Hello, fellow growers.
I am not sure this is the right post. But I have 3 Troy Bilt tillers and was aware that Garden way, DIV. of MTD bought them out.

What I need is tines, that are made harder than the $80.00 ones that you can find at the Discount stores. They are made in Canada for professional use. They last 5 years compared to the cheap ones, that last 1 year

I called and talked to Troy Bilt 2 years ago, and they gave me a price of $120.00 per set. Now when I go to their site, I see that the parts dept that I have ordered from for 33 years is not open for business just yet. Next month

Lowe's says thay can't order until may, and other online resellers are limiting you to two sets. Something bad has happened with this buy out, I just don't know how bad yet.

If anyone knows where I can still get the heavy duty hardened Tines. Will you please let me know?

Thanks, and a very good season to you all.

Marturo

 

Where are you located at?
Some areas have regular troybilt dealers. Check all the Mower dealers in the phone book. Fortunately, I've got one 10 miles away.
fred

 

That's a good Idea. That's just what I did first, and that is what tiped me off to the trouble. The 1st Troy Bilt dealer is out of business 3 mos ago. The 2nd is Lowes a very large Dealer with a huge inventory. They are the ones that said they can't order until May They have had every part for Troy Bilt, since they became dealers 10 years ago. I'm in NC and our early season starts now.

After 33 years of dealing factory direct, and this is their biggest part of the season. No something happened, when they were taken over. I will if my fears are correct, be better off to put a set of new cheap tines on all 3 and sell now. Then invest in BCS or Honda. We need the 3 different sized tillers for part of our business, and can't own equipment that we can't maintain.

What I think happened is MTD wanted Troy Bilt, out of the way for market reasons. I hope I'm am wrong. It just does not look good for Troy Bilt owners.
Marturo

 

Hi Maturo and Fred,

How do you like your Troy Bilt's? I compared the price when buying tillers and ended up with a Craftsman. So far, it does the job. Also have a Mantis, and love it too.

Gami

 

marturo,
For the tines, you might want to also try Sears, they have had Troys in the past, not sure about now though. For a start I'd put any quality tine on it to get through, until you can get the better ones. For that matter I've gone an extra year or so with worn tines, just doesn't dig quite as deep. Don't sell those three you've got, you know you've got the cadillac of tillers.
If MTD has acquired Troy, in the long run, it may be as good or better. MTD started out as a smaller mfg. in Cleveland and now they are all over the eastern US. They are a well run company, and even their mowers have improved in quality. They have contracts with many of the major league ball clubs to do the 'real' grass. We'll have to wait and see, but give them a little time before jumping brands.

Gami,
My 6hp 'Horse' was born in 1978. I had to replace the tecumseh engine about four years ago, put a kohler on it. I have to pump up one tire every time I use it, but it still has the original bar tread tires. Maybe I'll put a tube in it this year.
Years ago my Dad used to get free tillers from both rototiller and Modern Tool & Die( MTD ), but after he tried my Horse he went out and bought a T-B Pony.
Enough said?

fred

 

Troy-bilt is the king of tillers, no other comes close. MTD would be wise to continue it's production, and production of parts for the older ones. I just hope MTD doesn't start building them like they build mowers. That would be a dissapointment.

Gami- the craftsman tillers are made by AYP...American Yard Products. They are a middle-of-the-road manufacturer. Better than many, but not the best. Very acceptable for the homeowner/gardener. I like Craftsman equipment...good for the money.

 

Thanks Cheese and Fred,

Enough said! I knew I should have bought one.

Gami

 

Hello all
Sorry I did not get back sooner ISP problems. Well thanks for all of the tips. I did find one place the guy wrote me back. He claims to have a custom Troy Bilt Tine that is 1/32" thicker with a weld placed on cutting edge for $150.00 and I think that's S&H included. As far as Troy Bilt, I have used them for 33 years, only one, the newest that I traded to a small guy, for a darn near new Horse with PTO was a bad Apple.

I bought an Econo Horse in 89, with Techcomseh engine 6hp. The engine bore was cast off center and wore through the Cyl wall after about 6 mos. TB sent a Short block to dealer who messed it up during reassembly. I B&C so loud they sent me a new engine to install myself.

The 2nd year the tine cover cracked at the hinges and broke off. The 5th year the handles cracked at welds and came loose. Now even though my baby, a Horse my Dad and I bought back in 1969 seems to be completely covered on all parts.

Troy Bilt fought me on these replacements. In my Manual it even said all parts Lifetime waranty. I am happy I traded the Econo on the real Horse with PTO. I do, so much hope that MTD does right by them.

My Son who is grown and working in the shop no TB parts has a real dislike of most things MTD. So as I am a Retired automotive (Porsche) Mechanic, he is the expert in Lawn & Garden equipment.

It would be a sad day for me, to sell my Horses. However my Wife and I have a small Speciality farm, Antique Fruits & Vegetables. We have another 15 to 20 years, Lord willing, and need equipment that is cost effective, and easy to get parts for.

My Son reccomends Honda they are expenseve, but he tells me that they are very well made. I am going to hope for the best at this time, and do a little checking around. I have seen my red friends in my gardens for so long, I don't know but, it sure would seem strange, not having them anymore.

Marturo

 

I found a large Troy Bilt Dealer in Grennville SC who has the tines I need. What's more important, is he says that TB is reorganizing after the Bankruptcy and the MTD take over.

He suggested giving them a year before,you buy a new unit as the last ones are real junk. However the folks who took over are going to raise TB back to #1 again, because MTD gave them the money based on how well liked Troy Bilts are, and the fact that people will pay more for the best. That just made my year YEA! Marturo

 

marturo,
Glad to hear you found the tines and the good news about TB.
I sorta question your dealer's comments about the last ones being junk. As you know, heavy duty parts is still heavy duty parts. I suspected that MTD would do TB right.
fred

 

marturo,
Glad to hear you found the tines and the good news about TB.
I sorta question your dealer's comments about the last ones being junk. As you know, heavy duty parts is still heavy duty parts. I suspected that MTD would do TB right.
In checking MTD's website - learned they even own Cub Cadet!
fred

 

Hi Fred

Well If you read my post about my Econo Horse. I paid $1750.00 for a lightly built, by true Horse standards. An off center bore that wore through so you could see the piston going up & down. A tine cover that cracked and came apart.

The handles held together with sheet metal that came apart. I know prices have gone up, but as you see today they dropped the Econo. Also it would be different if I somehow mistreated it. I have a 1969 Horse that has no cracks and has been washed and waxed at least 6 times a year with a complete wash off after each use.

Every winter I would fog the engines drain all fuel and put 1 quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas tank and pull the starter until it came up into the carb.

I have a couple of friends who bought Troy Bilt lawn mowers at my advice and had terrible trouble with them.

Something happened in America between my fathers WWII Gen and my Vietnam Gen. The work ethic changed. Kids wanting top pay for very little work. Own a home by 25. Why should I care it's not mine ect.

I spent most of my working life in the repair of Motorcycles & Cars and watched each year as Mechanics lost the art of understanding how it worked to throwing parts at the problem until it was fixed. The parts I don't even want to go there.

Another case was the Planet Jr seeder. My wife and I saved for 2 years the $400.00 to buy one from Johnny's Seeds, then we waited for the new catalog to come out, and they had droped them. We were heart broken. Then we called Johnny's and asked what happened. They had carried this Planet Jr seeder from the day they became Johnney's in the early 70s.

They told us that they had so many problems with the product that they could no longer offer this poor product to their Customers.

Just think If Johnny's put profits before people, like so many Companies do today, we would have wasted our hard earned money. End of Rant