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rochester, IN

I am going to purchase a new tiller soon. My craftsman is getting wore out. I am leaning toward a troy built pony or Troy built pro line. They both till 8" deep. While I was looking I found a simplicity tiller it is 7 horse and tills 10" deep. I was wonder has anyone ever used this simplicity tiller? I had never even seen one before. I like the features it has and that is tills 10" deep. Plus it is only 799.00. But I hate to buy it unless I can get some feed back from someone that has used one. Thanks in advance for any advice you could give me.

1/24/2004 5:37:31 PM

So. Maine

Jim, I have been using a Simplicity tiller ( connected to the back of a riding mower ) for 10 years or so and I'm very satisfied with it. The unit is around 15 years old so I don't know how it compares to the new ones........Al

1/24/2004 5:56:57 PM

Puyallup, WA

Jim,
What is the diameter acrossed the tines?

1/24/2004 6:29:12 PM

Schenectady,New York

Jim, I bought a Troy Built Proline with the 5.5 hp Honda engine. It tills deeper than 8" as it has 14" tines and 15" wheels. I bought it direct from the factory and they shipped it right to the house. They run deals in the spring like no sales tax and free shipping too. It did a good job on the never tilled piece of field that I tilled last year. It's the same size as their pony[medium sized] and the proline is a commercial rig. Ray

1/24/2004 6:54:10 PM

Wisconsin

I bought a tiller a couple years ago and was going to buy a Troy-Built but then I stumbled across a dealer that carried BCS tillers and I bought one. This thing is the "cadillac" of tillers. It is made in Italy and is extremely well built. It tills to 8" but it spins much faster than the prior tillers I have owned and does a much better job of tearing up the soil. They cost a little more than the cheaper tillers but I would be shocked if this doesn't last a lifetime. I have learned from past experience that sometimes it is better to spend a little more up front and then never have to replace it.

Here is a link: http://www.bcsamerica.com/Index/BCS+Home.htm

1/24/2004 7:03:32 PM

Puyallup, WA

I am very happy with my BCS tiller.

1/24/2004 7:44:25 PM

Indiana

Dont the BCS tillers also convert into snow blowers and mowers and such?
Steve

1/24/2004 9:09:21 PM

Puyallup, WA

Yes....they have several attachments available. Dealers are getting hard to find out here.

1/25/2004 12:29:12 AM

rochester, IN

Stan,

The brochure that I have doesn't tell the tine diameter. The tires are 13"

Jim

1/25/2004 1:46:57 AM

Jackson Twp, Ohio

I have used a BCS tiller and have to agree it is an excellent machine. It is smaller then our troy-built but does a better job in our ground with fewer passes.

Nick

1/25/2004 9:09:49 AM

Wisconsin

The BCS that I have (it is the 716 tractor with the 18" tiller attachment) will till down to 8". I looked it up and it spins at 290 rpm. I have no idea how this compares to other tillers but I bet it is much faster. I think that this is why it works so well. It is also connected directly to the engine with a clutch (no belts, etc.). I think that these things are probably more important than a tiller that might have a little longer tines but not as much speed or power.

I paid $1300 or so for mine (ouch) but I only got about 10 yrs out of the worthless Sears tiller that I had before and this one will last forever.

1/25/2004 3:19:28 PM

Puyallup, WA

Jim....If the tines are 13", then it will probably go down 10" deep. The BCS probably costs about 25% more than the Simplicity. The BCS has a direct drive....ie. no chains or belts.

1/25/2004 3:58:16 PM

Walton N.y.

even though troy built is now owned by mtd (mow 2x and die) the basics of the machine are still the same and think they are a good machine and i think i helped steer ray a. in the direction of the pro-line model as it's very simular to the horse model but at least $500 less don't get me wrong about bcs and honda i just can't justify that kind of money if at all possible stay away from the mtd red,cub cadet,yardman or white tillers as they are all mtd i had 1 and it was crap wore out in 2 years the craftsman are built by ayp another low quailty company

1/25/2004 4:52:23 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

Check out ebay for tillers. I picked up a Troy Bilt Pony for $150. I did have to drive 5 hours to pick it up. Most sellers do not ship a heavy item like a tiller but it can be done. If you enjoy working on small engines and equipment such as tillers, you can save money vs buying new. Rebuilding this tiller is turning into great winter project and it will be good as new come spring.

1/25/2004 6:31:08 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I'd take my Troy Built over any tiller. It has been a super good machine. Old Betsy is going on twenty-one. I've only had to change the tines once. Plus the belts and a few other things. I'd buy a Troy built again

1/25/2004 7:52:52 PM

rochester, IN

Is there anyone out there that has a used Troy bilt or BCS they would like to sell? If you are in Indiana or close and have one to sell please email me.

Jim

1/25/2004 7:56:59 PM

[email protected]

I bought an MTD tiller last year, and love it. I had a Sears Craftsman 5 horse tiller (front tines) that was 27 years old, and was still in decent shape, it was getting towards its last days though, so I gave it to the neighbor and bought this MTD front tine for 275 bucks. It is the exact same tiller as the TroyBuilt tiller, same manufacturer, same model, everything, except the letters say MTD now, and not TroyBuilt on the piece of machinery.

1/25/2004 8:11:46 PM

Indiana

Jim,
I have 2 used TroyBuilt Tillers. Been Looking to sell one. They are the Horse models and have ran real good for me. We also have a 3 foot and a 4 foot simplicity tiller for the garden tractor. Those have been great for us, and have taken a lot of abuse for us. Only problem we had with the 4 footer was the after market 6 inch extender on each side snapped off, but they wont anymore being welded solid now.

Tom Beachy

1/25/2004 9:48:02 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yikes!!! MTD.....PLEECCH! poor dog who bought that!

1/26/2004 6:55:20 AM

Walton N.y.

rock,
i've seen the new troy builts and some say troy built by mtd but have never seen a t.b tiller just marked mtd could you send me a picture as i would love to see that

1/26/2004 6:54:26 PM