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CB Home Decor and Furnishing Troy-Bilt do not waste your money on this product!
Troy-Bilt

Troy-Bilt review: do not waste your money on this product! 64

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12:00 am EDT
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I purchased a Bronco lawn tractor, joke, at Lowe's two years ago. I was wise enough to purchase the extended protection plan from Lowes. I have had the tractor,joke, replaced completely, in the shop (4) times for the drive train falling apart and the mower deck has continued to work but the tractor will not move. This lawn mower,joke, is the worst product that I have seen for years. Everytime I go to Lowes and I see someone around the Troy (not) Built products I tell them not to waste their money on that product.

64 comments
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Mr Steven
Seymour, US
Nov 19, 2023 1:54 pm EST

Purchased on 5/14/21. Cost was $585. Worked like a bear until the 2 year warranty ran out. Had to replace the carburetor at a cost of $256. Unit works real well until it doesn't, and costs a pile to get repaired.

Contacted Troy-Bilt about this event. No response, from them, to my e-mail.

Buyer Beware! (when the warranty runs out)

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tracy madison
Madison, US
Jun 12, 2023 7:01 pm EDT

PTO cable broke today , just replaced three weeks ago . i have a small yard maybe 80 x 120 . are these cables defective . Tried customer service but it doesn't seem to be set up to hear customer complaints . I sent them an email 4 years ago about excessive vibration but they shrugged it off

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MR. Massey
Chicago, US
Jun 04, 2023 1:01 am EDT

Lawn mower electrical start button will not engage the engine I have to pull start it can you assist it is still under warranty.

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Teodor Hutanu
Urleta, RO
Jan 25, 2023 2:25 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi,

For my troy-bilt 12AVB26M011 I need a timing gear fand a oil slinger for the engine, but I cann't find a diagram with part number for the engine. Thank you for your kind help.

Teodor

dorinhu@yahoo.com

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HowKav
Fairport, NY, US
Nov 06, 2022 7:47 am EST
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Hello...I have a Troy Built leaf blower model #TB926B. I have looked on your website under the operator manual heading and this manual cannot be found.

If you can assist me in obtaining this manual I would be most grateful.

Thank You

Howard Kavanagh

9 Jackson Place

Fairport, NY 14450

howkav@frontiernet.net

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John Romine
, US
Sep 05, 2021 1:04 pm EDT

I bought a Bronco 4 years ago from Lowes.This has been the worst and biggest waste of money Ive ever spend.Every year change the deck belt and atleast 1 spindle, , ign switch, , rectifier x3, , starter x3, , and some of the elec wiring that when designed is too thin-gauge.It gets hard/brittle over time causes bad connections.And Ive had to weld 3 different spots on the frame. A few times Ive went out to use the rider and the floor was wet with gas, , but the fuel was shut off, , buy ANOTHER carb sel. A new carb helped a lil bit x2.This mower gets WELL takin care of, , oil changed every spring, , blades sharpened at spring and plug too.I will never ever buy anything that says TroyBilt on it or from Lowes.I realise MTD makes many different brands/models=bad units.Im now mowing my big yard with a new self propelled walk behind JonesRed reg mower.It takes me 2 days, , hey Im old and I dont get into a hurry lol.Sadly Im betting that unit is a MTD as well.

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dmk56
, US
Jun 10, 2019 3:40 pm EDT

purchased from Lowes in 2018. manifold is leaking, unit is useless as there is no pressure. I understand there is a 2 year warranty, please advise.

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Mikehunt2018
, US
Oct 02, 2018 4:55 pm EDT

Had super bronco troybuilt rider mower...had 2yrs and 1day clutch went out..one day past warranty.go figure...been another year 2 more clutches...Lowe's or troybuilt want do nothing...mower junk...don't ever buy troybuilt...

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T Guidry
, US
Sep 04, 2018 9:57 pm EDT

13wqa2kq011 super bronco 50 (2015)
purchased this bad decision from Lowes and it has been one thing after another. Now my blades will not engage . I did by accident notice they will engage when the key is in the reverse position and the yellow triangle button is on. I replaced the switch, but this did not fix it.

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Glenda Tillman Stokes
, US
Jun 23, 2016 10:54 am EDT

Purchased the Troy Bilt Bronco from Lowes & it is my worst purchase. Have went through enough belts to complete cover a couple of autos. Also have to work on spindle & replace bearings now having to replace the spindles "again" definitely now worth the price I gave for it. Thought their would be a recall on them. I have the 13WX78KS011 model. I am a 74 year old widow & this is becoming toooooo expensive & troublesome for me. Also will be getting rid of it soon & trying to find a more dependable one. I purchased a troy bilt years ago & it is still going strong one replaced belts 2 times since the mid 90's. Just thought the power steering would be better for me. WRONG

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Aaron Beaulieu
, US
Jun 02, 2016 2:41 pm EDT

Bronco went up in flames a couple days ago. Flat yard. Mowing for five minutes. Got off to go get something. Come back and it's torched. Only half a tank of gas though so lucky that way. Deck replaced, tires replaced, blades repeatedly, plugs, carb, grass catcher I mean radiator, belts.

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Marcus M
, US
May 08, 2016 4:41 pm EDT

I bought a Troy Built Bronco from Lowe's at the end of last summer (2015). It has been used 3 times to cut a 2 acre yard, and on the 4th time the drive belt shredded. Unfortunately I did not see all these posts before I purchased it, but now I wish I would have done more research. At any rate, I'm off tomorrow to buy a new belt for basically a brand new mower. If anyone has a good attorney I'm definitely game for a class action suit. This is ridiculously bad engineering and should not be allowed to be sold to innocent customers. They got over $1200.00 dollars for this piece of junk and I would love to see them have to pay us for our trouble.

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roger dodger
, US
Nov 14, 2015 2:54 pm EST
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i bought my bronco in fall 2011. i love it. i have 1.3 acre to mow. i even hit a 1/2 inch rebar sticking out of the ground and it keeps on ticking.

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Newberry
, US
Aug 11, 2015 9:02 am EDT

I had an MTD Yard Machine we bought from Lowes in 2002 I mow 2 acres every week during mowing season. No trouble till 2011. Couldn't go in reverse it would jump the belt. Bought a New 2011 Troybilt Bronco from Lowes. Big piece of crap. First time we used a spring came off. Never could find out where it went. Mowed good in 2011 ( we bought it in Sept of 2011 ) By June of next season 2012 would barely move when going up any grade. Replaced belts, did not help. nothing but problems. Had to replace belts several times a year, deck and drive belts. In August 2014 crank broke. . Neither Troybilt or Lowes would do anything. Had less than 200 hrs on mower. Kohler agreed to replace the block only. But that was better than nothing. Still can't get any speed out of gas pedal going up a grade. Others don't like MTD but I really liked the MTD Yard Machine! It was a great mower. People say you get what you pay for. I know people who are paying $3, 000 who are having the same problems! So how much does " You Get What You Pay For " cost?

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Tony Conte
Millville, US
Jun 29, 2015 6:57 pm EDT

I just purchased a Troy Bilt Bronco from Lowes, this past weekend. It listed for 1199.00, but apparently someone had bought it and dumped bad gas in it. They returned it, Lowes had apparently cleaned out the carb and reduced it to 799.00 Between my 10 % veteran's discount and opening a Lowes card to buy it, I also get a 100.00 Lowes gift card. Essentially I got a virtually new mower for half price. Brought it home but the blades wouldn't engage. Being a mechanic by profession, and working in and also having my own small engine repair business, it was easy to see that the deck was never set up properly, therefore the deck belt didn't have the proper tension to engage the blades. I removed the deck and aligned everything properly, reinstalled it and it runs like a champ. As I used to tell my customers who had frequent belt breaking issues, you can not just throw the engaging lever forward, rather, you must engage the lever slowly, until you hear the blades build up speed, then fully engage. Same with engaging the drive. It's a lawn mower, not a hot rod. And don't wash your mower and deck, best to use compressed air, then wipe everything down with a good quality non corrosive cleaner, then store it inside, or at the very least, on a concrete or asphalt surface, and cover it with some type of breathable cover, Leaving clumps of wet clippings stuck on the underside of the deck will trap moisture and cause your deck to rot out quickly...so will leaving it parked on grass. Like I said, I'm a mechanic, and also have many years experience repairing lawn mowers and tractors, so buying this at a reduced price didn't bother me at all, and I'll do what I've told others to do...always use smaller gas cans, unless you will use a whole 5 gallons or more at a shot...ALWAYS add Sta-bil to your gas cans, and never leave old gas in the tank, best to run the engine out of gas, especially when putting it up for the season...change the oil, filter (if yours has one), and clean or replace the air element frequently...oh, and if your engine doesn't have an oil filter, use NON-DETERGENT motor oil, because the detergent in automotive oil will clean the inside of your crankcase, but those bits of dirt and carbon have no place to go except into wrist pins, crank journals and tappet guides. Keep your blades balanced and sharp, and spray the underside of your deck with WD-40 after you clean it. I've rebuilt many "junk" mowers and sold them to people who still used them for many years afterward...hope this bit of wisdom helps someone...

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big pop
, US
Jun 07, 2015 3:59 pm EDT

i bought troy bilt bronco in 2012 never had any problem

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michael green
Texarkana, US
May 19, 2015 10:20 pm EDT
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hello i have troy bilt that i am having trouble with today it just stop pulling and never wood start back in the same track, the engine run good blade starts fine, but the tractor will not pull out of it track because the transmission will not go in gear some one tell me it might be the hydrostatic bypass rod will not let it go in gear so how to get in gear but to replace a part on the tractor before i can go back to work now .

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ray48
Raleigh, US
May 13, 2015 7:31 pm EDT

I agree, this is not a well machine, I brought a used one, , , BIG MISTAKE! !

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Diesel Isx
, US
Apr 15, 2015 3:22 pm EDT

Sounds like to me that most people don't take care of there riding mower.

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fatboy2007
Grindstone, US
Feb 24, 2015 2:37 am EST

Just got one so far so good got it for $400 so not bad it starts up runs good a review is a is one view from one person but you don't know unless you try I may be the lucky one

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K Vickers
Mt. Juliet, US
Oct 01, 2014 5:58 pm EDT

It's nice to read these comments when one is in the need of a new mower. However, we must remember that people are much more likely to comment when they have had bad experience. I too own a Troybuilt Bronco that I purchased in the spring of 2007 from Lowes. I notice that not many of these complaints provide their maintenance habits. I make sure to change my oil every season, check the air pressure in my tires often, spray underneath after each mowing and I use my grease gun as the manual suggested. I also keep mine in a garage. This is my first year to replace my battery along with a drive belt. My only complaint is that the pulley under the battery does not give enough space to place the belt properly. You have to look under the tractor and un-screw the nuts to loosen the pulley then the belt slides in perfectly. And yes, as the manual stated, I did need an impact wrench. What can I say? I am also female and happy Troybuilt customer!

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Terry Barbee
Concord, US
Sep 24, 2013 6:33 am EDT

I've spent more money on my Super Bronco that all my other previous lawn tractors combined. I've replaced (several times) the drive belt, the deck drive belt from the engine and the blades. Right now, the head gasket needs replacing, the differential/transmission has a knock in it and the deck drive belt has worn out again.

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J McFarland
Chesterfield, US
Jun 22, 2013 5:17 pm EDT

Wow! My 2006 Bronco rear end bit the dust last week and now I know why after reading these comments. I mow about one acre of flat lawn and I mow about 2 times per month eight months a year based on that I have about 112 mowings before it self-destructed. The rest of the mower is in good shape and I've had no belt issues except it is difficult to replace the drive belt but doable and I've replaced that twice. If your having problems at lower deck settings, like I was, I found a bolt on a pulley in the rear of the mowing deck that was not suppose to be tight. Once I backed off on bolt I was able to use all settings. Just took me awhile to figure it out. Guess I will be junking this out and reading my consumer reports next time.

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tickedoffpat
, US
Jun 12, 2013 5:55 pm EDT
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bought a troy pony it is the biggest piece of junk i have ever owned. can not cut a small yard without it throwing the deck belt. bought the extended warranty at lowes when i bought the tractor every time i complained about belts they would take the tractor for a few weeks and send it back saying it was fixed. never was ! now the warranty is out and i have junk on my hands . not only ticked at troy built but also lowes as they knew that it was junk when they sold it . i tell every one not to buy troy built and warn them that lowes will lie through their teeth if it means a sale.

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Dsampson
Glenmont, US
May 06, 2013 10:03 am EDT

I have a 2006 super Bronco that has not had any problems hardly at all its sat outside for five years through Ohio winters this year went out put oil fuel little charge to the original battery for 2006 hit the switch fired right up drive belt and Dec belts are both the originals blades originals tires originals everything left on that tractor is originals now with that said I know 10 acres of a hilly and rough terraian and have jump belt one time which was operator error I'm not bragging on this mower but it has definitely been a very good tracker it also has pulled numerous trailers and Lawn sweeps

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verbal judo
Home Town, US
Apr 15, 2013 11:05 am EDT

I have had my Bronco for one year now and it seems to throw the deck belt at least once every time I mow. Yesterday it threw the belt six times! Today I have been surfing the internet looking for a fix but it looks like the only fix is to buy a Deere. I would not recommend this mower to anyone. It seems like the belt issue is an old one yet Troy Built has done nothing to address the issue. I own other Troy Built products like my generator, trimmer, and push mower, and I am pleased with them, just not the Bronco.

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OldGrouch48
Franklin, US
Mar 11, 2013 2:11 pm EDT

What people need to realize before purchasing Troy Bilt equipment is that Troy Bilt isn't Troy Bilt any more. It's just more MTD junk, just like most of what you see for sale at the big box stores. The name was bought by MTD years ago when the real Troy Bilt (as in Troy, N.Y.) went out of business. They are now just throw away pieces of equipment that in most cases aren't even worth wasting money on to have repaired. If you want equipment that's going to last, you're just going to have to bite the bullet and purchase decent commercial grade, otherwise it'll be loose belts, unavailable parts, and continuous repairs till the unit finally dies forever.

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nightal
Kansas City, US
Oct 28, 2012 8:23 pm EDT

I bought a TB 42'' auto trans. rider in 2-09 for a good price at Lowes, let it set for a yr and a half before using, my old Craftsman would not quit running.used the TB for the first time in June of 2011, have replaced the cheap blades once, the starter Bendix keeps sticking, yesterday the main drive belt came off, after looking at it, no wonder it is worn and cracked, almost in half, in several places. my old Craftsman only needed one set of belts in 12 yrs.I agree it's a China piece of junk. I had to replace the blade engagement cable after only 12 hrs of service, it was frayed and broken.the safety switch that keeps the mower from running, when placed in reverse broke two weeks ago. the manual does not describe how to replace the main drive belt, it say's take to dealer...it may not last a couple of yrs...don't buy one it's a money pit..

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Paul R Vogl
Smyrna, US
Jul 21, 2012 10:44 am EDT

I live in Smyrna, Delaware and purchased my Troy-Bilt J609 Bronco auto drive riding lawn mower in May of 2004. I also purchased the grass catching unit for a total cost of $1600. I have a one half acre lot that I mow seasonally. I change the air filter, fuel filter and oil, oil filter, and both spark plugs every spring. The Bronco came with the Briggs-Stratton 18.5 HP twin cylinder engine. Last year (2011) I needed to replace the PTO and Drive belts for the first time. I have noticed the belt problem when the cutting deck is lowered from the setting of 5 to a setting of 3 the blades slow down. This could be due to the angle of the belt to the pulley alignment, so I live with the deck height set to 5 to maintain the life of the belts and avoid striking a lawn sprinkler head. The oil drain cap was constructed of plastic, so in 2005 I replaced it with a short length of black steel pipe that will screw into the engine crankcase, and a natural gas line ball valve will screw on to the end of the pipe allowing me to drain the oil clear of the mower chassis and the ball valve is constructed well enough to resist vibration opening it, so the fear of losing oil while operating the mower has never occurred in the past seven years. My neighbor owns a 2003 Bronco riding mower and last week (July 2012) his transmission went out. This has me contemplating taking action to add Unirex N3 grease to my sealed transmission to prevent the same fate. The transmission is a sealed unit, so the two options are to take it apart or to drill a small access hole into it to add the grease. Troy-Bilt / MTD says that it is a sealed unit and it should be fine, but I remember when the auto makers sold air filters that would last 100, 000 miles. (Yea, right). The access hole has my vote right now, but I will research the size and option not to introduce metal shavings in to the rear transmission. A simple inspection plug similar to the rear pumpkin plug on a car would have saved a lot of headaches for mower owners. Has anyone else added an inspection / fill plug to their transmission? Other than having to replace the battery back in 2009, all has worked fine for me on my Bronco.

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Ebull
Live, US
Jun 04, 2012 6:50 pm EDT

The Troy built Bronco is crap! Brought one used for 400.00 and have invested about another 300.00 in it . Today after having the main belt replaced I was told there is no fix for aligning the belt and to only cut at levels 3, 4 and 5. Started cutting at level 3, and the piece of crap stopped running before I could finish my acre. I wish I had done the research before I invested .

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Dradclif01
McDonough, US
May 05, 2012 9:34 am EDT
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For some of you Sears Craftsman fans. as you know, hopefully. Sears has never made anything. They submit a set of specs and the item is bid on, and awarded to the lowest bidder. In 2011 the model 28034 was made by Briggs and Stratton, in 2012 it is made by MTD. The Craftsman LT series -MTD. Craftsman YT3000, 4000 and 4500 with "Turn Tight" is made by Husqvarna. The Craftsman Premium Series Garden Tractor is made by Briggs and Stratton. So beware what you buy, do your research and read all reviews. Sears does spec their items to meet a certain level, as other like Home Depot and Lowe's do not.. Contracts are bid on and awarded for any particular item, whether it be a washing machine, dryer, range. refrigerator or lawn equipment. And it varies from year to year, on who the product is made by,

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droptopcat70
Hastings, US
May 03, 2012 3:09 am EDT

I live in florida (northeast) and we pruchased a 2006 troy bilt lawn tractor from lowes. The soil here makes us go thru blades like water, but i`m aware of that. I changed the air filter, fuel filter and oil. But other then the deck starting to rot here and there i`m pretty satisfied with what we got and the abuse we put this thing thru. I also had to change the battery a couple of times, but the battery tender is helping that problem. I also use it to brush hog the sides of my home and i also used it once to tow our mid 1800s farm wagon into my garage on the back of a small yard trailor. I`m sorry to hear of the problems everyones having, but this one has paid for itself many times over and im pretty happy with what we got.

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Dradclif01
McDonough, US
Apr 06, 2012 6:55 pm EDT
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I purchased a 2006 Troy-built Super Bronco at Lowe's and have not had any problems at all . I have replaced the blades every other year, and while I had the deck off this year I replaced the belt, although i DIDNT NEED TO. I mow 4 acres about every two week and have not had any problems break downs. I do my own maintenance and replace the plug, oil and filters every spring. And I do not dog it, It is a mower, not a tractor. I purchased a trailer for it and haul wood, and rock in it occasionally. and have even drooped the deck to its lowest point and used it to level high spots on occasion. I guess its like cars, there's lemons in everything, but for me I have no complaints.

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ladyragdoll
Greenwood, US
Mar 18, 2012 1:36 pm EDT
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I bought a Bronco 2 yrs ago it has less than 10 hrs run time on it, It has to set last summer due me having a cast on my hand. Went to start it and gas gushed out of the Carbeuter, I cannot find a new one anywhere, nor can if find a repair kit for Walbro courage 20.
What a pc of junk . Don't waste money on any mowers that Lowes sell.

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Ray Bilodeau
, US
Aug 24, 2011 3:55 pm EDT

Has any one had a blade speed problem . Replaced PTO BELT also Deck Belt and since speed of blade are not high enough for good cut. When blade speed is high and you can hear hummimg of blade that good but mine the lower you lower deck humming stop and blade speed slows down cant figure it out any help out there Tazviii

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Retiredcop
Dublin, US
Aug 15, 2011 2:59 am EDT

I can'nt keep a belt on mine.I've had at least 5 on it .I just bought last year from Lowes.

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Dissatisfied User
Luzerne, US
May 26, 2011 4:02 pm EDT

Mine is 3 years old, and I' purchased mower deck blades 5 at a time for about $5 each, and not from Lowes at very inflated prices. Drive belt went out once and purchased not from Lowes.
Now the mower runs all the time, regardless of lever position. Drag brake wears through mower belt in a few minutes. There is no way to adjust anything on mower deck.

Agree with most of the above, it is a piece of junk.

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tyreesr4
Troutville, US
May 09, 2011 8:40 pm EDT

I have had my Bronco rider since 2005 and the only problem i have had is the transmission, replaced 1 and in need of another now, works fine in reverse but lurches and grinds in forward. No other problems except for simple maint. issues ( blades and 1 belt) that was broke when i hit a stump and everything stopped suddenly. I wish the tranny was able to be opened so that the spindle could be welded rather than spend $300 on a new one.

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jamesbuick
, US
May 05, 2011 4:45 pm EDT

my brondrive belt broke after 10 uses. its being " fixed" by lowes right now. after reading how bad it is, ive already took it as a loss. bought a craftsman yt3000 for 1399.00 and its 50 times better everything! at least the dand bulbs will stay in the bezel. a troy built bronco isnt worth 300 bux unless you make a go-cart outta the motor or sumtin. but the drive belt! thats the hardest thing to fix on this thing and got to use it 10 times...way to go MTD and lowes to for selling it still.

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jamesbuick
, US
May 05, 2011 4:39 pm EDT

you got lucky is my only answer to that. My belt broke after 9 uses on low dry grass! lowes is supposed to be repairing it but i done went and bought a craftsman. father had 1 ten yrs and all he did was change oil and plugs. not even belt and blade maintenance. troy aint troy no more!