My neighbor was using his 1972 Troy-Bilt Horse the other day to till up his 1/4 acre garden and it reminded me to check if they are still available.
1972 Troy-Bilt Horse
Yes! The same rototiller that made Troy-Bilt famous is still available for sale!
Here are a few features that made this tiller one of the most popular tillers ever made. Even today the only item that has really changed is they upgraded the engine from the old Tecumseh flathead design to a Briggs & Stratton OHV.
SIGNATURE FEATURES
Just One Hand® operation lets you guide your Troy-Bilt® tiller with literally one hand. Because the machine is engineered to be well-balanced and easy to control, it does the work – not you.
The Troy-Bilt Horse tillers use a patented cast-iron encased transmission with bronze gear drive that provides so much extra strength and durability, we cover it with a limited lifetime warranty.
All Troy-Bilt® tillers feature patented Bolo® tines, which are three uniquely shaped tines. Each tine is designed to do a separate task, yet work together to create finely tilled soil, ready for planting.
FEATURES
- Limited lifetime warranty on transmission
- 2-year limited manufacturer’s warranty – refer to online operator’s manual for exclusions
- Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation
- 4 forward, 1 neutral and 2 reverse speeds
- 20″ tilling width
- 12″ tine diameter
- Adjustable tilling depth up to 7″
- Standard power take-off (PTO)
- 16″ ag tires
- Full-sided tine shields for operator protection
- Accepts a wide variety of optional attachments
- 306cc* Briggs & Stratton OHV 1450 Series engine
*as rated by engine manufacturer
Check it out here: Horse Garden Tiller $1999.99 with free shipping (no affiliate link)
If you would like to buy it with a 4 year Protection Plan you may buy it here through Amazon: Troy-Bilt Horse 306cc 20-Inch Forward Rotating Rear-Tine Tiller. 2099.99 -free shipping plus $211.44 for 4 year Prot Plan. (this is an affiliate link)
Ronnie
I would like to know more about the used roto tiller I just bought the Troy-Bilt 18” Mustang. This model gets no attention anywhere in write ups or forums.
Yes it is not a Horse or a Bronco or even a Pony made long ago, but it does seem to be a popular choice for Home Depot shoppers. It’s a beast, and seems very well made, no it doesn’t have a cast iron parts, bronze gears or porcelain paint like the 70’s it’s good old stamped steel but it works just fine for us backyard tillers.
Paul
Hi Ronnie, This tiller was originally a Sears/Craftsman exclusive made for them by MTD. It was extremely popular because it could till (forward rotation tines) or make garden beds (reverse rotation) and was a lot cheaper than the Troy-Bilt Horse and Ariens gear drives.
It’s big, heavy but still can be driven with one hand. I owned the Sears version for years and it was great machine!
Eldredjames
Looks like in 2021, the Horse is called the Big Red Tiller. But I noticed the Mustang allows one to switch between forward-= and counter-rotating tines. Wonder why the top-of-the-line doesn’t do this too. Maybe I’ll look for a used Mustang.
Paul
Hi Eldred, Thanks, The Horse was the pull start version for the last few years, and the Big Red is the Horse with electric start and the front engine guard.
Counter-rotating tines was a gimmick that Sears started because their chain drive tiller did not spin near as fast as the Horse. So to get a better seedbed they started the counter-rotating tines.
The Horse/Big Red is the original gear drive tiller. The tines spin a lot faster than the chain-drive versions like the Mustang. The tines are curved so they work the top refuse into the soil and chop it up much faster than the chain drive machines. The tines very seldom wrap – even when tilling in 3 foot high grasses. It will make the perfect seedbed in much less time than the Mustang. (If I remember correctly the tiller that’s now called the Mustang was originally the Sears tiller. I don’t know who actually owned the patent – Sears or MTD)
Darrel Mcdonald
If you’re looking at new models, stick with the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco CRT. CRT stands for counter-rotating tines and means that when the wheels go forward, the tines spin backwards. These are a lot smaller than the horse, but really do a great job.
Paul
Hi Darrel, The Choice is six to one – half a dozen to another. The counter-rotating tines on the Super Bronco CRT are the best for working seedbeds in the spring. The price is right for what you get.
But the Horse/Big Red have other advantages that also make them a great choice. Four-speed transmission so you can slow down for breaking ground and deep tilling or you can speed up for cultivating. The larger tires and larger tines let you mix more compost or top growth into your soil without the tiller getting stuck. I especially like that you can move the handles so you can walk alongside the area you just tilled so you don’t compact the seedbed and so you can hold the tiller with both hands.
Heather
We bought this used and it was one of the best purchases we’ve made as homeowners!
Robert
I have a 1978 TB Horse tiller with the 7hp cast iron Kohler. That machine is a beast!!