What Kind of Oil Does a Troy Bilt Tiller Use?

Oil Specs

• For all Troy-Bilt tillers, 4-stroke engine oil is recommended. The oil must be in the SG, SF/CC or CD oil classes. For general use in tillers, 10W-30 is approved, although 10W-40, 20W-40 and 20W50 are usable for temperatures beyond 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Troy-Bilt tillers with Honda engines can use engine oil for the reduction gear box as well.
  Troy-Bilt tiller models like the Bronco and Super Bronco also have transmission gears that require oil. They must be API rated GL-4 or GL-5. Acceptable viscosities include SAE 140, SAE 85W-140 or SAE 80W-90.

Maintenance

• Both the engine and transmission oils need to be changed regularly for optimum operation. Failure to change these oils could result in engine and transmission parts wearing down prematurely because of lubrication or cleansing issues. Engine oil should be checked before every operation. Change the engine oil after the two-hour break-in and every 10 hours after that. Transmission gear oil should be checked after the first two hours of use and every 30 hours of use after that.

Engine Oil Check and Change

• Check the oil. To do so, remove the oil filler cap and the dipstick. Wipe all the oil off of the dipstick, and then reinsert the dipstick. Look for the oil level marking at the bottom of the dipstick. If it is close to the “Add” mark, add oil as necessary and then close the cap. Change the oil by removing the cap and placing an approved container underneath the drain line. Tilt the tiller until the oil drains completely. Replace the drain line cap, and refill the oil.

Honda Reduction Gear Check and Oil Change

• For Troy-Bilt tillers with Honda engines, check the transmission oil by first removing the oil level bolt. Wipe the bolt, and then screw it back into the bolt hole. Remove it once again, and look for the upper level indicator, which is an indention at the bottom of the bolt. If the transmission gear oil looks low, refill as necessary through the oil filler bolt, which is at the top of the transmission oil reservoir. To change the oil, remove the filler bolt.
  Locate the drain bolt near the bottom of the reservoir. Place an approved container at the bottom of the drain hole, and allow the transmission oil to empty into it. Close and refill the oil when the draining is complete.

Transmission Gear Oil Check

• To check the transmission gear oil, wait for it to cool and place the tiller on level ground, with the depth regulator lever all the way up. If the gear oil is halfway up the side of the main drive shaft, it is acceptable. Otherwise, add as necessary.