"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 00:30:44 GMT, "Vox Humana"
wrote:

I need a new lawn mower and decided to get a self-propelled model as I
have
a rather hilly yard and I'm not getting any younger. After looking at
dozens of mowers, I have found one that looks like it would meet my
needs.
It is on sale for what looks like a good price - $229.00 (was $290). The
problem is that I have never owned a Murray lawn mower, nor have I owned
a
self-propelled model. The one I am looking at is a 7 HP, 22 inch, 3-in-1
model with high rear wheels. The engine is a Briggs and Stratton. Is
this
brand any good? It appears to be a discontinued model because the Murray
website doesn't show a 7 HP self-propelled model. I can get other SP
mowers
for around the same price, but they have smaller engines. I would rather
have a variable speed SP mower, but the prices for those is much higher.



Murray is at the bottom of the list in overall scoring, but still it
is a good mower and repair record is decent. A B&S 7 HP engine will
deliver about the same torque as a 5 HP Honda engine, but the B&S is
noisier. Toro mowers are better built with a Tecumseh engine, but
you'll need at least a hundred more bucks. Expect any mower to last 5
to 8 years, depending on use.

I am on year 8 of my cheap MTD/Briggs and Stratton mower. I had to put some
money into it last year and now the problem looks like it is returning along
with some rust and other issues. I might keep this one as a back-up and to
mow along the margin of the woods occasionally to keep the brush down but I
know it is time for a new mower.