MTD - Riding Mowers

MTD is a piece of junk. My lawn mower broke within a year and they refused to fix it under warranty. It is a piece of ** they make. I bought it in Lowe's and their service is horrible. They treat customers like **. Beware of Lowe's and MTD who will go out of business, which is my wish. They are he stupidest people in the world. Again, please don't shop at Lowe's and and don't buy MTD or yard machines anywhere.

I bought a MTD yard machine riding mower, in the summer of 2008. I used it 4 times and had to send it back to the shop to have the engine replaced on it (supposedly under warranty, but it still cost me $200 for shipping back and forth). Since then, it has been a piece of crap. It had 3 batteries, numerous belts (when you can locate them), deck bolts, untold how many of those, pulleys, blades and who can remember what else. It's been broken down over 6 weeks because we couldn't get the parts. I finally got it fixed today, and did an approximately a 50 foot strip of grass and the pulley to the transmission broke. This has been a lemon from the get go and I will be pursuing legal options on recouping my money, cost of parts, repairs and labor and my time I've had to be without a lawnmower, which caused my grass to get over grown, allowing for a snake problem, which killed my dog. This is all not to mention having to have my lawn cut by others and paying for that. What a disappointment from this company! Do not buy an MTD or yard machine!

I have had the Yard Machine riding mower for a little over a year and I have gone through approximately 10 drive belts. They continuously break or get chewed up after three uses of the lawn mower. And now, I can't adjust the deck height without fear of the belt slipping and getting chewed. I went back to Home Depot where I purchased it and was told that customers complain about Yard Machines all the time--so why isn't something being done about it? Stop selling them! It's a Deere for me next time and nothing else.

On 23 Aug. 2011, I ordered from MTD a Rod Adjustment Blade (part number: 747 04110). The estimated availability was 9/9/2011. Today is 9/26/2011 and the part still has not arrived. I called to cancel the order and was told I couldn't because the part was shipped and should arrive on the 28th. Poor, very poor customer service. Guess that's why we shouldn't buy China **.

I had just finished mowing the yard and I parked my ZTR50" by the hose bib where I wash it down after it cools off. I then returned it to the garage. I walked from the mower to the back door of the house. I entered and immediately heard an explosion. Yep, you guessed it! The mower had exploded into about a 12' ball of flame! It was sitting only 6' from the house and was very difficult to extinguish.

Never the less, I got the fire out and called the Tractor Supply dealer where I had purchased the mower and they referred me to MTD. A representative came out and took pictures of the mower, and a few days later, they informed me that neither they nor Tractor Supply would accept any responsibility for the product. After doing some research on the internet, I found that MTD had a recall on zero turn mowers in 2010 and 2011 for faulty fuel problem and possible fire hazard. Still, after printing and giving them the 5 pages about the recalls, they deny any responsibility for their product. I'm definitely not Rockefeller, but I ain't Little feller either. I will be pursuing this in court.

I purchased a brand new riding lawnmower from Lowe's. Shortly after their 30 day warranty expired I discovered a "factory admitted" design defect with their product. From September 15 until today, I am still attempting to get them to repair it or replace it. Recently, my communications have gone unanswered.

Following are excerpts of the communication thread between MTD Products and myself.

Message by Rich ** dated 09/15/2010:

Please provide us with some clear photos showing raised and lowered settings on the deck with a scale.

My reply dated 09/15/2010:

I will send you the photos that you requested. However, I have found the solution to the problem which you stated has not only affected my mower but also others recently. The two rear rods that support the mowing deck from the rear of the tractor are the incorrect length. The rods on our mower are incorrectly sized (too long) which causes the following:

3. Immediate wear & tear is found on the mower blades belt due to incorrect horizontal alignment.

I would like to bring to your attention that the two rods in question are basically standard rod that is bent with 90 degree returns at each end. This is a manufacturing fabrication that could easily lend itself to error; either machine, jig or human. I believe that if you will compare rod lengths between your mowers that are having this trouble and the ones that are not you will find the difference in rod length.

As for myself, I need to have a working lawnmower, now! I would appreciate it if you will overnight to me two rods of the correct length and a replacement mower blade drive belt. I will still forward the photos to you and also provide you with the rods that I remove if you wish. Time is urgent for me. I would appreciate your telephone response to this message (telephone number is on file with you).

Response by Rich ** dated 09/16/2010:

Here's the drawing of the lift rod. Can you determine what the dimension is on yours? Also follow directions to download these files. Important! A document file has been added to this discussion.

My reply dated 09/20/2010:

I have compared the rods with your drawings and find it to be the same. Nonetheless, the deck will not raise above ground at the #5 setting. I did mfg. new rods 2" shorter which were able to allow the deck to set at 1-1/2" above ground at the #1 setting. However, this new setting (new rods) only allowed the machine to operate only within the 3 & 4 settings where it did a beautiful job of cutting. However at the #5 setting, the blades would not stop in the idle setting nor would they turn in the #1 setting. Needless to say, I soon (not unexpectedly) broke the belt. I then returned to the store of original purchase this past Friday afternoon to purchase another belt and also to look at some floor models to see if I could find anything amiss. This is where the 'fun' started!

While on my hands and knees examining the floor model, a sales associate asked if she could be of help. So as not to look completely foolish, I explained to her that I was seeking to gather information and buy a belt. When she asked if I would further elaborate on the problem, I did and noticed that she became very interested. When I finished, she informed me that another person had come in earlier the same day and had expressed frustration over exactly the same issue. She said that he also expressed that he had to make new rods but she did not seem to know much beyond that. I told her of my frustration over my inability to get timely service and asked if she knew of any authorized repair shops. She said she only knew of Westlawn on Terry Blvd. She also confirmed that their wait period was 4 to 4-1/2 weeks. You may confirm all of this by speaking to the store representative; Lanell at Lowe's store #1085

I feel that I have now done more than is reasonable. I purchased the unit from Lowe's store # 1085 in July 2010. I have a reasonable right to expect a piece of equipment without this type of a problem. I also should not be expected to redesign it or wait for 4-1/2 weeks just to have it looked at. Please authorize a replacement from Lowe's' or refund my money, or arrange for an immediate repair. I thank you for your prompt reply and thank you for your attention to this matter

Response by Rich ** dated 09/23/2010:

You've done more then your fair share. We may be on to something here. Seems as the lift arm is almost identical between 2 different deck sizes. If one is installed in the wrong unit it may be causing our problem. We've ordered both types to check that angle out.

My reply dated 09/25/2010:

Thank you for acknowledging that I have "done my fair share." I am also pleased that you may be on to your "problem." Now, I still do not have an operational lawnmower. Also, you have not offered any solution, i.e. arrange for mine to be corrected in a timely manner, or refund my money or authorize a dealer to give me a new one, or ship me a new one. I need the machine now, not after the grass dies. Thanks for your anticipated quick response.

My follow up dated 10/06/2010:

You have not responded to my transmittal of 09/25/2010. I want a solution! Please respond.

Response by Rich ** dated 10/08/2010:

Sorry for such a late delay in answering as this has been a problem engineering was looking into. Your unit needs to have the dealer change out the lift arm fro the cutting deck. Seems they believe that on some units the wrong lift arm was installed causing what your having as a problem for sure. Let us know where it will go and we'll authorize pickup with the dealer in question.

My reply dated 10/09/2010:

I am not going to wait for six weeks. Either get us to the head of the line or offer another option.

Response by Rich ** dated 10/11/2010:

I can't put you to the front of a line as they are independent dealers. Please call customer service to see how they can find you a lists of dealers that may be more time wise better for you at 800-800-7310.

My reply dated 10/25/2010:

This is not working. I am a very unhappy camper! This problem started on Sept. 15. You closed it out as completed on Oct. 11. It is not completed! Your transmittal dated Oct 8 states in relevant part, "Let us know where it will go and we'll authorize pickup with the dealer in question." You also said in your transmittal of Oct. 11, "Please call customer service to see how they can find you a lists of dealers that may be more time wise better for you at 800-800-7310. I did what you asked. The dealer recommended, WestSide Schwinn. It still has a four week wait period. customer service is of absolutely no help other than to give me Westside's te.l number.

If you want me to handle this as per your explicit instructions, I am sure I can find one of your authorized dealers somewhere who will fix it in timely manner! Also, per your instructions, we can work it out for you to get the shipping charges assigned to you wherever it goes! I want this problem solved. I have already spent more time than is reasonable to accommodate you. FYI, there is Paul's Mower Shop (504 628 8963) who is fully qualified to repair this thing. However, they are not one of your dealers. This is just a suggestion. I have now done all I can (care to) do. Please govern yourself accordingly.

Response by Rich ** dated 11/03/2010:

If you can find a more accommodating dealer to do the repairs that would be fine. Let us know whom you have found that can help you sooner where your at.

My reply dated 11/05/2010:

In my prior correspondence I spoke of Paul's Lawnmower shop and even provided you with their telephone number. Can I take it there (not one of your dealers) or do you mean "only your authorized dealer". I need clarification.

Response by Rich ** dated 11/13/2010:

Dealers not in our loop will be paid according to state law but if this is warranty, it would have to be filed online by a dealer. I'll be on vacation until after Thanksgiving.

My reply dated 12/15/2010:

Terrytown, LA 70056 with tel. number 504 392 2000. I explained all to a lady who received the unit and was provided their shop ticket Y741.

Approximately one week later, they called and did not have a clue what the problem was. I re-explained it all by telephone and requested that they contact you. They never even attempted to contact you. Last week they called again and said that there was no warranty work to be done. I asked if they had even tried to raise and lower the deck to determine elevation cutting levels. The answer was no. Please contact these people and straighten this mess out. I am beyond sick of it! This has been ongoing since the week of September 15. It is now December 1. That is 2-1/2 months.

I purchased a Huskee 46" lawn tractor in March 2007 from Tractor Supply. I used it 2 times before the first belt and pulley broke. It has been in the shop for warranty work 10 times since I purchased it. Tractor Supply was of no help. The service reps with MTD were also of no help. Between the purchase price of the tractor and the extended warranty, I am out $2000.00 The fellow who does the warranty work on my Huskee said that the manufacturer is aware of the problem and will not do a recall.

I have hit lots of larger things with my very old Murray from Wal-Mart and had no problem. the repairman told me it was a design flaw and that this transmission is easily bound up. Cost... $120 to remove, loosen and re-install. The fourth time, drive belt again. These belt cost nearly $40 each by the way.

The fifth time I used it the electric PTO clutch fell off the mower in lots of small pieces. A new one direct from MTD is $349.42 plus $29.99 S&H. I have lost about 1500 dollars on this tractor and my wife's respect for making such a "poor decision". Well, I have a nice used MTD with only 54 hours on it for sale... CHEAP! It has a new drive belt, new PTO clutch, sharpened blades, and a newly serviced transmission. Call me if interested.

this model was built in 2000 and sold in walmart, is the murray lawn tractor model 40508x92d. it has a defective fuel tank,just as the other models that are being recalled with the defective fuel tank. the two-piece fuel tank separated at the seam.it caused fuel to leak, this model should also be recalled do to the same exact problem.

I read all their disclaimers on the warranty and fully believed I would be covered. They had a 1800 number to call for nearest service center which was in Hamburg, NJ. I called them and was told that it would cost me $50 for them to pick it up and another $50 to have it delivered back to me upon completion of work.

Then once they got the machine they started saying oh, we have to open up the engine to see why it failed before the warranty covers it. 2 weeks passed and they never called me back, so I called them up and they said oh we never got around to it. But the owner promised they would check it in 2 days, which he did.

I want to know one thing? Why does MTD mislead the public that it has a 2 yr warranty on the engine when it has no plans on honoring the warranty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 )

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.

Bought MTD riding mower Model# 3A7668H352 48 inch cut. This is the second MTD mower I have owned the first lasted 8 years and did a great job. The above mentioned mower eats up,destroys, the motor pulley to deck pulley belt. have gone through six (6) in two years. Frankly The problem started after the warranty was out. But MTD feels no responsibility to their customers. Well here`s one they have lost. I realize they make virtually every brand except John Deere. So here`s to the Deere.

I purchased a Yardman MTD 18.5 HP, 46" DECK MODEL13S607H354, SER#1C070H20560 from wal-mart on 05/03/00. I have a little over an acre of lawn that requires mowing through the season. I just discoveed that the axles have worn out the transmission housings to the extent that the right axle is expossed. I can stick my little finger under the axle, the left axle has a 3/16 space under it.

I contacted my local repair shop and he didn't believe my discription of the situation, when I convinced him that what I discribed was correct he said in all his years of doing repair he has never seen this condition. He tells me that the transmission case will need replaced. I have a 42" Murray thst is 12 years old tha is still going strong that is used to mow around a flying field with a little more area, all it need is oil, blades and belts. why didn't the yardman last longer?? Do you stand behind it or far away.