Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:38:21 -0300, "don &/or Lucille"
wrote:

Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.


I don't know much about Troybuilt, but Honda makes a decent engine.

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:54:28 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:38:21 -0300, "don &/or Lucille"
wrote:

Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.


I don't know much about Troybuilt, but Honda makes a decent engine.
Troybilt today is not the troybilt of yesterday. It has been taken
over by MTD and cheapened like everything else they make.

"don &/or Lucille" wrote in message
...
Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the
opportunity to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in
models with Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self
propelled.


Check May's issue of Consumer's Report--whole section on lawn mowers. Push
mowers: Troy-Bilt TB-110 11A-A23N is listed 3rd out of 19 (Best Buy).
Troy-Bilt 11A-B29Q is listed 9th (Recommended).
Self propelled models, (Multi-speed) are 9th, 10th, 18th, 21st, 23rd and
24th out of 28. (Single Speed) 10th out of 13. None of the Self propelled
have a Best Buy or Recommended notation. I think that Lowes sells this
brand.
Craftsman models are right up there with Troy-Bilt
MLD

On 4/18/2012 6:02 PM, MLD wrote:

"don &/or Lucille" wrote in message
...
Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the
opportunity to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are
in models with Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self
propelled.


Check May's issue of Consumer's Report--whole section on lawn mowers.
Push mowers: Troy-Bilt TB-110 11A-A23N is listed 3rd out of 19 (Best
Buy). Troy-Bilt 11A-B29Q is listed 9th (Recommended).
Self propelled models, (Multi-speed) are 9th, 10th, 18th, 21st, 23rd and
24th out of 28. (Single Speed) 10th out of 13. None of the Self
propelled have a Best Buy or Recommended notation. I think that Lowes
sells this brand.
Craftsman models are right up there with Troy-Bilt
MLD


I thought Craftsman was made by Troy-Bilt's parent MTD? They should be
very similar.

On 4/18/2012 4:38 PM, don &/or Lucille wrote:
Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.



Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
wrote:




Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.

On 4/18/2012 9:43 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
wrote:




Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.


My John Deere has a BS engine but the whole mower/tractor is junk. I
want to purchase a MTD with a Honda engine....seems like the best
combination.

On Apr 18, 8:20*pm, IGot2P wrote:
On 4/18/2012 9:43 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
*wrote:

Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off..

You mean we should buy American? *The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.

My John Deere has a BS engine but the whole mower/tractor is junk. I
want to purchase a MTD with a Honda engine....seems like the best
combination.

For the best mower buy Honda. Of course that is not US made.

Harry K

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:26:28 -0700 (PDT), Harry K
wrote:

On Apr 18, 8:20Â*pm, IGot2P wrote:
On 4/18/2012 9:43 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
Â*wrote:

Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? Â*The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.

My John Deere has a BS engine but the whole mower/tractor is junk. I
want to purchase a MTD with a Honda engine....seems like the best
combination.

For the best mower buy Honda. Of course that is not US made.

Harry K
Don't bet on it, Harry. Interesting to observe, NO Honda Lawn Mowers
are built in Japan.

From Honda Power's web-site: Honda manufactures approximately 500
thousand lawnmowers per year in the United States, France, Australia,
China and Italy*, and supplies them to Australia and other countries
in addition to the two largest markets: North America and Europe.
Local production began at an early stage, starting in the United
States in 1984 and in France in 1986,

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:43:16 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
wrote:




Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.
Honda engines sold in America are almost all made in America. Kaws
are not as far as I know - but you can't say just by the name where
something is made any more.

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:45:22 -0400, wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:43:16 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
wrote:




Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.
Honda engines sold in America are almost all made in America. Kaws
are not as far as I know - but you can't say just by the name where
something is made any more.

My car is 48% US parts and assembled in the US. Last time I was
looking at forklift trucks, I narrowed the choice to the Japanese
brand made in the US or the US brand with the Japanese engine.

On 4/18/2012 10:43 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:03:56 -0400, Sum Ting Wong
wrote:




Troy Bilt is prolly one of the better Chinese brands.

Don't worry about the trade deficit, your grandchildren can pay it off.

You mean we should buy American? The last John Deere I bought had a
Kawasaki engine.


The Kohler Command Pro engine on my Exmark was made in the USA.

Excellent motor too!

On Apr 18, 4:38*pm, "don &/or Lucille"
wrote:
Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.

I do a lot of work on small engines. Mostly Motorcycles and ATV's, but
I do get a lot of mowers too. Here's my take........

Whether it is a Briggs engine or a Honda engine doesn't matter if you
do the required maintenance and do it properly. If you are the type of
person that don't do the maintenence, again, it doesn't matter because
ti will blow up anyway. Only you can make that call. Engines when
properly maintained, will out live the rest of the mower.

The things that do go wrong with push mowers are mainly wheels and
rusted bodys. Bodys need cleaned and wheels need lubed. The thicker
the metal is, the longer it will take to rust out ( if that could be a
concern).

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

Hank ~~~~ just using logic

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:02:52 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:


Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

Hank ~~~~ just using logic

My first mower was self propelled and it was just another source of
problems. It had to be fixed twice and the last time I just gave up
and pushed. Next mower was push and it is easier to push a push mower
than a broken self propelled.

Bought a new mower last year at age 65 and got the self propelled
again.

On Apr 19, 5:51*am, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:02:52 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:



Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

Hank ~~~~ just using logic

My first mower was self propelled and it was just another source of
problems. *It had to be fixed twice and the last time I just gave up
and pushed. *Next mower was push and it is easier to push a push mower
than a broken self propelled.

Bought a new mower last year at age 65 and got the self propelled
again.

I turn 64 next month. Most things I buy today will last longer than I
will. It's funny how our logic changes as we age. :-)

Hank

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:03:56 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:

On Apr 19, 5:51*am, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:02:52 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:



Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

Hank ~~~~ just using logic

My first mower was self propelled and it was just another source of
problems. *It had to be fixed twice and the last time I just gave up
and pushed. *Next mower was push and it is easier to push a push mower
than a broken self propelled.

Bought a new mower last year at age 65 and got the self propelled
again.

I turn 64 next month. Most things I buy today will last longer than I
will. It's funny how our logic changes as we age. :-)

Hank


Hank, you are RIGHT.
I'm a bit younger tho not much and when I hear that some item I'm
buying carries a lifetime warrantee, I chuckle inside because I ask
myself... my life or theirs? Never did this before so age does bring
a different outlook on things.

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:03:56 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:

On Apr 19, 5:51Â*am, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:02:52 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:



Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

Hank ~~~~ just using logic

My first mower was self propelled and it was just another source of
problems. Â*It had to be fixed twice and the last time I just gave up
and pushed. Â*Next mower was push and it is easier to push a push mower
than a broken self propelled.

Bought a new mower last year at age 65 and got the self propelled
again.

I turn 64 next month. Most things I buy today will last longer than I
will. It's funny how our logic changes as we age. :-)

Hank
My "antique" lawn mower is a self propelled high-wheeler. The
highwheel is very easy to push, so I very seldom actually use the self
propelled feature. I generally mow faster than the self propelled will
go. It is a 25 incher with 20 inch bicycle tires on the back - tubular
steel frame - and the old deck rusted trough so I installed stainless
steel. The late sixties/early seventies Briggs 3.5HP motor (same size
as a 5) finally died last year so I installed a "chinese kit engine"
honda clone 6.5 HP OHV. Uses less gas than the old 3.5. At 60, this
mower has a good chance of outlasting me.

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:03:56 -0700 (PDT), Hank
wrote:


I turn 64 next month. Most things I buy today will last longer than I
will. It's funny how our logic changes as we age. :-)

Hank

When it came time for a new roof a few years back, I had a choice of
20 year or 30 year shingles. I rolled the dice and figured the 30
year may outlast me and I'd not want to have that expense replacing
the 20 year when I'm retired and in my late 70's.

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

--
Dan Espen

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.


Ah yes, remember that a tad. When I lived in Queens, NYC, we had a
small lawn and we used a push grass cutter (no motor) ... forgot what
we called it then. When we lived on LI, NY, we had a gas powered
push mower. Fortunately both lawns were on level ground. Can't
imagine the fun it would be when it's not level but that would surely
burn calories. Thanks for reminding me !!

"Doug" writes:

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

Ah yes, remember that a tad. When I lived in Queens, NYC, we had a
small lawn and we used a push grass cutter (no motor) ... forgot what
we called it then. When we lived on LI, NY, we had a gas powered
push mower. Fortunately both lawns were on level ground. Can't
imagine the fun it would be when it's not level but that would surely
burn calories. Thanks for reminding me !!

Bronx.

Reel mowers. Most neighbors had steel wheels.
We had rubber wheels because the only way into our backyard
was through the house.

I mowed the front and back. Not that tiny.
I used to do neighbors back lawn for a quarter.
As a kid I could never understand what she wanted me to do to the
edges of the lawn, she always complained but she paid me anyway.

Those things did not cooperate when the lawn got too tall.

--
Dan Espen

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:42:13 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:



Those things did not cooperate when the lawn got too tall.

Or if you hit a twig.
But I liked the snickering sound they made as they lopped the grass
blades, and the whir or the reel when you stopped forward motion.

--
Vic

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:42:13 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

"Doug" writes:

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

Ah yes, remember that a tad. When I lived in Queens, NYC, we had a
small lawn and we used a push grass cutter (no motor) ... forgot what
we called it then. When we lived on LI, NY, we had a gas powered
push mower. Fortunately both lawns were on level ground. Can't
imagine the fun it would be when it's not level but that would surely
burn calories. Thanks for reminding me !!

Bronx.

Reel mowers. Most neighbors had steel wheels.
We had rubber wheels because the only way into our backyard
was through the house.

I mowed the front and back. Not that tiny.
I used to do neighbors back lawn for a quarter.
As a kid I could never understand what she wanted me to do to the
edges of the lawn, she always complained but she paid me anyway.

Those things did not cooperate when the lawn got too tall.
Or a tad wet. Particularly the "steelies" which had no wet traction at
all.

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:42:13 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

"Doug" writes:

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

Ah yes, remember that a tad. When I lived in Queens, NYC, we had a
small lawn and we used a push grass cutter (no motor) ... forgot what
we called it then. When we lived on LI, NY, we had a gas powered
push mower. Fortunately both lawns were on level ground. Can't
imagine the fun it would be when it's not level but that would surely
burn calories. Thanks for reminding me !!

Bronx.

Reel mowers. Most neighbors had steel wheels.
We had rubber wheels because the only way into our backyard
was through the house.

I mowed the front and back. Not that tiny.
I used to do neighbors back lawn for a quarter.
As a kid I could never understand what she wanted me to do to the
edges of the lawn, she always complained but she paid me anyway.

Those things did not cooperate when the lawn got too tall.


Ah yes.... Reel mowers. That's it and thank you!!!
And you are right about the tall grass ....fortunately we didn't have
a thick lawn so it wasn't too bad if it got a little tall but I do
remember sometimes having difficulty and having to do it 2 or 3 times
or changing directions to cut the grass. Oh the memories grin.

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

I don't mind pushing the mower but my knee sure doesn't agree.

66 now.

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

I'll be 60 this year, and while I've seen push mowers, our family has never
owned one.

" writes:

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

I don't mind pushing the mower but my knee sure doesn't agree.

Sorry to hear it.

If you're lucky, continued pushing or other exercise might cure that knee.
My feet and back used to hurt then I started pushing myself harder.


--
Dan Espen

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:29:48 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

" writes:

On Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:01 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

Hank writes:

Push vs sef-propelled......... You're not getting any younger. So if
you plan on staying in the house where you are for many years to come,
get the self-propelled. You'll thank me later. However, if you plan on
moving into a condo in the next couple years, get the push.

As others have replied, human propelled is way more reliable.
As we age, we need to continue to be active to stay healthy.

Unless you're dealing with multiple acres, keep your feet on
the ground and keep pushing that mower. If mowing the lawn
tires you out, that's a good sign you need to keep pushing
that mower.

I don't mind pushing the mower but my knee sure doesn't agree.

Sorry to hear it.

If you're lucky, continued pushing or other exercise might cure that knee.
My feet and back used to hurt then I started pushing myself harder.

Don't be silly. Arthritis doesn't get better with use.

In article , Dan Espen wrote:

Sort of fondly remember the days when there were no motors on our
mowers.

Or the days before that when after the grass was cut ya killed and ate
your mower.

m

"don &/or Lucille" wrote in message
...

Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honda makes good motors, and 99.9% of a lawn mower is the motor.

Troy Bilt, as a brand, is pure ****, and I wouldn't buy anything with their
name on it. Most of their stuff is made by MTD, and calling them **** is an
insult to ****.

You probably won't go wrong with one of their mowers, especially if the
price is right. The self propelled is a bit more complex, and eventually it
will need parts replaced. You'll have a hard time doing that with this
brand.

Still, most likely you'll see a decade or more of good use.

CS

On 4/19/2012 5:40 PM, CS wrote:
"don &/or Lucille" wrote in message
...

Looking for informed opinions on Troy Bilt lawn mowers. Have the
opportunity
to purchase a couple of different models on sale. Both are in models with
Honda 160cc motors. One is a push the other is a self propelled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honda makes good motors, and 99.9% of a lawn mower is the motor.

Troy Bilt, as a brand, is pure ****, and I wouldn't buy anything with
their name on it. Most of their stuff is made by MTD, and calling
them **** is an insult to ****.

LOL. My Troy Bilt 6.75 hp has been trouble free for 8 seasons now. The
*only* things I've done is sharpen the blade and fill it with petrol. I
guess I hit the lottery.

Jim

LOL. My Troy Bilt 6.75 hp has been trouble free for 8 seasons now. The
*only* things I've done is sharpen the blade and fill it with petrol. I
guess I hit the lottery.

Jim

I hope you change the oil once and awhile.

First home we owned, had a new neighbor in a corner house who previously
lived in an apartment for his entire life. He bought a new mower, filled
it with gas, went on his merry way cutting the gas until the engine
seized due to no oil. Brought it back, got another one, did the same
thing. Third mower was the charm. He was not a native speaker of
English, doubt if he understood the instructions.