[FINALIST] - Murraymountain's Mountain Murray [2019 Build-Off Entry]

Old Thread

(Sorry about the pictures being sideways.)
So I got this Murray for free back in December.



Got it running in January. disregarding the small knock.



Then tore it down the first of February and decided to enter it into the build off.



Here's what it needs to have:

-New orange paint

-Reinforced frame, hood, and steering column

-New ATV tires

-Recoil pull start

-Snorkel

-Gas pedal

-LED headlights & tail lights

-Brush guard

-Locked transmission

-Pulley swap (6" in front 4" on back)

-Suspension

-Exhaust

-Hand brake

-Rear guard/rack

And a few other small things.


So I think the plan is going to be a $500 budget, enter it in the build-off, run it in my towns Christmas parade and sell it for a profit. Hopefully this will be a fun build.

Here's a pic of what it should look like...



Build-off entry photos...




Approved: MightyRaze 2-20-2019

Good luck!

Can't wait for the final outcome! What atv tires will you run? Hope that suspension works out too. I run a 6 to 4 pulley ratio on a rally/offroad tractor, I can get 20 mph with 22 inch tires.

Well I'm not really sure yet. There just so darn expensive. I'll worry about that beast when the time comes.
My brother runs 6 to 4 on his Murray and I like that speed a lot, but he runs stock 18" tires with some of the tread cut off (turf-tires). I will surely not be running 18s. If you have any ideas for the suspension let me know. I think I got a pretty good idea on how to do the front end, maybe, cut the axle in half, put a pivot point at the end of each axle, and find a way to mount the shocks. The rear is a different story, it just seems like I'll have to use leaf springs. I mean I haven't thought it out long and hard but it looks like if I don't use them the transmission will have no where to mount to. But we'll see. My brother snapped a transmission bracket not to long ago so the build is worth nothing without the suspension. can't be snappin' brackets. lol. Sense I just can't get over to the on site welding shop to get the frame done I'm probably gonna go ahead and start stripping paint. At least I can get that done while I wait on the frame reinforcements. Oh and I also better try to fix that transmission while I'm at it. The gears wobble really bad.

Hmmmm, suspension you say?

Your idea with splitting the axle and havin two centre pivots could work, that would effectively give you independent front suspension. One thing I would try and add to that idea is a pair of radius arms, one for each axle half. That would just make it so that all the stress wasn't on the centre pivots, because that could result in a failure when hitting a large bump at speed.

Basically you just need a radius arm on each side of the frame, just make sure it's as level with the ground and as far out on the front axle pieces as possible, then just use joints or wrists at the frame side.

Also make sure the spring rate on the coilovers you use isn't too heavy, or the suspension won't have any travel.

Looking forward to seeing what ya come up with!

U will need a subframe for the Transaxle that stiffens up the Trans or it will crack from the twisting and stuff since it's sitting on leaves.

Well got some good news... got a place to weld. Now, the build begins. Anyway like I said for the tires we'll worry about the suspension when it's time to worry about the suspension. But the radius arms might be a good idea. I'll look into it. Right now I'm mainly concerned about getting it back together again.

So I've started grinding rust away and doing body work, but the sanding wheel for the grinder is too small so now I got to get another one. plus the drive shaft on our car is clanking real bad so now, even though I've got a place to weld, I can't get the mower there or get the right sanding wheel. Welcome to my world LOL. Now I'm just going to pressure wash the frame, reinforce it, and paint it. Then the reassembly starts. Well, See yuns around.

You gotta love them old Murray's

Yes I do. I don't see why people are always saying that murrays aren't good mud mowers because the drive system has to be rebuilt. If you know how to adjust the tensioner correctly then it works. I mean the only place the craftsman has the murray beat is the steering column. They break all the time, but I don't hate the murrays for that, just reinforce it and it's fixed. They're not as complicated as people say. Craftsmans are MORE comlicated. And if you want to rebuild the drive system go right ahead. They say they're junk cause they have to rebuilt, and then they go and rebuild a craftsman. But hey, they hate what they hate and they like what they like, right. Sorry, got a little carried away there. Hope this doesn't start an argument. Anyway...


I've been doin' alota work to the murray these last two days. Would've liked to get some more done.

-got the steering column sanded and repainted



-got all that rust off the rear and repainted part of it





-got the seat mount sanded and painted



And now I'll be in Florida this week (I hate Florida, it's so dang busy and hot, I just hate it) so that's all I'll be able to get done this week. next is frame reinforcements But I've been saying that for a while, we'll see. The tranny still needs a lock collar, the straight axle (Doc locker parts), an input shaft, gear spacers\bearings, and
a 4" pulley. Oh and the engine needs a rod or rod bearings. But that's what you get for free. Not sure yet if I'm going to use the grinder to sand the body, may be a little too risky. Might pay a professional to sandblast it. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about it but I'll figure it out.

Also I just realized I said give me ideas about suspension and then said I'll worry about it later. whoops. What I meant was that radius arms and a subframe is complicated stuff and that I'd rather keep my mind off of that problem until it's time to do it. Got too many other problems on it to worry about right now and I don't want to add that to the list.

Murrays have their spot, it's just ever person is looking for the perfect machine to build. I'venodded and ran both and did love the light weight murrays when I rolled them over on my self but the gripes were that if it wasnt a pan frame theres not alot of room to beef it up under the frame with the colum being the way it is with all the clutche and what not they stuffed right in the way. I just got too tired of having to pull the steering rod to change belts or work on the wiring. Good luck! Any machine can be made into what you want if you do it right!

Yea the only problems with the murrays are the drive system, column, and that C frame. Craftsman problems...
steering, heavyweight. I think you can just go grab the drive system out of a old murray hydro, throw that in it,
and that should take care of your problems. But I guess it kinda like Ford and Chevy. You have your Ford lovers and your Chevy lovers and then you have your in between. Guess it's the same with murray and craftsman.
I mean I don't have anything against craftsman, I'm actually thinking of building 1, I love the 80s craftsmans. But I just like the murrays more. Alrighty guys, I gotta hit the road.

biggasmowers wrote:

Murrays have their spot, it's just ever person is looking for the perfect machine to build. I'venodded and ran both and did love the light weight murrays when I rolled them over on my self but the gripes were that if it wasnt a pan frame theres not alot of room to beef it up under the frame with the colum being the way it is with all the clutche and what not they stuffed right in the way. I just got too tired of having to pull the steering rod to change belts or work on the wiring. Good luck! Any machine can be made into what you want if you do it right!

I've bolted metal plates under the frame of my Murray "Li'l Red" just fine.  You think just pulling the steering rod is bad.  Kal, my 82 murray. I have to remove the front foot brace so I can drop both clutch pulleys, then disconnect the double clutch bracket from the clutch rod, then I have a choice, pry the double clutch bracket or remove the spring.  And that part of my build is still stock!  Takes about 30-40 minutes to change the belt on Kal, if I don't cut the old one off.

I love my Murray Mowers. even if they R a bit of work to build!

The Frame Cleanup looks great!

R U reinforcing the C channel Frame?

Yes I'm doing that next I hope. those frames just turn and twist. I think I'm gonna do what Mighty did with Li'l Red except I might weld it instead.

WOW! 30-40 minutes just for a belt, that sux.

Murraymountain wrote:

Yes I'm doing that next I hope. those frames just turn and twist. I think I'm gonna do what Mighty did with Li'l Red except I might weld it instead.

What did Mighty?

Murraymountain wrote:

WOW! 30-40 minutes just for a belt, that sux.

Yah, Belt changes suck! MTD belt changes suck even more

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

Murraymountain wrote:

Yes I'm doing that next I hope. those frames just turn and twist. I think I'm gonna do what Mighty did with Li'l Red except I might weld it instead.

What did Mighty?

I bolted a plate to the bottom of one of my rigs.

MightyRaze wrote:

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

Murraymountain wrote:

Yes I'm doing that next I hope. those frames just turn and twist. I think I'm gonna do what Mighty did with Li'l Red except I might weld it instead.

What did Mighty?

I bolted a plate to the bottom of one of my rigs.

Nice! Still need to figure something out for my crappy C channel frame, might weld the junk AYPs Frame on top & call it done IDK rn

If I can get some flat steel I should be able to get it done Tuesday (I'll post some pics). Changed my mind, gonna bolt 'em on. Cheaper, faster, and easier.

Mine is a Craftsman engine plate.  Bolted on allows removal to service pulleys should they go out.

Great idea. I'll probably try to get one or two engine plates at my local junkyard... 20 miles away. You better patent that idea before everyone's using it   .

I kinda want it back as it went to my current project.  LOL

Hahaha!

Message deleted