Small lawn tractor (gas 420cc Single Troy-Bilt)

Xringer · 10-15-15, 10:21 AM

My feet are disaster areas. Mowed the backyard yesterday,
and as usual my feet are still throbbing in pain this morning..

I saw this small riding mower and figured maybe it was time to buy myself a 70th birthday gift..

I wonder if any of you guys have checked out this model?

Amazon.com : Troy-Bilt 420cc OHV 30-Inch Premium Riding Lawnmower : Patio, Lawn & Garden

From reading the reviews, and looking over my yard, I think this machine
should be able to handle 90% of the grass. Leaving the rest for the
weed-wacker or the small electric mower.
We only have one small area with a hill that's at the hill-climbing limit (12 deg).
The rest is pretty flat and clear of obstructions (just some solar arrays).

jeff5may · 10-15-15, 10:44 PM

Looks like another mtd to me. Not the best of the best in the world, but not the most expensive either. The company isn't going to disappear any time soon, so parts and service won't be a problem later. These machines are not built to race, so maintenance is pretty easy. Fresh gas and oil are nice practices, but the Briggs motors don't mind running on chainsaw gas and soybean oil for lack of the intended fluids.

The lifespan of this unit really depends on how you treat it. If you keep it clean and don't try to bushhog or scalp the ground with it, your feet and yard shoes will be underworked for over a decade. The mtd my dad owns is 22 and will probably be retired this year due to the renters kid trying to mow the road with it. The dominos have fallen on it for a while and it is a great big mess now. The motor still runs strong, but the starter is weak for some odd reason. I suspect that whoever burned out the solenoid just couldn't quit turning the key.

Xringer · 10-16-15, 01:24 PM

This one doesn't have a Briggs & Stratton..
That model is sold at Lowes.. Shop Troy-Bilt TB30R 10.5-HP 30-in Riding Lawn Mower at Lowes.com
This one uses a more powerful engine.
This review talks about the newer 420cc Powermore engine.

Amazon.com: Profile For David L. Maccubbin: Reviews

Amazon is going to drop one of these on my driveway next week..
Hope they don't use those dang drones!

I think the same engine is used in other larger, heavier lawn tractors.
Yard Machines 42" 420cc MTD Powermore Riding Mower with Shift-on-the-Go Drive System - Walmart.com

pinballlooking · 10-16-15, 02:24 PM

Congrats on the new mower.
That is a good review.

Xringer · 10-22-15, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Congrats on the new mower.
That is a good review.

Thanks.. It came in today and seems to be working very well.
When set to the highest speed, it feels like a gokart!
A little too fast for old folks.. We'll be using 3rd gear..

We'll have to be careful in the backyard, the house is on the side of a hill..
These things aren't good on hill inclines over 12 deg.

pinballlooking · 10-22-15, 10:03 PM

Nice looking ride. Make sure no one steps on the mower deck when boarding.
A mower repair guy told me that is a big part of his repairs.

Xringer · 10-23-15, 12:07 AM

Yeah, that problem might be worse on this design,
because this blade deck doesn't have those little caster wheels for uneven ground..
This one is adjustable up and down. But not made to float..
Stand on the wrong spot and something is going to bend or break..

Users have noted that high spots in the lawn, (mounds etc) get a flat-top cut...
Or Scalped. So on bumpy ground, the blade needs to be set higher.

No Step Decal Red Marine Boat Safety 4" Stickers Pair | eBay

Xringer · 08-12-17, 06:00 PM

It's still running like a top. No problems so far. It's faster than pushing a self-propelled gas mower.. Maybe 30% faster.
I need to check the manual and see when to change the oil.. It still looks very clean.
Hey, it's still summer here!!

10-15-15, 10:21 AM	#1
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Small lawn tractor (gas 420cc Single Troy-Bilt) My feet are disaster areas. Mowed the backyard yesterday, and as usual my feet are still throbbing in pain this morning.. I saw this small riding mower and figured maybe it was time to buy myself a 70th birthday gift.. I wonder if any of you guys have checked out this model? Amazon.com : Troy-Bilt 420cc OHV 30-Inch Premium Riding Lawnmower : Patio, Lawn & Garden From reading the reviews, and looking over my yard, I think this machine should be able to handle 90% of the grass. Leaving the rest for the weed-wacker or the small electric mower. We only have one small area with a hill that's at the hill-climbing limit (12 deg). The rest is pretty flat and clear of obstructions (just some solar arrays). __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-16-15, 01:24 PM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	This one doesn't have a Briggs & Stratton.. That model is sold at Lowes.. Shop Troy-Bilt TB30R 10.5-HP 30-in Riding Lawn Mower at Lowes.com This one uses a more powerful engine. This review talks about the newer 420cc Powermore engine. Amazon.com: Profile For David L. Maccubbin: Reviews Amazon is going to drop one of these on my driveway next week.. Hope they don't use those dang drones! I think the same engine is used in other larger, heavier lawn tractors. Yard Machines 42" 420cc MTD Powermore Riding Mower with Shift-on-the-Go Drive System - Walmart.com __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-23-15, 12:07 AM	#7
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Thanks for the tip! Yeah, that problem might be worse on this design, because this blade deck doesn't have those little caster wheels for uneven ground.. This one is adjustable up and down. But not made to float.. Stand on the wrong spot and something is going to bend or break.. Users have noted that high spots in the lawn, (mounds etc) get a flat-top cut... Or Scalped. So on bumpy ground, the blade needs to be set higher. No Step Decal Red Marine Boat Safety 4" Stickers Pair \| eBay __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-12-17, 06:00 PM	#8
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Still working.. It's still running like a top. No problems so far. It's faster than pushing a self-propelled gas mower.. Maybe 30% faster. I need to check the manual and see when to change the oil.. It still looks very clean. Hey, it's still summer here!! Attached Thumbnails __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-15-15, 10:44 PM	#2
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Looks like another mtd to me. Not the best of the best in the world, but not the most expensive either. The company isn't going to disappear any time soon, so parts and service won't be a problem later. These machines are not built to race, so maintenance is pretty easy. Fresh gas and oil are nice practices, but the Briggs motors don't mind running on chainsaw gas and soybean oil for lack of the intended fluids. The lifespan of this unit really depends on how you treat it. If you keep it clean and don't try to bushhog or scalp the ground with it, your feet and yard shoes will be underworked for over a decade. The mtd my dad owns is 22 and will probably be retired this year due to the renters kid trying to mow the road with it. The dominos have fallen on it for a while and it is a great big mess now. The motor still runs strong, but the starter is weak for some odd reason. I suspect that whoever burned out the solenoid just couldn't quit turning the key.

10-16-15, 02:24 PM	#4
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Congrats on the new mower. That is a good review.

10-22-15, 10:03 PM	#6
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Nice looking ride. Make sure no one steps on the mower deck when boarding. A mower repair guy told me that is a big part of his repairs.