Why does your lawnmower cut the grass when pulling backwards but does not cut when pushing forward?

The starter rope is the one used to start many of the mechanical start walk behind Murray mowers. The procedure is to pull the starter rope with sufficient force which will start the mower engine.

Given the rough usage of this rope, eventually, the rope will wear away and break. A shorter rope will not impart the necessary torque to kick start the engine. The only solution is to replace the starter rope. While this may seem quite complicated, it is one of the simplest things to do. With a proper wrench and starter rope, you can do it at home.