Troy-Built Horse New Owner Searching For Model Number

2786 Views 14 Replies 3 Participants Last post by bontai Joe, Jun 15, 2020

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · May 8, 2020

Hi all,
I have a 1979-ish tiller that I am trying to order some parts for. The serial number is clear as it is stamped into the transmission case (#322279). I have read that the model number is on tag "away from moving parts" . The lettering on the tag seems to be worn off.

Q:Can anyone help me figure out what my model # may be?

The tiller has a 7HP Kohler
I need the drive belt, drive disc and the arm that regulates the depth of the tines in relation to the earth. The one that came with my tiller was snapped off before I noticed the under-part missing.
I am grateful for any help you can provide. I am told that I can get parts from "Parts Tree.
Thank you, Hank

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bontai Joe

· #2 · May 11, 2020

You have a pre-PTO model "Horse" Troy-Bilt tiller. I have a twin to your machine and the parts you describe are the same for all pre-PTO Horse tillers. The model is "Horse", and the serial number on the transmission case will date your machine. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I have with mine. I met a lot of wonderful and interesting people when I was tilling gardens for $$$.

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 12, 2020

bontai Joe said:
You have a pre-PTO model "Horse" Troy-Bilt tiller. I have a twin to your machine and the parts you describe are the same for all pre-PTO Horse tillers. The model is "Horse", and the serial number on the transmission case will date your machine. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I have with mine. I met a lot of wonderful and interesting people when I was tilling gardens for $$$.

Thanks, Bontai Joe!
I appreciate the answers to the basic questions. I'm eager to get tilling. So far the machine has been having fun throwing me around but I'm determined to turn that around once I get the necessary parts. The "horse" is in good shape, starts with one pull then runs very smoothly but needs some adjustments at the forward/reverse chock as well as the belt tensioner. I am told these adjustments are temperamental and need to maintained precisely for proper operation. Furthermore, the depth adjustment bar is broken something I missed when I purchased the machine. From what I understand, that part is no longer available.

I'm grateful for your insight/help and very much appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Stay well, Hank

bontai Joe

· #4 · May 13, 2020

When you say the depth adjustment bar is broken, exactly what part are you referring to? The notched vertical bar that was loaded with a spring to lock into place at the very rear of the tiller? or the horizontal part that was attached at the very bottom of the notched bar, that rode the ground preventing the tines from digging in too deep. That digging in too deep is what is causing the machine to throw you around. That adjustment is essential to the machine working properly. When everything is in proper adjustment, you can operate the tiller with one hand as you walk along the side of the tiller. You till one or two inches deep ad then raise the bar and till another one or two inches deep until you are eventually at full depth. It doesn't take long and letting the machine do the work instead of hanging on for dear life as it jumps around is what made Troy-Bilt famous. I found the parts you might need here: https://www.partswarehouse.com/Troy-Bilt-512000-Econo-Horse-Tillers-s/397099.htm

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GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 13, 2020

Once again Mr. Joe,
Thank you for the assistance with these issues. I have the vertical adjustment bar but the drag bar is missing (lower, more horizontal, hidden from sight bar). It looks like the vertical bar is cut at the end where the connection hole is. I say this because it is not at all jagged as if it were broken. I'm curious if it was made this way for some purpose.

Thank you for the parts link also. My neighbor gave me the name of a place called "Parts Tree" and I found another place that sold the disc by itself rather than the disc with assorted parts called "Chalmers Industries". I have yet to order any parts. Thought I'd include this info in case it is of any help to others reading this.

A separate issue that I have yet to investigate: When I tilted the tiller forward and put blocks under the tines and motor base to work on getting the belt and disc off, a significant amount of gear oil puddled on the floor over night. Do you have any idea why this happened?
That's my next hurdle.
The neighbor I referred to has a Troy built Horse tiller that he has been using for his small commercial farming operation for 30 years and has never done more than standard maintenance to it while it works season after season.
What a loss of quality, made in America machinery and jobs.
Thanks for saving me lots of time.
Kind regards, Hank

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bontai Joe

· #6 · May 13, 2020

WOW! Your reverse disk is definitely worn out! Yikes! I've never seen one that bad.It's possible that the depth regular bar snapped at the hole. Metal fatigue does strange things and that part does see some severe conditions.

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 14, 2020

I think the disc shredded like that b/c of a few reasons; dry rot, maladjustment, and v-belt slack. As far as the depth adjustment bar, as seen in the picture, the break on the adjustment bar is perfectly straight almost as if it were intentionally cut with a tool. Not sure how that occurred.
Anyway, that's not here-not-there. Your input is very much appreciated. There are few things less necessary than reinventing the wheel. I'll get to the bottom of the issues and the dirt now that I can get the proper parts.
Thank you, Hank

bontai Joe

· #8 · May 14, 2020

As a side note to satisfy my curiosity, is the tracked contraption in your Avatar part of your personal collection? Looks like some sort of military amphibious machine. And that would be "interesting" to try and find parts for.

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 14, 2020

I know this is getting a little off track-tor but I came across that vehicle while driving on a back road in Maine. So, it's not my project and lucky for me it's not else I'd really be broke. It was in front of a VFW and is the most unique old historical military hardware I've ever seen on roadside display. I've seen tanks, helicopters and all sorts of gun hardware but never a beast like this! It seems like a vehicle that would be fun to drive around or take out on the lake but I'm going to stick with tilling the garden. Here's another angle:

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Reactions: 1

bontai Joe

· #10 · May 15, 2020

Thanks for the photos and the explanation.

rob.spangler

· #11 · May 31, 2020

Hey GardenHank,
Go take a look at CustomPartsInc.com!
They have a great selection of parts.
Also, click on the TroyBilt manuals from their home page...
I'm restoring my '79 Horse and they were very helpful. I asked a ton of questions and they answered them all.
Good luck.
-Rob

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X605F using Tapatalk

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 9, 2020

Thank you, Rob!
I did have some luck getting the horse tilling. Not perfect yet but enough to get the garden tilled.
Your input is much appreciated.
Hank

Reactions: 1

bontai Joe

· #13 · Jun 10, 2020

Wonderful that you got your garden done!

GardenHank

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 13, 2020

Thanks again, Joe!
Once the new parts were on and adjusted, the tiller worked exactly as you described. It did the work and I simply lowered the tines a couple inches at a time.
No more wrestling with it.
Gracias, H

Reactions: 1

bontai Joe

· #15 · Jun 15, 2020

I love a happy ending!

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