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Troybilt 33" for $500...

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Up North

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Went and looked at this machine this morning. It's 2 years old, electric start, mulching deck only, but in perfect shape other then one caster wheel on the front has a chunk missing but still rotates just fine.

I did a search and came up with pretty good opinions of this mower even though it's not commercial grade. My use for this mower would be to replace the 21" I have to use on a couple backyard situations due to gates. And a couple steeper slopes that I could do straight up & down, going sideways may be tough due to the drive system on this mower.

Is it worth the $500? Looks like they sell for around $1400-1600 new. I run it around his yard and it puts down some nice stripes.
 
#3 ·
I have a buddy that just picked one of those "Wide Cuts" (33") electric starts up. He paid $2400 plus tax here for it. He loves it as a homeonwner. I also Know for a fact that there is a very reputable company in Mississauga that uses the 33" troybuilts as their walk behinds (NewBella their called). So if they use them I am sure you will have no problems.

I was acutally surprised when they drove by and had the troybuilts on their trailer. These guys also have some pretty nice equipment in their compound.
 
#4 ·
I bought a used Troy Bilt 33" last year for use on some mid- sized yards. I wasn't very happy with the cut quality until we started cutting lower in the fall. It cut better at a lower setting. (I love that quick and easy height adjustment). I now double cut any area that needs to look great- front yards, near walkways, etc. I can't complain about the mower because I paid about the same. Keep the blade sharp, under the deck clean, and be prepared to make some minor repairs. It is not built to hold up to every day use.
 
#8 ·
I bought one of these the first year they came out. I guess that was about 1993 or so. Actually, dad bought it cause i was in 6th grade. I used it on my 5 neighborhood lawns and it worked great. Just keep the blade sharp and the deck clean. It should work fine. The one we had was just sold recently and still running strong with the 8.5 HP briggs. Not commercial grade, but good enough for a trim mower and such.

-Rich
 
#9 ·
There is a difference in Troy Builts. The older ones were manufactured by GardenWay and were pretty good quality. I had a 38" GardenWay lawn tractor that was a great homeowner model. I have an 8hp chipper vac also garden Way and it is very dependable. Only problem is GardenWay parts are harder to find. $500 bucks seems to be a bargain if the mower is in excellent condition. Offer 4 and maybe split the difference.
 
#10 ·
I got to try a 33" troybilt last year. It had a 9 hp honda engine on it that was put on by the local dealer here in Mississauga, Ontario. I liked its light weight, easy manueverability and mulching capability. Yet, I did not like the cut quality. Rather than lifting the grass for a clean cut, it seemed to push the grass over. My toro proline 21" leaves a much superior cut. The dealer also said to be careful because so many parts were easily breakable.

Hay Bay,

I didn't know that Nu Bella landscaping used the troy bilts. That's interesting. Where is their compound?
 
#11 ·
I used one a few years back and was fairly happy with it. It definately won't take the abuse a commercial mower will, but if you take good care of it it should last. I used mine for a few back yards and a couple of St. Augustine lawns I have. Cuts great low especially with the St. Aug and Bermuda. Lacked the power for really heavy fescue.
 
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#13 ·
CRAP CRAP AND MORE CRAP, I owned one for 2 days, took it back because the drive belt would get hot after 2 lawns and drop out and you could have to let it cool and shrink back to size before you could use it. It had sears on it, but was exactly the same as the one with troy built on it. This thing was just pure crap. I was dumb and got a stealth after that, it had the same arrangement and there for the same problem. Back it went, and quit being cheap and got a real mower. But if that is all you can afford I understand. You gotta do what you gotta do.
 
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#14 ·
used one for two years, only about 5 hrs per week. Holds up well in my case, but think anything over 10 hrs per week of use, then not enough commercial quality. Too get quality cut, must cut grass below 2.75", not enough lift to cut higher.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Looks like I should pick it up. I understand there will always be a lemon out there somewhere, it even happens with Exmarks & Scags, etc. from what I see on Lawnsite.com. If it doesn't work out very well I'm sure I can turn around and resell it for whatever $$ I put into it.

Anyway, since this is my first year I think it'd be a wiser choice to pick this up at $500 and use it on the couple gated lawns I have instead of the 21" to increase some productivity there. Business is going very well for my first year but I may need to put a good chunk of money towards a Z in June. (either & Hustler or Exmark). I keep picking up a couple new customers each week, and as good as the JD is it isn't going to keep up at the pace I'll need. Then next spring pick up a 36" WB and use the Troybilt as backup.

Thanks for the opinions & suggestions, good & bad. Everyone have a good Memorial Day.

Buck
 
#16 ·
I bought mine new in 1995 and was always pissed off about the quality of the cut. This year I went to my local Hustler dealer and had him find me a pair of gator blades the same size as the Troy Built but with a smaller round hole for the spindle shaft. I had my brother (a machinist) make a punch and he punched out the blades to fit the Troy Built....and WOW!!! It now pulls up the grass more, mulches better and works at the taller grass heights. It mulches longer grass much better than my Hustler!!! Maybe you can grind or file good aftermarket blades to make them work...and if ya can I recommend you go for it......
 
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#17 ·
i love my troybuilt
 
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#19 ·
listen up north..


This is also my first year.. I thought hey let me buy it from a buddy to add productivity from the 21". WRONG. I am back to the 21" because it is by far more productive and looks a lot better.


Trevor
 
#20 ·
Just saw your post now. So I will reply.

NuBella moved from Joymar Road, they were next to TURF. Now they are on Ontario Street (Im pretty sure its ontario st.) my sister lives a few homes from thier shop.

Its in Streetsville.
 
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Rhett
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