Troy-Bilt® is a brand that has been owned and marketed by MTD since 2001. Prior to that, Troy-Bilt was part of one of America’s leading gardening marketing companies known as Garden Way, Inc. Garden Way was founded by one of the icons in US garden marketing, a very interesting gentleman named Lyman Wood. What do they offer now you ask? They currently produce the following models:

More on the company's history

Wood had been a businessman and entrepreneur since the age of 13, when he and several of his friends opened their first business on the shore of Lake Champlain in Vermont. Wood later worked as an advertising executive and was also a very creative and entrepreneurial direct marketer … selling rabbit’s feet for good luck and even personalized prayers by mail. (The US Postal Service shut down his rabbit’s foot business because of his fraudulent claims that the buyer would soon experience good luck.) His first venture into the gardening business was the successful marketing of a book called The Have-More Plan – A Land, a Lot of Living, written by Ed and Carolyn Robinson.

The popularity of The Have-More Plan resulted in a consulting opportunity for Woods with Watco Manufacturing, a tiller manufacturer in Troy, New York. Watco had manufactured a power tiller called the Roto-ette in Troy, New York since 1937. Watco sold them exclusively through a network of small independent dealers.

Interestingly, the early Watco tillers had “saw tooth” tines that were similar to the famous (and patented) serpentine tines used today on all Mantis mini-tillers. These tines, when used with a slower RPM rear-tine tiller, had two inherent problems:

One of Watco’s engineers – working at home on his own time - redesigned the tines so that they would turn vegetation into the soil, where it would more quickly decompose to add nutrients to and improver the composition of the soil. The redesigned tines were very similar to the “bolo” tines used on most rear-tine tillers today.

Wood tried to convince Watco that they could – and, indeed should - sell large, expensive tillers by mail order. While Watco did dabble in direct marketing with Wood’s assistance, they never really embraced the idea. Since Watco had a fairly well-established dealer program, perhaps the direct marketing efforts seemed either unnecessary or competitive to their primary business. Finally, in 1967, Wood and a few partners bought controlling interest of Watco, which later became Garden Way Manufacturing.

Garden Way, Inc. was a Vermont-based direct mail powerhouse in the 1970’s and 1980’s, selling the famous Troy-Bilt Tillers, the Garden Way Cart, and hundreds of other gardening and self-sufficiency products almost exclusively by mail order.

Mr. Wood shared the ownership of Garden Way with several key employees; but it proved to be his undoing. Lyman Wood and several of the senior managers were ousted by a group of other shareholders in 1982, in a carefully planned “coup” for control that not only surprised Mr. Wood, but literally shocked the direct marketing community. Garden Way later spun off several of its divisions, which became independent enterprises. The Garden Way publishing business was purchased by Martha and John Storey, who created Storey Publishing in 1983. Will Rapp purchased the catalog business and created Gardeners Supply the same year.

Garden Way continued to be a dominant force in the direct to consumer gardening business. Wood and others went on to create Country Home Products, another Vermont-based direct marketer of home and garden products, including the famous DR® Trimmer. (DR is not an abbreviation for doctor; DR reflects the initials of one of Wood’s partners, the very inventive and creative Dick Raymond.)

So, perhaps in a way, Troy-Bilt has come full circle. Now owned by MTD, Troy-Bilt Tillers can be purchased at thousands of independent dealers, virtually all Lowe’s stores, as well as ACE Hardware, TrueValue Hardware, Tractor Supply, and other retailers. For those with a desire to buy “direct,” Troy-Bilt Tillers can purchased from the Troy-Bilt web site or from Amazon.com.

Todays Troy-Bilt Tillers

The Troy-Bilt brand is almost synonymous with big, red, walk-behind tillers … although the brand also includes mini tillers similar in size to the Mantis Tiller.

More than a few loyal owners have simply referred to their Troy-Bilt Tillers as “Big Red.” (One gardener who owned both a big rear-tine Troy-Bilt tiller and a Mantis Mini-Tiller wrote that he owned both a “Big Red” and a “Little Red.”)

"Big Red" Horse Garden Tiller "Big Red" Horse is the flagship of the Troy-Bilt fleet of rototillers. The "Big Red" is fully equipped for the heaviest-duty jobs in gardens over 2,500 square feet. Perfect for soil preparation and groundbreaking, the "Big Red" tiller has the power and durability to tackle all of your garden challenges. • Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • Standard electric start for easiest starting • 4 forward, 1 neutral, and 2 reverse speeds • 20" tilling width • 12" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 8" • Standard power take-off (PTO) • Just One Hand operation for easy maneuverability • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • Full-sided tine shields for operator protection • 16" ag tires • Accepts a wide variety of optional attachments • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 305cc/14.5 ft-lbs gross torque* Briggs & Stratton Powerbuilt engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty • *ft-lbs gross torque per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer @ 3060 rpm

Horse Garden Tiller For big gardens - 1,500 square feet and beyond - and big chores, choose the Troy-Bilt Horse rototiller with standard PTO. The Horse is built to last and can handle any job around the yard or garden. And with its forward-rotating design, this tiller is designed for premium garden soil preparation. • Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • Standard electric start for easiest starting • 4 forward, 1 neutral, and 2 reverse speeds • 20" tilling width • 12" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 8" • Standard power take-off (PTO) • Just One Hand operation for easy maneuverability • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • Full-sided tine shields for operator protection • 16" ag tires • Accepts a wide variety of optional attachments • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 305cc/14.5 ft-lbs gross torque* Briggs & Stratton Powerbuilt engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty • *ft-lbs gross torque per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer @ 3060 rpm

Pro-Line FRT Garden Tiller The Pro-Line FRT is a professional strength, mid-size rototiller specially designed for gardens up to 1,500 square feet and for large scale or commercial groundbreaking applications. Count on the Pro-Line FRT tiller for reliable performance and unmatched durability. • Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • 1 forward speed with power reverse • 12" tine diameter • 16" tilling width • Adjustable tilling depth up to 8" • 13" ag tires • Just One Hand operation for easy maneuverability • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • Full-sided tine shields for operator protection • Optional Attachments: Hiller/Furrower; Row Marker • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 160cc Honda OHV GX engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty

Pony ES Garden Tiller Troy-Bilt's Pony ES rototiller has all the great features of the legendary Pony rototiller with the added benefit of easy electric start. Perfect for gardens up to 1,500 square feet, the Pony ES tiller can help you create ready-to-plant soil in your perfect garden. • Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • Standard electric start for easiest starting • 1 forward speed with power reverse • 16" tilling width • 12" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 8" • Just One Hand operation for easy maneuverability • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • Full-sided tine shields for operator protection • 13" ag tires • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 250cc/11.0 ft-lbs gross torque* Briggs & Stratton Powerbuilt engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty • *ft-lbs gross torque per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer @ 3060 rpm

Pony Garden Tiller Our medium-frame Pony rototiller is perfect for gardens up to 1,500 square feet and large-scale to commercial application groundbreaking. With forward-rotating design, the Pony tiller is well-known for its ability to prepare finely milled, well-aerated and ready-to-plant garden beds. And it accepts optional attachments for increased garden productivity. • Forward-rotating tines for premium garden soil preparation • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • 4 forward, 1 neutral, and 2 reverse speeds • 20" tilling width • 12" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 8" • Standard power take-off (PTO) • Just One Hand operation for easy maneuverability • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • Full-sided tine shields for operator protection • 16" ag tires • Accepts a wide variety of optional attachments • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 305cc/14.5 ft-lbs gross torque* Briggs & Stratton Powerbuilt engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty • *ft-lbs gross torque per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer @ 3060 rpm

Pro-Line CRT Garden Tiller Troy-Bilt's most powerful counter-rotating garden tiller. The Pro-Line CRT features a premium Honda engine and counter-rotating design to break up hard-packed soil quickly and easily. Small enough to fit easily between garden rows and with Just One Hand operation, the Pro-Line CRT rototiller is also easy to use. • Counter-rotating tines for easy use and greater control • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • 1 forward speed with power reverse   • 16" tilling width • 10" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 6" • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • 13" ag tires • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 160cc Honda GC engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty

Super Bronco CRT Garden Tiller The Super Bronco CRT rototiller from Troy-Bilt offers an outstanding value for a small or mid-size garden. The Super Bronco gives you counter-rotating technology plus features normally found only on larger models - such as Just One Hand Operation. Powerful enough to till deeply, yet small enough to fit between rows, the Super Bronco tiller is designed to tackle any task in your garden with ease. • Counter-rotating tines for easy use and greater control • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • 1 forward speed with power reverse   • 16" tilling width • 10" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 6" • 13" ag tires • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 160cc Honda GC engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty

Bronco CRT Garden Tiller “Big Red" Horse is the flagship of the Troy-Bilt fleet of rotatillers. The "Big Red" is fully equipped for the heaviest-duty jobs in gardens over 2,500 square feet. Perfect for soil preparation and groundbreaking, the "Big Red" tiller has the power and durability to tackle all of your garden challenges  • Counter-rotating tines for easy use and greater control • Cast-iron transmission with bronze gear drive • 1 forward speed with power reverse   • 16" tilling width • 10" tine diameter • Adjustable tilling depth up to 6" • Factory-installed full wrap-around front bumper included • 13" ag tires • Accepts a wide variety of optional attachments • 2 year limited manufacturer's warranty - refer to online owner's manual for exclusions • Limited lifetime warranty on transmission • 160cc Honda GC engine with 2 year manufacturer's warranty

Troy-Bilt Mini-Tillers