The Murray is MTD myth.

[Boyd in Mn]

Where did this get started or since they are made similarly did us consumers individually think that MTD and Murray were the same company? I once too thought that they were the same company. Tuesday a retired guy came over to look at an MTD 2 stage snowblower attachement I had for sale. I wasn't ready for him so we drove 8 miles to my storage where it was. When we got there I moved junk out of the way so he could look at it. I then asked about his tractor. He replied: 42" deck 18hp hydrostatic Murray. I said, Murray? Yes he said. I said I'd love to sell this but I'd be a liar if I told you it would fit your tractor. He said: I thought they were the same company. No I replied. He felt like an idiot and apoligized for using my time. I said thats o.k. I was going to make a trip out to my storage to get a roll of fencing anyway. The guy was a bit emberrassed.

 

[Trailer Trash Tractors]

My guess is, he had a Genuine Murray, built before MTD bought everyone up. I have a late model Murray, awaiting a cheap engine, built like an MTD, don't have side by side, sure look similar.

 

[JT]

Murray is also a cheap mower, I think a little better than an MTD, they are two differant manufacturers. Murray is now owned by Briggs and MTD is....well MTD.
Jim

 

[Anonymous-0]

Contrary to what has been said, Murray is not owned by MTD, it is currently owned by Briggs and Stratton, who also owns Generac. And that is why genuine Murray parts have become so expensive all of a sudden.

Sad end for a company which at one time made a pretty good mower, just run into ground by box stores which demanded cheap product above all else.

 

[G. L. Perry]

Always thought same too?? Thought MTD stood for Murray-Tractor Division as they also did other manufacturing. Seems there was Bikes, wagons and such with Murray name. What does MTD stand for then? Their all in OHio right?
My biggest beef on the cheap tractors is that there are so many diff models and parts. Why can't they make less models, parts interchange like Cubs and Deeres and Simplicity. Seems like each brand they make has all diff body panels now, not just tags like in old days. Example Jacobsen made Ford, MM, Oliver, White maybe more, all with same parts, diff colors mostly. That's what keeps good company going, interchangeability? (sic)