Troy Bilt Rototiller Review - Bronco Axis Vertical Tine - GardenFork
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2016
- Our rototiller review of the Troy Bilt Bronco we did while tilling a new garden bed. More reviews here: goo.gl/Uku5kz Troy Bilt is sponsor of GardenFork.
Unique among rear tine tiller reviews, this is a vertical-tine tiller, it looks a bit like a heavy duty kitchen mixer. This design makes it much easier to handle.
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I think I can offer an honest assessment as I just returned mine.
First off, I loved it for what it did for me. Our soil has a high clay content so my old Troybilt horse tiller will chomp clumps of dirt and when that dirt dries it becomes hard as rocks. Catching the soil with the precise moisture content in the spring is a hard thing to do and the soil several inches down seems to never be the optimum for tilling. No matter how many passes I make the clumps remain. I had this issue when I had a 5' tiller for my tractor.
The vertical tine tiller did a good job breaking those rock-like clods but not in one pass. After several passes my soil is fine as silt. So great job! It wasn't a hard tiller to operate.
There are a few down-sides to this tiller - it is slow! Only one speed, so getting it to and from the garden is an all-day task unless you put it in neutral and can push it along and that takes some muscle because it is a heavy tiller.
I lent mine to my brother who is in his 70s and has had a stroke thinking it would be easier for him to operate. He did pretty good with it but still, it tired him out. He got into some tall grass - the kind that has a long stem with a head on it - much like a stalk of wheat. That stuff wrapped around the tines and above the tines onto the tine shaft, worked its way up the shaft and into the oil seal causing it to leak gear oil. To me this is a design issue but knowing this, if you stay away from tall grass it should be fine.
I replaced the seals ($47.36 on Amazon) but noticed the tine shafts had some rust scaring, probably from the moisture in the grass that was wrapped around the shaft for a few weeks. I used some 220 sand paper and did the best I could to clean it up and then put grease on the shaft before sliding the new seals in place. I filled it with gear oil and it sat for a couple weeks without dripping but I haven't tilled with it as it has rained and the garden is mud.
Now, as to why I returned it - Reason #1: I can't be certain the seals won't leak in the future. Reason #2: Originally the starter cord wasn't rewinding all the way and later wouldn't rewind at all. I had purchased the extended warranty that included pick-up and delivery. While reading the serial number to customer service I noticed an oil drip and relayed that information also. Sometime later I get a call that they can't honor the warranty because there are no service centers in my area so they offered a buy-back. There was some back and forth over time and customer service finally told me to take it back to the store and they would handle it. I had a choice of a comparably prices counter-rotating rear tine tiller of another brand but I chose to take the refund (less the $200 extended warranty charge).
I have no animosity toward the store or the company. I am disappointed that this type of tiller has been discontinued (Troybilt Bronco Axis as well as the Cub Cadet VT100).
Picking-up the tiller from the store, it was in a large box/crate. Hard to dispose of the box and crate in some locals. They loaded it in my pick-up with a fork-lift. I un-crated it in the truck-bed but can't remember exactly how I got it out onto the garage floor. It is too heavy for one person to lift (unless you have the strength of Charles Atlas). And then there is the assembly of the handle bars and such which wasn't difficult. Buying one already put together is a much better deal.
That is my experience with the Troybilt VTT. I consider it a good tiller but do wonder if the quality is as good as the older Troybilts. 0:20
To follow up on my experience - in 2020 I relocated and because I liked the Troybilt Bronco Axis, I bought a Cub Cadet VT100 - also a vertical tine tiller. I loved it! While my new home had better soil, it had rocks. The kind that stopped the tiller dead. Such abrupt stops aren’t good. I sold the tiller as it wasn’t going to be good use for me at this location. I still love the design and its performance in clay soil.
It's a tiller not a mower
Great review. I've watched several and I'm amazed at how presenters talk about everything but the actual operation of the tiller. I got something out of your review. Thank you.
Neat machine! I absolutely love the sound of a tiller. I've never seen one with vertical tines. Very interesting.
its an amazing machine!
looks like the diggers are balanced so the forces are opposing each other and do not bounce your machine upwards. very nice.
I've had mine for about 5 years. like you say, great and easy to use. Doesn't beat me up to use it. So far, replaced a cable, a carb and now a tank... that's all. Hates those stones and tree roots but once you get those out, you never have that problem again. Thinking of selling mine...moved from the county to the city. Love the machine though. too bad they don't sell it anymore.
pretty neat!!, I am sold. Thanks Gardenfork Mann!
I got the same model with a different set of tines and I love it, bit hard to shift gears but it's not a car so I wasn't expecting it to be easy. Chewed up my clay rock soil like it was putty.
We have a 1977 troy built horse tiler and just a few days ago i was ruslin withit but still its a great tiler i think they jave a good idea with the eggbeters
Had one of the original Troy built tillers. Was a great machine, but a bear to use. Hubby used it wore himself out. Then we got a tiller for our tractor, yes our garden is that big. I use a smaller tiller for between the rows, it forward and reverses on the tine drive and has the drive on the wheels without the tines turning. This is very interesting, may be worth a look for sure.
I used one today and I love it
That's a really nice tiller. That vertical design is pretty slick. Maybe they would put some sort of slip clutch where the tines are so rocks don't get caught in there. Reversible tines would be a nice feature also. Great video!!!! Troy built is know for their tillers.
As soon as I saw the tines rotating, I thought that is no good with rocks. I've used a rear-tined 8-Hp Troy-bilt Horse since 1994 and it has served me well. It has a belt that slips when I hit a rock and it will walk over a big one buried deep. It can deal with hitting wire and even big chain (a lot of things can surface when land has a 'history' - haha). The key to busting sod is to use the tines really shallow at first and then deepen them gradually. I can do a lot one-handed, just like Dick Raymond, their spokesman, used to demonstrate back in the 1980s. I have been really pleased with the sturdiness of my old Troy-bilt and how it's designed to be easy to maintain and repair, too. I can see how the new one would be useful for places where rocks aren't a problem and someone wants to bust sod. I agree that you should be able to disengage those tines! Somebody is going to run over a garden hose! ; )
IM in the market for a good tiller which is why I viewed this. Very nice review. Excellent machine.
Really nice piece of machinery! Looks like it does a great job!
yes it is!
This would work great for all the new garden stuff the Mrs want to put in. Awesome!
its also real easy to handle, so you don't throw out your back while using it.
It would be nice to see a video on all the servicing points of interest change the oils, both engine and transmission grease points, access point trans oil diff oil etc. Not ready available on line or thru troy built.. thanks I will keep watching
I like that it’s geared low , nice and slow, most tillers want to go to damn fast, spinning all the time.
Haven't used mine yet but it's a 1 pull start, got it used as a store return, looks like it was used only once.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
never seen a tiller go through grass that easy. my troy bilt is getting old, this model may be my next one. nice review!
yes, it went through the grass quite well. very different than other tillers i've used. thx!
@@gardenfork what is the maximum depth the machine can do. How long are those tines?
@@gardenfork would you say that this vertical troy is better than their heavy duty normal troy fillets. Because I see that they have some normal heavy duty type that cost over 2000 dollars.
My step grandpa loved his troybuilt He could use it even though he used a cane to walk with. Just hung it on the handle area and used it.
Can you switch out the vertical times for horizontal for weeding between rows?
I’m looking at the control guide you briefly showed, what would happen it you were to just pull the left handle? Have you tried?
I have the exact same tiller. I bought it to replace my regular rototiller who blew its engine (an old John Deere from the 60's). I had big expectation for this new tiller. However I have very rocky dirt in my garden. I constantly have to remove rocks. I don't have nice rich rock-less soil. My regular rototiller just dug the stone off the ground and threw them on the side and it was easy to pick up. With this vertical tiller the egg beater tiller are constantly getting jammed on rocks. Any rock bigger than a ping pong ball will jam the blades. Then You have to stop it and clean it. This cause wear on the belts, so much that both of the twin belts broke off after just one season. I am very disappointed in this vertical tiller. I had such great expectation for it. My solution was to get a new engine for my old rototiller. Now I use my old rototiller without any problems and it just keep on tilling and trowing stones and rock on the side and easy to pick up.
help where can I buy it here in texas or any store that does shipping please
thats why i love troy bilt
they are great machines, thanks for watching!
wow thats crazy i bought a tiller and had to dig up my backyard before even using it this makes it look so easy
that's what makes this so different, the way it cuts through sod. thx!
it is a good idea to remove the grass anyways otherwise those roots last a long time before they are killed. Your tiller should be able to dig thru most grass if you remove the outer tines / diggers and work while the ground is damp not dry. I have a front tine 159cc yard machine and i had to make 6 or 7 passes in order to break thru grass and loosen soil 7 inches deep. This machine here in video is much superior for this task but it did it and now i have a huge garden and once the soil is already loose then my mid size tiller is very maneuverable and perfect for my tasks.
That thing is awesome!... I just wish they weren't so expensive. However the idea of one or two passes to go from lawn to garden is exceptionally appealing.
yes, it goes through sod pretty quick.
Eric try out the 30in troy bilt 3 stage snow blower this winter
If buying all over again would you buy this same tiller? If not, what exactly would you get? Moving up in grade appears to triple the expense.
Great video, thank you very much. How deep will it till ? and is that deep enough for home gardens (tomatoes, egg plants etc) ?
with multiple passes, each pass done perpendicular to the previous pass, you can go as deep as you want. it cuts about 6" deep at a time. thx!
As in some other videos about rear/vertical tine tillers I did not see you turn it around to start a new row. I really need to see that. Thanks
you lift up the back of the tiller and drive it around, (the wheels are powered) its MUCH easier to turn than a horizontal tine machine that you have to wrestle with. the one does not like 3-4" rocks, that about the only downside.
I own the Cub Cadet V100 version, just different handlebars. It is awesome in clay soil and it easily chews through lawns - which is why I wanted the vertical tine. I believe I bought it 6 or 7 years ago on sale for $700. I don’t use it but every several years. I live in a rural city and it’s so much easier just to own this than to drive to the big city and rent one. Plus these tillers are a solid 300 lbs or more and are difficult to load into a pickup truck. I can verify that roots or vines can get snagged up and tear up the tine drive seal - but I don’t care because it does what I want so much better and easier than a standard roto tiller. It is super slow (but is far smoother to use than any standard tiller)so I had to learn a better way to move it between areas: I disengage the drive, place my foot on the back and give it a mighty shove - or just put up with the slow speed (it’s not that big of a deal, just be patient). I can feel it when it comes to a big tree root - I just lift up the handlebars until I’m over the root. It does have a reverse tine feature if I run into a large rock. The Cub Cadet comes with the same Chinese engine, so far no problems even with infrequent use - but I would have preferred a 223 cc Briggs and Stratton rather than the 208 cc China engine. The recoil starter mechanism is not that great on the Chinese engine. The Cub Cadet comes with a front bumper that slightly gets in the way of the gas tank fill. It’s easy to work on, and like all tillers you should grease the axle shaft when you first get it rather than later having to deal with a wheel that is rusted onto the axle shaft. Also be sure to check the drive transmission is full of oil before using for best long life.
We're can I get belt for rear tine tiller in the UK
these are no longer available? Any suggestion for substitutions?
This tiller does a great job breaking new ground, it has plenty of power and torque. The down side is if you have rocks in the new ground it will lock a rock between the two tines and it took a chisel and hammer to get it out. In addition it is not good for mixing leaves and compost into your soil, the material stays on top. Troybilt has discontinued the axis tiller, perhaps for these reasons, I like mine for straight up tilling in the spring, (rocks removed ) and cultivating weeds between the rows during the planting season. I intend to purchase a Troybilt pony FRT for composting.
Agree completely plus one other problem. That weight on the front hangs down way to far. If you want to back up it hits the ground and the tine shroud at the back drops down and also hits the ground and you go nowhere. I took off the weight and it works just as well without it
I've had a Troy Bilt Horse model since buying it new in 1976. The Tecumseh engine was on its last legs. And my mechanic bro-in-law replaced the leaking axle seals (in return for all the tilling I did for him) but forgot to refill the tranny with oil, so it got damaged. Still works but almost impossible to shift . So I bought one of these. Great except for the problems mentioned. So I replaced the Tecumseh with a $125, seven hp Power-Fist engine (Chinese knock-off of a Honda) that runs like a charm and now I use both, depending on the application.
I bought one 3 years ago. It does a great job on new sod. Run way to slow for tilling weeds. I repeat way to slow for tilling weeds.
Can you put one of those tillers on the back of a TB pony?
Garden folk.look it is very easy to operate how much it's price.pls.thank u so much.fr philippines.
Nice job Eric, After tilling did you notice if earthworms were cut-up or thrown to the side? Also I am looking for tool I can grind-up leaves, branches, end of the year garden vines, etc to put in my raised compost drum. Do you think the beaters would get snarled-up? Are the beaters easy to remove?
this won't grind up branches and vines if that is the question. i did not have to remove the augers, but there is a bolt with a locknut that holds them on. thx!
Wow. I have never seen a vertical tine tiller before this video. I have an old Ariens and some Honda tillers. If you had to have just one type of tiller would you pick the vertical over the traditional tines?
For me the vertical works. Thx!
I have a 1971 troybuilt Horse1 and at my age (65) I don't get tired and beat up tilling my 200ft X 100ft garden or breaking new ground for a friend.
The vertical axis tiller looks good but I'm not sure if it will still be in one piece in 45yrs like my horse.
this tiller weighs about 250 lbs, so its built with real metal, the transmission gears are bronze!
I've busted off teeth in the transmission gears as a result of hitting rocks.
We have the orange tiller, if you hit that particular size rock it shears a pin and stops rotating which sounds awful, but it does that so you don't have to fight to remove the rock. This way the rock falls out , you replace the pin and keep on truckin. That said I'm very intriguing by the movements of the times on your tiller.
its like a cake mixer underneath. pretty neat.
Good machine.
Wish you could convert an older one.
Can I put plow attachment ?
Great video....my garden isn't that big...24x24, I bought a Earth brand electric...it's small but I works great...just watched you video on viewer comments....your shows don't suck....love them all...just sayin...
Is it available with any other engine? I don't really care for the china built one shown.
Seems like the wheels have a pin in the axle to lock them into tilling place. You can pull that pin and the wheels will turn but without tines turning.
Were do I get it at. Is it better to rent or buy one.
I have a Troy Built tiller and like it allot. This model looks very good. You might want to still use safety shoes in any case, just to be safe.
good point Joe! thx!
I’m doing just that this year… Changing a portion of my lawn into a vegetable garden. Question… How much do these cost?
MR HN Thank you 👍
Where I CAN FIND ONE OF THEME?
I NEEDED TO BUY
How does it work in clay soil
Will that go through eastern Kentucky rocky clay soil?
How deep will it till ?
So I know this is kinda old video but I have a troy bilt bronco rear tine tiller newer one mid 90s I grew up with my mom trying to use it. Now on my own house I have put in a garden I screen the whole garden 2 foot down and down to .5 inch stone . That tiller still drug me around like it didnt care. How is this thing looks easy and doesnt pull you around. I could never dare let only one hand on the tiller. Other wise any suggestions for a tiller
I have the Troy Bilt Horse tiller, it tills a 22 inch wide path! If you would like to be handled like a rag doll, try the big tiller! To answer your questions! When using a rear tine tiller with rear forward rotating tines I always keep just a little upward pressure on the handle, especially in harder ground or sod. Also if you have your depth set to deep on hard or untilled ground it will pull you around. The reason is because the tines are spinning way faster than the drive wheels are and if the tines grip the soil instead of chewing it up, HANG ON! To prevent this you need to either adjust the tilling depth to a shallower depth or lift slightly when you feel it wanting to launch a rear tine wheelie! They reason vertical tine tiller doesn't want to take you for a run is simple! The tines are not rotating forward!
If you still want to get a different tiller There are models out there that have reversed rotating tines. the front drive wheels and the tines would fight against each other so no taking off like walking Marmaduke in the comic strip! I mention rear rotating tines as I remember an earlier comment above saying the vertical tine tillers were no longer available. I can't say because I've never checked if they are or not!. Sorry so long winded but just wanted to make things clear for you! You just need to learn the techniques of running a forward rotating rear tine tiller! Hope this helped!
Does a V-plow attachment hook to the Bronco Axis Vertical Tine?
I don't think so, thx!
Just wondering if this tiller allowed for attachments? That was not mentioned in your video
no attachments Rosanna, thx!
Where can i fiind one
if your going over grass how much roots are on the blades? do you have to unclog them?
was not a problem for us. it does get stuck on rocks about 3" in diameter, but easy enough to knock them out with a pipe and a hammer.
Bvh
How much do they cost?
How deep can you till.
sir, i need blade design....engine details ...and is there any modification in depth control?
you can find all the specs at the Troy-Bilt site, and yes, you can adjust the depth. thx!
What is price and give me the full specification please.
I have one, grinds up stuff real well but is slower than molasses in January.
r u sure it is that slow. do u want to sell yours?
HealthSupercharger nope, I gave it to my oldest son as he has a small garden and it’s working fine for him.
Link to model for purchase
Looks pretty nice... Could you include MSRPs in your reviews, Eric? It would be nice to know whether we're looking at a $300 or a $3000 product...
I called a local dealer and they said $899.99
Hi Donna, you can get the current price information on the Troy Bilt site www.troybilt.com thx!
After 3 years, Sir do you still feel the same about this tiller? Thank you and great review!
That's what I was wondering
What is the horsepower?
This is available in india.please
What's the benefit of this vs traditional forward rotating vs counter rotating?
this is a much easier machine to handle. it also starts digging easier too. much less bucking and jumping, hence much less back pain. thx!
Maybe I'm tripping, but I really didn't see you push it across any new ground and judging by all the foot steps in the soil... It doesn't seem like it's Balanced enough to just push it from the side 🤔🤔
Looks great.. My lawn mower and weed trimmer is by Troy Bilt... I'd love for them to send me one of these to try out to see how easy it is for a girl to use... and I'm a girl!
this is def easy to wrangle, much easier than the regular front tine tiller. thx!
Seems awesome but you cant find it anywhere
How is it in the clay?
Hi Micheal, I did not use it in clay, but it does have some nice power to it. Thx!
Gas cap on a chain? Take all of my money, sir. I must have this
Nice mashine, but it seem to be weak! Greetings from germany! :)
its a very robust machine, thx!
This is just Gr'888. The only scary is the rocks. God Bless you.
Can not find where to buy one
They stopped making them.
Troy bilt pony or bronco axis. Which is better?
I have not used the Pony, the Axis is a nice machine for cutting into hard dirt or grass.
@@gardenfork do you think it would work on a hill area? The type of soil in my garden is clay but the land is not flat, lots of hills.
It has a low center of gravity but any tiller is a challenge on hills.
Ok. I have to do a little more research before I buy a tiller. Thank you for your advice.
The Axis is a big machine, consider what size you need too. Thx!
It doesn't look like it chops the vegetation as good as a rotary tiller, or leave the ground as smooth.
They just gave that too you lol geeze
What is the cost?
960 dollars
कीमत की जानकारी भी देना चाहिए
Farmers no longer plow fields because it mixes the topsoil with the clay underneath. Then their field becomes less fertile. Plants are very strong and will grow fine without it. Just poke a hole in the ground with a sharp object and put in a seed or seedling. You don't want to use tillers either. They screw up your garden's fertility too. To loosen the soil water it heavily. But stop before puddles form. Then start planting.
Farmers no longer plow because they can do the same job faster and more efficient with Deep Ripper Disc combination! The idea of plowing was to get rid of hard pan and incorporate vegetation residue deeper in the ground for faster breakdown and eventually making the topsoil deeper! The idea of tilling is to compost all the plants and vegetation into the soil for faster breakdown, in turn making natural fertilizer! otherwise if you just plant without incorporating anything back into the soil it becomes depleted. You need to till just don't over till to the point of over working the dirt! That's the way I see it any how...
They always improve on tools ,, but cost money,, If u can get free woodchips to put over that garden -I bet with the ground up sod and chips over would give the worms a lot to chew on ..
I'll stick with my 8 horse power Troy-Bilt 1989 model. Like any machine you have to learn how to work the machine rather than let the machine work you!
garden fork.
Send me one
Cf
Looks expensive
Yes, their products are not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for with tools, especially power tools, IMO. Its well made. thx!
Why does everyone on youtube walk behind their Troy Bilt? You're supposed to all next to it.
Yogurt container ... ?? Dafuq
It's was just poor design that you cannot move this without the tines spinning, very dangerous!!
want a tiller ..buy a BCS. these are junk
Junk