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Terry of Martins Ferry, OH May 27, 2009
I bought a Troy Bilt lawn tractor (made by MTD)in the spring of 2007 when I retired, thinking I would "treat myself" to a new mower. My last MTD lawn tractor lasted 14 years and cost less of course. I do not need a bigger, more expensive tractor as all I do is mow the lawn. This machine was a 1,200. tractor from Lowes in Wheeling, WV. It gave one summer of service, although the mower deck belt kept flying off.
The second season, the "variable drive" transmission began slipping while going down hill. After repeated attempts to get answers from MTD service, I was sent to the local warrantee shop. They told me the tractor could not be fixed, but since it was out of warrantee, they could cobble together a fix that "might last a couple of years."
I struggled on, with more e-mails and phone calls to MTD. I mowed only every other or every third week due to the price of gasoline. Going down hill was like a roller coaster ride, except the transmission would re-engage from time to time and try to throw me off the tractor, then free wheel again. (no doubt to run over the complaining customer!)
This spring I started out by having to buy a new battery. That being replaced, I once again started mowing with my lame tractor, deck belts flying, transmission like a bucking bronco. I got two mowings and it gave up, this time two deck bearings are bad.
I'll not throw further good money after bad! If there is a class action suit against MTD and Lowes for selling junk, I want in on it. Flo of Big Indian, NY November 18, 2008
Bought a 24-HP log splitter for 1000.00+ at Lowes in 1997. I used it minimally (and not at all for 4 years)until last year. I began splitting about 6 cords a year. This is my second year, and the engine died after 3 cords. The repair shop wants 900.00 to fix- engine blown. I just rebuilt the carburetor two months ago for 165.00. This machine has been maintained and stored properly. I don't think I got my money's worth, that's for sure. I rented an old splitter with a Tecumseh engine-20 HP- and it still running great. Engines shouldn't die so quickly. And you wonder why we are all going Japanese or Swedish...
Costs more to fix than it cost originally for the new log splitter.
Derrick of Sebring, FL November 14, 2008
This is a copy of the e-mail I sent to the MTD Customer Service site, which got me only a generic response. I don't have a question, I have a complaint. I spent 1000 for a Yard Machine lawn tractor, used it twice before the transmission went out. Now, it is going to cost me at least 70 for a warranty repair (the cost of the repair shop picking up and returning the tractor).
I'm angry about the machine breaking so quickly. I'm angry because it took almost a month to get someone at MTD to give the repair shop authorization to do the warranty repair. I'm angry about having to pay to fix a brand new mower. It's still on its fisrt tank of gas! And I'm angry because when I called Customer Service today to voice my disappointment, the service rep blew me off and then hung up on me. I will never buy another MTD product. And I will tell my friends and neighbors to avoid you as well. I wouldn't want anyone else to pay for a defective product and insulting customer service.
So far, I am going to be out 70 for pick up and delivery of the mower by the repair shop, plus the inconvenience of having to fix a brand new machine.
Moose of Marion, AR October 16, 2008
I am a 1st year owner of a USED Murray 42 tractor. I have had NO problems out of my tractor. It ALWAYS starts the FIRST time. I have a one acre yard and the fuel used isn't much. One full tank gets me 4 almost 5 cuts. It cuts evenly and I am about to buy the mulch kit for it. The gentleman I purchased from was the original owner and took very good care of it. Maintained it very well, usual tune up in spring and out of season maintance every year, he said. And it shows because it runs very well. I cut my yard once a week since bought in June and NEVER had one problem. No parts to buy, no leaks, no idle issues, etc. I am VERY pleased with this purchase and look foward to many more years of service from my tractor.
Donald F. Fraley of Irondale, OH October 3, 2008
In 2004 I bought a 23 hp Huskee Supreme, 46 cut. I have hated this mower ever since I used it the first time. Nothing but problems. I have put new drive belts from engine to mower about every 2 months. I even bought the ones with kevlar in them thinking they would last longer. There is an extreme angle from engine pulley to mower pulley, when mower is lowered to cut on setting 1 & 2.
My right front wheel fell off, due to a flimbsy cotter pin which wore off and the wheel hub was torn up. Couldn't fine a new wheel with a grease fitting, so I bought one without. It had a lot of slop, because the inside hub was shorter and the tire rubbed against the steering stop and ruined the tire. I'm currently putting air in the tire daily, the tire has a thousand small bubble leaks. Now the rear end transmision is shot and I've had it. You won't see me have another Huskee product. Or another MTD product. I have used for 248 hours of mowing.
Douglas of Orlando, FL September 25, 2008
i have had good service from my murray tractors. i aquired mine used an not running. repairs brought them to life. since i put them to use i have realy tested them. other than occasinal bels wearing out or blades they have done well. i mow about an acre weekly some times twice a week. if either one of them were to give up i would have no bad feelings. satisfied with murray equipment.
Andrew of Fort Erie, OTHER July 26, 2008
I purchased 3 mtd riders in 12 years. 1st one had a techumuse engine that would start if the wether was cool. The 2nd mtd rider a 14.5 hp 42 cut the deck drop( cotter pin missing ) 1st use , 2 week 2 more cotter pins went missing on the deck drop again, used a lot of belts , the most serious was 2 weeks after the warranty expired the differential ( transmission ) developed a excessive wear ( right side ) and the cost was over 465.00 to repair. If you look at the amount of time you used the lawn tractor 6 months out of a year.
Now 6 years later the same transmision this time the right side cracked in half. The repair, is a new casing which is now 435.00 which I said no , not including labour! So I bought another this time its a Yardworks which is made by MTD ,1 week later a deck spring @ the idler pulley broke ? This spring is so thin , no wonder why it broke. My next riding mower will be a John deere !
Dropped deck ( not nice looking on your lawn )
Earl of Howe, IN September 12, 2006
I bought a 46 Huskee Supreme from Tractor Supply in May of '05 and even bought the 3 year extended warranty.
I took the mower home and within the first week or so of use, one of the blades fell off while mowing. The mechanic, instead of replacing the blade tower because it was damaged, put the blade back on with lock-tite. The same blade fell off a couple of more times which I put back on myself because I couldn't wait 2 weeks or more to get my mower back. You could see that the gear on the tower was stripped about a quarter of an inch. After complaining about it they finally replaced the tower.
During this time a pulley broke out in the center. I had never seen such a thing. Then one of the front wheels fell off. Again I fixed that. When I took it home after the new tower was installed, i went out and started mowing. After an hour, the part of the frame that holds the gas pedal on has somehow spread apart and the pedal will no longer stay in place. After a month waiting for a factory rep to look at the machine, he deemed that it was my abuse that caused the problem. They originally said that I must've dropped the mower off the back of a truck to cause such damage. I only carry it on a little trailer. Then it is the way I get on and off of it, or a steep bank or hill has caused it to flex. So, MTD won't cover it with the warranty. The thing is my warranty says if the same thing goes wrong with it 3 times I will get a new mower. I guess I should've taken it in for all the times the blade fell off.
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