Garden "Toy"....

[VonFatman]

My wife has been "suggesting" the need for a tiller. For some unknown reason, she NEVER found my "gift" of a "Weed-Weasel" a suitable substitute...go figure!

Anyway...I started looking around and it became painfully clear that I had but two choices...

1) Spend serious "gun money" on a BCS or like-quality tiller.

2) Spend less-serious "gun money" on usable OLD Troy-Bilt tiller.

I had nearly given up locating a decent (meaning running and looking like it will keep on running) older model Troy-Bilt.

Buy a new Troy-Bilt you ask?....No!...the the new/recent production Troy-Bilts now manufactured by MTD are not much account.

Well, this week I'm discussing my tiller "needs" with a co-worker...he asks..."you want rear-tines"???

He got me in touch with his neighbor who had this (pics) decent old (1984) Troy-Bilt Horse. It's got a 6hp Tecumseh engine that STARTS!! It also runs and I am a HAPPY GARDNER!!!

I need to do some service/maintenance but the gist of the weeks' effort...I have a usable tiller that will last a lifetime if I take care to maintain it and spend a little money once in a while to keep it up. My wife is VERY HAPPY!!!

AND....drum roll please...I'm only out $200.00 of my "gun money"!! This is good!

It's a Horse III and that means it has the PTO and 4-speeds.

My father-in-law is a great mechanic. He said he'd help if needed. Also, I have a good friend (and fellow Forum Member) who is super with all mechanical devices so I have a "fall-back" plan if I need some help.

We even got a Troy-Bilt cultivator (for weed control) from my father-in-law, a left over from his Troy-Bilt days!

Bob

 

[Andy Griffith]

I would consider that a steal!

Did you put new tines on it, or did it come with those??!?! It looks as though it was either hardly used, or someone put new tines on it just before it was last used! What a deal!!! These older ones are bullet proof- just keep a watch on the oil seal on the shaft where you put on the tines- if you have a lot of weeds build up on the tines, they will work their way down to the seals and start to eat on them. Keep the PTO oil topped up, and the rear tine oil too. I *believe* it take 140W gear oil...but can't remember for sure without looking it up. This was my standby (this one, and then a 8HP one the first year it came out...I believe 1986 or so) for really churning up the clods the 8N would leave until I got the tiller attachment for the Kubota.

I'll trade you a beat up M&P for it!...If you deliver!

Really, you did wonderful! I would recommend running non-ethanol gas through it (Marine gas) if possible.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Ya did good, Bob. Those older Troy-Builts are rock-solid. I'm sure you'll get many years of sweet corn and termaters out of it!


Bullseye

 

[Damn Yankee]

Spent a lot of time walking behind one of those Troy Bilts. Great machine and it will last a long time. Does a great job. Use to leave it in the garden with a metal bushel measure on the top. Always started right up.

Thanks for the memories.

 

[MotoShot10R]

I always liked the Tecumseh engines when riding go-carts!

PTO too? Good find.

 

[VonFatman]

Thanks guys. I am still pinching myself. I am going to take all the great advise and keep a record for myself and learn a bunch as I use this new "toy".
Andy,
Marine gas...not a problem...Smithville Lake is just a mile or two away. The unit was picked up as-is...I've not done anything but add air to one of the tires.
I'll watch the weeds and take shallow passes.

Bullseye,
We like our 'maters!!!

D. Yankee,
My pleasure. It's always fun to talk about our new "stuff".

MotoShot10R,
That's what I thought! It was a great find. Now I get to learn about keeping a TB Horse serviced!

Bob
I'm afraid I can't swap for the M&P....the home life would suffer GREATLY!!!!

 

[m657]

I've been running my own TroyBilt Horse 8hp going on 25 years now. I got it used from my brother.

With careful attention & proper prep, I've been able to start it on many new seasons the 2nd or 3rd pull....and SOMETIMES on the FIRST pull of the rope, from the season before.

The owners manual is chock full of very useful information.

Cheers and welcome to the TroyBilt universe.

With a machine as good as these are, it makes you wonder just what happened to the Mother Company to close its doors back in the Clinton years. The new ones are mf'd by another outfit. Beware.


There are a few tricks to operating them efficiently. I've even busted up sod and turned it into fine garden soil.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Will you Wife be able to "Till/Plow" with it?
Jimmy

 

[charlie sherrill]

I found an unused Ariens with rear tines and a 6 hp Subaru engine in a pawn shop for $400 OTD. I started pulverizing new ground back in January and have already planted new potatoes and carrots. The other stuff will come as the ground warms up some more and it looks like the frosts are over. It takes me a little longer to get ripe tomatoes because I fry so many before they get ripe. The garden has already been assaulted by an armadillo. Jr. is out looking for him as we speak with a 17 HMR. The chickens aren't happy because we've had to keep them locked up. It's amazing the amount of damage a dozen chickens can to to a garden. They're starting to set now anyway. Flowers are blooming, migratory birds on the feeders,stuff getting green. Time for another ice storm?

 

[m657]

" Time for another ice storm?"
time for another charlie sherrill episode of Life in America!!!

 

[Rule 303]

Is that a four speed Hurst Shifter on it?
I bet that a "Muscle Tiller".

Rule 303

 

[VonFatman]

m657,
Thanks. I'm glad to have joined the fraternity. I'm all ears if you have some tips for me!!

jimmyj,
She's wanting to use it...I expect we will both need to learn up on the unit and get in there to see how it works.

charlie,
You folks south of the Mason-Dixon always get a head start on us Yankees!

Rule 303,
You bet...a 6hp Muscle Tiller!

Bob

 

[millbilly]

I've had not so good luck with Tecumseh motors......Keep your eyes open for a Briggs just in case......If you have a Briggs for a spare that
Tecumseh will last forever.......STILL you got a great deal.......WE are a long ways away from planting season here.......we are getting pounded with SNOW at the moment.........Tired of winter....

 

[blujax01]

My wife's Troy Bilt Toro has the Tecumseh. Finicky every year even though I use Sta-Bil in the fuel.
Reminds me, my neighbor still has it. Gonna be needing it before you know it ...

 

[Engineer1911]

You have my deepest sympathy. Leg aches, back aches, runny nose from allergies -- isn't just easier to drive to the Farmers' Market and buy fresh in-season produce? I have the Black Thumb of Death when it comes to horticulture.

Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[m657]

Von:
" I'm all ears if you have some tips for me!!"

you got a great deal IMHO.

To avoid the dreaded 'geezer blabber finger syndrome' I'd be happy to respond to specific questions or PM discussion.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of gardening is to arise early, download a good proper mug of coffee, and go out into the spring to churn up the garden patch thoroughly.....then hit the porch for another mug while surveying your dominion before the sun gets too harsh.

My enjoyment increased and stress of 'w*rk' decreased when I realized that I was an *operator* of an earth moving machine....not just a guy with a rototiller...

 

[DeadAye]

My lovely wife lusted after a T-B Horse and finally found *hers*.
Unfortunately, it's way too much for her so I get to till the garden every year --- Oh Joy.
Her's starts first or second pull every time. I put a fuel shut off valve between the tank and carb and run the gas out of the carb after every use. I also only use mid grade gas in it (as I do in EVERY small engine I own).

OTOH - Miss Nancy does the plant tending bit, and I really do like the fresh veggies.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I bought a Gilson tiller about 3 years ago from an old guy that said he had it 1 season and it quit running and would not start. Instead of trying to fix it, he simply went and bought a new one. It sat in an ol barn for 10 years or so and i got it for 50 bucks. I used to do small engine repair, so I pulled the flywheel off and looked at the points,(remember ignition points?) and they were a pretty light blue. I cleaned and gapped them and it fired right up. 5hp Briggs. I have used it 2 growing seasons and it starts right up and runs like a charm. Oh yeah, I had to weld the handle grip bar back where it had broke loose.
I love the smell of freshly turned dirt almost as much as I love fresh salads.
Peace,
gordon

 

[VonFatman]

millbilly,
We've had awful wx here too...snow Friday and today! I will keep an eye open for an engine. My hope is to see this old Tecumseh do well and if I ever do need to change engines (during tilling season), I can always rent one to make it through a busy/tough spot.

blujax01,
I hope this unit does start when needed...I also use Sta-Bil and will be spending several days looking over this unit making sure it's serviced and OK before it's needed. I have a manual on the way and even managed to pick up a bumper for it too.

Engineer1911,
I hear you. My bride has the green thumb...I hope to help her enough so that she will share with me! I love fresh garden goodies!

m657,
PM will be sent. Thanks!! I'm with you...I work in a "management job". I do not have the luxury of looking down upon my "work" at the end of the day. My results are generally intangible at best. So when I get off my mower, finish cleaning the garage, or look out on the load of fresh veggies...I enjoy that.

DeadAye,
I like that suggestion about the fuel shut-off! I will install one of those and hope to keep the ol' girl's carb. a bit cleaner between running/tilling.

Gordon,
That soil does smell good!! Sounds like you also got a good deal on their tiller!

Bob