I put a 22hp replacement engine in my bronco. It is the most powerful Kohler engine in that series. It'll go thru two feet of grass like a monster.

I had the pony and traded up for the bronco was no deck wheels also and cut uneven no matter what you do .I gave my 2006 pony to a needy family that had a push mower for 12 acres .I maintain my mowers the old pony was bought in 2006 and the new one was bought in 2015 .The bad thing about both is if you are short like me is that the seat does not go forward enough .I also have a cub cadet that the seat works great for me .I change the oil 2 times a year and grease everything and even do the spindle bearings also .I am a woman and you tube video's have made the task easier .If you have the money go with the bronco because now the pony only comes with a 15 HP and my old pony had a 17 HP .With 3 acres on a hill I need the power .Remember to make them last they need to be greased all the pulleys and bearings and wheels need greased

@bobbyd6680

6 жыл бұрын

Good advise. I must admit though, in the last four or fives years, I haven't greased anything, and only changed the oil once (but I check the level before each use). It also is left to sit out in the elements of southern Michigan year round. My point is other then changing the blades, this mower has stood up to my abuse. Of course this season I'm going do a completed oil and lube job and deck maintenance.

@thomasmacdonough288

6 жыл бұрын

Or get a Super Bronco. Mine was made in 2006, runs like new. Other than the amount of neglect my dad gave it, all things considered it still runs pretty well. Honestly the older Troy builds are pretty amazing. I don’t know much about the newer ones though.

I have had my Troy built bronco for a year now,love it,wouldn't trade it for the world

Best mower review ever

Got the pony this morning and cut my large property. I was amazed how well it was for $1000

Hey dude it is just an MTD deck. I am sure you can buy one. If not, do what I do. Find them for a hundred dollars or less on craigslist and buy a few for decks and parts. The yard machines are practically the same thing. Every off season take the deck off and wire wheel off the dirt and rust and paint it so it don't rust underneath, and if you see any rust or bare metal on top paint it. Should last for years. I have some that have busted off the welds to the brackets. I weld a thick plate underneath a couple inches larger than the hole, and sit the bracket back in its original spot and weld it to the thick plate so it does not break loose again.

@426superbee4

3 жыл бұрын

I really think Your rite! There all Made by MTD with different Names!

I plan on getting me a pony. Right now I have a walk behind troy built mower that is now 11 years old and still running excellent. Only replacement part I have bought for it is the drive cable for the self propell and cleaned the carburetor.

Best of luck man. Good review.

Thank you, just what I was looking for. I've had my Pony for 11 yrs and it has served me well. I have an acre of land which is not even and I'm always bumping into things. I just had it tuned up and changed the blades and belt about 3 months ago, the guy suggested I get a John Deere but they are too expensive for my needs. The belt came off the front pulley today and I was wondering if you have a video on how I can put it back on again. Thanks!

Thanks for the video exactly what I was looking for. I am going to go with the Bronco after seeing I can get a replacement deck if something happens. Lowes is currently running a promotion where you buy a riding lawnmower and get a 12 foot steel cart, timing lined up perfectly.

@sharpeel1

7 жыл бұрын

Jermaine J I

Just bought a bronco deck for my pony mower. The new pto cable comes in tomorrow so i won't know how well it does until thursday.

Will the pony mower deck fit under a bronco mower. I was thinking about doing that on mine, but wanted to make sure it would fit.

Any complaints with the blade drive belt on the Bronco?

Engine? I'm looking at this one but I'm not familiar with the Kohler engine which is what's in the one I'm considering at Lowes (3/25/16). Any comments? I have a Troybilt push mower which I've used for 2 seasons now that I am very pleased with it. It has a Honda engine and it starts beautifully every time. I hardly have to pull the cord at all for it to crank every time. I had never owned any TB products prior to this, and thus far the push mower is the only one. Thanks for your input.

Ha I have had my Bronco for 9 years it is great I have use it to do many yards in those years no major problems with it either. change your oil every month and they will last a very long time I have cut up to 39 yards a month she is a nice mover

Have you ever had your drive belt on your bronco come off? How did you fix?

Good video dude.

take the pulley wheel off the engine of a broken down bronco along with the deck, transfer over to the pony?

I was wondering if the black grass chute can just be removed if the mulch plug is installed. Certainly is easier to mow without that big chute sticking out if you don't need it.

@Web215com

6 жыл бұрын

The black grass chute is a few inches of the top right deck. I lift it up to mow close to a verizon cable stump in my yard. When I left it I'm looking down on about 2-3 inches of the blade spinning. Not to safe operate without the chute.

Everybody reviewing these lawn tractors leaves out one important factor, the year of the model. Every few years the engine and many of the features change, sometimes dramatically change. Thus, maybe a 2015 Bronco has a lot of drawbacks that 2009 Bronco didn't have. Maybe a brand new 2023 Bronco has added features over a 2018 model, or the controls are moved around. From one year model to the next in the same model name could be as different as a John Deere to an MTD both of the same year model.

Will a 42" cut bronco deck , fit a 42" pony deck

Bought my Troy bilt pony new in 2015 and had issues with deck also. Mine ended up rusting and falling off to the point I couldn’t mow. I can’t blame it all on quality of the deck because i hit so many things(roots, concrete slabs etc) so i contributed to the problems..It still ran great but deck metal quality was shit. Just bought a Bronco so we will see how it does . The deck anti scalping wheels will definitely be beneficial since i seem to a lot of shit i shouldn’t

Got me a new pony, so far so good, but the brake is very touchy! rite at the end as it goes up, then it catches and jumps> have to blow the leave ect off the pulley's all the time, . Fuel tank to small. i like a high back seat with arm rest. other than that been a good one

I just got the Pony at Lowes 5-4-2017 and cut the grass today 5-7-2017. I bought it because I just bought a property with about 1.5 acres. While moving I found a pair of kids trailing wheels with steel supports. I figure I'll just weld on the wheels to the Pony deck to get the Bronco type Deck and have the 7 speed gears of the Pony to keep my feet relaxed......If I have time, I'll make a video of the wheel addition to the deck of the Pony!

@scott1artgmail

7 жыл бұрын

The most important differene between the pony and bronco deck is the "passenger side" ideler pully. The poney is a skinny 1.5 inche where as the bronco is closer to 2.5 inches. After the belt breaks in, it will jump off a bit. You'll learn how to fix it real quick. 9/16 wrench and socket. Break loose enough to rock the pulley don't remove it. Rotate the ideler guide forward as you put the belt back on, then seat it back it its groove before tightening it all down or you'll burn up the belt.

@douglasstansfield4259

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip! Enjoyed the first round of grass cutting. I'll be doing it all summer long....

@douglasstansfield4259

7 жыл бұрын

just managed to remove the kill switch so I can now cut in reverse!

Was just wondering if I could put a bronco deck on a pony

Amazing how much the prices for these have gone up since this video.

Same here. I dont care if pro equipment is better resedential equipment works fr me!

@adriangreen9785

4 жыл бұрын

You use them for commercial use also?

any MTD MOWER DECK WOULD WORK There all the same 42: cut Might can even do a bigger deck like a 46 or 48" cut idk

I have a Troy Bilt Pony that is 9 years old and I have mowed over everything and my deck is in fantastic shape. I would like to add skid wheels but I am looking at a new mower trying decide between the Pony, Bronco and Horse. One of the things you said is the Pony drive with the Bronco deck, and I think that is what the Horse offers.

whats the differents with the TB- 42

Are pony and bronco decks interchangeable? Thank you

Are the Black 42 inch MTD Decks on the older troy bilt Pony the same as the Red ones? I need a beck and am trying to hunt down a used one. I have the same as yours.

@obfuscated3090

6 жыл бұрын

Look up both part numbers on the ereplacement or other vendor site. Most mowers are made by AYP then branded for the companies selling them.

Funny thing is, if you maintain the engines (and change belts when needed, normal stuff), these mowers should have very few problems and end up better off than being used residentially. I see lots of these where their issues stem from not being used or sitting too long. First thing that’ll give you trouble on these (again if you maintain motor) is probably your transaxle. They’re light duty, bushed (no bearings) and the bushes will wear out after probably 500-1000 hours (my guess). Not terrible to replace, I did it on my much older 05 bronco and the process is the same. Takes ~2 hours, costs 30 bucks to do.

I can't even keep up with my 1.5 acre lawn with my pony due to endless break downs.... The deck, the safety switches, the belts, the steering wheel, did I mention that dang steering wheel!!! Oh and I've got two pony's I rob this one for that one everytime I go to mow I'm finally done with the one that has steering column issues I'm completely breaking it down for parts.

Not sure, but the Pony deck is lower in the front than the back. Park it on your driveway and follow the instructions in the manual.

i need to buy a use deck for my 2006 bronco

Helpful review. I just began my 2nd season with my pony and have had no problem. Would you mind commenting on the need or frequency on sharpening the blade and how to accomplish that? Do i need a lifter device to raise the mower? The blade is an all prpose blade that came on the mower and seems to be cutting well thus far.

@scott1artgmail

7 жыл бұрын

I don't sharpen blades, at $25/pair online, it is easier to buy them. I have never had a problem wit cutting the grass with dull blades. I look under the deck, when the square front edge is worn away to a curve all the way to the back edge, I change them.

@cnielson01

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Scott. My being older and this being my first riding mower, changing the blade is not as simple as my previous walk behind mowers. I see on-line that there are many creative ways of lifting up the mower to get at the blades. They also sell a type of jack that is for lifting the front end to make changing the blades easier ( especially for older adults). Do you have a simple approach to the actual changing of the blades....which is more about making the underside of mower and blades accessible?

@bobbyd6680

6 жыл бұрын

I just back my Pony up on car ramps. I'm 66 and changing the blades is quite easy, no harder then a push mower, just there a 2 of them. Like Scott, I find it cheaper and easier to just by new blades, best prices can be found Amazon if you a prime member. I place the ones I want in a Save For Later list and wait for price drops from flash sales.

can you swap the decks

I am having a problem with my 42 inch cut troy.... the blades will not engage.. but have new belt on it.. and they still wont engage.... have not hit anything with them.. was cutting some tall grass.. and they just seemed to stop cutting.. did not hit anything but .... the blades simply will not engage in cutting... thought maybe it was belt stretched out.. but placed new belt on lawn mower and still blades will not engage... any ideas?????.....

@sissymurphy9620

6 жыл бұрын

Check your spindles and pulleys as the bearings need greased at least once a year . There are great video's on youtube how to do it

@dg8708

6 жыл бұрын

This may be way too late, but sometimes the seat sensor can prevent the blades from working.

Why don’t you get a the 7 series ztrak Deere residential and thicker deck

i just got me a bronco yesterday. i was dumb founded that i couldn't cut grass while on reverse. other than that i like it. cuts my grass half the time faster than my push mower.

@scott1artgmail

9 жыл бұрын

hotpapayasalad There is a modification so you can cut the grass in reverse. I'll do a video for you in a few days. I forgot about that... the bronco you can cut in reverse.

@hotpapayasalad

9 жыл бұрын

Scott Heil thanks that will be very helpful!!!

@juan617

9 жыл бұрын

Scott Heil did you ever make that video????

@jaxturner7288

7 жыл бұрын

hotpapayasalad did you get fet up and unplug it yet?

@jaxturner7288

7 жыл бұрын

Scott Heil mod? You mean unplugging it? Serious mod man you should make a vid.

I do wish the belts could be replaced in a easier way that is very hard for me to do

How long is the pony?

The Bronco has a cruise control. Mine does....a 2006.

@markrunyon5524

3 жыл бұрын

I"ve got a 2009 Bronco,same deal,has factory cruise control.

I used a pony...about 25-35 hours per month all last season. It was 8-10 years old when I got it. The deck not having anti-scalp wheels sucked, and the deck couldn't go very high either. The steering stripped out. Plastic bushing on the steering spindles don't hold up very long. Belts lasted 4 months. But the CVT trans was nice...just used the clutch/brake lever to control the speed and shifting from forward/reverse was fast. All said, the pony took a lot of abuse and only died on a job once (stem that holds the exhaust rocker backed out of the block, easy to fix once I figured it out) and by the end of the season, adding up the purchase price and parts bought, it was a $600 mower. That works out to $100/month of use...and then I sold it for $250. I'd buy a newer pony if it had the deck with the wheels.

@imrelentless9577

Жыл бұрын

So you use this to cut customers? Cause I'm starting out with a push mower I then was looking at one of these and eventually save for a 0 turn which will then cut a average Joe yard in about half the time that it would take a pony or bronco to do

my pony will not take off in 1st thru 3rd gear????????!

Dose the Pony have reverse?

@mikeh478

8 жыл бұрын

+Mr Cut Lawn Care yes

my bronco has cruise control

@markrunyon5524

4 жыл бұрын

Mine too,2009 model-still running it,One of the worst engines Kohler ever made but mine"s good.Guess I got lucky.

How to replace belts on a Bronco

I'm in Missouri I have a PONY I have for sale

There have been reviews/complaints about the number of times the belts have to be replaced and the plastic bushings for the wheels. In your experience, is this a problem area that needs to be addressed? I have also read that the best speed to operate a riding mower would be 3 to 3.5 MPH and running the engine at maximum RPM.. On the pony that would be locking into 4th or 5th... If we run the PONY at this recommended speed, disable the reverse and keep the deck at one setting, will we be rewarded with longer life between belt changes? Thank you for your review. At $1,000.00 this looks like the best bang for buck

@scott1artgmail

8 жыл бұрын

+Tony Ferrari 1. I run mine as fast as it will go and with the engine at max rpm. 2. I don't know what belt life should be because I use mine hard. I go to properties with 12+ inches of grass here in Florida often. This will eat up the belt. One thing to look for on the idler pulley "passenger side" make sure the tab that keeps the belt on the pulley is in the correct place. On mine, the "correct" place is the wrong place. The notch that the tab sits in, when the blades are engaged rubs on the belt as it comes off the other idler pulley "drivers side". FIx: Move the pulley about 1/3 an inch counter-clockwise from th notch it sits in. Also another thing you can do to increase the belt life (the belt will fall off more often as it stretches) is bend in the guards for the blade pulley so they are just about touching the pulley. This will not let the belt slip off there when it is getting close to the end of its usable life and give you a few more hours. 3. About the deck height, I agree I have noticed that different deck heights will alter the wear on the belt and increase the amount of times it has fallen off. I have 2 (I don't remember the size) large washers maybe 1 inch under the idler pulley to raise it up a little. I cut on 3 and that is about level off the engine pulley so I get good results and life with that. 4. I don't know why disabling reverse would add to belt life...

@FerrariMX

8 жыл бұрын

+Scott Heil About Response #4. I meant "Disabling/Disconnecting" the reverse safety switch so you can mow in reverse without having to disengage the blades (Saving wear and tear) I just bought a new Pony at Lowes and got a really great price, but they only gave me a seven day return policy. (Paid $640.00). There was a repair ticket on it (Said they replaced a belt), but there was absolutely no wear nor any marks/scratches. The blades looked perfect like they had never seen or touched a blade of grass.

@scott1artgmail

8 жыл бұрын

+Tony Ferrari You got the deal of the century! Good luck and enjoy it. They hold up really well.

@maxti6

8 жыл бұрын

I've had a Bronco since 2010. With industial strength mulching blades (bought for big fields and long life)this powerhouse is the best machine. I did wear the original blades out rather fast, and if sand is an issue whatsoever they tear apart quick (tips first-fork effect). The kohler 20 is a great industrial strength motor. The deck is perfect, however i did notice the deckwheels must be measured from the driveway to balance the height. I've disabled the seat cut-off and rear cut-off. The fwd/rev gear is seamless. slow down, switch, go. Great mower! In 2010 we were able to buy it on sale for $950.

@suzannemiller507

6 жыл бұрын

my bronco has a mow in reverse option on the ignition switch just above the key is a button just mash the button and goes into mow in reverse mode

not the same transmission. bronco has the cvt transmission.

8 years later and these mowers are now 2k plus. Inflations sucks

@solidrockofjesuschristmini2423

29 күн бұрын

I just got a used pony for 300 bucks it cuts great, I can't see myself ever paying over 2000 for a riding mower, I just don't see it unless your commercial mowing and getting paid

why are you using an mtd for commercial use

@scott1artgmail

7 жыл бұрын

Why? Cheap. Easy to fix. Easy to get parts. Parts are cheap. I throw out any mower after about 4 years of heavy use... 1000 vs 4000.... Why would you NOT use it?

Have pony , the seat is small and don't care how sharp the blades are ..you cant' go past 4 on the shift !

Ok 1 don’t be cheap on equipment my 52 in snapper walk behind will do in 1 hour what it would take 8 riding lawn mowers to do and 2nd only reason I am watching this vid is I just got a Troy built bronco for free well it cost me 30 dollars through home advisor I was thinking the engine was going to be shot or shot trans or just a dirty carb needing cleaned when I got to this house the key was In the ignition sat on the seat turned the key with out even choking the dam engine and it fired up right away took me a try or 2 to figure out how to get it to go right peddle and it moved only issue is it’s a tad dirty more than likely going to sell it to use towards an old late 80s early 90s John Deere 175 hydro trans those r built like tanks with the old Kawasaki single cylinder engines but any how a 48 in snapper with a trimmer trap bull rider sulky will knock yards out fast super fast but your standing on a sulky not sitting your looking at around 5 plus thousand but it’s worth the price for the time it saves you and time equals more yards equals more cash flow into your company going out this year for the toro grandstand multitool unit 13k plus Chang and 3k with air blower attachment p,us going to grad a snow plow for it as well

You didn’t mention the pony has a pos Chinese Briggs and Stratton Motor, while the bronco has a far superior,very reliable Koehler motor.

@FlipSRT4

Жыл бұрын

My bronco has a turd briggs

i would hate to have to keep my foot on a DAM PEDAL ALL THE TIME i would hate that! So Bronco your out!

@markrunyon5524

3 жыл бұрын

I have a 2009 Bronco,it has a control so you can set the speed like cruise control-factory

@426superbee4

3 жыл бұрын

@@markrunyon5524 Wow IDK that Thanks

@markrunyon5524

3 жыл бұрын

@@426superbee4 very welcome,maybe after 2009 they didn"t have it,I don"t know.

@426superbee4

3 жыл бұрын

@@markrunyon5524 looks like now they all went to foot control IDK why they even need the left peddle now. I GUESS A SAFETY START lmfao

Thanks for the review won't by buying this junk

this is an excellent commercial for John Deere hahahahahahahaha

He grandma

Old video. Newer Pony completely different. Do not rely on this comparison.

why not buy a cheaper john Deere for $3000 and it will save you time in the long run.

Very poor choice using residential junk as commercial. You will spend more time working on them than cutting. If you are going to run a real and legit commercial lawn care business, invest in the correct equipment. Don't be a second rate backyard lawn mower dude, be professional. Trust me customers notice the equipment you use. Bad image using cheap junk equipment vs nice commercial equipment. You can buy a good used commercial mower for less than this junk costs...

@scott1artgmail

6 жыл бұрын

If customers were that snobby knowing the brand of mower I used, then they would probably be cutting their own lawn..... Spending more does not get you more... You know nothing of the input cost or time I have put into my equipment or my return on investment, or cost per property.... I sold my business this past summer with a few thousand hours on all my mowers in WORKING condition with a very profitable route and setup. Belt change every 50 hours takes 20 minutes. Blade change every 10 to 20 hours 5 minutes... What other maintenance issues should I have had that you don't? I abused the crap out of my equipment, and it has lasted a very long time... Then following your idiotic logic of spending 5k on an exmark zero turn, what I do I do when that machine goes down? I could own 5 lawn tractors for that single investment. I could own 2 trailers 2 lawn tractors and 2 30 inch walk behind mowers for that single investment. I could do 2 times the work for that single investment. Exmark/Torro 2 30 inchers for yards, lawn tractors for 1/2 acre and above. Your're a tool if you think the cut quality has anything to do with the label on the machine you push or ride. Tell me more about the brand of gasoline you put in your machines to make the engines run better...

@solidrockofjesuschristmini2423

29 күн бұрын

This is one of the snobbiest comments I've seen 😂 if the customer cared that much about what I'm riding then I don't want to cut their grass anyway 😂 I've used residential equipment all over commercial buildings also😂

if you spend 4000 on a kubota or a john deere it will outlast that mtd

@matt4398

6 жыл бұрын

ayp193 a 4000 dollar mower last longer than a 1000 mower? Ya dont say

@obfuscated3090

6 жыл бұрын

That requires more cash up front. Brand autism is adorable but the cheaper mowers can TURN A PROFIT which is all that matters. I'm a mechanic (aircraft, motorcycles, machine tools and more) but i use the cheap mowers because parts are cheap and plentiful online and I can keep them running with trivial effort. That leaves the difference for me to use elsewhere.