Hey Paul,

CRT tines are not necessary. They make breaking new ground for the first time easier, but are way too aggressive for regular garden work the rest of the years of ownership.

Reversing the machine won't clear the tines. The tines run the same direction all the time on the TB. You can get a cheaper machine that runs both ways, but the TBs don't offer that option (or at least they didn't last time I looked at 'em) Even if you got a model that did have bi-directional tines, reversing them wouldn't be very effective at clearing them. You'd still need to get under there and dig it out with a hook.

Bill

I have not tried the crt type troybilt. I do like my pony.
You have a decision to make.

Good luck

Hey guys,
Thanks for the info and encouragement. I did take the S-B back but did not get the Pony after all. I got the "Big Red" instead. Boy, does it do a great job! I brought it home and tilled a little over 1000 sf to the full 8" in about an hour. Love having those extra gears (4 forward & 2 reverse), with neutral for idling, disengage tines when not needed, and throttle control on the handle. I found that easing back on the throttle makes it much easier to turn this 350 lb beast at the end of a row. I told my dear wife (whom insisted I get this instead of the Pony) that it is sturdy enough and powerful enough to outlast both of us (I'm 56); and one of our 5 kids or 8 grandkids will inherit a very nice piece of equipment. Tomorrow's game plan is to get the compost from beneath the leaves on the wooded section of our backyard and mix it into the plot I just tilled and start getting the beds ready for planting. I'm looking forward to spring, even though I know the garden will keep me out of my woodworking shop. So little time and even less energy these days.
Thanks again for your input,
Paul

What was price mark on big red and can tell engine size I am looking for big red.

Hey Paul,

If I had known you were willing to spend nearly 3 grand, I woulda recommended a totally different machine. Had you looked into BCS or Grillo? A BCS 722 with 8 horse Honda and 26 inch tiller would have been about 2600 and it's much, much more of a machine than a Troy Bilt. Better yet, you can buy attachments like snow blowers and lawn mowers to cut down on the amount of engines you own. I have an 850 with 30 inch tiller and a 730 with 26 inch tiller with many attachments and wouldn't trade them for anything. Guess I shoulda spoke up, sorry.

http://earthtoolsbcs.com/index.html

I'm sure the Troy Bilt will suit you fine and hope you get many years of use out of it.

gator_rider2,
I paid $2399, and the engine is a B&S 305cc. My wife remarked that it looks like it's just churning butter when I'm tilling full depth.

farmerboybill,
I saw some add for BCS and I agree that it looks to be a more versatile machine as it does have more attachments than does the TB Big Red. Optional attachments for the Big Red Horse include the 30" dozer blade, hiller/furrower, tow bar, weights and chains (in case you need extra traction when dozing snow). Seems there were a couple more but I don't remember what they are right now; however, I do know that it does not have the mower attachment that you mentioned. The BCS Honda engine is probably more reliable than the Briggs & Stratton too.

Bottom line, I was not looking to spend $3K, in fact I meant to keep it under $1K, and had decided I'd just get the Pony. But the wife wanted to go with me and she insisted I get the Big Red Horse. What can I say but "God bless her." I love that woman.

Paul