I always look on craigslist for comparable items when it comes to things like this. You can also get an idea by going to Ebay and searching the completed listings of ones that have sold.
I don't know how much I'd factor in the repair costs since the tiller would be pretty worthless with a faulty carb, and you do expect a machine to be functioning unless otherwise agreed upon, in which the price would be reflective of that.

Dirtflirt, hecked Craigs list and ebay with no results. All I know is it sold at lowes in 2002 when i google it. Hoping someone had this model and could tell me how it worked. Seems like with a new carb, it might be worth something now. Since he put $100.00 into repairing it, I was gonna see if he would take $200.00 for it...if it was decent shape. I don't even know if it has big tires, which i am hoping it does.

Have you tried epinions or resellerratings, or like sites? Maybe better yet just call the repair shop and ask them their opinion/experience on this tiller.

Yes, tried them and Cnet but no luck. Well maybe someone will see my post that has this model in the next couple of days. I will check with the reepair shop also. MTD would not be my first choice but at least it has a Briggs/Stratton. Thanks for your help.

It looks like a "generic" front tine tiller that probably retailed for $3-400. You could check the various stores and see what a typical MTD, Yardman, Craftsman etc. retail for.
IMO, $150 would be a "generous" offer. Less if it's well used.
Just because he spent $100 for a $37 carburetor really wouldn't make that much difference to me. That was his fault for not using stabilized fuel. He could have just pulled off the Brass nut/Main Jet and cleaned the holes out.

The shop does not open on mondays. I will call them tomorrow for their input on what to offer or ride with my friend who is pciking it up for the man that is selling it. $150.00 does have a better ring sound to it:)
Another question: I always thought that it was necessary to have the bigger wheels for easy use, but i am wondering if it matters when using a front tine since the tines pull you along. My garden is sandy soil and I rented a front tine this year with little wheels and it worked my butt off.

Hi Gulf,

Personally, I wouldn't take a front tine MTD if it was offered for free. You can get a new front tine for under $350 pretty easily. I think Menards had 'em for something like $279 last time I noticed. I often see 'em on craigslist for around 50 bucks. Sorry about your friend paying 100 bucks to get it fixed, but it's still worth 50 bucks. It's kinda like spending 1500 on a tranny in a $500 car, the car is still only worth 500 bucks.

Front tine tillers are unpleasant to operate. By the time you fight it for a half hour, you're pooped no matter what size tires you have on it. It won't break new ground unless it's very soft or you're 6 foot 4 and 275 lbs. MTD makes low quality equipment. I have some MTD equipment but have never been happy with anything they make with an engine on it. Their dethatchers are ok. If you're doing a small plot (less than 20X20), that front tine might be ok.

If you're doing much more, I'd look real hard at a rear tine. As far as a rear tine, 20 year old Troy Bilts can be had for $400 all the way down to $50 for fixer uppers. Avoid anything newer in Troy Bilt. MTD bought the name in the early 90's and has mined the name by pasting it on lower quality machines. They're still ok, just not the indestructible tanks they used to be. BCS is hands down my favorite but they are hard to find used and can cost in the thousands even for 15 year old units. Newer rear tine machines at big box stores are likely MTD. They're good enough for home gardens but won't last you a lifetime. I'm relatively certain my early 90's 715 BCS will end up in the hands of a grandchild or on my estate auction.

Good luck! Let us know if you do buy it.

Hi farmerboybill
Sounds like I should stay away from it, but other brand used tillers are so hard to come by around here. I only use a tiller about 2 to 3 hours a year, so that is why i am even considering getting this MTD. I bought a Troy Built 3 years ago forgot the model. I think it was the Tuffy and it was a workout also, so i brought it back. They told me i could walk beside it as it tilled but it jumped all over and was very hard on the back. I inherited a john deere riding tiller from my dad but it was more then enough and was rusting away and always having problems. It was 20 yeaers old or so. It sure got the job done and could snap root as big as my wrist. So, what i need is something to just turn the soil once a year, maybe twice if i get into winter gardening.I have 3 seperate gardens but they add up to around a space about 40x20 rather then the 50x30 as i mentioned earlier.50x30 was wishful thinking:)

Hi Gulf,

For 2-3 hours a year, you're better off renting when needed. That kind of run time won't justify even the smallest of rear tine tillers. You'd be setting yourself up for carb trouble if you aren't faithful in putting fuel stabilizer in the tank.

Besides, the smaller rear tine tillers (like that Tuffy you tried) are only marginally better than front tine machines. The best tillers are very heavy so they can hold back the tines as they slice into the ground. Mine weighs over 200 lbs and rarely gets the urge to shoot forward.

I can walk beside mine with one hand on the kill switch no problem, except when I'm breaking new ground. The trick is to not fight the tiller EVER. As you use one, you kinda get a "feel" for the ground. When you "feel" that the tiller might launch forward, simply lift the tines outta the ground. Tilling is actually quite relaxing for me.

I don't use a tiller but maybe 2 or 3 hours a year as well, but since I have a BCS, I can take the tiller off and use it to mow lawn in the summer, shred branches and leaves in the fall, and blow snow in the winter.

{{gwi:34471}}

{{gwi:308159}}

{{gwi:308160}}