Murray Stamped Frame

@MightyRaze wrote:

Sounds like a bronze bushing is out of square.

Yes. That's why it didn't go together on the first try. Got it together now and the spider gears won't even work. Won't roll or anything. It shifts, the input turns, but it just won't roll. It'll have to come apart again obviously, but I have no idea when. I can't take the chance on driving it... I just know it's gonna blow. Too bad it only needs gas lines, the engine pulley, and the belt and it would drive if it wasn't for this problem. I put the oil and everything in cause I thought that once the oil got in the axles, it would free up. Guess I was wrong. I had to drill a hole in the side of the case to fill it up. There was no drain/fill plug.

(sorry for the crappy picture, looked better on a smaller screen.)


Sure does suck that it's on 4 wheels but ain't gonna drive. I think the spider gears didn't seat properly or something. There was also a spot on the case where it didn't compress the RTV. Same place the MM's bolts stripped.



So I don't about you guys, but...

Alright, I took 'er apart again and gave 'er one more shot. Turns out it was the spider gears. Don't know what was wrong with them, everything was put together right. Anyway, it works now... Hopefully I'll be driving it tomorrow.

Could have been something simple as a flake of metal from drilling or grain of sand to bind those things up. Glad you got it working!

It was kinda weird. You spin them and they'd be fine till about half way, then they'd pull out of the case. Stumped me... They were aligned perfectly. Guess they just wanted to be reset one more time.

Anyway, got it filled up and in the tractor! Vent tube is on, new headlights are wired, new fuel lines are in, engine pulley on, and put the belt on. Also had to redo the shifter... The way Murray designed it was stupid. Anyway, it's a bit stronger now, but the bolts came loose... Whatever, I can tighten and thread lock them later on. On the other hand, now that it's driving, it is SLOOOOOOOOOOOW compared to before. The engine only goes to half throttle... I think the carb adjustment screw I can't reach without taking the hood off needs to be messed with. Oh, and it still needs brake pucks and pads. So yeah, a couple minor things... The shifter is beginning to be not so minor though... It's loose enough that you can't figure out what gear you're in and I ran into one of the support beams of a portico and put a massive dent in the fender. Whatever, all repairable. Anyhow...



Then me and my brother tried to burn a tire off it's rim... It's still got a LOT to go LOL. (Nope, it's not the tire on fire, just some WD40 sprayed on burnt rubber and lit it with the torch, LOL.) Watch this video...



So, it's not that bad, just a couple things to work out on it. I'll be wrenching on it off and on I guess.

Alright. It's "finished"... Meaning, it is functional to the point that I am satisfied with it. Fixed the throttle, shifter, and got some brakes for it. For someone who's used to a hand throttle, it's probably pretty nice to drive, but I'm used to the MM now, so for me it's definitely a 'backup' machine. Anyway, it looks good...