Tiller died, fix it or buy new/used

[randy in central missouri]

My parents bought a troy built horse back in the middle 70s. we used it a lot. then it set for about 20 years. i got it about about 2001. had a tune up here and there, but nothing major.

While using it today, i heard a real bad sounding noise. I think it blew a rod. while pulling the string, there is no resistance.

So what to do? have engine rebuilt? New engine? Buy something new? I do have the hiller atachment that fits it.
randy

[Harry Chickpea]

Harbor Freight engine $100 to $150 - get the two year warranty if you are doing rough use.

[DeRock]

It would help if you would describe what you are using it for and how much you are using it.

[wannabechef]

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Harbor Freight engine $100 to $150 - get the two year warranty if you are doing rough use.

This...

That model TroyBuilt can not be beat.

[Micheal]

My first thought would be to contact Troy-built and see what they can or would offer or suggest - can't never tell till you ask!

[randy in central missouri]

i use it a lot.

[bja105]

This engine, it used to be called Greyhound, now called Predator.
http://www.harborfreight.com/horizon...7hp-69730.html
Look here for a $99 coupon.
http://slickdeals.net/f/1276399-Harb...Coupon-Thread?

Here is a discussion of the project.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/r...ilt-horse.html

I did something similar with the 212cc Predator engine and a belt drive Ford garden tractor. It was easy, the engine works well. It is much quieter and uses less fuel, too.

[wannabechef]

Originally Posted by Micheal

My first thought would be to contact Troy-built and see what they can or would offer or suggest - can't never tell till you ask!

TroyBuilt now is MTD

[BobbyB]

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Harbor Freight engine $100 to $150 - get the two year warranty if you are doing rough use.

This. I just bought the Honda clone, a 6 1/2 hp Predator for $99 plus $6.50 S&H to put on my Troybilt.

Runs like a cat. Wish I had done it 2 years ago it runs so good.

A tiller is used for tilling and I dont care if I use it for 15 minutes a year or hours a day, it needs to start easily and run strong, period.

[Bret4207]

I have seen great number of people that have used the Harbor Freight engines as suggested with complete satisfaction. That is what I would do. Just change the oil 2-3 times right off the bat. I understand thats a key to getting the casting and machining dust out of the engine.

That old TB is 10X the machine the new ones are.

[Copperhead]

Of course, you can always sell the tiller for scrap, buy a couple of pigs, and then "force" yourself to watch the "Back to Eden" video

That's what I did 3 years ago lol

[Chucknbob]

The old Troy bilt tillers are 10x better then anything you can buy today. Fix it, you'll be much happier.

[jwal10]

I would go straight to the real Honda engine, so much better. More money but it will last the rest of your lifetime....James

[joebill]

Ordinarily, I'm not big on chinese stuff, but I bought two of those engines for my daily driver tote-gote because I figured the first one would last no time at all, and when I put the second one on, I'd go looking for a "good" engine. That was four or five years ago, and I'm still waiting for the first one to fail.

It's a one-crank wonder, burns no oil, has only had a couple of oil changes and no other service except maybe around a dozen starter cords. Easy to change in about five minutes, but keep it with you, along with a 5/16" nut driver, knife for cutting the cord and lighter for burning the end to keep it from fraying. Housing seems to be soft around where the rope comes through, and when it wears through, it starts frizzing and cutting the cord.....Joe

[MattyD]

-I'm agreeing with everybody else. If the tiller is still in solid shape except for the engine, then just replace the engine. All you need to do is make sure whichever one you get, the shaft lines up where you need it.

L8R,
Matt

[wannabechef]

Originally Posted by jwal10

I would go straight to the real Honda engine, so much better. More money but it will last the rest of your lifetime....James

Though I like my Honda commercial engines, all Hondas are not the same...some are aluminum bore just like a Chinese engine or Briggs and Stratton. In this case you will not get anymore life from a Honda than any other aluminum bore engine.

[FarmboyBill]

I say, like everybody else. My TB Tuffy Tiller went to heck this year. I replaced the 3.5 engine Wisc on it with a Greyhound 2yrs ago. Worked fine. The instructions didnt say anything about changeing the oil at the outset, BUT did say to run it at idle for a hour or 2 to break it in. I ran it all day on idle while doing other stuff.

This year, after running Quik Trip Gas through it for 2 yrs failed to start. I had to buy a new carb. It started on the second pull. Carb was $22. I now buy gas with NO additives. E-10 I think its called here. The new engine was around twice the hp. at 6.5
Neighbor gave me a horse TB with shot engine. Ive pulled the engine, and am waiting on the money to buy another new preditor engione for it. Ill like it alot better than the Tuffy, as it has a reverse. AND I can raise/lower/turn the handles L or R.

[RonM]

I just priced a small TB at Lowes ....$799.....

[rags57078]

I put a Harbor freight motor on my old TB horse last year and love it , make sure you unhook the oil sensor( its just a plug ) or when it digs down the motor will quit till its level again . I got a craftsman gave to me late last summer so its getting a new harbor freight on it

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by wannabechef

Though I like my Honda commercial engines, all Hondas are not the same...some are aluminum bore just like a Chinese engine or Briggs and Stratton. In this case you will not get anymore life from a Honda than any other aluminum bore engine.

Most B&S and all HF Predator engines, are aluminum block, cast iron cylinder sleeves, just like the commercial Hondas.

http://www.harborfreight.com/79-cc-o...ine-69733.html

http://engines.honda.com/models/model-detail/gx390