am almost willing to bet, that hardly anybody has bothered to grease the transaxle on the LOWER PRICED UNITS, that do not have the ZERT fittings. It is not that difficult,, but it does take a special grease fitting and pressure does have to be steadily applied to force the grease into the axle housing.

All this has an absolute exception However, and there are also some machines that do roll out, that are defective from the getgo. There will be more of these defective machines on the lower priced units, than on the higher priced units, and I would say that is because of Quality Control. But that is just MY Humble Opinion.

Have a nice day,
Joe

LBrown59 · Apr 6, 2005

( What surprizes me is that no one has mentioned Murray . )
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At least Murray doesn't put Cadillac badges on their Corvairs. [color]