BCS or Gravely?

jbradley · May 20, 2019

I inherited a Troybilt horse in 1976. It had the electric start, which was nice, but its tine speed didn't seem much faster than the wheel rotation. I know that Troybilt increased the tine speed in later models. I have had a BCS 732 and now a 948. They perform significantly better than my Troybilt, and are significantly more versatile (I have several implements in addition to the tiller). Most rental BCS tillers have the fixed axle, and they would definitely be more difficult to use.

goeduck · May 20, 2019

I do not have experience with Gravely (never had the opportunity but I wish I did). I do have an older Troybilt Horse and a 722 BCS. I like the Troybilt for brute tilling and the BCS for refined tiling. Neither when late in summer when my little Honda is best. Both the BCS and Troybilt are great machines.

mark02tj · May 22, 2019

lennyzx11 said:
I didn稚 know that. The start of this question was the fact of a Gravely 566 on my local Craigslist is advertising with a tiller. So it must actually be a cultivator.

Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments
Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments - farm & garden - by owner - sale

If you're interested in that Gravely, email the guy to get some pictures of the "Tiller with optional vertical row tiller". I wonder if that also includes the rotary plow.

I've never owned a BCS, but I've owned (currently own 3, 2 of which are for sale) Gravely's for the last 35 years. A Gravely will work you to death, but they are durable, capable machines. If you have a need for a walk behind brush hog and the tiller, the Gravely isn't too bad of a deal, although maybe a little high.

I think that the implements on the BCS might change over easier than the Gravely. The Gravely implements are only held on with four bolts, but there's a bit of manhandling involved in lining everything up. The one in the ad doesn't appear to have the stand on the rear of the tractor, so that makes it a little trickier.