Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): LAWN TRACTOR QUESTION, noma lawn tractor, briggs and stratton

Question
QUESTION: Hi There Eric.
i hope you can help me.i bought a 2nd hand Noma Signature lawn tractor,in good condition.it goes well.But i dont have an operator manual for it.i have searched the world on the internet for a copy without any luck. Surely some where in the world,with thousands of these mowers sold,getting a copy of a manual can't be so difficult.i only have the parts manual for it,that came with the mower. The model number is: G4316130 2WS Lawn Tractor,with Briggs and Stratton Vanguard motor,model: 280777
16hp with 43" cut.Any help would be appreciated. i am prepared to pay for a copy of the manual.i am starting to think i am the only one in the world with this mower.
Thank You.
BARRY

ANSWER: Noma was part of Murray. Does the label say "made in Canada".

The biggest problem is Murray went out of business...sort of.  Murray owed Briggs a lot of money so it was more economical for Briggs to absorb Murray rather than loose all assets.

Briggs still makes products under the Murray name.

For your mower it is going to be difficult to track down an Owner's Manual.  You might try contacting Outdoor Distributor's to see if they have something on microfiche.

http://www.outdoordistributors.com/Murray/Murray_Rider/Murray_Rider.html

Let me know if they can help or else I'll try some other contacts.

Eric



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Eric
Thank's for your reply. The Noma label says made in U.S.A.,not Canada. i didn't have any luck on the outdoordistributors website. i am still trying for the manual. Do you have any other suggestions? is there a noma lawn Tractor forum website or somthing like that,where i could post the question to other Noma owners who may still have the manual. There must be a mower repair shop even,some where in the world,who still has the repair manual,or owners manual for my model. i have also been looking out for a 2nd hand mulch plug for my model,without success. Thank's again for your reply and please let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Thank You
Barry

Answer
I'd thinkthe Owner's or Operating manual could be found but doubt a repair manual.  Years ago they did not publish repair manuals.  Instead, mower and engine manuafacturers offered classes, usually during the winter months, on their products.  They used to provide materials covering the latest models as well as limited service procedures.  I doubt any one has kept all the material over the years.

Did you search for a user or operator manual?

Eric