OT: Garden Tillers, rebuild or buy new??

Casey in Ky · Mar 14, 2009

I've got an old Lowes(MTD) tiller, 1993 model, that's been a real good tiller. But it's time for a carb rebuild, new muffler, new pull rope, and a new set of tines(old ones are pretty much non existent at this point, they have to be replaced). The cheapest I can find tines(single tine blade, no nuts and bolts) online is $190 shipped. So by the time I'm finished, I'm gonna have well over $200 in fixing this old tiller up.

Priced new ones, and the MTD's (Cub Cadet, Troy Built, Huskee, Craftsman), and Husqvarna's are all in the $600 to $800 range, with the $800 range tillers probably being about equal to the old Lowes tiller I have now(forward and reverse gear, dual direction tines). So question is, what's the best thing to do?? My old Lowes tiller has a plain jane Briggs 5hp motor, just wonder how much life the motor actaully has and if it and the gear box on the old tiller is worth the $200+ investment. Appreicate any suggestions...

Casey

RN · Mar 14, 2009

Check the back rooms at garden center and salvage yards- tines may be available from something with blown engine from not doing oil check. I paid $75.00 about 10 years back for a little Ariens with a replacement Tec engine on it- used until 2 years back when someone stole muffler and carb when it was sitting back of garden. Found carb parts at salvage yard, cheap muffler and will get it going this spring again. You have a running engine, change oil and keep digging. RN

Oldmax · Mar 14, 2009

Bite the bullet and buy a new one if your luck holds the way nine does , two weeks after putting new tines on the chain in the gearbox will break. I prefer the counter rotating type myself have had a Craftman both 5 HP and now a 6.5 HP, 5 HP lasted about 17 years. Have had 6.5 HP now about 7 years. If I get that much use out of one it is worth the money. Look at one at ACE Hwd they have bigger bearings on the drive fron motor. the trouble I have had is the bearings on that going out " I just replace with bushings and keep using .

Casey in Ky · Mar 14, 2009

What about maybe replacing 4 tines on each side? Was looking at it and I think that would make a world of difference. And if the old thing keeps chugging along, then replace the other 8 next year.

pat sublett · Mar 14, 2009

You are ahead buying a new one. Husqvarna and Craftsman are made by American Yard Product. The others are all made by MTD. Not much difference in them as long as the are rear tine. Tillers are hard on engines and the one that you have is probably a bottom line B&S. Not really worth rebuilding.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 14, 2009

Check Craiglist or other local sales venues as lots of people have big ideas about gardening and buy a new tiller then realize how much work it is to garden and sell the hardly used tillers
at a bargain.Just bought one this week that barely has the paint knocked off the tines for around 1/3 it cost new.

OT: Garden Tillers, rebuild or buy new??

Casey in Ky

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RN

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Oldmax

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Casey in Ky

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pat sublett

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Traditional Farmer

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