rototiller threw a rod

[jimr]

Well my 1987 model troy bilt pony finally threw a rod last week and it is not worth fixing again. It was given to me about 6 years ago and the motor was in a basket. I need to get a new or newer tiller. the small engine shop on the corner from me told me to avoid any made for walmart. and the new troy bilts are junk. I know most lawn equipment these days is made by MTD but they did say the cub cadet and craftsman were ok tillers. SO what does everyone reccommend. I am leaning towards the cub. And it has to be rear tine.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

What about a re-power? Tractor supply sells engines.... nothern tool has a good selection. You could spend real $$$$ and buy a honda engine.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

I have an ancient TB Pony with 8hp pullstart. My inlaws give it to me about 6-7 years ago with a bad shaft. It cost me about $120 to get it replaced but it has been a great tiller since. I'd reccomend repowering also.

By the way- Sears had a sale last weekend on mowers. Every model I looked at was an MTD model rebadged.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

If the rest of the machine is still in serviceable condition, Bob is spot on with his suggestion.

 

[jimr]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

I would repower it but.... the tines are worn out the tires don't hold air for more than a day and I pray everytime i inflate them the bearings are about shot in the tine shafts, I figure by time I fixed everything on it It will cost me more than a new tiller. Don't get me wrong if I felt I could fix it reasonably I would do it. they don't make them like this anymore,and for the original price (free) it has served me well. I am going to check out the cub cadet tomorrow during lunch. I have also scoured craigs list and other places for used but people think they have gold.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

At the beginning of the planting season they are gold! If you don't have too much to till ....... hire someone just for this season and it will give you time to re-build or purchase.

I still say re-power is going to be cheaper and the bearings will be a good thing to replace considering you will have it so far apart...... fill the tires with Slime.

 

[mscher]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

If you're set on a new unit and are not pinching pennies, I'd go for a new Pony. It's a couple of hundred $$ more than the Cub.

Still has the cast iron transmission and bronze gears, with a decent B & S engine.

Sure it's made by MTD, but the Cub probably is too.

Lifetime limited warranty on the Pony, versus 3 years for the Cub.

Enjoy whatever you get.

 

[gss036]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

I love my HONDA 7.5 hp rear tine. It is 25+ yeards old and still starts on the 1st pull. I know they are a lot more now than when I bought mine, but will last a life time.
That is why I have 2 Honda generators, 2 Honda outboards and a Honda powered pressure washer. Although I do have a John Deere riding mower and so do 3 of my neighbors.
I have a brother-in-law who has two older Troy's and they are both broke at present. The problem with the Troy is they are direct drive and when you hit something, either the pinion/ring or a rod goes as there is no give or take on a solid hook up like they have. On the other hand the Honda is driven by a double "V" (fan belt) belt drive and the tines are driven by a motor cycle chain. There is enough slack and or slippage there to avoid damage.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

Bundle it up and send it back to Troy-Bilt. Remember their longstanding offer to rebuild any unit for 1/2 the price of a new one? Read the literature.

Troy-Bilt made a big mistake when they used the Tecumseh engines. They were guaranteed rod throwers. Our Horse model has had no problems in fifteen years. It has a B&S engine.

My parent's Horse did fifteen years of a 5 acre garden, but after the second rod going through the block (under warrenty) Troy-Bilt repowered it with a B&S. We always change the oil and tranny lube on schedule and take care to clear the tines of anything that might cut the seals. Oil is cheaper than iron.

 

[jimr]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

Well I picked up a 2 or 3 year old Craftsman model 294480 today that hasn't even had the paint worn off the tines. The man who bought it used it a couple of times and passed away. his daughter wound up with it and had no ise for it. I left work early today and drove down to moore ok and picked it up. it has a briggs intec 6.5hp on it and it runs great tills better than my old worn out pony ever did. will be making a bigger garden this weekend and replanting a bunch of stuff if it doesn't come up soon.

 

[dolluper]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

Now that was an easy fix good luck with her

 

[ehenry]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

If your tiller is an old cast iron horse you can get the part off the net really cheap. I reworked my old horse...bearings, bushings, a tine shaft and engine for a fraction of what another machine cost.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

The problem with the Troy is they are direct drive and when you hit something, either the pinion/ring or a rod goes as there is no give or take on a solid hook up like they have.

I'm not sure what tiller you are referring to, but my Troy Bilt Pony is belt driven as is every one that I have seen.

 

[jimr]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

I just sold it for $75 to a kid that works in a small engine shop down the road. he is going to rebuild it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: rototiller threw a rod

Just FYI.......Craftsman is AYP (american yard products) and Cub Cadet is indeed MTD.