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Why the next push mower I buy will be a Troy Bilt

In 2001(ish), I bought a Troy Bilt self-propelled lawn mower. This is probably the recent model of the one that I have. I used that mower quite a bit and never had a problem with it. We moved into our current house in 2006 and we paid someone to mow the lawn. So, in summer 2006, I took the handle off the mower to make it easier to store and I drained the gas out of it. I managed to forget to drain the oil out of it. It sat in my basement for over three years and was never used.

Due to a bizarre set of circumstances, we ended the relationship with the guys mowing our lawn and I went out and bought a riding mower and intend to mow myself. After mowing with the riding mower, I had some spots that it couldn’t reach. I went and put the handle back on the old Troy-Bilt. Put some gas in it. I checked the oil and it is about 1/2 full and the oil looked like sludge. I walked the mower outside to set upon the task of starting it, expecting to fail. After all, it had been sitting in storage and no maintenance had been performed on it in three years. It hadn’t been used. I put the gas in. Primed the pump about 5 times. And yanked on the starter. It started right up the first time. Amazing.

I do need to change the oil though.

8 Responses to “Why the next push mower I buy will be a Troy Bilt”

  1. Dave D. Says:

    Actually, your kudos should go to (most likely) Briggs & Stratton as they built the engine and carb. TB does build pretty good stuff though… I’ve got a ’76 tiller that is still going strong.

  2. Samsam Says:

    Beware. Troy Bilt was bought out by MTD, the maker of all cheap mowers. It is possible that MTD would refrain from trashing the TB name, but I would do some research before spending much money.

    Samsam

  3. Diogenes Says:

    I bought a TroyBilt self-propelled mower three years ago after the MTD acquisition. Nothing but problems. Returned it to Lowes(kudos to them for taking it back). In fairness, most of the trouble was with the Honda “no choke” engine – altho’ build quality wasn’t stellar either. I don’t know whose bright idea the “no choke” thing was, but now it’s tough to find a small mower without that “feature”. The example I had wouldn’t open after starting. IMO, if you can’t handle “choke, prime, pull”, then you really shouldn’t be using power equipment.

  4. CTone Says:

    My TB mower died four days after the warranty ended. Two years that thing lasted me, and it was the second Briggs and Stratton engined mower that fell apart in three years.

    Briggs and Stratton used to be cool, but now they have let their quality slip.

  5. FatWhiteMan Says:

    The Troy-Built today is not the Troy-Built you had. They sold out a few years back. They might now be Hunan-Built or something.

    Ha, a couple of years ago my Dad needed a part for his Troy-Built tiller but when he called the number in the manual, he got a sex hotline instead.

  6. NatefromOgden Says:

    I bought a Troy-Bilt weedeater to replace a still working 16 yeat old, 2-stroke machine and I am so sorry I did. The TB 4-stroke is heavier, harder to start, vapor locks when hot and doesn’t cut grass so much as tips it over. Sure glad your machine is working for you but as others have said, with the recent changeover, I am unimpressed.

  7. Capt Says:

    I purchased a Troy Built riding mower a couple years ago. The Briggs & Stratton engine is fine it is the reset that is crap. They use a small cable to engage the blades. A month after warranty and it snapped. Battery is also dead. Next time i am spending more and getting a quality one.

  8. TheOtherLarry Says:

    Before buying another Troy-Bilt, I would suggest you take a look at Snapper mowers. A bit expensive, but they are (at least so far) built to last and well worth the price.

    I have had only 2 self-propelled Snapper mowers in the last 25 years. My first one went through 2 motors. My 2nd one is 9 years old and going strong. An oil change and air filter every spring and good-to-go.

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