Bad mowing deck shake in new TroyBilt Pony riding lawnmower

15 years ago

I've just purchased a new TroyBilt Pony riding lawnmower from Lowe's. When the mowing deck is engaged it shakes the mower pretty bad. Sometimes at about half throttle it shakes so bad that parts like the steering wheel will appeared blurred. It shakes the worst when the mowing deck is engaged and the throttle set at low speeds and shakes less the higher the throttle is set. It only shakes like this when the mowing deck is engaged. I've checked the blades and they appear straight with no signs of striking anything. The mower has done this from day one. Has anyone had any problems with a TroyBilt Pony riding mower from Lowe's shaking like this. I have about 8 or 10 days to take the mower back for a refund or to exchange. The mower has a 17.5 Horse power Briggs & Stratton motor and 42" mowing deck Any help or info would be greatly appreciated

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

tomplum
15 years ago
Typically a drive belt that had a flat spot burned into it will shake the deck like that. The proper belt # is under the hood on a decal. These Pony's have had several different drive belt configurations. A couple are the lightest duty of the MTD line. If there was any question that you under bought, I would return it while you had the chance.
jmjc98_gmail_com
15 years ago
Do yourself a favor and take it back while you can. I bought this exact mower last year and have had nothing but problems out of it. I have done all normal maintenance, but as you stated the deck shakes alot. You can fix this somewhat by constantly leveling the deck because it does not stay leveled. I have had this problem, had to replace an idle pulley within the first two months and just today when I went out to mow I started it up to find smoke boiling out from under the front end of the machine. The motor is strong and works great unfortunately that is about the only thing on the mower worth the money.
Related Discussions
Walmart mower (Honda engine), 1st report
Q
Comments (34)
Ok, the Honda GCV1600 started easily... I can't say I notice any difference over my older B&S, but I was surprised because it started on the first pull (well maybe I gave it a couple of short soft pulls to recheck the oil..another point, later). The choke is interesting, it is a manual pull to set, then when one closes the autokill bail the choke start to move to off, thus one needs to be ready to pull the rope as soon as they close the bail. The engine is also rated at "2", on a scale of 10 (10 is bad) cleanliness. So I can feel better about producing less pollution when mowing with it. Something to "feel" good about. On the oil, the manual is silent on the capacity, but the machine came with the usual short quart, I think it maybe be 1.5 pints. The suggestion is put it all in, and I'm sure many/most do. However, on putting about 3/4th of it in and checking the dip stick, I see it is full. Remains at the full mark after running for a few minutes. Of course, one is cautioned not to overfill, it is a splash lub engine. It seems like a serious error on my part or theirs, when they ship a special size oil container it should be the size needed to fill the oil tank, this protects the consumer from overfilling while guaranteeing, at least this one time, that the oil tank is full. Admittedly, it is hard to see clean oil on the plastic narrow cone shaped dip stick, but I can see it is wet to the full mark with less than the full container put in the tank. If the Honda is as good as my past B&S engines it will last until I don't need a mower any more. At my age I figure within the next 5-10 years I'm going to have to move off of the big property and take up a easier life stile in a Condo of other everything is done for you environment.
...See More
I hate my new Honda HRR216VXA
Q
Comments (31)
I just replaced my 14 year old John Deere with this model. This was my first self propelled mower. I have a small almost flat lawn so I didn't really think I needed the self propelled feature. I've only used it once but after mowing the front lawn I was fighting the mower. Seemed like it was more work than the old mower. I don't mow in circles so in some areas the distance I mow ranges from 50' to as little as 5' so there is a lot of turning around or pulling the mower backwards. The back yard went much easier as it is basicly just a big oval. I think with time I will get used to the mower and it will be fine. It is a little hard to match speed to your pace. It goes from too slow to too fast very quickly but I think I will like it as I get used to it. Adjusting speed without having to reach for a lever seems like a good idea to me but like I said I have never used a self propelled model before. I also looked at the next model up with the plastic deck. This appealed to me because the reason I replaced the John Deere was the deck corroded through. I always cleaned under the deck after mowing like the manual said but it started to corrode the 2nd year I had it. I was surprised it lasted as long as it did. I also liked the the way you can split between mulching and bagging but three things killed the mower for me. 1. The handle was to ackward to fold compared to this model. 2. It was much longer which would make it difficult to handle around the walls and raised beds in my yard. 3. Price. $200.00 more. I think that if people take the time to get used to the controls this will turn out to be a good mower. Some have complained about no liner in the cylinder and the lack of pressure feed lubrication, but what good is designing an engine that will last 30 years if the rest of the mower is dead in 10?
...See More
opinions on a sub-$380 residential mower
Q
Comments (31)
Thanks yungman, As you described with a non-powered push mower, that's how they have to be turned around, for sure. The worst part is when I get into a corner and have to back up as well as turn around. How does a self-propelled mower such as the lawnboy 10965 do this? Is mower always trying to move forward? Does it lock the wheels when pulled backward? Or can it even be made to go backwards, without turning it off? I just read the manual on that mower and it said nothing as to how to back up, turn around. As you can tell, I know nothing of self-propelled mowers. The suggestion to get a zero-turn mower is really good, but from what I've seen, they are all more than I can afford. I agree with you about the Troy-bilt.\\ They actually had good stuff, before MTD bought them and now all they are are MTD's with the right's to the Troy-Bilt name and color. --MY old tiller was a true, Troy-bilt horse. Its engine finally gave up. I went to the dealer and was talked into, instead of getting a new engine, for as they said, such an old machine, why not trade in my Horse, down size to the "pony," and have a new engine as well as a new tiller. After much arm-twisting, I finally agreed. Sure wish I hadn't. It was the beginning of the 2d yr. that MTD owned Troy-Bilt. And the quality difference showed. The life time warranty that was on the Troy-bilt was voided by them. How dumb I was to give up my Horse. But I thought I was getting a real Troy-bilt. With MTD taking over, things sure have changed. Anyway, I hear you on Troy-Bilt. It was one of the best lawn equipment makers. Now it is, well, you know... I did look at the Toro equivalent of the Lawnboy. It seemed the same as the lawnboy, but one model had high, back wheels, which I think will make mowing my up/down/rutty back yard easier--but as I've asked before, with it being self-propelled, do I need to have a high wheel unit? Other than that, it looked like everything was the same, but more pricey. With maneuvering being the so important, if I get the self-propelled, am I going to have trouble (more than with a plain push mower) getting out of a corner as well as turning. Or are you saying it will be easier with the self-propelled, even if I don't have a zero turn, machine?
...See More
Driving myself insane with a Mower choice
Q
Comments (8)
There have been a couple of posts like yours this spring and I always recommend at least looking at the Craftsman Professional 42" (model 98980). I bought this tractor earlier in the year and I have been pleased with it. You might get a better deal on a used garden tractor by Deere or someone else but you said you've tried and are running out of time. If that is the case, you need to look at this one before they are all gone. It is less than $2000 and it specs out well against other lawn tractors from John Deere and Cub Cadet. Sears also has free shipping right now to your door on this mower and maybe some other incentives. Go to their website and find this model, then click on special offers to see what is available. If you buy on line with Discover card you get another 5% cash back. I like this mower because it has one of the tightest turn radius' on the market (12"). It also has cruise control, one of the top rated cutting decks, 4 deck scalping wheels, a 24hp ELS Briggs twin, assisted PTO, cut in reverse with button push, heavy gauge metal throughout and lots more features. It is also very, very comfortable with its adjustable high back seat and comes standard with a real nice double bar front brush guard attachment that is very stout. You can side discharge, bag attachment your clippings or mulch with an optional kit. The Pro is made by MTD but is not their usual consumer grade, box store type as it was built to much higher specs and standards mandated by Sears such as "L" frame in 9 gauge steel. Because of the tight turn technology mowers Sears came out with this year, they decided to eliminate this 42" model in their line so there will be no more after they sell out, or at least so I've been told. This is why they are still on close out price. The 28980 model is certainly worth a look by anyone looking for a good deal in lawn tractors.
...See More
linval_aol_com
13 years ago
I own one of these mowers for the last three years. It has been nothing but trouble. Yesterday I was mowing and the gear desingaged. It would not move on forward or reverse. I had to push it back to the shed. Only part of my lawn got mowed. This is the third time I have some major thing go wrong with it. NOT WORTH THE MONEY!
Francis Hensal
7 years ago
I bought a troy built pony in 2015 15.5 hp, when blades were engaged the mower vibrated a lot. I eventually found out that this model shakes, vibrates when blades were engaged, as I went back to store and started a brand new mower, same as mine, they engaged the blades and the mower shook, vibrated like mine. I found a simple solution to the problem that works for me. Instead of pushing the blades engaging lever the whole way forward I push it just to where blades are just engaged and put a 14 by 1.5 by 3/8 piece of wood between the seat spring and the deck cutting heighth lever to hold the blade engaging lever. believe it or not the mower does not shake or vibrate. belts are not hot after I am done cutting my grass
Francis Hensal
7 years ago
I bought a troy built pony in 2015 15.5 hp, when blades were engaged the mower vibrated a lot. I eventually found out that this model shakes, vibrates when blades were engaged, as I went back to store and started a brand new mower, same as mine, they engaged the blades and the mower shook, vibrated like mine. I found a simple solution to the problem that works for me. Instead of pushing the blades engaging lever the whole way forward I push it just to where blades are just engaged and put a 14 by 1.5 by 3/8 piece of wood between the seat spring and the deck cutting heighth lever to hold the blade engaging lever. believe it or not the mower does not shake or vibrate. belts are not hot after I am done cutting my grass

Bad mowing deck shake in new TroyBilt Pony riding lawnmower

Comments (5)

tomplum

jmjc98_gmail_com

Related Discussions

linval_aol_com

Francis Hensal

Francis Hensal

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US