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
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
