OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Ride-On Mowers Murray 405606X50A Ride on - Custom Resto.

Hi there all,
I recently acquired a Murray Ride-On
It had previously blown an engine and somewhere along the way a 12.5 Briggs was installed that runs poorly and blows SMOKE like a Metalica concert. This replaced what I understand was a 15.5hp though I don't know the brand.
It's a twin cutter deck and about a 42" so it's a good size for me (I have 2 Acres).
It's in pretty good nick so I figure a new decent engine, battery and belts it may be worth salvageing.

Q1. Is it worth it ?
Q2. 16-19 or 20hp if I do re-engine it.
Q3. I'm considering keeping it to replace my Rover Rancher is there much to gained.
Q4. What are anyone's thoughts on this unit Positive or Negative. I understand that this has a Victa equivalent as most Victa's were Murrays re-badged 'til '06 and MTD's since then.

Before I throw $$'s at this I'd like some opinions on it being worthwhile.
I'll follow with some pics soon but the chassis is in very good condition and I'm sure a Chonda, Bwiggs, will work to re-power but do I end up with a mediocre nice looking unit when my Rancher, whilst a little rough around the edges does a good job.

Thanking all in advance
Bill

BTW it is a very nice looking mower if nothing else.
I have a good collection of Victas, Rovers and a Trio of nice Super 24/600's so I'm not a total amateur (68 working IC engines in total). A bit of work and fabrication isn't a problem.

Hello Brycevr

This is the first ride-on story you have presented here.
It is clear you are no amateur.

You have asked some intriguing questions here for the members ...
I appreciate the recording of these American machines, many of
which were extremely well designed, only let down by age and
availability of spare parts.

I see, more frequently, the case where the cutter deck is beyond
service, but the tractor is still good.

I feel we need some photos; for the members to offer a better opinion,
so your offer to supply them is appreciated. A photo(s) - in this case -
could tell a thousand words.

You say this is a twin blade deck, and it may be this was a well-speced
machine, placed above the Rover Rancher design.

Cheers
----------------
Jack

p.s. I liked the comparison to the Metallica concert

Thanks there for the response.
The unit seems to be of good design and at least average construction for a domestic Ride-On.
Apart from the engine it looks to be in about 7.5 type presentation.
I haven't gone too far as yet but as I see it it would be worth at least a new engine and some TLC, battery and belts to at least let it use up its' life
It's only a 2005 model according to the build plate hence my reference to Victas as they were re-badged Murrays for a long time.
I understand that in late 2005 Murray were acquired by MTD and so it may be partially an MTD? The build date is 20th June 2005. It may be and end of line Murray or an early integrated Murray/MTD. As far as I have visited, the essential hardware appears to generic so I'm not really worried by serviceable parts but my concerns are more to do with fundamental design and build quality.

Cheers
Yes I am an amateur but a fairly experienced one. Aside from the 30-40 mowers I have LOT's of brush cutters, edgers and a really funky rotary hoe, I love that toy.
I do a lot of large scale RC including about 8 1/5 scale 2T cars and a few 2+ Metre 2T planes.
About 7 cars including a F-Vee and a modified production hillclimb sedan, an old Porsche and some spares.
My next buy will be a Massey Fergerson Type 35 with a small slasher and carry-all.

I don't see sorting this thing out as a problem but more a rationalization of it's worth and it's quality.
I could flip it but it looks very nice and I don't work my equipment very hard so it may be worth selling the Rancher and using the funds to do the Murray. I'm on a pension now so funds are the big decider in the long run.

4O inch cut engine depended which version. 10 versions made between 2005 and 2009. As far as I know MTD never owner the Murray line. The Murray brand was acquired by Briggs & Stratton in 2004.

I just finished a lovely refurb of a Rover/Suzuki 2t and it runs like a dream and looks a million dollars.
I was very happy with the end result, starts fine runs nice and the 4 blade plate with sharpened blades does a beautiful job.
It's now cleaned and polished again in my museum with the VC160's, Mustangs, Corvettes, etc. etc.

I still think ground, knife edge blades are the only way to go apart from high HP slashers. My Super-24 with ground knives gives a better result than my neighbors Chonda-(insert hardware chain here) clone.
Shame I cant do a catcher for a Super-24.

Thanks for that.
I've had conflicting reports and to be honest I was not really concerned. I heard MTD and then B&S.
I defer to your knowledge but will post some Pics when the sun comes up.
Do you have an opinion on the general quality, design, serviceability and reliability?
Good Bad or indifferent any comments are appreciated.
I just think it looks funky enough to ride around my yard and not look entirely like farmer Joe

I do so love the fact that I can indulge my ego.

iPhone pics discovered ...

Can't upload ???

Depends on what you have been exposed to. The Victa reel mowers and those mowers with swing blade bars look a little strange to me but I like knowing about how other countries are building mowers.

Actually fairly good mowers for the homeowner class; of course, as with all they have their own set problem areas; mainly from operator abuse. Part availability being the main problem now as many had Tecumseh Peerless transmissions and with Husqvarna now owning the company's transmission division many those parts are out production.

I had retire my last Murray as I told that I could not get the needle bearing for the transmission but I have since found that wasn't true just had out source to a different manufactured one of the same specs.


Here is a partial extract from the 2012 B&S financial report that I found online stating how much they paid for them plus when they acquired the Victa group which I didn't know they had done.

2005 � Acquired the Murray brand and assets for
$123MM. Walk & ride mowers and snow throwers

2008 � Acquired Victa Lawncare Pty., Ltd for $25MM. A
leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn
and garden equipment in Australia and New Zealand

Yeah, you're right, whilst I may get some good info here, and I'm sure I will. My post is more to consolidate info and focus a forum for this series of mowers. I'm sure when we lock down the identity and align it to similar Victa's etc we'll get a thread going.
If I keep it I'll surely document and share the procedures and also give info to the larger public.
It was sold here retail so there must be more than one.
It's not made from tinfoil so, some probably survive.
Murray were in the game for a long time so that had to have done something right.
They went broke, were bought out so they made mistakes, was this one of them??

VERY COOL info there AVB.
I have a Victa Reel mower and several Scott Bonnars and an Atco etc...

You Yanks have some strange ways of doing things sometimes.
I've visited your fair country 9 times so far and every time I'm given another situation that is unique, from Ice fishing to 'Chopper camping in the Grand Canyon, Disney world to a used Chevy and 600 miles of route '66. Sometimes amazing and sometimes amazingly stupid...

I am VERY aware of going outside the square to source parts, you'd be surprised what will work when a "Factory" part is no longer available. 'Benz bearings will almost always work in a Porsche and sometimes the bearings are just a generic part. Having a small lathe also gives options to make sleeves and resize bits sometimes.
My post is really about having this mower in very good condition and deciding to part it out? or to re-power and use it.

As I have 2 acres a ride-on is the weapon of choice but I do love my 24" slashers, when set up well they do a great job.
I have an old Rover that works well and well maintained but this Murray just looks so cool and seems to have had very little work.
I think I maybe looking for justification in spending the money to keep it, even if I get running and use it my greenhouse contribution is at least the energy needed to make another mower.
We could run a car for 4 years on the energy that is used to make it.
I think I just LOVE things that spin..

I'd like to consolidate some Murray/Victa stuff for this series as well of course.

Rgds
Bill

If it was mine I would re-power when in good condition. Some of the ride-ons coming out now for the homeowner are not as good as the older stuff. Later models did used the 310000 series Briggs OHV.

I got an older 2005 Bolens (MTD) that out cuts most of the newer equipment customers bring in for repairs here. I have had mowers in here that couldn't even cut lightly over grown lawns as they were so under powered. This the case for 2009 Bolens model the engine is about 2 hp short as it tries to stall out when cutting grass. No way it would cut that 12+ inch grass that 05 does. Main difference between the two is the 05 has 15.5 hp with 38" cut and the 09 has 16.5 Hp with 42" cut.

Simply, a reel mower runs a barrel with helical blades that spins toward the user, it then rubs against a blade that is fixed and effectually slices the grass like scissors rather than slashing like a knife.
They are often called a "greenkeeper" mower and are almost exclusively used on manicured type lawns. In fact they will leave tall stalks uncut as the method folds them down so the blades do not contact them.
Nothing will give the the quality of a reel on a well kept lawn but nothing is as worthless as a reel mower an long grass.
I only mow the front verge of my house with a greenkeeper as it is the only piece of grass that I keep to a standard that deserves it. I think that i keep it that good so I have the chance to at least use my reel mowers?? Chicken or the egg...

If you're a member of a VERY expensive golf club you'll see a towed gang of "scissor" mowers doing the fairways.

Yes,
One of my main concerns was that is was badly re-engined and then, underpowered. With the deck drive method and the weight I'd think that the the original 15.5hp was good for a lawn only and offered just sufficient power.
If I keep it then a 18-19hp powrplants and some tuning would be the only options. A bit more HP won't hurt. I won't go to a 25 or similar as they'll overstress the drive train to the point of premature failure with no real benefit.
Just thinking out loud at this point. It still may be only worth it's scrap value.

I will chip in here.
I did up a Victa 4215HX, it was powered by a 15HP Tecumseh. Made in 1998.
I was in a similar situation (spend money or not)
I decided to service / repair the engine first, once that was sorted.

I started wondering, is the transmission working enough to use. I confirmed that it drove forward reverse and importantly up a grade. I wasn't that convinced it was up to scratch at the time.
Because I am used to cone drive Cox ride ons that climb steep grades with a trailer as well.

Anyway, I rebuilt the cutting deck next, weld, paint, bearings x 4, new belt.

I use it around here, it cuts 42 inches which I like. I like the steering & turning circle, it is comfortable to sit on. It feels safe on slopes, It doesn't handle steep grades ( back wheels spin or just stops), so I leave those bits for the Cox.

I researched changing oil in the transmission, but never went ahead and did it. It is working enough for me to use. I have never driven a new one, so dont know how to compare its performance.
It works enough for me to use, speed is ok, climbs well enough. The 15hp engine is not under or over powered.
I know to clean the grass dirt from off the top of the tranny, so it can stay cool and no overheat / degrade the oil.

All in all, I did this over a long period of time, in the end it was worth it for me. I like it.

One thing about them, if it is the same as the dead Viking variant I have here, is the spindle hubs have fairly thin aluminium in the "web" area that will shatter if you hit a big obstacle with the bar type blades. A full deck rebuild kit is available on EBay with new spindles, pulleys, bearings, belts and blades for $300+ but it is hardly worth it as the machine is not that good compared to my Rover Rancher with the 17HP Vanguard. I use the rancher to maintain several acres of lawns and several kilometres of tracks through the bush on my 100 acres. The Viking variant ran a 17Hp B&S Intek

The only comment I can make here is they were not design to be bush hogs rotary cutters with swing arm bar blades. They were meant to cut personal lawns that were keep clear of things like large limbs, roots, and the likes. Even the AYP/Husqvarna and MTD spindles break sometimes from hitting tree roots here. There are mower decks with spindles that handle these impacts but even with those blade bars are bent and even those spindles can be broken. I know as a big commercial ZTR (zero turn rider) came in with a shattered cast iron spindle last year where the owner hit a 1-1/2 solid metal post.

As the deck rebuild if I understand correctly the Aussie equipment and part costs are much higher than ours in the US.

Well, thank you to all. Some very pertinent comments and exactly what I was going for. My block is flat and in good nick so I don't see the "tough area" things being an issue. If I get it running well for a reasonable budget then I'll have a decent mower. I consider things like belts, batteries, spindles and blades as a service item then I don't consider them a factor really. If I'd owned the mower for years I'd be doing those things anyway.
Pics are coming soon.
Again thanks for the inputs. Sometimes it needs a different twist to see an answer.

We'll se if this works


We have lift-off !!!



separation good...



Orbital insertion acheived...



Mission is go...



Begin repeated orbits...



Watch for debris...

This is my last resto...
A Rover deluxe with a 4 blade plate and the Suzuki 2T engine.
It's a little gem.



Not a total resto more of a refurb with sprinkles.
I was chuffed at the end result though.