Our verdict
The bottom line
The Murray 11/30 was a budget garden tractor sold widely in the UK during the 1990s. Mostly red with a distinctive orange/yellow stripe across the bonnet. Out of production for years but the Briggs engine and simple gear-drive transmission make these easy to keep running. A perfectly fine first ride-on if you find a clean one.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Simple Briggs engine — universal parts
- Cheap to buy used
- Side-discharge handles tall grass
- Heritage character — red and yellow stripes are iconic
Cons
- No collection bag
- Out of production — used only
- Drive belt and steering linkage wear with age
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 76 cm |
| Engine / Power | Briggs & Stratton 11HP |
| Weight | 160 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | No |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | — |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 100 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£300–650 used depending on condition. Briggs 11HP engine should fire on first or second crank — sluggish start is varnished carb (£40 fix). Test the gear-change linkage; vintage Murrays develop play in the steering box. Avoid any with welded chassis repairs or non-original wheel sizes.
Where to look: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are usually 20–30% cheaper than eBay UK for petrol mowers because most sellers want local pickup. eBay tends to win on cordless and electric (lighter, easier to ship). Always insist on a starting demonstration before paying.