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Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Craftsm

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Darren in TN

05-17-2005 08:17:27

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Howdy, all.
Does anyone have any experience with the newer Troy-bilt, Huskee, or Craftsman rear-tine tillers? Ten years ago I would have bought a Troy-Bilt without a second thought, but they just don't seem to be that great any more. I like the Craftsman tillers (which I think are built by AYP Electrolux), and I also like the look of the Huskees at Tractor Supply, but I don't want to sink money into a machine that will be a headache. Any of you guys have one of these you bought recently? I really want a machine that will last. (I'd buy an old Troy-Bilt but I can't find them used around here.)

Thanks,
Darren

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Leland

05-19-2005 19:56:16

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I have done quite a bit of custom tilling for several years now , and I owned a piece of junk sears counter rotationg tiller good for dry dirt only in sod tines plug up very fast and it can't handle any trash like vines or stalks.. I now only run the older 2 speed troy built horses they are tough machines and easy to maintain but as JT has said the newer troy bilts are junk MTD ruined a good thing but as far as a BCS I always wanted to try one out I have saw a small diesel one that should last for ever .

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Robert in W. Mi.

05-19-2005 18:54:29

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I have 3 tillers here, old Troy, newer Husky, and a Honda mini..

Your a "lot" more inpressed with the old Troys than i am, we had old Troys before this one, and "If" i was buying a walk behind tiller today it "absolutely" would be a BCS!!!

BCS is Honda OHV powered, and NO belts!! Also is flat designed better than any Troy!!

Robert

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05-18-2005 16:46:44

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

From my experience of working on tillers of all sorts for the last 25 years, what you need to byuy is dependant on how long you want ti to last and how long you want to be able to get parts for it. If you get a Sears, MTD, you will have a hard time getting aprts down the road. Troy bilt is starting to discontnue a few aprts for some of the older tillers. If you want a bulletproof tiller, check into a BCS tiller. They us no belts, all straight cut gears with a clutch to engage and disengage. You will not find a better tiller than a BCS. I have a good Ariens rear tine for sale in Centrall Illinois.

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jeffcat

05-18-2005 10:25:25

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Love my Troy Horse! Yes I got it cause the former idiot let it run low on oil. Rod came out in about five chunks. Took out the side of the engine too. The local lawnmower supply has engine specials every year and I got a Techumsa 8hp with starter ring and stator for $420. The Troy I got for free. After a carefull clean up and paint job I have the neighbor hood beast! Tills what ever needs to be done but this machine is not for girllymen! Jeffcat

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DITCH

05-18-2005 09:36:10

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Darren,Bought a craftsman daul rotating tiller a year ago.Works like a champ-no complaints here.Save alittle money and wait until they go on sale.

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Nolan

05-18-2005 04:58:08

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Father-in-law bought a new Sears rear-tine tiller about 3 years ago and has been overall pleased with it. Works well, quite controllable. He hasn't abused it, so I cannot comment on how it would handle that. It does seem reasonably well built.

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Bill Copeland

05-18-2005 03:36:56

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Don,t spend your money on anything less than a BCS I have a model 725 and have gone thru 4 sets of tines without having any breakdowns. THis machine has a 4 speed transmission and a flat plate dry clutch. It will break new sod in one pass in 1 st gear!

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rockyhawaii

05-18-2005 00:35:32

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I've used a Craftsman 5 HP for about ten years now and it's been fine for me. I like the reverse-turning tines, I can control the tiller with one hand. THe Sears products are only as good as their people, and so far I've had good luck with them. They keep good records on their computer, and it really helps when you need to buy parts.

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RayP(MI)

05-17-2005 19:34:31

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Actually, Arens claims to be the first manufacturer of rear tine tillers. I don"t have the advertising literature handy, but they showed a pretty good sized critter. I have a smaller Arens, 5hp, 18 inches. Does a dandy job of cultivating, and if pressed it"ll do a whole lot of tilling for seed beds, etc. I ahce a tractor and 10 foot disk, si O don"t use the tiller for preparing the garden any more! I"m satisfied with Arens.

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Bret4207

05-17-2005 16:17:24

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Get either a BCS or, if you can find one, a Frazer Roto Tiller. Thats the original rear tine tiller and is a real MANS tiller. It's all steel and guts. Expensive and hard to get parts for, but worth the trouble. Make a Troy Bilt look like a matchbox toy.

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rustyj14

06-03-2005 17:12:17

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Bret4207, 05-17-2005 16:17:24

A fellow who lives in spencer, West Virginia has 2 Frazier tillers for sale, as a package deal-best offer. I've seen them. One runs, the other is for parts. the tillers have been stored in a shed, near my home, when i saw them 2 months ago. I don't know if they have been sold, or junked. I still have his name and phone number, if anybody is interested! and, as you said, they are a man's tiller! I live near Pittsburgh, PA. by: Rustyj

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MAC,IL

05-17-2005 11:07:01

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Agreed, "if" you can find a good troy built thats at least 20 years old buy it. I couldnt so I did buy a huskee from the local TSC store. Used it now for several years. B/S engine. However if I had it to do over again I would gotten one that the tynes reversed. #1 son got a craftsman 4 years ago and is pleased with it. Mor'n likely Huskee, craftsman and MTD are all made by the same out fit, just a different color.

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MAC,IL

05-17-2005 11:09:46

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to MAC,IL, 05-17-2005 11:07:01

Well I CRS anymore, but wanted to say also, I run my tires backards, seems to work better.

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Logan in S.E. Texas

05-17-2005 10:17:07

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

This is the second year I have used a Craftsman CRT rear tine tiller, bought new. It does everything I want it to do and my wife can manage it after I do the initial breaking of the ground. As far as Sears goes, I have learned that if your patient and stand your ground, they will do what is right. The first time I went to buy, I encountered a middle-aged salesman that didn't care if I bought a tiller or not, so I didn't, from him, anyway. I went back a day or two later and found a helpful, polite young salesman. Who said that the model that was "on sale" was sold out, the polite young salesman said not to worry he "had" to sell me the next model up for the same price, so I got a Honda engine instead of B&S and 17" instead of 14", just can't beat that.

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caseman2

05-17-2005 10:10:16

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I sold and worked on Troy-Bilt tillers for several years.Before MTD got them they were by far the best tiller on the market.the others mentioned won' do the job of a troy bilt, but I don't know if MTD has cheapened them up or not. If you can get one that was built in the 80's or ninty's it will last a lifetime with proper care.

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RickL

05-17-2005 09:39:39

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I have a snapper unit and it has been a wonderfull unit. it is now about 15 years old and still running fine. MY father in law had a troybilt bought new same time I did mine and it is no comparison to my unit. I had to reinforce the shift lever and it is now on its third engine last I knew. My unit the swinging knives can be set to rotate either direction also. They are like swing hammers so it does not jump out of your hand like alot of them do in harder ground. The handle adjust for different heights and will swing left or right so you don't have to walk where you have just tilled. I suppose they still make tillers I do not know for sure. I am thinking about trading for a new unit if they do.

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Darren in TN

05-17-2005 09:35:19

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Well, I talked with a friend who recently had to return a Craftsman riding mower that was only a few weeks old. He was given a huge run around, and when they finally did return his money they tried to prorate it so that he would only get $800 of the $1200 he paid. He got all his money back, but had to cry and scream and threaten legal action. That sure doesn't instill much faith in Sears.

I'd really love to find an old tiller used, but I've been looking for two years and have yet to find a good one. (All I see around here is front-tine tillers, and that's what I want to get away from.)

Thanks for the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming!

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Eddie in MI

05-17-2005 09:24:37

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Check out garage sales. I use and older Troy-Bilt and wouldn't trade it for anything.

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Ron from IL

05-17-2005 09:24:19

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

Mike M. is on the right track. My dad bought a Troy-Bilt new in '72. I have always HATED Tecumseh engines, and the one on his tiller didn't do anything to change my mind. Also, if you're tilling new ground, you'd better take SMALL bites! Don't go any deeper than 1-1 1/2" or you'll be sorry.

I always thought that Sears had a good idea with their counter-rotating tines (CRT) that pull the tiller INTO the till rather than pushing it away when it encounters hard ground. Oh, and the Tecumseh threw a rod in '89, so we replaced the engine with a new Briggs and Stratton I/C 5 h.p. model, and it has a LOT more power than the original 6 h.p. Tescumsuck.

Use your own judgement, but I'd look into the CRT models that various manufacturers make now

Good Luck!

Ron

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Danny H

05-18-2005 07:29:55

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Ron from IL, 05-17-2005 09:24:19

Getting 17 YEARS out of a tiller engine sounds pretty good to me. I own a frontine "Wards" with a Tecumseh engine - parts store says it is built in the late 60s, clean the carb every couple years and it fires right up.

I don't think there is a bit of differance in the quality of Tecumseh or Briggs engines except the Tecumseh's carbs seem to be a bit more sensitive to getting gummed up. I own three Tecumseh powered products (ranging in age from 30+ years to 4 years) and one Briggs (9 years) and all seem to be pretty good. To truely move up in quality you need a Koehler. If you truly want to get fustrated let gas get old in a Honda, our construction crews cuss the **** out of those things.

I'll admit I am biased AGAINST Briggs since it seems like I spent half my childhood on the end of a rope trying to get an old BS power mower to start (more a maintenance issue then anything).

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Mike M

05-17-2005 09:10:21

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Darren in TN, 05-17-2005 08:17:27

I was never all that impressed with our old troy built. Engine too high makes it want to tip over on even small hills. I saw a cut away model of a tiller by BCS and that thing was built like a small tractor,very impressive I'd check them out. Or get a 3pt. tiller on a compact tractor for the big jobs and just get a Mantis tiller for the garden. That Mantis is all my mom uses anymore.

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Rexalot

05-17-2005 11:16:24

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Re: Rear-tine tillers-- Troy-bilt, Huskee, and Cra in reply to Mike M, 05-17-2005 09:10:21

My wife bought me a TROY Built "TUFFY" 4hp rear tine tiller. I do NOT recommend this tiller for any fresh ground breaking work. The "TUFFY" model is to light and even though it's self propelled theres not enough traction to hold the tiller at a slow speed. Nothing like the old Troy Built tiller I used that was twice it's size.

I found that when the tiller hits anything solid (rock), dry packed earth, or grass - sod the tines skip over the ground jerking your arms out at your shoulder sockets. Whats the point of having a tiller that can't break soil unless it's already been plowed and disced to a nice soft bed? Even last years garden bed has proven a chore when I have to "hold back" the tiller to get the job done. I'll admit, when the conditions are right it sure does make a nice soil bed compared to a front tine unit.

My advice, regardless of the brand try it out in actual conditions.

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