Troy Bilt Flex

[Michael_P]

Okay. I hate to admit it, but my wife drug me out to one of those home and garden shows. I saw a new product that hits the Lowes stores this March called Flex, by Troy Bilt. One engine, multiple attachments, similar to the old Gravelys' from years ago. They have a 208cc engine (Chinese I assume) with quite a few attachments. I'm not trading in all my stuff for it, but I'm glad to see the old Gravely concept resurrected.

 

[oilpsi2high]

Probably cheaper to just buy everything separately.

 

[sciphi]

Ahh, the old Ariens "Track-Team" concept. One "tractor" unit, lots of attachments. I hope swapping around attachments is easier than with that system.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
Probably cheaper to just buy everything separately.


I was thinking that too. Also, if the engine breaks, nothing works. Nice idea from the standpoint if you have two power units. The engine gets year round use, no worries about stale gas.

I don't see a gen head in that photo. The fact that I "need" a generator but every few years keeps me from buying one. But if the lawnmower engine could be slapped onto a gen head...

 

[Michael_P]

The engine is 208cc which is probably 6.5HP. I have an 11HP generator and a 13HP pressure washer. Anything smaller would not cut it for me. IIRC, the original Gravely was a 6.6HP and HP increased over the years. Especially when Gravely quit making their own engines and were sources bu Kohler.
The rep at the Lowes booth said they would have a generator head in two years.

 

[QuietPortage]

I like the idea, but I wouldn't buy any more Troy-Bilt junk. MTD owns the name now, and just puts Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Bolens, Craftsman, etc. on identical Chinese-made garbage.

If I could get a higher end machine with a bigger engine, I'd consider this.

 

[spk2000]

I bought an Ariens Deluxe 28 snowblower this year and when I was out throwing snow 30-40 feet I was shocked to see the neighbor maybe making it 5 feet with his Troybilt same snow. He kept struggling to not have to rethrow the same snow over and over. Mine would shoot across my entire driveway.

To think I even considered the Troybilt, I am quite happy with my Ariens and am confident I made a good choice. Mine has a 254 cc engine but there was a step up that I almost think even more power would have been an aven better idea.

I have never been unhappy to spend more and get better but have been disappointed when trying to save money and the equipment really wasn't that great.

 

[Bror Jace]

Yes, The Flex is probably marginal for the guy who has a lot of very small jobs. Can you see a contractor trying to make do with this "system"?

"I have never been unhappy to spend more and get better but have been disappointed when trying to save money and the equipment really wasn't that great."

Or to put it another way: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten" - Benjamin Franklin

"I bought an Ariens Deluxe 28 snowblower this year and when I was out throwing snow 30-40 feet I was shocked to see the neighbor maybe making it 5 feet with his Troybilt same snow. He kept struggling to not have to rethrow the same snow over and over. Mine would shoot across my entire driveway."

I bought the same machine 4 years ago. Where I remove snow, I did 5 driveways and sidewalks in the time it took for a neighbor to do just 2 with his MTD ... and he had a head start.