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Garden Gate:  What Would You Do?  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 06:25:44 AM
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We have had the same old Trotbuilt tiller for 32 years now. It was old when we got it. It has no reverse which most of the time isn't a problem. But since we have been gardening so big here and the ground is such heavy clay (but I have been amending it through the years and it's lots better. there are a few really hard places) we have had to work on this thing constantly. We have put I don't know how many gears in it and that ain't cheap. Last year after planting both big huge gardens, the gear broke again. And my hubby's a truck driver. So it never got fixed and the bigger garden went to the cows and goats. Made me sick. And mad. All that work and not to mention money and time.
SO what would y'all do? Get it fixed again for about $200.oo or buy a new one for thousands. I really want something I can depend on right now. Especially the way food is getting so high. I want to grow all our veggies. But I want something that will work when I go out to use it. It's always cranked up for me. That's no problem. It's just that the most important part, the tines, won't turn. And that's the problem. We can keep fixing it or break down and go in debt for a brand new Troy.
All opinions will be read and appreciated. Thanks.
kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 07:01:02 AM
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hey kris, this would be a hard decision for sure. money is so tight for us all. how about one rebuilt from a place thats sells troy built. or maybe a returned one. just thinking of ways to save. i remember last summer when you let the cows have your garden. so very sad. the width of the machine matters to me. i plant my rows so if need be i can run the tiller between the rows for weeds. i had a small mantis. it died this year bummer. we have a troy walk behind. i cant run it. papa does they are work horses for sure. you rarely spend money. at least thats how it seems. its a fine tool. you would use it a lot for saving food money. eating your own food is so much better. as you know. well i vote yes. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 07:26:18 AM
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Kris, can you put an ad in the local paper in the "wanting to buy" section? There may be someone, for some reason, would have one for sale. There are a lot of people that are relocating and might not be able to take their tiller along.
Belle |
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TJinMT
True Blue Farmgirl
211 Posts
TJ
Billings
MT
USA
211 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 07:56:07 AM
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Craigslist has a "wanted to buy" section too - if there is one in your area??
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 08:34:11 AM
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We had one for years that finally gave up the ghost, so we bought a new one. Not the same. The company is no longer putting out the same quality and doesn't have the same friendly customer service they were famous for in the earlier years. If I had it to do again, I'd watch the ads, Craigslist, post bulletins at the local nurseries, etc. and buy a good used one. Oh, and we bought the electric start...waste of money. I use it to seldom that the battery dies between uses anyway. I only till at the beginning and end of the season and it's always dead when I go to use it, so I end up pulling the cord, anyway.
ps, having said all that, it's still the best tiller on the market, IMHO
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 09:02:01 AM
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I have heard some bad news about Troy. That's something to think about. Things just are not made like they used to be. Stuff just doesn't last very long. I guess things are meant to be bought over and over instead of lasting for years like they used to. I just love old stuff more than new stuff. I will look on Craig's list. ANd ask around. Thanks for all your advice.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 09:04:07 AM
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My dad had a super old tiller and something happened to it and it would have cost him around $200 to fix it as well. After shopping around he decided he would rather just pay the $200 and have the same machine another 10 years then to buy a new one and only have it last around 5. He said the same thing, the quality of the new machines are just not there and they are charging a mint for them! Try auctions, craigslist, maybe talking to some old farmers you never know if they have one in the barn just sitting there.
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 09:16:47 AM
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I guess I'm with what the other farmgirls have already said - stick with the old, or at least look for a "new to you" old one. They just don't make things the same as they used to! Other thing I've found (at least for us) is my hubby can fix anything on an old style one...those new ones give him fits of rage!! :) Good luck finding something!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 09:24:38 AM
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Amy, mine too. This new stuff he can't get near fixing. So that makes sense too. He loves to tinker on machines. In fact, when he retires, I think he could open up a shop and do that. He just has a hard time bending so would need tables to work on.
Yep, Krystle, I am thinking the same thing. He's on his way home now. We will probably get the part ordered and next time he comes home he can work on that. I love the old tiller. It's so easy for me to handle. And it's like an old friend.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Garden Gate: What Would You Do? |
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What Would You Do?
