Troy Bilt Horse Tiller

[samonk]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have a question about a Troy Bilt Horse III OPC (ser# 00928xxx).
I have just picked up this tiller (my first Troy Bilt) for free and now I know why it was free.
It appears that whoever ran this tiller was either not the owner and didn't care or didn't know anything about regular service procedures, like checking the oil in the trans.
It appears that the tiller was run without trans oil and when I got it, there were no bearing bushings on the wheel shaft. The hole in the left side of the trans where the wheel shaft runs is no longer round but egg shaped.
The teeth on the outboard side of the wheel shaft high speed gear are chipped. (there are still some good teeth remaining)
The main drive shaft gear is worn out as well as the bronze worm gear.
My question is:
Is there a way to put the bushing in the egg shaped hole and make it work. I was thinking of maybe using JBWeld around the bushing once it is in and lined up using the wheel shaft.
All the parts appear to be available to rebuild the trans.
Or is this tiller just a piece of "yard art"?
I would really like to rebuild this tiller and get it in good shape ready for my garden this year.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks....Sam

 

[jones6780]

I would check the price of all the parts and take it to a machine shop to price boring the hole and make a custom bushing. Once you have all the costs you can make a decision if it is worth it. I don't thing JB weld would hold up.