Troy Bilt and Tecumseh's reliability

18 years ago

Hi all

I am plannig to buy either a Troy Bilt form Lowes or the Toro's from Home Depot. I need a self-propel model with front wheel drive.

I researched the Consumer Report and they dont have reliability report on the TroyBilt lawn mower. Does anyone have any opinion on this brand compare to Toro.

On the Toro model in HD, it uses the Tecumseh engine instead of the B&S engine. A friend told me the Tecsumseh is inferior to the B&S. What do you guys think

Thanks in advance.

Steve

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Comments (11)

baymee
18 years ago
I like either one. Not all engines are created equal. Look at the code numbers on the engine and research if it is a sleeved cylinder and other quality parts.
ywsteven
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Baymee

So what is a sleeved cylinder? Is that good or bad?
What are the other "quality parts" I should look for?

Thanks
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I think you have a few things to weigh out with those engines. The Briggs have readily available maintenance and repair parts. The Honda parts are difficult to get but only because the model number system on Honda is difficult. Tecumseh will not allow consumers to have access to any on-line info and you will have to go to a Tecumseh dealer to get original parts. The Honda engine will probably last a lot longer. If you use aftermarket parts, Briggs and Tecumseh have more aftermarket available, though I would not recommend using aftermarket parts until the warranty period of the machine/engine is up. I am a certified repair tech and have worked in a lawn & garden warranty center for many years (11) so whenever I need to purchase any new equipment I always take the warranty coverage into account. All of those engines and machines have a 2 yr. warranty. They are all about the same in that dept. I guess I would buy the Honda. I would stay away from Toro and Lawn Boy only because I feel they are more difficult to deal with and repair/maintenance parts are more expensive. The whole torque issue is crazy. Briggs is not the only one doing that. All of the engine companies are going to torque and not telling you the HP. In reality, most machines have engines with too much HP and they never even get broken in over the life of the tractors/mowers. NeedLawnMowerParts.com
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I just checked the manual. I guess I should get my own act together because I haven't done most of the suggested lubes. I have certainly greased the belt Block adjuster and the two heavy vertical rods that the whole engine assembly slides up and down on for belt tension. I don't see any specific grease indicated. You may need to remove the rods if they are really messed up. Make sure you mark/determine the proper height. But then one is supposed to oil every moving bar connection and shaft. If you suspect that transmission oil has leaked out, you will need to fill it with either 90 or 140wt transmission oil via the hole under the T handle.
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Lary, These are forward rotating tine machines, not counter-rotating tines. All of the old Horses were this way. Bill, The number you posted is just a casting number, not the serial number. Look below the T-handle and clean all the gunk off to find a serial number. Parts that you need are readily available from a bunch of sources, including MTD (who took over for Troy Bilt) Jenice, If you have the 6HP Tecumseh engine, you dont have all of the model number. What you posted is the "spec" number. Your model number is most likely HH60. Use that model number, and you shouldnt have any problem finding the carb kit. The recoil starter may be a little bit harder to find.
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1saxman
18 years ago
In a sleeved engine, an iron liner is used in the aluminum cylinder. The Tecumseh LV195 engine used this year on many mowers is not sleeved, but neither are the B&S engines. Sleeved engines are most often found on the very top of the line commercial mowers. In fact, having a cylinder liner makes an engine 'commercial-rated'. An engine without cylinder liner can last many years with proper care and use.
metal
18 years ago
The Tec engine is just as good as the B&S. I have owned a Craftsman and a Toro with Tec engines with no problems.
tekumcman
18 years ago
Tecumseh has ALWAYS BUILT a very good rotary mower
engine. The LV195EA on the Toro...is no exception.
With good maintenance and fresh fuel, it'll give
you as good as you'll get just about ANYWHERE !!

T-Man
helshawk
17 years ago
I can't speak for Tec's reliability but I can on Troy-bilt.
The self propel feature is very weak, I would not pull the mower by itself. Not to mention that in less than a dozen uses, my rear wheel will not stay at the preferred cutting height adjustment. I have to use a bungee cord to keep it locked in place. Their service is practically non-existant and all I get are "form" answers telling me to take it to a third party repair shop. Don't get the Troy-bilt if I could sway you. And if you go online, you will see others saying the same thing.
tomplum
17 years ago
My only negative opinion on the Tecumsehs have been carb related. As tekumcman says, maintenance and fresh fuel- you should do fine with either. I certainly see more Tec carb issues than Briggs. And yes, it usually goes back to funky old fuel left in the tank. They are just more finicky in my opinion. I recommend a Briggs or Honda. The Toro Super Recyclers tend to use Briggs.
blacknumber1
17 years ago
Save your money and buy a mower from a real dealer with real dealer support, you will be glad you did in the long run. IMHO the best mower engines are Honda's.
vrtrin
17 years ago
Why must you get a FWD one? I'd recommend a RWD for the traction with a full bag. Full back won't help traction on a FWD unit.
1saxman
17 years ago
Yeah, why would you 'need' a FWD mower? That's like saying you need a three-legged mule. FWD on a mower is pretty near useless. Going uphill, accelerating or bagging, the weight goes to the rear wheels. The FWD slips so much that the tires go bald. Check out any RWD and you won't find that, because the wheels don't spin/slip excessively. Manufacturers put FWD on mowers because it's cheap and they can claim 'self-propelled'.
bill_kapaun
17 years ago
FWD's also tend to be more prone to failure. It may be a chicken & egg thing. FWD's are found on the lower cost mowers, so are they built cheap because of that or are the mowers cheap because of FWD?

Troy Bilt and Tecumseh's reliability

Comments (11)

baymee

ywsteven
Original Author

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Troy Bilt and Tecumseh's reliability

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