Troy Bilt has been serving the public with its lawn equipment for many years, and they have some of the best riders like the residential Troy Bilt Bronco. I know; it sounds like a truck, but it is one of Troy Bilt's best riding mowers with three different options.
We will discuss three Broncos, Bronco 42, the Bronco 46K, and the Bronco 46T. As we go through the specs and features of the Troy Bilt Bronco review, it will prove this bad boy is everything it says it is. In the comparison, we will discuss the differences, and in the features and specs, all the mowers have the same basic information.
Troy Bilt Bronco Lineup
We can put three mowers in the lineup for comparison, the Bronco 42, the Bronco 46K, and the Bronco 46T. Listed below only the differences.
| Specs | Bronco 42 | Bronco 46K | Bronco 46T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 42″ | 46″ | 46″ |
| Engine | 19 HP* Single Briggs & Stratton Intek engine | 18HP Kohler® | 679cc Troy-Bilt Twin Engine |
| Battery | 150 CCA, 12V | 150 CCA, 12V | 230 CCA, 12V |
| Speed | Forward Speed 5.5 MPH / 8.6 KMH Reverse Speed 2.5 MPH / 4 KMH | Forward Speed 5 MPH / 8.1 KMH Reverse Speed 2.5 MPH / 4 KMH | Forward Speed 5.5 MPH / 8.6 KMH Reverse Speed 2.5 MPH / 4 KMH |
| Cutting Height | 1.5” – 3.75” | 1.5” – 3.75” | 1.5” – 3.75” |
| Fuel Capacity | 1.36 gal. US (5.15 L) | 1.36 gal. US (5.15 L) | 1.36 gal. US (5.15 L) |
| Transmission | Troy-Bilt | Troy-Bilt | Troy-Bilt |
| Warranty | 2-year limited residential | 2-year limited residential | 2-year limited residential |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Related read: Riding Mower Weight
Bronco 42
- This mower has a 42-inch deck with a staggered side discharge.
- The mower has an automatic transmission and is foot pedal-controlled.
- It is designed with all-steel construction for durability and heavy-duty performance.
Bronco 46K
- It has a Kohler engine built for high-performance and tested for its reliability, and can start in every weather condition.
- Since 1937, this mower is made in the USA with global and US parts.
- It has a 46-inch deck with a deck wash.
Bronco 46T
- It has a StepThru Frame.
- The mower is built with FastAttach Accessories.
- It has a 46-inch deck with a side discharge and a deck wash.
Power
The Bronco 42 has a 19 horsepower engine labeled as a Single Briggs & Stratton Intek. Not going to lie, this isn't the best engine ever made. I've blown a couple of these up in the past. They are only single-cylinder engines. For the right application, it will do just fine though. Its drive system is controlled by a foot pedal controlled AutoDrive transmission with a CVT drive system.
Underneath the hood of the 46K is a powerful 541cc Kohler engine. Its drive system is like that of a vehicle with automatic transmission. It is another foot pedal control giving the option of speed and direction of forward and reverse.
The Bronco 46T has a twin-cylinder 679cc Troy Bilt Motor. This is a Chinese-built engine, not bad, but not great. For this level of mower, it does good. The drive train is the same as the 46K with the foot pedal controls.
Features
As mentioned earlier, the differences can be found in the comparison section. Listed below are the features the Troy Bilt Bronco mowers share.
- Automatic Troy Bilt transmissions with foot pedal control for speed and direction.
- Options for 42 and 46-inch decks between the three mowers, all with side discharge.
- All have heavy-duty performance engines built for quick starts.
- The 42 and the 46K have comfortable mid-back seats.
- The 46K has a high back seat and is built for comfort while operating the mower.
- Soft Touch Steering with rubber footpads
The transmissions are all Troy Bilt design with aluminum housing. The top speeds in forwarding range from 5-5.5mph, and in reverse, it can go 2.5mph. All are automatic transmissions that are separate from the seven gear manual mowers. We find it's Troy Bilt's way of making mowing the home front easier.
Cut Quality
The main website says it, and we know it is true. With the dual blades, the deck offers a clean-cut yard as everything comes out even. Listed below are the pros and cons of the deck design that makes the deck cut with precision. Don't fret; the cons are not that bad, only what is missing in the features.
Pros of the Deck Design
- Hand lever, easy to control and lock cutting height into place
- Made of 12-13 gauge steel
- Manual lever for PTO
- Stamped deck construction
- 5 deck positions for heights 1.5 inches to 3.75 inches
- Two gauge wheels on deck for anti-scalping.
- The deck remains level on turns and inclines for the best cut possible.
- The deck shell has a two-year limited warranty.
- Mulch kits and bags are optional on all the decks.
Cons of the Deck Design
- The Bronco 42 does not have an option for a wash port deck.
- Only two deck option sizes, 42 inches, and 46 inches. We feel there should be a more prominent option like a 54-inch deck.
Durability
The Troy Bilt Bronco mower is built for the homeowner's needs and is entirely durable. It has a limited residential warranty for 2 years. The chassis is protected from corrosion and robotically welded. It is a well-constructed mower with high-quality parts.
The engine is well protected under the hood, and the transmission housing is made of aluminum which will never rust. It is built to last for a long time. On average, the mowers will last five to seven years like most mowers. Of course, with proper maintenance, it can last even longer.
The only weak point is the mower cannot handle any commercial grade work. However, there is plenty of enough reliability and power for the homeowner's taste.
Comfort
The Bronco 42 and 46K have a halfback seat which is made for comfort. The 46T is the best with the fullback seat. All are easily adjustable with a knob. The mowers have floor mats and rubber-covered pedals for foot comfort. There is no seat suspension, but the mower is designed to make a comfortable ride while cutting.
Aesthetics
I love how the Troy Bilt Bronco looks. It has a mean look to it with the modern style body and steel frame that sets it apart from its competition. Additional features add to the look, such as headlights, cup holders, and operator presence system. The 46T is the real deal when it comes to the look of a traditional lawn tractor. Its modern features and top-of-the-line mower product can stand on their own.
Build Quality
The construction is designed with American and global-made parts. What stands out is the Made in America sticker. It's made with 13 gauge steel and proves its high quality with a corrosion-free chassis. The main components and parts are well protected from the weather and easy to clean and maintain.
Pros / Cons
The features are listed as the pros of the mower with these few extra tidbits of notable features.
Pros
- The mower is robust, reliable, and durable in the homeowner's yard.
- The 42 to 46-inch decks are made easily accessible for passing through gates and some tight spots.
- These mowers work great for small lots to midsize yards up to an acre.
- The mowers are made easy to steer.
Cons
The cons for the mower would have to be the same as the cons for the deck.
- The Bronco 42 does not have an option for a wash port deck.
- There should be a more prominent option like a 54-inch deck for the 46T.
- They are not zero-turn mowers, so some spots will take more than one pass.
Our Rating
| Performance: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Cut Quality: |  (3.5 / 5) |
| Durability: | (3.5 / 5) |
| Comfort: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Price: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (3.9 / 5) |
Price
The price for the Bronco riding mower is definitely on the lower end of the spectrum. It is one of the least expensive riding mowers on the market. If you are looking for a less expensive mower with a good value this is the mower for you. For pricing specifics, check these mowers out at The Home Depot.
Read Also: Best Riding Mowers for Hills
Wrapping It Up
We hope that you found value in this Troy Bilt Bronco review and that it helps paint a picture of the differences to help you purchase the mower that suits your needs. All three are close in their field but are unique in their different features.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of this Troy Bilt Bronco mower lineup? Which Bronco riding lawn mower is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on reviews of the latest mowers sign up for our newsletter below!
Images are from Troy-Bilt.
