Troy bilt tiller

[dcross]

I've replaced the tine shaft oil seals on ol' Beatrice, and now I need to top off the gearbox. The owners manual says to use 90w, NEVER multi-viscosity. All I can find is 80w90. Should I keep looking?

[J-Bees]

you can find some chain saw bar oil an use it:

[KQ6AR]

We have an old troy built from the 60's, The cast iron 4.5 horse clinton engine still runs well.
I just put 90W rear end oil in mine.

Someone else owns the company now, and I've heard the quality has gone down hill.

[smgchandler]

dcross i have read teh same thing as far as the gear oil - i have run the 80/90 in my old horse for i know 10 years and never so much as had to replace seals and i use it a lot during summer - i finally had to replace the engine on it and the tines one time - it was a kohler i believe - slung the rod through the side of case - it had oil in it too !!! and it was idling when it came out - but i got a fella to make me a bracket to connect a honda 8 hp engine to the frame same as the kohler but so it would match up with honda and put the same pulley back on it and man what a tiller - not tellin you to use the oil but i do know it hasnt hurt my gear box

[Sundance]

80/90W is fine........... with tillers the shear is more the
issue. Personally, on a fine piece of old iron like that I'd
only run full synthetic. Better shear.

[smgchandler]

sundance i think i used something called hypoid gear oil 80/90 but that synthetic would be the stuff for that type of gear box right ??

[MapMan]

Yep, as others have said - gear oil. Available at tractor/implement dealers.

MM

[Sundance]

sundance i think i used something called hypoid gear oil 80/90 but that synthetic would be the stuff for that type of gear box right ??

Yep, they make full synthetic gear box fluids. Many
heavy duty equipment makers use it as standard
OEM fluid.

I wouldn't run my 3500HD's rear end without it.

[Zane]

I have a 7hp Horse that I use ALOT and it gets a multi vis oil all the time.
She's on her 4th or 5th set of tines and I am going to have to put on a new exhaust muffler on her this year(that may be a chore on that rusty ol thing). I have replaced the seals and also the front shaft bearing. My Step-Dad said he'd give it to me if I could fix it. I was out maybe $12 for the bearing and 1-2 hrs work. That really chapped his hide!lol I also noticed he didnt get that thing until I moved out of the house!:scratch: Before that it was me and a shovel digging rocks out of the ground!:doh:
I recommend them old troybuilts to anyone.
When my pa died sis got the "new" troybuilt A few weeks ago I was just out showing her how she could till w/ 1 hand. They are amazing!!!

[dcross]

Someone else owns the company now, and I've heard the quality has gone down hill.

MTD bought them out, along with quite a few others. They have a poor reputation, but my buddy has a Horse that was made after the buyout and I think it's just as good as my '86. It works nicer, but I chalk that up to brand new tines and a 10hp vs. my 6.

Thanks everyone!

[Zane]

My 7ph is a 70's model and is stout as an ox but dads newer 90's 10hp can really do a number compared to mine!but I like the "classics" and thatsmy story and I'm stickin to it! She still starts on the 1st or 2nd pull and digs what I want her to.
MTD bought out my Ryobi stuff too. I am still getting quality parts but I imagine in time the quality will fall off like anything.
Happy tilling

[brooksbeefarm]

Zane, the one hand till thing is great until you hit a rock and then the chase is on.:DI'm insecure, i have a 7hp and a 8hp troy built tiller just in case one breaks down.:thumbsup:. Jack

[soupcan]

Did buy out Troy Built.
But on most of the smaller models they did retain the Troy Built gear case.
Looked at mine & my buddies that is at least 25 years young & they are the same unit.
Yes they did go cheep on some of the smaller items on my machine but what do you expect now days.

[KQ6AR]

I noticed the quality drop on the newer wood chippers. My buddy bought a newer one & its not as solid as my older one.

[Zane]

Brooksbee,
Yeah, hit a rock or some tuff grass and you have an instand rodeo!!!! I've had to chase after her a few times! happens when oyu least expect it!:lpf:


a neighbor bought a new "pony" model. It just looks cheap. I didnt tell them since I convinced them a troy built was the way to go but I just hope it works for them as I advertised!

[power napper]

We have never used the synthetic gear oil yet but just love those old Troy Bilts. Bought a used one 1982 model this winter on Craigs list for a hundred fifty bucks--yeah, we drove to get it on Christmas Day across the state, a new set of tines on it and now am awaiting spring. It is a 7hp that was really taken care of and starts on one pull.
Our old horse that we bought in 77 is worn pretty bad but it still works, we replaced the tines at least six or more times and are on the the third engine. Our oldest son ruined the first 6hp tecumseh enjine then we wore out a briggs 6hp and now have a used 7hp kohler on it with electric start.
Also own a Tomahawk chipper shredder 8 hp that really makes nice wood chips for smoking meat.
The old original rubber tiree are cracked but still hold air with the help of Slime.

[soupcan]

Yes mine is a Pony 4HP.
And you are right ya gota hold on.
Then there was the time I was unloading with 2 ramps & one of the tines caught the little bit of plastic cover that was loose on the ramp ear.
Talk about a ride.
Course the 1st thing you do when you hit the ground is look around & see who is watching.
Us old boys don't bounce worth a flip anymore.

[berkshire bee]

My father in law said I could have his if I could get it running. It was blowing gas through the breather tube. I talked to a local shop and they said the rings were bad and it needed an overhaul and I should just buy a new tiller. Went on the garden webforum and someone said it was just a carb problem. They were right. I checked compression and the rings were fine. It's an oldie with cast iron engine. It runs great, but I wish they weren't so top heavy.

[KQ6AR]

Hi berkshire,
Does it happen to be a clinton motor, thats what my oldie has. Runs like a champ. I had to put a techumsca magneto in it. Needed to be filed a little to make it fit.


It's an oldie with cast iron engine. It runs great, but I wish they weren't so top heavy.

[Hooday]

Hey, I want to update this thread with my own story.

I've got an 8 hp Snapper that's likely 30+ years old. Its a real hoss when it runs, but that's the problem. The engine doesn't suck enough gas to draw it from the tank. My BIL says the thing needs a rebuild, and he's likely right. When it runs, it runs very strong, (but smokes like its a pothead.) Here's my question:

Should I try to restore this, or go for a new tiller? The nice thing about this Snapper is that the tines can reverse, which not all newer units can do. I priced a new Husky at Lowes and they want 6 large for it. Can I get my Snapper working right for half that?

What'ya think?

[odfrank]

Should I try to restore this, or go for a new tiller?
What'ya think?

Rather than restore the motor, put on a new one. A put a new engine on an old Barreto and it was a good investment.

[Hooday]

Sounds good. I know nothing about this. Where would I go to get a replacement engine, and how would I know if it would fit?

[btedeski]

Most engines use a standard mount pattern.

I replace a brigs scraton motor on a compost shredder with a low cost 6hp from Harbor Freight

Bill

[Hooday]

Interesting. Do you know of any online diagrams or photos that illustrate this? I hate to be such a noob with this, but I just don't have any background with this, and any help is greatly appreciated.

[Karl]

Hooday: Get the model number off your current engine and its replacement can easily be cross matched. Here in Wisconsin we have Northern Equipment, Tractor Supply, etc. Any stores with a small engine repair shop can help you.

[pcelar]

Just changed transmission oil. 1 gallon of GL-1 140W. Purrs like a cat.