Briggs & Stratton and MTD – these two companies make Troy Bilt snow blower engines. The specific brand depends on the model you buy and the year it was made.
I get this question a lot from people. They want to know who builds the power inside their machine. It helps them find parts or figure out how to fix things.
I’ve looked at many models over the years. The engine maker can change between different Troy Bilt lines. Let’s break down who makes what and why it matters for you.
This guide will show you the main engine makers. We’ll also talk about how to find yours and what to do for upkeep.
Who Makes Troy Bilt Snow Blower Engines Today?
Right now, most new Troy Bilt snow blowers use Briggs & Stratton engines. This is a very common brand in the outdoor power world.
You will see their logo on the engine cover. It’s often a silver or black label with their name. I find these engines on many of the newer two-stage models.
Some smaller, single-stage models might use other brands. But Briggs & Stratton is the main player for Troy Bilt. They have a long history of making good small engines.
According to Briggs & Stratton’s official site, they power many outdoor machines. Their engines are built for tough winter jobs.
So if you buy a new Troy Bilt, you likely get a Briggs engine. It’s a safe bet for reliable power when you need to clear snow.
Always check the actual machine before you buy, though. The sticker on the engine tells you the real story.
The History of Troy Bilt Engine Makers
Troy Bilt has used a few different engine makers over time. This can confuse people who own older machines.
In the past, many Troy Bilt snow blower engines came from Tecumseh. This company made small engines for decades. They were a big name in snow blowers.
Tecumseh stopped making these engines around 2008. After that, Troy Bilt needed new partners. This is when Briggs & Stratton became more common.
Some models also used engines from LCT (Liquid Combustion Technology). This is another maker you might find on certain units. They are less common but still good.
So who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines from ten years ago? It was probably Tecumseh. Knowing this helps you find the right repair manual.
The change in makers shows how the industry shifts. Companies come and go, but Troy Bilt keeps making machines.
Your best clue is the model number and year. This tells you the exact engine maker for your snow blower.
How to Find Out Who Makes Your Engine
Not sure who made the engine on your Troy Bilt? Don’t worry. Finding out is pretty simple.
First, look for a sticker or label on the engine itself. It’s usually on the side or top of the metal cover. The maker’s name will be printed right there.
Second, check your owner’s manual. It should list the engine brand and model number. This is the best way to know for sure who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines for your model.
You can also find the product model number on your machine. It’s often on a tag near the auger housing or on the back. Type this number into the Troy Bilt website.
The website will show you the specs for your exact snow blower. This includes the engine maker details. I do this all the time for parts lookups.
If the sticker is worn off, you can identify it by sight. Briggs engines often have a distinct shape and color. A quick online image search can help.
Knowing who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines is the first step. Then you can get the right oil, spark plugs, and air filters for it.
Briggs & Stratton Engines Explained
Let’s talk about Briggs & Stratton since they make so many engines. They are a huge American company with a long track record.
Their engines are known for being easy to start. Many have their ReadyStart system. This means no primer bulb and no choke to mess with.
Briggs engines come in different series for Troy Bilt. The Snow series is built just for cold weather use. They have features to handle the ice and snow.
You might wonder, who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines that are so reliable? Briggs puts a lot of work into cold-weather testing. Their engines can take the punishment.
According to the Consumer Reports website, engine reliability is key for snow blowers. A good engine makes the whole machine last longer.
Maintenance is straightforward. Change the oil once a season. Use fresh gas or a stabilizer. Keep the air filter clean.
If you have a Briggs engine, you’re in good hands. Parts are easy to find at any hardware store or online.
MTD’s Role as the Parent Company
Here’s an important piece of the puzzle. Troy Bilt is actually a brand owned by MTD Products.
MTD is a big manufacturer of outdoor power equipment. They own several brands you might know, like Cub Cadet. They don’t always make the engines themselves.
Instead, MTD sources engines from companies like Briggs & Stratton. They put these engines into the machines they build under the Troy Bilt name.
So when you ask who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines, MTD is the company assembling the machine. But the engine inside comes from a specialist engine maker.
This is common in the industry. It lets MTD focus on building the snow blower frame and controls. They let engine experts handle the power source.
It means you get a machine built by a company that knows snow blowers. And you get an engine from a company that knows small motors. It’s a good team-up.
Understanding this helps you see the whole picture. The Troy Bilt brand is your guarantee for the snow blower. The engine brand is your guarantee for the motor.
Are Troy Bilt Engines Good and Reliable?
This is the big question people really want answered. Are the engines any good? In my experience, yes, they are reliable.
The engines used by Troy Bilt come from proven makers. Briggs & Stratton has been around for over a hundred years. They know what they’re doing.
I’ve used Troy Bilt snow blowers with both Briggs and older Tecumseh engines. Both have started right up in cold weather for me. They run strong through deep snow.
Who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines matters for reliability. A major brand like Briggs has a big network for parts and service. That’s a huge plus if something goes wrong.
Like any machine, how you care for it matters most. An engine from the best maker will fail if you never change the oil. Good upkeep is key.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets rules for small engine emissions. Modern engines meet these standards and still make good power.
So, are they good? For the average homeowner clearing a driveway, they are great. They offer a solid mix of power, price, and easy fixes.
Finding Parts for Your Troy Bilt Engine
Once you know who made your engine, finding parts is simple. You just need the engine model number.
This number is on the same sticker as the maker’s name. Write it down or take a picture with your phone. Then you can search online or give it to a parts store.
Common parts include spark plugs, air filters, and oil filters. These are wear items you will need to change. Having the right engine model number gets you the right part.
If Briggs & Stratton makes your Troy Bilt snow blower engine, you can use their website. They have a parts lookup tool by engine model. It shows diagrams and part numbers.
For older Tecumseh engines, you might need to shop on aftermarket sites. Many parts are still available even though Tecumseh doesn’t make new engines.
Local small engine repair shops are also a great resource. They can often get parts quickly. They know who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines for different years.
Don’t guess on parts. A wrong spark plug can cause running issues. Always match the part to your specific engine model.
Engine Maintenance Tips for Long Life
Want your engine to last for many winters? A little care goes a long way. Here are my top tips.
First, use fresh gasoline. Old gas goes bad and gums up the carburetor. I add a fuel stabilizer to the gas can right when I buy it.
Second, change the oil once per season. Do this at the end of winter before you store it. Clean oil protects the engine’s inside parts.
Check the air filter often. A dirty filter makes the engine work harder. Replace it if it looks dark or clogged with dirt.
Who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines isn’t as important as how you treat them. Any engine will fail without basic care. Good habits keep it running.
At the end of the season, run the engine until it’s out of gas. This keeps old fuel from sitting in the carburetor all summer. It’s a simple trick that prevents big problems.
Store your snow blower in a dry place. Moisture can cause rust on engine parts. A cover helps keep dust and pests out.
Follow these steps, and your engine should start easy next year. It doesn’t take much time, and it saves you money and hassle.
What to Do If Your Engine Has Problems
Even the best engines can have a bad day. If yours won’t start or runs poorly, don’t panic. Start with the simple stuff.
Check the fuel. Is there gas in the tank? Is it fresh? Bad fuel is the number one cause of problems I see.
Next, check the spark plug. Remove it and look at the tip. It should be a light tan color. If it’s black or wet, clean it or replace it.
Make sure the engine stop switch or key is in the “on” position. It sounds silly, but I’ve done this myself. Also, check that the choke is set right for a cold start.
If you know who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines in your model, you can look for brand-specific advice. Briggs & Stratton has troubleshooting guides on their site.
For bigger issues like strange noises or loss of power, a repair shop might be best. They have the tools and know-how to fix internal engine problems.
Remember, these are simple machines. Most issues are easy to fix with a little patience. Start with fuel, spark, and air, and you’ll solve most problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Troy Bilt snow blower engines for the Storm series?
The Storm series models usually have Briggs & Stratton engines. Check your specific model’s sticker to be sure. This is a common setup for their tougher machines.
Are Troy Bilt engines made by Honda?
No, Honda does not make engines for Troy Bilt snow blowers. Honda makes their own snow blowers under the Honda brand. Troy Bilt uses Briggs & Stratton and in the past used Tecumseh.
Who made engines for older Troy Bilt snow blowers?
Many older Troy Bilt snow blower engines were made by Tecumseh. This company was a major supplier before they stopped production around 2008.
