Is Tecumseh still in the small engine business?

[JDgreen227]

I just took a break from tilling up the garden with my trusty Troy-Bilt horse powered by the old Tecumseh. It has to be 25 years young now.

I dread if something inside breaks because parts are getting harder to get every year but I change the oil twice yearly, keep the air filter clean, use fresh mid grade gas and change the plug every 2 years. I do have a spare HH loing block on the shelf if I need it.....

Same goes with my little Troy-bilt. It has a 3 horse Tecumseh and it burns a bit of oil but always starts and is always willing.

I agree good motors, stone easy to work on. Just like a Kohler or Wisconsin.

I always think of the older Troy-Bilt machines as being bulletproof. Always wanted one but was too cheap to pay the big bucks. Not sure if the newer ones are still as well built or if they are all imported crap like most other stuff is. I just did a Google search with my handheld and the Troy-Bilt site offers a Horse with a 305cc/13.5 ft-lbs torque Briggs for $2000. Should have purchased the same model back in '89 it was only $1100 then.

 

[5030]

I bought both used. The horse came from a lawnmower shop east of here thats now out of business. It's electric start too. I gave too much 25 years ago, I think I paid 700 bucks then. I replaced the tines once and changed the gearbox oil and a belt too. The battery is dead, has been for years. I pull start it. The paint faded to light red so it got the 5 gallon finish as well.

Made up for it on the little one....

Found it in a dumpster behind a box store. Someone had busted the carb off the intake and so they tossed it. It must have sat in the weather for a while because it had water in the cylinder and in the gearbox. New carb, new head gasket, seals for the gearbox and a 5 gallon finish in New Holland Red and it looks like new. Total cost was about 150 bucks.

I break up the plot with the Horse and then finish with the Pony. I made a hiller attachment for the little one to hill my potatoes.

Interestingly, the little 3 horse engine sounds better than the HH when it idles. Sounds a bit like a Kohler.

I have an Ariens Rocket in the barn too. It needs some parts and one day, I'll have 3 tillers, maybe.

Thinking about getting a Hatz air cooled diesel for the Ariens.....

I don't know if the new ones are as good, honestly. MTD bought out Troy-Bilt so More Tools Desired makes 'em.

 

[ccride]

I always had good luck with Tecumseh engines and really hated to see them go away. I still have a DR trimmer with Tecumseh engine that I bought around 1995 and still use it every year, never had a problem with the engine. I've worn out both wheels and had to replace them, replaced battery since it is electric start, and it still probably starts easier than any small engine I have, even after sitting all winter.

I bought a new Craftsman garden tractor in 1980 that had a 14hp Tecumseh, used it for 15 years for mowing and working garden. It had an electric 3-point hitch and I eventually had every attachment they made for it including an 8hp tiller. Finally sold it in 1995 when I bought a bigger tractor and the engine had never been touched other than regular maintenance and oil changes. I talked to the guy I sold it to a couple of years later and it was still going strong.

I've owned numerous walk-behind mowers, edgers, and tillers in the past with Tecumseh engines and the only one I recall having any problems with was the carburetor on a small Troy-bilt tiller. But I have a Troy-bilt Horse now with B&S, and it's usually a challenge to get it started the first time. Big mistake not getting the electric start on it as it wears me out when it wants to be contrary.

 

[Steave]

I have a 1968 Sears Surbuban garden tractor with a 10 HP HH Tecumseh. Rebuilt it in 2001. Tried to install a solid state ignition on it but never could get it right so put the points back in (Original Points). Crank had to be built up welded and turned because replacement rods are standard size only. No inserts just rod fastened to crank. Cost was high $200 in parts. Still runs and has lots of power but hard to pull the starter cord and electric starters aren't available for that engine. I still enjoy the power compared to the revved up engines now used.

 

[jwstewar]

I'm currently working on Dad's 1972 Sears Suburban (see this thread: Old Sears Suburban SS12 - Page 2 - TractorByNet.com) Up until the time it quit running, that engine was always a good running engine. I can't wait to get it going again, hopefully that will be shortly. I also bought Dad a snowblower back in 1997, it has an 8HP Tecumseh Snow King on it. It has electric start off 110 volt, but don't really need it 2 or 3 pulls after sitting all summer or 3 or 4 pulls when it is really cold and it fires right up. Engine has been completely trouble free, too bad I can't say the same for the MTD blower that the engine rides on. I'm hoping I finally got the bugs worked out of it.

 

[forrestzoo]

Dead and buried.

Tecumseh Products - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No they are not dead and buried...well not the engines anyway. I worked in small engine parts many years ago and am familiar with the Sears Craftsman mowers etc being Tecumseh engines. And they did sell out in 2007 to Platinum and Platinum to Certified Parts Corp in 2009. No parts and engines were being made then but since 2010 parts and engines are being made in Traveler's Rest, SC in an agreement with LCT. So yes, you can still buy parts. If nothing else check online sales.. I see parts advertised in several websites.

 

[davesl708]

The only experience I have had with Tecumseh engines is when in the mid 80' I went to an auction and found a small water pump with the Tecumseh engine. Everybody was walking by it and pulling the starter cord. It had no compression just free wheeled. I noticed the muffler was broken off so I looked in and noticed the exhaust valve was stuck open.

I bought the pump for $2.00. Went home opened the engine up and removed the exhaust valve. Polished off the rust and put it back together. Ran great and pumped a lot of water for years. Gave it to my brother for his remodeling business. He uses it today.

Can't complain for $2.00.