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HomeRepair HelpMurray Mower RepairMurray Lawn mower not self propelling Repair
Murray Lawn mower not self propelling
If your Murray lawn mower is not self propelling, the problem is usually in the drive system, not the engine. The most common cause is a worn or broken V-belt, since that belt turns the drive pulleys that move the wheels. Next, check the drive pulley for wear or breakage, because a damaged pulley can keep the transmission from engaging the wheel assembly. Worn gears in the wheel assembly are another common reason a self-propelled mower is not pulling even though the engine runs normally. If the transmission pulley spins while the mower is running but the drive wheels are not turning, the transmission or transmission assembly has likely failed and will need to be replaced, since it is not repairable. A misadjusted or sticking traction control cable is less common, but it can also cause a mower traction cable problem and keep a Murray mower from moving under its own power. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Murray V-belt, drive pulley, wheel assembly, transmission, or traction control cable that fits your lawn mower.
01 - Murray Lawn Mower V-Belt
The V-belt rotates the drive pulleys to drive the lawn mower wheels. If the V-belt is worn out or broken, the lawn mower wheels won’t turn. Inspect the V-belt for damage. If the V-belt is defective, replace it.
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02 - Murray Lawn Mower Drive Pulley
The drive pulley connects to the engine crankshaft. If the drive pulley is worn out or broken, the transmission won’t be able to engage the wheel assembly. Inspect the drive pulley for damage. If the drive pulley is defective, replace it.
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03 - Murray Lawn Mower Wheel Assembly
The wheel assembly has a set of gears which engage with the transmission drive gear. If the gears are worn out, the transmission won’t be able to engage the wheel assembly. If the gears are worn out, replace the wheel assembly.
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04 - Murray Lawn Mower Transmission
The transmission is powered by the drive belt, and the drive belt connects to the engine crankshaft. When the drive belt powers the transmission, the lawn mower wheels turn. To determine if the transmission is defective, observe the transmission while the lawn mower is running. If the transmission pulley is spinning, but the lawn mower wheels don’t turn, this indicates that the transmission is defective. The transmission is not repairable—if the transmission is defective, you must replace it.
Highly Likely
05 - Murray Lawn Mower Transmission Assembly
The transmission is powered by the drive belt, and the drive belt connects to the engine crankshaft. When the drive belt powers the transmission, the lawn mower wheels turn. To determine if the transmission is defective, check the transmission while the lawn mower is running. If the transmission pulley is spinning, but the lawn mower wheels don’t turn, this indicates that the transmission is defective. The transmission is not repairable—if the transmission is defective, you must replace it.
Highly Likely
06 - Murray Lawn Mower Traction Control Cable
The traction control cable might be broken or misadjusted. Check the traction control cable to determine if it moves freely. If the control cable does not move freely, try squirting a small amount of oil into the end of the cable to lubricate it. If lubricating the traction control cable is not effective, replace it.
Less Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Murray lawn mower not self-propelling?
How do I tell if my Murray mower has a drive belt problem or a bad transmission?
What should I check if the drive wheels on my Murray mower are not turning?
Can a bad traction control cable keep a Murray self-propelled mower from pulling?
How do I find the right Murray self-propel parts for my mower?
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