Troy-Bilt Horse User manual

•@
OWNER'S MANUAL
THIS TROY-BILTOWNER is chopping up and tilling under all of his garden residues,
literally turning his whole garden into afabulously fertile "compost pile"! Please see
the Back Cover for more details on just why your Troy-Bilt is actually two machines
in
one - a superior rotary tiller and acompost chopper-shredder.
Roto Tiller
Power Composter
'HORSE" MODEL I
•
for the
Troy-Bilt8 is aregistered trademark of Garden Way Manufacturing Company, Inc., Troy, New York
HORSE'- is atrademark of Garden Way Manufacturing Co., Inc.

The Troy-Bilt Tiller Factory in Troy, N. Y.
WHY WE CAll IT THE
HORSE MODEL TROY-Bll T® ROTO TlllER-
POWER COMPOSTEjl
Throughout this OWNER'S MANUAL or other
Troy-Bilt®sales literature and Order Forms, we
call
your tiller the HORSE MODEL TROY-
Bil T®. The name aptly describes its work-
horse ruggedness and distinguishes this model
from other models that have been available in
the past, or might be produced in the future.
Perhaps
you already know that our company,
Garden Way Manufacturing Company, Inc., is
aonce-removed
outgrowth of the original Roto-
tiller Corp., which was also aTroy, New York
based
company from 1934 until 1960.
Rototiller Corp. introduced rotary tillage to
the United States in the early 1930's, and led
the field for over 25 years with many unique
and important developments in roto tilling
equipment. Rototiller Corporation was sold in
1960, and moved
out of Troy at that time.
The business of supplying replacement parts
to former Rototiller dealers and thousands of
Rototiller owners was sold to our present com-
pany, which at that time was called Watco Ma-
chine Products Corp. In 1968, we changed our
name to Garden Way Manufacturing Com-
pany, Inc., to more aptly describe the compa-
ny's full commitment to promoting home vege-
table
gardening as a better way of life.
Copyright 1977. 1978 by Garden Way Manufacturino Comoanv. Inc.
In 1961, George W. Done, who was then presi-
dent and a founder of our Watco Machine Pro-
ducts Corp., designed anew medium size roto
tiller, which he called the TROJAN HORSE
MODEL.
This machine (which is much the
same machine we build today, with several
small but
important improvements) combined
all of the best ideas from George Done's 25 year
experience as chief engineer and designer for
the original Rototiller Corp.
In 1963, when we were still known as Watco
Machine Products Corp., we were forced to
change the name of our TROJAN HORSE
MODEL because
it conflicted with the product
trademark of alarge earth-moving equipment
manufacturer. It was then that we chose TROY-
Bil T® as our tiller trademark, along with the
HORSE MODEL designation. Over the years,
our TROY-Bll T® HORSE MODEL has been con-
tinually refined and improved to the point that
its performance and reliability have long been
recognized
by many thousands of serious vege-
table gardeners as
being unmatched by any
other tiller of its size or design.
GARDEN WAY MANUFACTURING co, INC
TRO~ N(W TOR'" 11180

Our Service Department
is as close as
your phone.
Have aquestion about
servicing your tiller•••
or how to operate it •..
or gardening in general?
We're as close as yourtelephone,
with our24-hour
HOTLINE ...
Here's what to do:
1
I
J
··1
"
1
,
~
.:
1.1
...
~
We keep you up-to-date at least once ayear on
service hints, latest developments
at the factory
and gardening advice, plus a helpful exchange
of news and tips from other Troy-Bilt owners
everywhere.
Naturally each Troy-Bilt
part is always in stock,
ready to
go at amoment's notice. Call anytime
of the day or night or write for immediate,
speedyshipment.
Dean Leith, Jr., Sales Manager
~ Or, if you can't find your answer in the
.., book and it's urgent, call us here at the
factory on our 24 HOUR SERVICE HOT
LINE: Area Code518, 235-6010, Troy, NewYork.
OUR TELEPHONE SERVICE
HOT LINE is in
operation 24 hours aday, 365 days ayear. It
is attended
personally from 8:00 AM to 4:30
PM (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday.
For
other hours of the day, and for weekends
and holidays, an
automatic answering machine
will record your message. One of us will take
care
of your questions the following work day.
The whole idea behind the TROY-Bll T® SER-
VICE
"HOT LINE" is to get parts, attachments
and service advice
out to you just as quickly as
possible; also, to answer any questions you
may have about tilling or gardening, by phone
or by letter, depending upon wf.lat is needed.
Nothing is more important to all of us here at
the
Tiller Factory than making sure that every
single Troy-Bilt® Owner is completely satisfied
100
per cent of the time. You're always entitled
to first rate service. Please know that we will
do 0' very best to see that you get it atall times.
Thankyou.
O
Look at the INDEX starting on page 4
to ·find the listing that covers the sUbject
you're concerned with. Then,
turn to
those pages listed and see if the solution
to your problem is listed there or on other pages
in that general
category-Possibly your search
will lead you
to another section of THIS MAN-
UAL where you will find a solution .
•Next, if you haven't found your answer,
write to our servicedepartment.

HOW TO FIND YOUR TILLER'S SEIUAL NUMBER
LOOK HERE ... Look on the Tr.ansmission Case,
Part No.
1000, on right side above wheel axle.
RECORD YOUR TILLER SERIAL NUMBER HERE:
My Troy-:BiltTiller is number _
WARNING TO ALL CALIFORNIA TILLER OPERATORS
Under California Law, you are not permitted to operate an internal combustion engine using
hydrocarbon fuels
on any forest-covered, brush covered, or grass covered land, or land
covered with grain, hay or other flammable agricultural crop, without
an engine spark ar-
restor
in continuous effective working order. The engine that runs your tiller, like most
garden or lawn equipment,
is an internal combustion engine thC!t burns gasoline (a hYdro-
carbon fuel); therefore, to operate atiller under the conditions described above, the engine
must
be equipped with aspark arrestor muffler in proper working order. The spark arrestor
must be attached to the engine exhaust system
in such amanner that flames or heat from
the system will not ignite flammable material. Failure of the operator to comply with this
regulation
is amisdemeanor under California law. For aspark arrestor muffler, see your
ilocal Engine Service Dealer.
~
J' VERY IMPORTANT
\
~
~ • YOl,lr LIMITED WARRANTY goes into effect when you have filled outthe
TILLER OWNER WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM an~ have returned
it. .. to us. .
e' PLEASE, fill out the postage paid WARRANTY CARD and mail it to us
right away, so we will know that you have received your tiller and can
register your warranty!
71
'.
•
.. "2
".
.f ~ ;;; ~,~e..:: ,:t, :~ •• _ ~

\. \ ~
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SERVICE HOT LINE
HOW TO FIND TILLER SERIAL NUMBER
INDEX
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1EASY ASSEMBLY OF YOUR TROY-BIL T TILLER
Six easysteps to get your tiller ready to use
in
the garden
SECTION 2 TILLER CONTROLS
Photos and sketches locate tiller controls and
show you how to operate
SECTION 3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR THE OPERATOR
Be alert to safety measures. Please read
more than once
SECTION 4ENGINES, ENGINE CONTROLS & OPERATION
SECTION 5 OPERATING THE TILLER
& SPECIAL TROY-BIL T METHODS FOR EASIER,
MORE ENJOYABLE GARDEN ING
SECTION 6 TILLER OPTIONS & ATTACHMENTS
Explainstires, chains, Dozer Blade & Furrower
SECTION 7 TILLER & ENGINE MAINTENANCE
SECTION 8 HOW TO REMOVE
&REPLACE
COMMON ASSEMBLIES
Replacing wheels, oil seals, tines, engine
SECTION 9 TROUBLESHOOTING TILLER &ENGINE,
TILLER & ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Identifies symptoms of a problem and refers
you to a solution-often to pages of text with
photos to assist you
1
2
4
11
15-27
28-36
37-38
39-55
56-76
77-91
92-122
123-165
166-176
LOCATING ENGINE MODEL & SPECIFICATION NUMBERS 173 &175
LIMITED WARRANTY-ON TILLER BACK INSIDE COVER
LIMITED WARRANTY-ON ENGINE BACK INSIDE COVER
FACTORY REBUILDING AGREEMENT BACK INSIDE COVER

HELPFUL INFORMATION ON USING THE INDEX
This Index has been designed to help you lo-
cate information in your OWNER'S MANUAL.
All the sUbjects are listed in alphabetical order
from A to Z. Also, we have cross-referenced
general namesandtermswhereverpossible.
To LocateA Subject When You Know ItsSpeci-
fic Name: Take the first letter, in the first name,
of the subject, and look under the columns ti-
tled Description, until you find the alphabetical
group that contains the first letter. (Example:
To locate the subject "Throttle Cable," you
would take the letter Iin I.hrottle, and then
find
the alphabetical group under Tand find
the
word Throttle.
To Locate A Subject When You Don't Know
Its Specific Name: Try to think of aname or a
term that more generally describes the subject.
(Example
1. The subject "Throttle Cable" also
can be
found by its more general name, "Ca-
ble.") (Example 2. The subject "Bolo Tines"
also can be found by the more general names,
"Tines" or "Blades.") When you have located a
subject by its general name,
you will then be re-
ferred
to its specific name by the phrase, "see
... (name of subject)."
After Locating A Subject In The Index: Refer
to the columns at the right which are titled Sec-
tion and Page.
The numbers in the column la-
belled Section refer
to what Section(s) the sub-
ject appears in. The numbers in the column la-
belled Page indicate on
what page(s) that sub-
jectappears.
DESCRIPTION
INDEX
SECTION PAGE DESCRIPTION SECTION PAGE
(5) 74
(6)
77
(1 )24-27
(1) 26
(7) 98-101
(7) 95-96
(7) 98-101
(7) 95-96
(7) 98-100
(7)
121
Adjustment Block (Belt Tightening)
See Photos2/3, 2/4,2/5 .
AirCleaner-
6HPTecumseh .
7HPKohler .
Keeping
Clean (All Models) .......•..
RegularService (All Models) .
Service,
Dry Element Type .
Service,
Polyurethane Sponge Type ..
Assembling New Tiller .
"
Attachments and Options .
Authorized Engine Service Dealers-
All Models .
Axle,
Wheel-Replacing Oil Seal .
(2)
(7)
(1 )
(4)
(4)
(7)
(4)
(7)
(7)
(7)
(1)
(6)
(4)
(8)
29
95-97
17
41-48
49
113
121
113,121
112
107
15-27
77-91
53
120-121
BarTread Tires
...................•...
Battery (alsosee Electric Start) .
New,
Won't Start .
Belts-
Adjusting .
Check for Tightness .
Installing .
Performance .
Removing .
Service
Schedule ....•...•...•......
Blades (see Tines)
BoloTines-
Assembly On Holders .
Description & Function .
Installing Tines .............•...•..
Maintenance .................•.....
Removing .
Bolts &Nuts, Maintenance .
Broadcast Planting in Wide Rows .
Buckwheat. , .
Bumper Description & Function .
(8)
(5)
(8)
(7)
(8)
(7)
(5)
(5)
(6)
137-138
61
139-140
95
141
93-94
73
69
86-87
4
.J

INDEX
SECTION PAGE DESCRIPTION SECTION
5
43
175
47
119
119
117-119
47
119
PAGE
85
67
92
46,47
43,53
55
44-45
44
148-153
153;154
53
117-119
24-27
24-27
48
40,45
112,121
39
43
42
133-135
133
131-133
133-135
49
113
24-27
47
26-27
117-120
(4)
(9)
(4)
(7)
(7)
(1 )
(4)
(1 )
(7)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(8)
(8)
(4)
(4)
(7)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(7)
(4)
(7)
(7)
(1 )
(1 )
(4)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(4)
(7)
(5)
(7)
StartingProblems ....•......•..•...
Dry Element Air Cleaner (7 HPEngine)
Engine,6
HPTecumseh-
AirCleaner .
Air Cleaner, ?ervicing ............•..
Basic Information .
Carburetor(also see Carburetor) .
Choke .
ElectricStart(see ElectricStart) .
Gasoline .
Governor
...............•..........
Head Bolt Tightening .
Oil, Changing .
Oil Level &Dipstick
.........•.......
Removing Engine .
Replacing Engine .
ServiceDealers, Authorized .
Solenoid
...........•..•......•.....
Starting .
Starting Problems
.........•..•.....
Shutoff Clip ..............•......•..
Specifications ..............•.......
Starting .
Earthworms .
EccentricShaft, External Lubrication .
ElectricStart, 6HP Engine-
Battery
'" .
BatteryStorage
.......•............
Cables, Battery ..................•..
Care &Maintenance of System .
Diodes, Rectifier(see Rectifier, below)
Key Switch
or Wires, If Faulty .
Preparation &Operation .
Rectifier, Diode .
PlowingSuggestions (6)
Drag Bar (see Depth Regulator)
DriveShaft,Transmission-
Adjusting Play .
Loose
................•............
Replacing OilSeal .
Shimming .
II
80-85
39-55
28-36
89
75-76
10,13
72
68
42
51
18
31,35
59,67
44,49
113-15
43
51
34,53
115,121
62
95
142-145
116-117
Damage, Freight. . ..
.. . .. .......... .. .(1)
Depth Regulator. .......•............. (2)
Depth,
Tilling (5)
Dipstick.Engine
Oil. ............... .. .(4)
Disc, Reverse (see Reverse)
Dozer/Snow Blade-
Description & Function. .. . . . . •. .. .. . (6)
CoverCrops (see
Gardening)·
Crankcase Breather (6 HPEngine) ..... (7)
CUltivating Tines-
Description &
Function. ....•......•. (5)
Maintenance. .............•........ (7)
Replacing &Removing. . . . . .. •.
.• ... (8)
Controls-
Engine............ (4)
Tiller. ............................. (2)
Corn Furrowing
to Plant. .............. (6)
Cornstalks,
Tilling Under. .....•....... (5)
Cable(see
Throttle Cable)
(for BatteryCable, see Electric Start)
Carburetor-
Adjusting (All Engines). ......•...... (7)
6
HPTecumseh..................... (4)
7HP
Kohler .. .................... (4)
Chains (see
Tire Chains)
Choke-
6HPTecumseh .. , .•............. .•. (4)
7HPKohler.................. .•.... (4)
Cleaner,
Air (see Air Cleaner)
Clutch Lever (see Forward/Reverse)
Clutch Spring (part#1122). ............ (1)
Composting-
LeafCompost , . (5)
PowerComposting (5)
Cooling Fins, Keeping Clean. .......... (4)
........... (7)
DESCRIPTION

INDEX
DESCRIPTION SECTION PAGE DESCRIPTION SECTION PAGE
46
52
43,53
52
92
68-72
73
69
68-72
67
60,66
68-73
72
70
67
68
73
68
73
74
64
59,67
56
59
74
68
75-76
65
62
Gasoline-
6HPTecumseh..................... (4)
7HP
Kohler. ....................... (4)
GearOil, forTilier (see Oil, Transmission Gear)
Governor-
6HPTecumseh..................... (4)
7HP
Kohler. ....................... (4)
Grease,
Lubrication Points......... ... (7)
Green Manure
Crops. ................. (5)
Gardening,
Troy-Bilt Methods-
Broadcast Planting in Wide Rows (5)
Buckwheat. ........................ (5)
CoverCrops (5)
Earthworms. ....................... (5)
Footprints/Wheelmarks,
Avoiding. ... (5)
Green
Manuring. ................... (5)
Leaf
Compost (5)
Mulch. . . (5)
Organic Matter. .................... (5)
Organic Matter,Sources of .......... (5)
Planting. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . (5)
Power
Composting ................. (5)
Saving Space (5)
Soil &Moisture
Conditions. .. . . .. . . . (5)
Tilling:
AcrossSlopes (5)
Depth.............. (5)
In
Garden. .. .(5)
Patterns "'.' . . . .. .. . (5)
Traction. ........................ (5)
Turning in Green Manure Crops. ... (5)
Under Cornstalks. .. .... .. .(5)
Uphill (5)
Verticallyon
Slopes. .............. (5)
21
29,33
30
18
60,66
29
56
106-108
175-176
170-173
49-50
113
113-116
52
55
26
148-153
153-154
46
48
176
46-47
114-115
47
46
170-173
31,32
31-50
48,50
111-112
48
173
47
42
170-173
(5)
(2)
(5)
(1 )
(2)
(2)
(1 )
Forward/Reverse Lever .
FreeWheeling ','
.....•... : .
Freight Damage .
Furrower- (see Hiller/Furrower)
II
FactoryRebuilding Agreement Inside Back Cover
Fins,
Cooling (see Cooling Fins)
Footprints,
How to Avoid .
Forward
Motion .
Stopping (4)
Throttle Cable (see Throttle Cable) (4)
Troubleshooting (9)
Engine,7 HP Kohler-
Adding Oil......................... (4)
AirCleaner.......................... (7)
Carburetor Adjustments .........•.. (7)
Governor. ......................... (4)
Head
Bolt Tightening.............. (4)
Key Switch
.... :.................. (1)
Removing
Engine................... (8)
Replacing
Engine................... (8)
Replenishing
Oil. .............. .. ... (4)
Service Dealers,
Authorized .....•... (4)
Specifications. ..................... (9)
Starting............................ (4)
Starting
Problems. ................. (7)
Stopping........ (4)
Throttle Cable (see Throttle Cable) .. .(4)
Troubleshooting (9)
Engine, Basic Information...... .(4)
Engine
Controls. ..................... (4)
Engine
Cooling.. ........... .. .. . .. . .. (4)
EngineCrankcase Breather (6 HP Eng.). (7)
Engine Model Number,
Locating. .... .. (4)
To Record. ........................ (6)
Engine Oil (see Oil, Engine)
Engine Pulley(see Pulleys, Engine)
Engine, Service
Reminders. ........... (7)
Engine
Specifications. ................ (9)
Engine
Troubleshooting (9)
6

m
Neutral .............................. (2) 29

DESCRIPTION SECTION
INDEX
PAGE DESCRIPTION SECTION PAGE
qil, Engine-
Addingto:
New Engines .
6HPTecumseh ..........•..•.....
7HP Kohler ..........•...........
Changing:
Intervals ....................•....
6HPTecumseh .
7HP
Kohler .
Oil Level &
Dipstick, 6 HPTecumseh ..
7HP Kohler .
,
Recommended Rating ......•.......
Oil, Lubrication Points .
(1)
(1 )
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(1 )
(4)
(2)
(7)
20
20
21
40
44
50
44
49
20
50
36
92
Potatoes,
Furrowing & Planting .
Power
Adjustment Screw (~ngine) .
PowerComposting .
PTO-PowerTake-Off Shaft ....•.....
Pulleys-
Drive Shaft .
DriveShaftSnap Ring .
Engine (Remove &Replace)
......•..
Functions ......................•...
Lower Drive (Remove) ......•.......
Shimming Engine .
Upper &Lower, Alignment. .
(6)
(7)
(5)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(2)
(8)
(8)
(7)
88
114-115
68
151
132-133
132
148-154
33-34
132-133
151
103
Rebuilding, FactoryAgreement Inside Back
Cover
Rectifier (Diode).. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. (1) 24-27
..................... (4) 48
OilSeals,
Removing/Replacing-
Front End (Drive Shaft) .......... .. . . (8)
Tiller Housing. ................. .. . . (8)
Tiller Housing Cover. ........•...... (8)
Tiller Shaft. ................... .. ... (8)
Transmission Drive
Shaft. ........... (8)
Wheel Shaft(Wheel AXle). .......•... (8)
Oil .. Transmission Oear-
Adding............... (1)
Changing.......................... (1)
Leaks,
Checking For. ............... (8)
Oil Fill Hole Location. .....•......... (1)
................ (2)
Operating the Tiller (see Gardening) (5)
Options &Attachments (6)
Organic
Matter. ................. •. . • . (5)
Pick Tines (see Pointed Pick Tines)
Planting (see
Gardening)
Plowing (see Dozer/Snow Blade)
Pointed Pick
Tines-
Description & Function. ........ •. ... (5)
Maintenance :.... (7)
Aeplacing & Removing. ............. (8)
Polyurethllne Air Cleaner. .. . .. . . . . . . . . (7)
131-132
127-130
131
127-130
131-132
124-126
19
19
127
19
36
56-76
77-91
67
61-62
95
145-147
112
Removing &
Replacing-
Bolo Tines. ..............•......... (8)
Cultivating
Tines. . . .. . .. . .. ... .. ... (8)
Engine..... ..... .....•............ (8)
Hood,
ForTiller..................... (8)
Lower Drive Pulley. ............ .. ... (8)
OilSeal, Drive
Shaft. ....... .. ....... (8)
OilSeals,
Tiller Shaft. ............... (8)
OilSeals, Wheel Axle. ......
.. ...•... (8)
Pointed Pick
Tines. ......... .. . .. ... (8)
Reverse Disc (see Reverse)
Throttle Cable (see Throttle Cable)
Tiller Housing Cover ,. .. . . . (8)
Transmission
", .. "., , .... ,.. (8)
Wheels (All Types) . ,
... ,,, .. , , , ,. , . . (8)
Repairing (see Removing &Replacing)
(see items
or parts involved)
Reverse-
Adjustment
Check, ................. (7)
Aligning Disc & Lower Pulley ,....... (7)
Motion, , .. , , .. ,., , . , .. ,. ,.. (2)
Removing &Replacing
Disc (7)
Servicing Disc
.. ,..... .. .. .. ... .. ... (7)
137-141
142-145
148-154
136,162
132-133
131-132
127-130
124-126
145-147
131
155-165
123
102-103
103
29,33
105,106
121
8