buying a tractor

Anonymous Poster · Jul 23, 2002

Please help. My daughter and I are buying 5 cleared acres in the country. The guy selling the property also wants to sell his tractor. It is a 1996 TroyBilt GTX 20. The tractor has a 60" belly mower and has about 400 hours of use. I cannot find much info about the tractor - i know that MTD is now producing the Troy Bilt garden tractor, but what about the older models before they were bought out? Does this machine have a good track record or should I look further. thanks for your help.

2thdoc · Jul 23, 2002

Found a review at: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://partner.consumerreview.com/reviews/showproduct.asp?partner=shopnow&SiteID=14&CategoryID=316&ProductID=45068&partnerproduct=>TroyBilt GTX - 20 HP</A>
Might want to keep looking if this review is representative of them all.

karmakanic · Jul 23, 2002

Man,,,the power of the internet! Ask a question about some obscure piece of our consumer society, and someone, somewhere can tell you about it.

And here I thought troy-built built their own stuff, and generally built good stuff. The chipper shredder we own of theirs has been first rate.

I guess that's what happens when you have someone else build it and put your name on it.

I know I would never buy a MTD machine. I think any engineers they have on their staff are directed to spend their time figuring out how to make something as cheap as possible that'll last the warranty period. And sometimes they don't even get that right, as the review suggests.

Thanks for the link, I bookmarked that site.
Dave Perry aka karmakanic

rozett · Jul 23, 2002

That is not the experience of most of the Cub Cadet owners on this forum... including myself.

It is every bit as strong and reliable as green or red.... and outspec's them in several areas. I looked at JD, Kubota, Kioti, and NH. I have never regretted the decision to buy a cub.

//bruce

JohnMiller3 · Jul 23, 2002

Over the years, I've done a lot of service for Troy-Bilt employees... one gal told me to "stay away from" their riding mowers... she was a "key" customer service person... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

(Troy-Bilt had one of their parts depot a few hundred yards from my shop...)

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 23, 2002

I own several items manufactured by MTD: A Cub Cadet utility tractor that I would stack next to a John Deere or Kubota any day, a chipper that has exceeded my expectations and a Cub Cadet woodsplitter that works up over 10 cord of wood each fall. I have owned all of these for several years and used them all harshly and extensively with no complaints thus far.

karmakanic · Jul 23, 2002

Please excuse my ignorance, I did not know that the Cub Cadet was made by MTD. I have always heard good things about the Cub, and it's on my wife's christmas wish list.

rozett · Jul 23, 2002

Yes, Dave.... in addition to Cubs, MTD also makes Troy-Bilt, Yard Man and Ryobi..
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mtdproducts.com/index.jsp>http://www.mtdproducts.com/index.jsp</A>

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 24, 2002

How is their Yard Machine stuff? It looks quite a bit better built than the Huskee that MTD builds, for example. Anyone have any experience with them?

rozett · Jul 24, 2002

I have a Yard Man lawn mower and it performs very well. It's about 5 years old now. I have about 4-5 hours or mowing to do every 7-10 days. I do maintain it well, with annual tune-ups and blade sharpening. But I am very pleased with it.