Hey, what's the best walk behind tiller?

[KentT]

I agree that BCS is likely the best quality, but you also need to key in on this part of his original question:

"... but I don't intend to be a professional gardner."

Most of us can't rationalize the price difference for something we'll use only a few times a year... or at least I can't. I bought my Troybilt in 1989, and I'm still on my original set of tines -- though they're due to be replaced. Replaced the belt once. Had a stress crack in the handle-bar welded before it got worse. Couple of spark plugs and air filters, plus routine oil changes. Not bad for 18 years of use, and I'll be using it again this weekend. It'll likely outlast me...

 

[bontai_Joe]

I've had my Troy-Bilt horse over 25 years, and have used it to bust up established sod, as well as long tilled gardens. Busting sod only requires patience to make several passes going 1" deeper each pass. It won't beat you up or jump or drag you around unless you are forcing the machine. I've never run a BCS, but they are quite a bit more expensive than the Troy-Bilt and one would hope that for the extra money, they work even better. Stay away from front tine tillers, they will drag you around and strain your back.

 

[PBinWA]

Goldoni Tiller:

https://www.oescoinc.com/html/goldoni_.html

The local rental place here uses Barretto tillers but I couldn't find a link to them.

Personally, I'd just look at Crapsman or Troybuilt and throw the dice. Unless you are going to be using it all the time then why break the bank on it. Buy one from a reputable local source and use it right away. If it breaks take it back while it is under warranty. After you get this project done do you think you will use it that often? Most of these tillers will work fine if they aren't abused too much. Tilling between rows in a garden isn't going to be that rough on a mid-range tiller.

Since you have some pretty heavy equipment maybe you could barter a services trade with a local BX23 owner with a small tiller. You offer to till some acreage for them with your big tractor in exchange for them doing some tight spaces tilling with their little tractor.

Just a thought.

PB

 

[KentT]

Around here, used Troybilt Horses in good condition go for about $500 - 800.

IMO, that's a far better investment, long term, than that much money spent on Craftsman or similar machine...

 

[Knight9]

I just bought a Cub Cadet walk behind tiller. I looked at quite a few brands. Found this to be "reasonably" prices (it's all relative ) plus it has a Honda motor, which I like. The tines can turn both ways.

It's done well so far, although, as the others have pointed out....it's more work than sitting on my Kubota tilling!!!

 

[milkman]

BIL bought one last year, 7hp, tines turn either way, weight on front, been to town twice already this year for parts, the pulley on the transmission has come off twice.

 

[Dargo]

Thanks for all the info so far. I think I'll prowl around a couple of local pawn shops tomorrow. I saw several sitting outside them as I drove by today. I'm definitely open to either new or used. I probably shouldn't be this way, but since 3 of my relatives got completely burned by Cub Cadet stuff in the last 5 years, I don't think I could make myself buy anything Cub Cadet makes. My dad had an old (very early 70's) model Cub that was a true working machine. Now everything I've seen from them seems to be just pathetic. Again, no insult intended to anyone, and I probably shouldn't be this way, but since I'm the guy in the family with trucks and trailers I've toted these junk Cub mowing machines back to be repaired so many times I'm sick of seeing them!

I'm really torn about what to get though. I will use the tiller reasonably hard for a month or two but then it won't likely see much use to speak of at all. Right now I think I'm leaning towards a high quality used unit rather than a new one. Even if the new one is under warranty, I don't have the patience to keep taking it in for repairs. I just don't really know what to look for in a walk behind tiller still. I guess I ought to go hear some of the pitches on some new ones and then look at the used ones.

 

[_RaT_]

I agree that BCS is likely the best quality, but you also need to key in on this part of his original question:

"... but I don't intend to be a professional gardner."

Most of us can't rationalize the price difference for something we'll use only a few times a year... or at least I can't. I bought my Troybilt in 1989, and I'm still on my original set of tines -- though they're due to be replaced. Replaced the belt once. Had a stress crack in the handle-bar welded before it got worse. Couple of spark plugs and air filters, plus routine oil changes. Not bad for 18 years of use, and I'll be using it again this weekend. It'll likely outlast me...

I guess you don't use yours alot. I bought mine in 1987 with a 8 HP Kohler. I have gone through at least 4 sets of tines with 3 of the four being the heavy duty (much thicker) and am ready for another set.

 

[hudlow]

When did MTD start building Troybilt?

hud

 

[KentT]

I guess you don't use yours alot. I bought mine in 1987 with a 8 HP Kohler. I have gone through at least 4 sets of tines with 3 of the four being the heavy duty (much thicker) and am ready for another set.

Until about 8 years ago, I used it as my only powered-gardening tool. Now I have a 46" tiller for my garden tractors (Simplicity/Allis-Chalmers) that I use to initially prep the garden and to till things under in the fall. I much prefer sitting on my butt when I can... Now, the Troybilt is used only when planting/hilling or when cultivating. My tines are worn so bad that they're pointed on the ends, but I haven't broken one yet -- when I do, I'll replace the whole set. Meanwhile, it keeps on tilling...

When did MTD start building Troybilt?

hud

In 2001, Tryobilt went bankrupt and MTD later bought the rights to the tillers, lawn vacs, and perhaps some other items, including the name... They did not buy the chippers for some reason, and those are now total orphans that aren't supported by anyone other than the aftermarket, used parts, old stock, etc.

Four years post-Port, Garden Way bankrupt - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

Since MTD bought them, you now see MTD mowers with the Troybilt name on them, in addition to all kinds of other L&G equipment. You also see one series of tillers, at least, that are obviously not Troybilt, even though that have that name on them. It appears the Pony and Horse models are still Troybilt, though...

Where they are actually manufactured, I have no idea -- as far as I can tell the plant in Troy, NY, closed however...