BCS tillers

cphilip · Jul 4, 2005

Anyone own one of these for any length of time?

These were highly recomended by a Neighbor/Small engine repair shop owner/ fellow Gardener.

And recently the Father in law is sort of shopping around for a replacement. He likes my little Troy Bilt Pony but wants something bigger. And needs something bigger realy.

Recenly I have been reading a lot of negatives about the latest versions of Troy Bilts and quality issues. I was sort of steering him twords the Horse but now am a bit hesitent to do so.

So I recalled the BSC line. And looked back at these. At the time I was buying it was too much for my buget and bigger than my needs

I am inclined to show him the 730. Got a decent price on them right now. Also like the convertable tiller from 26" to 20". Not something you can do as easy on the Horse or any other Troy bilt. More features too. Plus its a decent price at $2400 with that tiller and the Kohler 8.5 hp motor.

http://www.bcsshop.com/harvester.htm

Anyone know what shipping is running on these? Might be a deal killer. I don't see a network of dealers for these.

milkman · Jul 4, 2005

I have had a BCS tiller W/40"mower and sulky since spring of, I believe, 1987. It has been a strong and reliable performer, the only repair was a new ignition coil about 6 yrs ago. Mine is the 735 and now I think it is the same as the 852. It has the differential and individual wheel brakes, if it is at all possible, get the one with the differential as it makes it so much easier to handle when making a turn, it also has a differential lock, just flip a lever on the handle. I like it a lot better and it is a lot easier to use than the TroyBilt Horse that my sister owned. Here's a link with more info and may be closer to you, great people to deal with. Want any more info, PM me.

http://www.earthtoolsbcs.com/

milkman · Jul 4, 2005

Found another site that has free shipping on some of their BCS Tractors W/Tillers.
http://www.vermontmowers.com/BCS_INDEX.html

cphilip · Jul 4, 2005

Stupendous!

Absolutely good links. I am going to push this thing to him. I see the light!

BRIGUY · Jul 5, 2005

Troy Built (Gardenway) is out of business. The factory (old rototiller inc.) was in Troy, NY, about 25 miles from my house. My Grandfather took me on a plant tour there when I was about 10 of 11.

Troy Built is now only a name owned and exploited by MTD.

I believe the gearboxes are still the same but they been cheapened up considerably by MTD.

Panache · Jul 5, 2005

Here is a dealer that is not too far from you. More than just the standard BCS equipment and a large supply of spare parts. I have used them for parts for the ACME engine on my 605.

otus_branch · Jul 6, 2005

I've owned 2 BCS's - first a 720, and now an 850.

I'll echo milkman's vote for a locakble differential. The 720 (which lacked a differential) was a bear to turn around at the end of a garden row, and also was no fun to mow with... With the 850, I can turn on a dime with the differential unlocked, and then get some serious traction back in the row with just the pull of a lever.

I'd wager that you never adjust the tiller width, unless you like wrenching dirty bolts a lot more than I do. I've found it easier to size the paths between my beds a little larger, to allow the 26" tiller to cultivate without removing any tines.

All in all, I've found the BCS to be an excellent machine. I use it to mow, rotary plow, till, etc. It, plus an ATV and a trailer (for spraying, snow-plowing, and hauling materials - three tasks that BCS's do not excel at imho) are my main farming tools (small, part-time farm - not much bigger than many gardens honestly.... This works great, up to the point where you really want a front-loader. I am close to that point now, but that's another story...

-otus

cphilip · Jul 7, 2005

Good stuff guys. Thanks.

Do you know if the model 730 (or is it 732 now?) has individual wheel drive like your describing? Because thats the one I was leaning twords...

otus_branch · Jul 7, 2005

I've never seen a 732 in the flesh, but acording to BCS' website, it does have a differential, which I assume is lockable via the same type of lever that is on my 850.

It does not come standard with steering brakes, which I might miss a little bit. I hardly ever use them to steer (shifting your weight at the hips works fine for steering), but they do work nicely as parking brakes on hills. I especially like the brakes when I'm emptying a full mower-bag of clippings onto a bed as mulch, and don't want the tractor to roll forward onto my plants (or me! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

But unless your dad will be mowing his lawn using the 38" mower attachment, AND collecting the clippings, AND dumping them in hilly locations that require some precision, then I don't think that brakes are essential.

Also, if he decides later that he does need brakes, they can be easily ordered as a parts kit and added.

-otus

cphilip · Jul 7, 2005

His intent is to just till the garden with it. Don't believe he plans on anything else. He has a Three point hitch attachement tiller though. So he realy does not need to go big really. He mostly will till in early crops for late ones... and cultivate between rows with it.