September 9, 2008
My Murray Lawn Mower
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This morning I sent the following letter to the good people that make Murray lawn mowers. The letter is all true, which makes it pretty humorous (and maybe a little pathetic). Anyway, I decided to write them and see if they could help me out. They say to anticipate a reply within 3 business days.
My father-in-law bought a Murray mower in 1993. He took very good care of it and gave it to me in 1999, and I have been using it for the past 9 seasons.
A few years ago, the self propelling mechanism broke, and the local small engine shop said the part was no longer available, so it’s been a true “push” mower. Then 2 of the wheels broke, and I was able to get replacement wheels from craigslist. Then the stress of pushing it uphill caused the handle to bend (where the 2 pieces of the handle fit together). I fixed it by attaching 2 wooden stakes to the handle with duct tape.
See, I told my wife I wouldn’t buy a new mower until this one died. And for the life of me, I can’t kill the thing. I stopped changing the oil 2 years ago, hoping it would die a sudden death, but so far I’ve had no success.
Can you offer any suggestions for how I might speed up the dying process for this mower? I’d really like a new one.
Thanks.
Ron
I’ve got some photos, but they don’t show the more recent duct tape addition. I’ll take some new photos and post them later.
And if you’re looking for a good mower, maybe check out a Murray. Apparently they’re indestructable.
11 Comments on My Murray Lawn Mower »
September 9, 2008
Chris Hubbs @ 11:29 am:
A shotgun presents itself as an obvious solution.
I’ve replaced the back wheels twice now on my generic-brand self-propelled mower. It still does the job, though.
Ron Davis @ 11:47 am:
Yeah, a shotgun would work, but I’m hoping to actually let it die on its own. Maybe they’ll be able to offer up a solution.
I may get it through the rest of this season and then get creative with its destruction.
Brandy @ 12:17 pm:
Maybe they’ll put you in a commercial. How fun would that be?
Ron Davis @ 12:23 pm:
I am totally commercial material.
Mike @ 12:53 pm:
May I suggest the shotgun thing is probably not your best option. I am not familiar with your local laws, but where I live in St. Paul, MN, someone just got arrested and charged with reckless use of a fire arm for shooting his lawn mower. But it is okay to carry a concealed weapon in MN, you just can’t shoot your lawnmower. Go figure.
Steph @ 2:57 pm:
You should ask Aaron’s advice. He’s managed to blow up 3 riding mowers since we’ve been married. And I think one was a Murray. His self-propelled is still goin though so his expertise might not be in the right area.
Dr Nic @ 3:00 pm:
Option one: Let Bryan borrow it. We are on our third mower in four years. Option two: Get a Dr’s note from me, present said note to wife, Call Cory he does great lawns.
Ron Davis @ 3:33 pm:
Ok, so the shotgun idea is out. I don’t have a shotgun anyway.
Aaron hasn’t offered any advice on killing it yet…I kind of thought that the lack of oil changes might do the trick. I’ll see if he’s got any ideas…his knowledge is really more with riding mowers.
Bryan would laugh at me if I suggest he use it. And I don’t mind doing the work, I just want something that will help carry its own weight up my big hill in the front yard.
September 10, 2008
Dad @ 10:36 pm:
Solution? Use it more than twice a summer.
September 11, 2008
Chris @ 3:54 pm:
@Dad:
Thanks for my laugh of the day! Nice post.
Ron Davis @ 4:08 pm:
yeah, apparently Dad’s a comedian.