Vintage Roto Tiller Maintenance

Superman · 03-13-2021, 09:37 AM

If you guys can offer expert advice on refurbishing Tiki sculpture eyeballs then you should have some answers for me on this. I picked this old tiller up a year ago and used it but now it's time for me to actually maintain it. I'm pretty sure it's a Troy-Built.
Probably the Horse model. Works great. fun to operate.

Gearbox. The gear oil in this thing looks almost exactly like chocolate milk. I think this is bad and that the oil should be changed. What gear oil should I use? Plain ol' "Ninety Weight?"

In a couple of the pics you can see a plug on the side of the gearbox. Down below there is a drain plug. I would drain out the old gear oil, then put the drain plug in and fill it to where the upper plug is, right? This upper plug is quite small. Not bigger than about 10mm. I mean.....a hose that would enter that hole would be no bigger than a drinking straw. How on Earth am I going to get oil into this thing?

Superman · 03-13-2021, 09:40 AM

Here is a pic of the entire beast. Ain't she pretty?

Arizona_928 · 03-13-2021, 10:00 AM

More details.
Casting numbers, data plate, stickers

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Before you drain the oil make sure you can get the fill plug out.

Superman · 03-13-2021, 10:42 AM

Nevermind. The fill hole is slightly bigger than i had imagined, and I have a pump which can be configured to work. That said, I have filled gearboxes before in my garage and it has never gone smoothly.

mattdavis11 · 03-13-2021, 10:43 AM

If you can't get the fill plug out, tip it on its side to fill. Drain the carb bowl and gas tank. Differential fluid, 90w will be fine.

Arizona_928 · 03-13-2021, 11:14 AM

Prolly should go with a gl4 fluid instead of gl5.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

If you think it’s a Troy bilt, what does their manual suggest for fluid?

I’d Google that and go with that.

rusnak · 03-13-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

Nevermind. The fill hole is slightly bigger than i had imagined, and I have a pump which can be configured to work. That said, I have filled gearboxes before in my garage and it has never gone smoothly.

Try Assenmacher "Drive Line Filler System". It's slick as hell. I bought the basic one for the Cayman and it's worth every penny.

A basic El Cheapo transfer pump from Harbor Freight would work for your tiller.

Crowbob · 03-13-2021, 12:50 PM

Plain ol’ 90 till it runs out the hole.

In the olden days, Grampa would only add a touch of sawdust if he was gonna sell it soon.

Superman · 03-13-2021, 12:57 PM

Success! I must be getting smarter. This time I planned the operation. Apparently, planning helps. Who knew?! The guys on the Troy-Built forum said 140W so that is what I used. Nearly three quarts. Fresh gear oil and fresh gas with Sta-Bil. Now I am ready to chew up some soil.

We have glacial fill here and I've dug rocks out the size of cantaloupes or better, so I got myself a rock bar. And i made myself a soil screen. The garden is about 18 x 24 and we will make a separate area for root vegetables (potatoes and such) and another area for zucchini. Growing my own food is a BLAST. It started with the gateway veggie called the "tomato."

Superman · 03-13-2021, 12:59 PM

Yup, it's a Troy-Built. TH-1003-1. This thing is pretty cool. Walk-behind tractor.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 03-13-2021, 01:26 PM

That is the heaviest duty Troy-Built thing I think I have ever seen! Somehow the modern box store rototillers don't look so stout. Very cool.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Yep.. Troy Bilt Horse. Looks like a "newer" one or the engine was replaced. The one I had was powered by a Tecumseh engine.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Use the T-handle thing to take the handlebars off. You can pour the oil in from the top.

Looks like it's been re-engined. Here is the early 70s Horse model I inherited from my dad, with the original (tired) Tecumseh engine. It still runs great, but burns some oil and the starter housing needs work.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

^^^
That's what my old one looked like that I "inherited" from my F.I.L.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

Sort of related: Here's the old 50's-vintage Milwaukee Equipment tiller with 8HP Wisconsin motor that I got from my dad a couple years ago. I had to rebuild the gearbox to get it working again (primary drive chain broke). Softball-sized rocks don't stop this thing...

Superman · 03-13-2021, 03:28 PM

Yup, this thing is a beast. They don't make 'em like that anymore, except that Troy-Built does sell something similar for $2800. Mine has a Harbor Freight engine which works pretty well. "Predator" 212cc. There is a 1979 date stamp on the transmission. i would have guessed older. These older ones can be had for $400-$800, approximately. I'd rather have this one than a brand new $800 tiller. It fits my lifestyle and preferences. Can't imagine what it would cost to rebuild it but I'd guess parts are still available.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

When my F.I.L and I no longer needed a beast like the Horse he told me to go ahead and sell it. It was mind blowing to me the demand for that tiller.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

For Mother’s Day about 9 years ago, I got my wife an old rototiller (this is what she wanted). It is an old school one that was in perfect condition. I had the same rationale- an older US made one built to last a lifetime would be light years better than a new Chinese one built to last the boat ride over from China...