So, what's the problem with Troy-Bilt tillers?

[Baucom]

Given that this is a tractor forum I've got to ask - why aren't people using a 3pt rototiller? Seems easier - is there something I'm missing?

I've found my old gravely with a rototiller does a great job, but it does fight with you...

Some of us have no tractor with a 3pt to use a 3pt tiller; those who have a tractor with a 3pt do use a 3pt tiller in many cases. Due to lack of funds or lack of sufficient need, some of us on TBN have no "real" tractor on which to use 3pt implements. Plus, many people with tractors and 3pt tillers still have a need for a smaller unit for flower beds and other tight spots.

Personally, with only 1 acre, I simply can't justify the expense of a tractor, though I tried, so I happily bought a very nice lawn mower/garden tractor. I could buy a tiller to go on the back of my mower, and am researching that option too, but with no larger garden than I intend to have, I'm not sure it's worth the additional cost (similar to my feelings about a BCS tiller). Any decent rear tine will be more pleasant to use than my current front tine tiller.

 

[Oldtrout]

For what it is worth I had 2 troy built tillers one was a hores and than I downsized to a pony...would I buy another....Nope. I now use the ck 25,and a hoe,rake works for me

 

[DeNiro]

I have two troybilts and a rear tine tiller for a three point hitch. I find use for them all, but if left to only one it would probably be the TB horse.
It gets into small areas and in places I can no or do not wish to takle the tractor. The tractor tires are pretty hard on a yard that I have to cross to get to the garden.
One thing about a three point tiller is that it will not work well on all tractors. The small tractor that I have handles the 60" tiller just fine because it has "creeper gears" that allow the tractor to go very, very slowly. My larger tractor will not go slow enough to allow the tiller to work at the proper rpm to do the job well. If you have the hydostatic trasmission the problem is solved. Before you invest in a three point tiller consider the fact that most gear driven tractors will not work well with them.

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a TB horse I bought in the early 80's and a newer smaller MTD model that I bought to cultivate between my rows later in the season.

Other than replacing the drive belt and the tires on the horse, it has had no issues. I have already broken two tines on the smaller MTD unit plus the MTD design has no reverse on it, and the forward motion is engaged via a cable arrangement unlike earlier models (Troy Bilt Junior) which had a steel rod which engaged both a forward and a reverse. Unfortunately, I sold my Troy Bilt Junior some years ago and wish I had kept it.

I'm a little surprised at the earlier posts saying that the newer units are better than the older ones. That has not been my personal experience.

 

[greenmule]

You don't need a hydro[hst] trans to use a tiller on your tractor,thats a mith being pushed for some silly reason? I got a ck30 kioti gear,just tilled my 1/2 acre garden for 2nd time,works great,those using creeper low to till are either using to small a tractor or just don't know you can go faster,some are just using to big a tiller.

Those new troybuilt things are junk,got an old horse tiller,still use it to go between rows,just put new tires on it this year going to put new tines on it soon,its not a disposable thing like many of the new anythings. Worth spending 1,000 dollars to fix up,[can't say that about many new tillers,none as matter of fact].

Like the dummy I am,in last 3 years,needed a new trim mower,so bought a troy bilt,didn't even use it,took it back after starting and pushing it for 10 feet,and bought a troy bilt pressure washer,it lasted about 6 hours,brought it back,[thats the good thing about lowes,they sell some junk,but they take that junk back!} Thats the reason I wouldn't buy a new cub cadet lawnmower,same people that makes those new troy bilts makes them,that crossed them off my list.

 

[DeNiro]

Greenmule, perhaps your soil or tractor is a little different than mine. My experience has been that in our hard clay soil the tiller will bounce up out of the ground at the higher ground speeds. The larger tractor just will not slow down enough unless you take very shallow passes while the little fellow will cut down 6-8'' in a single pass at the slower speed.
Perhaps on soil that has been tilled regularly it would work fine, but on ground that has not been broken in many years it is hard on man and machine.
That is why I has some reservations about a standard geared tractor.
I also agree with your accessment of the newer tillers. They may look very similar, but they do lack the guts of the old cast iron Troybuilts. The vast number of Troybilts over 30 years old and still running well speaks volumes about their quality. Once you operate one of the old ones, you know the difference.

 

[greenmule]

Have you ever used a 30-35 hp tractor and 5 ft tiller with gear?
If not,than....
I have used that set up,plus a 25 hp tractor with same tiller and creeper,I'm talking from experience here,are you?

Now after saying all that,will admit I ain't tried tilling virgin hard from no rain soil,but thats what turnover plows are for,you plow it first,than till.

But on even hard ground have noticed no bouncing of tiller.

 

[DeNiro]

Yes my tractor is similar to yours a Kioti 30.5 hp and my creeper is a 24 hp and my experience is still a little different than yours. I believe it is the harder ground that is the difference. I have tried to till food plot areas in hard clay soil that probably has never be cultivated and it is difficult. After that experience I never tried to use the Kioti with the 60" tiller that I have. The smaller tractor did a better job for me.
Again I believe in different soil or soil that has been tilled before it may be different. The problem was transporting the tractor a 150 miles and not being able to carry a breaking plow along.

 

[greenmule]

Well,we got the same experince than.

All new ground should be first turned over with a plow,to protect the tractor/tiller,in my opinion,you don't know whats under that grass.

You turn it over,even 6 inches or so,tiller will work just fine with low/1st gear,really fast,as a matter of fact.

I can till in 3 hours what it used to take me 6-8 with tractor, 25 hp,using creeper.In my garden,last fall it was dry as bone and hard as cement,went over it once,tilled it to 3-4 inches deep,planted greens and winter rye.

 

[x595]

I have the Troy - Bilt Super Bronco , CRT , Rear Tine Tiller ... This is my 2nd
season and no problems here ...

Later,x595