Murray 96016000800 Lawn Mower Manual

The Murray 96016000800 is a walk-behind gas-powered lawn mower featuring a Briggs & Stratton engine, 21-inch steel cutting deck, 3-in-1 mulching/bagging/side-discharge capability, single-lever height adjustment, rear-wheel drive, and a durable steel frame. Below are key sections for safety, features, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Assembly Instructions 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Operation 6. Cutting Height Adjustment 7. 3-in-1 Discharge System 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Briggs & Stratton engine, 21-inch steel deck, Rear bagger, Mulching plug, Side discharge chute, Single-lever height adjuster, Rear-wheel drive system.

Feature	Description
Engine	Briggs & Stratton 140cc OHV engine
Cutting Width	21 inches
Cutting Deck	Durable steel construction
Drive System	Rear-wheel drive
Height Adjustment	Single lever, 6 positions (1.5" - 3.75")
Discharge Options	Mulch, Bag, Side-discharge (3-in-1)
Starter	Recoil pull-start
Fuel Tank	1.0-quart capacity
Wheels	8-inch rear, 7-inch front
Handle	Foldable for storage

Assembly Instructions

Unpack and inspect all parts. Assembly requires basic tools (included).

Attach the handle: Align lower handle with deck brackets, secure with bolts and wing nuts.
Install the grass bag: Attach bagger frame to rear deck hooks, secure bag with provided clips.
Attach side discharge chute: Slide chute into opening on right side of deck, secure with bolt.
Install mulching plug: Place plug into rear discharge opening when mulching.
Add engine oil: Fill with SAE 30 detergent oil (approx. 20 oz) as per engine manual.
Add gasoline: Use fresh unleaded gasoline (87 octane minimum).

WARNING! Always wear gloves during assembly. Ensure all fasteners are tight before operation.

First-Time Setup

Before first use, complete pre-operation checks.

Check oil level: Ensure oil is at full mark on dipstick.
Check tire pressure: Inflate to 15 PSI (front) and 20 PSI (rear).
Adjust cutting height: Set lever to desired position (middle setting recommended for first mow).
Select discharge mode: Install bag, mulching plug, or side chute as needed.
Clear mowing area: Remove stones, sticks, and debris from lawn.

CAUTION! Never operate without proper oil level. Always mow in dry conditions.

Specifications

Model: Murray 96016000800
Engine: Briggs & Stratton 140cc, 4-cycle OHV
Cutting Width: 21 inches
Cutting Height: 1.5" to 3.75" (6 positions)
Deck Material: Steel
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Wheels: 8" rear, 7" front
Discharge Options: Mulch, Bag, Side-discharge
Bag Capacity: 2.0 bushels
Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline (87 octane min)
Oil Type: SAE 30 detergent (summer), 10W-30 (variable temp)

Controls and Operation

Handle Controls: Drive control bar (squeeze to engage wheels), Throttle lever (FAST/SLOW/STOP), Recoil starter grip.

Starting Procedure:

Move throttle lever to FAST position.
Prime engine (if equipped) by pressing primer bulb 3 times.
Pull recoil starter briskly until engine starts.
Allow engine to warm up for 30 seconds.

Stopping Procedure:

Release drive control bar.
Move throttle lever to STOP position.
Wait for all moving parts to stop completely.

WARNING! Keep hands and feet away from cutting deck during operation. Never leave mower unattended while running.

Cutting Height Adjustment

Single-lever adjustment for all four wheels.

Stop mower on level surface with engine off.
Pull height adjustment lever outward.
Move lever to desired position (1-6, with 1 being lowest).
Release lever to lock in position.
Verify all wheels are at same height.

Tip: For first mow of season, set to highest position. Never remove more than 1/3 of grass blade length at one time.

3-in-1 Discharge System

Configure for mulching, bagging, or side discharge.

Mulching: Install mulching plug in rear discharge opening. Grass is cut finely and returned to lawn as fertilizer.
Bagging: Remove mulching plug, attach grass bag. Collects clippings for disposal.
Side Discharge: Remove mulching plug and bag, install side chute. Discharges clippings to right side.

CAUTION! Always stop engine before changing discharge configuration. Ensure all parts are securely installed.

Care & Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Maintenance	Frequency	Procedure
Check oil level	Before each use	Use dipstick, add SAE 30 if low
Clean underside of deck	After each use	Scrape with putty knife (engine off)
Sharpen/replace blade	Every 25 hours	Remove blade, sharpen at 30° angle
Change oil	Every 50 hours or season	Drain old oil, refill with 20 oz fresh oil
Replace air filter	Every 100 hours	Remove cover, replace foam filter
Replace spark plug	Every 100 hours	Gap to 0.030", install firmly
Lubricate wheels	Every season	Apply light oil to axle points

Storage: Drain fuel or add stabilizer for off-season storage. Store in dry, covered area.

Regulatory Information

EPA Certified: Meets emission standards for small spark-ignition engines. Safety Compliance: Meets ANSI B71.1 standards for walk-behind mowers. Copyright © Murray LLC. For support, visit www.murray.com or contact 1-800-800-7310.

Emission Control Warranty: 2 years for emissions-related components.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine won't start	No fuel, old gas, clogged filter	Add fresh fuel; check fuel line; clean/replace air filter.
Engine runs poorly	Dirty air filter, old spark plug	Clean air filter; replace spark plug; check fuel quality.
Uneven cutting	Dull blade, uneven tire pressure	Sharpen/replace blade; check/adjust tire pressure.
Vibration	Loose blade, bent blade	Tighten blade bolt; replace bent blade.
Wheels not driving	Drive cable loose, worn belt	Adjust drive cable tension; replace drive belt.
Grass not discharging	Wet grass, clogged deck	Mow when dry; clean underside of deck.

Service: For repairs, contact authorized Murray service center at 1-800-800-7310.