Troy-Bilt 21A-682J766 Horse 8 HP Rear Tine Tiller

	List Price: $1,899.99 Our Price: You Save: $ 1,899.99 ( 100% ) Availability: Manufacturer: Troy-Bilt
Average Customer Rating:
Binding: Tools & Hardware Brand: Troy-Bilt EAN: 0043033528189 Feature: 8 HP Briggs and Stratton engine Label: Troy-Bilt Manufacturer: Troy-Bilt Model: 21A-682J766 Publisher: Troy-Bilt Studio: Troy-Bilt
Features 8 HP Briggs and Stratton engine Cast-Iron transmission 4 forward / 2 reverse 20" width 12" tine diameter Rear-mounted standard bolo tines One piece bumper and side tine sheilds
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Not quite what it used to be, too expensive? Comment: I've always liked Troy-Bilt's heavier tillers, and used an 8-HP model for many years until I finally traded it off to a landscaper for some hardscaping. My remarks ONLY apply to Troy-Bilt's heavy models - 8 HP and up. I would pass their smaller tillers by. Troy-Bilt's design is rough and ready, but the machine is heavy (a positive in a tiller), it's well-balanced, the gearing in the transmission will take constant use, and the controls work flawlessly. If you aren't breaking new ground, you really can operate it one-handed as advertised - it really is that smooth. Two things to watch out for, though: hit a big rock and this tiller can take quite a jump (picture several hundred pounds in the air with tines rotating), and you need to be very careful in reverse, as the machine is (properly) balanced for forward motion, not reverse. I have also want to note for clarification purposes that while the description of this tiller indicates that the transmission is cast iron, that refers to the casing - the gears are actually bronze, which is considerably better! Finally, correcting another reviewer, the maximum tilling depth is 8". It cannot till a foot deep. Considering that a lot of tractor-mounted, Ag tillers only till 8" or so, I'd say that's more than adequate! So why 4 stars instead of 5? Two reasons - Briggs and Stratton engines, and cost. Troy-Bilt used to offer engine alternatives, including the Kohler Magnum. I've regretted most purchases I've made with Briggs engines, the latest being a top-of-the-line Ariens commercial snowblower that was recalled, for all things, for engine fires! The cost of the Troy-Bilts has now risen to the point where I think you're paying too much for an antiquated design, in spite of its virtues. At this price point, I'd start seriously considering a BCS tiller for a little more. But if the price of the Troy-Bilt has already maxed you out and you can live with Briggs, you are getting a good tiller - you'll have to come to terms with the value for the money for yourself. Troy-Bilt is now owned by MTD, a company that is known for its value-priced merchandise in the big box home centers and in discount stores, not for top quality equipment (nothing wrong with that in itself, of course). As a result, however, I'm not expecting any investment into Troy-Bilt improvements either. Customer Rating: Summary: The Troybilt "Horse" tiller is a great product Comment: To begin with, my order arrived within a day of the estimated delivery date. Unfortunately, it was damaged by the shipper. It appeared Troybilt did everything possible to ensure it arrived in just minted condition, but the shipper seemed to have piled things on it and let it crash around in the back of the truck. It was dropped off when we were not there to sign for it, which surprised me. While we were not necessarily looking to return the tiller (388 pounds of shipping seemed a waste), we did need replacement parts or something. The on-line returns feature on the web sight would not accept our return request and both Troybilt and Briggs and Stratten balked at providing free replacement parts for the damaged parts of the tiller. Next, we realized after wasting about 45 minutes of our time to convince ourselves that Amazon really does not display a customer service phone number anywhere on the web sight (customers must submit an E-mail (apparently to include requesting a phone number to talk to a customer service rep.) and then await contact/reply). So we sent in a frustrated customer E-mail to Amazon. However, Amazon customer service was very helpful by phone once contact was made and provided multiple acceptable choices for a solution to the problem of the damages during shipment. I am a now completely satisfied customer. After some assembly (handle bars and control cable connections), the tiller was up and running. I did notice the control lever to engage the tiller blades keeps slipping though, thus causing the blades to disengage. Since this is one of the parts I had to assemble, I assume this is something I caused. I have not yet contacted Troybilt to find out how to correct this yet. I expect Troybilt will be able to get me past this small problem. Otherwise the product handled as advertised. It is very well constructed. It is built like a tank and looks like it could take a beating for decades and keep working as long as I keep it oiled. I selected this model "The Horse" because my wife and I plan to expand our garden from a 20-foot X 20-foot patch to something more substantial on unbroken ground. I am now convinced this one will easily do the job. For now though, it is a little cumbersome getting around the tight turns in my current little garden. The tilling action is outstanding. The tiller leaves about a foot deep path of light fluffy soil. After tilling in this past year's tomatoes, basil and bell peppers, we tilled in five wheel barrels full of compost from our compost pile. This tiller mixed it all in so well you could barely see where we dumped it. I am looking forward to adding the snow blade and the woodchopper accessories to get the most out of this purchase. Yes, I would recommend this Troybilt tiller and Amazon to anyone. I have purchased numerous high-end and less expensive items from Amazon and have yet to be disappointed. I have two recommendations to Amazon though. First, check on the damage rate for this shipper if this is a pattern. Second, get a 1-800 phone number for customer service on the web sight or at least provide a note somewhere on the web sight explaining that problem resolution should first be attempted by E-mail and that one will be given to the customer in the first E-mailed response from Amazon. If this doesn't correct a problem that the customer has experienced then help is only a phone call away. More Reviews
Editorial Reviews: The Troy-Bilt Horse tiller is a true workhorse. This versatile tiller is designed for gardens larger than 1500 square feet. U.S.A. Working Width (in.): 20, Engine: Briggs & Stratton, Engine Type: OHV, Application: Walk behind, HP: 8, Displacement (cc): 305, Torque (ft./lbs.): 13.5, Tines (qty.): 20, Tine Type: Bolo, Tire Size (in.): 4 x 16, Depth (in.): 8