Vintage Troy-Bilt Tiller Has Issues

James, every Thursday morning, I get my grandson off to school and settle in for my coffee and James video. Can't tell you how much I look forward to seeing something new and interesting from you every week. You are a great teacher and an inspiration to so many viewers. Thank you!

The old Tecumseh and Briggs flat head motors were so darn tough. I don't think that those classic designs get enough appreciation.

My grandfather had one just like this, and now I have it. They are incredibly well built machines from a different era when quality meant something.

In the late 70s my uncle started a small engine shop. We used to work,on a local landscapers machines. His guys was animals. Very hard on equipment. I serviced 6 new mowers one morning. At noon they came back with 4 of them broken. Handles broke, wheels broke. They just throw them off the truck I guessed. One day they came in and we thought it was weird the boss didn't come in or call. He ran a flower shop m as well. Guy was in a panic. They had a machine on the truck I recognized immediately. Only one I ever saw, it was the bosses personal troy built tiller. The big one. It was the biggest tiller I ever saw so I knew right away who's it was. They dropped it off the truck and busted the carb. Snapped it right off. My uncle told them it's a easy fix but it's gonna hurt. No after market back then. I remember it well. My uncle made them pay for the carb up front. It was over $100 just for the part. Plus gaskets and labor. He told them he give them the labor to help them out. It only took me a few minutes to put it on. They ponied up the money, we fixed it. Back then $100 was alot of money . Was probably over a weeks pay for a couple guys. They stopped throwing stuff off the truck.

My mother bought one like that right after they came out. I can remember the commercial for them of a lady going along behind the machine using only one hand to control the machine with. You could do that easily until you hit a rock then you'd better hang on with everything you have because it's going wherever it wants to go. Lol great video again sir.

James, you are the consummate professional -- Each week your presentations are always worth-the-wait ! -- Thank You

I volunteer at ReStore - Habitat for Humanity's retail store - and a several years ago we had one of these come in as a donation. The donator said he couldn't get it started but when it ran, it ran well. I'm somewhat familiar with this Tecumseh engine since it was on the first snowblower my father had years ago so I had a go at it. Got it running; like yours, it ran well and smoothly. One of the guys at the store decided he'd "test" it at home to make sure it worked. He brought it back the next day and complained it ran too well. Seems that he under estimated how powerful the engine really was. While tiling he slipped and fell and the tiller dragged him for a few feet before he let go. The person who bought it was a regular customer and always talks about how well it still is running today. Don't make them like they used to.

I like watching your videos. You are meticulous and patient. That machine is from an era when companies still built their products to last and be repaired. Thanks for extending its life.

I have a 42 year old Troy built tiller and it still works great and is the best investment I ever made for my garden. They last forever!

I have a Troy Bilt Horse tiller. My dad bought it new in 1978. Use it every year in my garden.

James, you and I are around the same age, give or take a few years. I have to tell you that your videos are a Godsend, especially these last several months. Your videos help me zone out from life for an hour or so, and I thank you for that, especially since I really enjoy watching your methodology and skills being applied to these machines to bring them back to life. Thanks, man, I really appreciate it.

Growing up in the 80s my Dad had one just like this and when you started this machine up those engine sounds brought back so many memories back from all of those different growing seasons throughout all of those years 😎🙂👍

Now waiting to see a couple of rows of cabbages in your yard this year! 😄Great fix, love the video!

That was made back when Troy built was the best tiller on the market before MTD made changes to Troy built company thank you for posting this video on this tiller James 😎👍💰

That is a beautiful machine, thank you James for saving it. Year's of use left!

That recoil sounded ruff 🐶 but I remember those from back in 85 and they really worked well. It’s nice to see one still tilling. 👍

I have a Troy Bilt Econ Horse, purchased new back in mid 80's. Still running strong. Easy to start. My model had a leak in the rear seal at the end of the shaft between the tines. My shield has enclosed sides. A well made machine back in the day. Mine has seen more use than your machine. I replaced the tines about 8 years ago. Glad that the water did not damage the transmission. There was a LOT of water which came out. My machine has spent its life in the garage except for the short time tilling the garden each year. Good to see your machine back for a second life.

Got to love those old Troy-Bilt tillers. Very little plastic on that ol' girl. I must be crazy, but if there was ever a tiller that warranted a full restoration, it would be this one....that is, in about ten years when it was fully broke in....🙂

looked after properly that old girl will last another 40 yrs, great video James

Troy Bilt really built quality products back then. Horse and Bronco are tough.