After using the Flex system all summer, here is our Troy Bilt Flex review video. We used the lawnmower and pressure washer attachments with the Flex power base around the house, here's our take on it.
Note: This is a Sponsored Post sponsored. Troy Bilt sent me the Flex and compensated me for my time, but all opinions are my own
The GardenFork Troy Bilt Flex Review
I like the Troy Bilt Flex concept of one engine that connects to multiple pieces of outdoor power equipment. Its much easier to maintain one engine than 4 or 5 of them every year.
The power base has a 208cc engine with ample power to run everything that attaches to it. I like that the engine has an oil dipstick and an easy oil drain plug, plus a solid gas cap. The wheels are air filled knobby tires and the power base is self propelled. The handles fold back onto the unit for space saving storage, a nice feature.
The lawn mower has a 28" wide deck, which is 8" wider than most walk behind mowers. The front wheels are solid and can be set to free wheel or lock straight for when you are mowing on inclines. Two blades under the deck work nicely. I used the deck in mulching mode, but you can set it for side discharge or you can order a grass collection bag for it.
The pressure washer is quite nice, it will do everything I will ever need a pressure washer to do. It has 5 quick connect nozzles and can generate 3,000 psi of power. You can attach a hose to the pump for cleaning solution injection. I really like that it has a 40' hose on it. I need to wash the clapboard on our 2 story house, and I don't have to buy an additional length of hose to reach the 2nd story. This will come in handy if you are washing down large equipment.
The Troy Bilt Flex also has a snowblower and leaf blower attachments that we did not test. I don't blow our leaves, and it being summer, well, no snow.
steve
One machine that does it all -- very cool idea. Could use a wood chipper...
Roger
Nice video. Thanks for sharing.
Steven M Kroszkewicz
Well, the only thing I saw that might of have been a problem was when you were power washing the underside of the mower and then splashed the camera. I'm sure that wasn't part of the script. Thanks
robin shoop jr
I am impressed with the versatility; I owned a troy bilt rototiller for over 10 years I used for gardening and it never failed me. It was a super high quality machine.
sincerely
robin s
crystal
Nice video - bugs and dirt on lense aside it explained this machine very well. I am now looking at this for myself! Will you do another video for snow removal when the snow arrives?
Jeff
Hm. Looking for continuity problems? I guess the equipment wasn't as wet between shots??
You hid glaring mistakes well.
Jeff
robin shoop jr
I am very impressed with the versatility; Troy builds superior, high quality machines. I owned a Troy rototiller for 10 years while gardening and it never failed me.
sincerely
robin shoop jr
Laurie
You didn't use any butter or cream in this video!
Erik
Excellent video as usual!
penny
I love this! I have two troy built rototillers--they should do a rototiller attachment also. I love the oil drain, finally someone was smart and made it so it will drain into a container and not all over the machine like all other oil drain plugs. I would think depending on the price they should have a winner here!!! Penny
Jeff frango
Nice unit. Lol. But being a Troy Bilt the second option after a mower should have been a tiller attachment. I'm not much of an editor so I guess the video is fine. Thanks for all you do
Aileen
Love the review - appears to be a well-thought out design process! In the video you didn't mention the handles that fold for storage, which I think is a great feature. You also used the phrase "change the gas" - I felt you meant to say "add gas". Hope that helps - keep up the great work!
Michael
Nice demo - my son bought one of these a couple months ago but only the power washer attachment so far. I didn't see any 'continuity' issues other than the messed up camera during the power washing (not really a continuity issue) Maybe the only other thing is the machine was dirty before you started using it...
Shannon Lovejoy
You didn't preheat the oven? 🙂 I know nothing about Troy Bilt equipment - I've never mowed grass in my life thanks to grass, tree and pollen allergies. Yay for husbands! Thank you for your videos!
Celeste Epstein
I love your videos! I didn't see any issues with the video on first run through. Guess I'll have to watch again!
Would love to know: who is holding the camera, and talking off screen? Introductions, please!
The dogs are just the best. I'm so happy that you are growing your little on-line business and family!
p.s. I made cold brew coffee as per your instructions. OMG, yum!!
Sandy
Splashing camera and mower?
Aileen
Suggestion for Troybuilt - perhaps an air compressor unit?
George Fountaine
GREAT company. Thanks for showing!
Tana Denner
Being a single woman, it would be nice to know how much this machine and the accessories weigh. Seems like a good idea but what does it cost? During one part of video there was an open plug on machine....what is that? And how the heck do u manage a big red tomato and green one this time of year? (Sorry, I live in Florida and that ain't happening). Love everything about u guys, keep it up.
Dan Bowles
Just a couple of points. Safety shield should have in place PRIOR to pressure washing the mower deck. Also you show us the mower disconnected but next shot it's connected. But the product is fantastic, like so much of the Troy Built line.
Linda Johnson
I only noticed a couple of incidences of bugs on or flying across the lens and then power washing incident with the mower deck where you inadvertently got the lens dirty.
I used a Toro Dingo to move 40 cubic yards of garden soil this spring and it is the same principle. One motor unit and multiple attachments. I like this one better. Seems a bit more simple on this.
Peach
Sincere thanks for always sharing your knowledge!
x0x
Peach
jo
Wow great concept now I know what to get DH for Christmas, thank you. I really did not see problems with the video
Doug
glad to see someone is not trying to sell so many machines. Kitchen Aid did this with their attachments to the mixer.
The machine was dirty when you fist showed it so that was filled after you power sprayed it. I don't think Hollywood will be calling you
Bob Middleton
Enjoyed your latest review of the Troy Bilt Flex.
Could not find anything out of the ordinary unless was it that one of the dogs was on vacation? Yard and garden are looking green for this time of year. Keep up the good work.
And did I hear engine sounds in shots when the engine was not running?
Greg
Piece of equipment is awesome. Edger & cleaning brush would also help
lois Pollard
I like this idea of one engine for multiple uses. I would love a mower with a greater mowing width range yet the ability to walk and exercise at the same time. I could not find any discrepancies in your video because I was glued to the ease with which multiple tools can be attached to one motor very easily. Right now I am servicing 3 mowers, a tractor mower and considering the purchase of a wood chipper, and pressure washer for two properties that I own. Servicing each machine becomes confusing as to scheduling maintenance. I really like the idea of only servicing one engine/motor for multiple attachments. The space saving is a real plus!
Kathleen Baran
We owned a DR 3 way machine,same idea,we had a grasscutter,brush cutter and snow blower. The snow blower was only a one stage operation.it was a disaster. Even their customer service was useless.if this troybuilt has a two stage thrower it probably is worth getting.it looks and operates a lot easier than the DR we had.we only have the brush cutter left and we choose to maintain our other independent machines. Great video!
Bill Anderson
Love your videos and love those labs...I've had Troy Bilt machines in the past and I like this one a lot.
Linda
Very COOL! Machine! A log splitter would be nifty! The only oops, I saw was the splash on the camera.
Keep up the GREAT work Eric and Mrs. Gardenfork! Love the pups!
Linda Lepage
Wal;nutport, PA
Robert Ayers
I thought it was a good presentation and a great product.
Tom spofford
Very informative but needs editing. You did the mowing bit then went to power wash function but then back to mowing. Also info at end about choke etc better as you showed how to start in earlier sequence. Lastly, you mentioned log splitter twice.
Kerry L. Hart
Thee power washer is the great attachement and seems to have lots of pressure. Until I know pricing I hate to comment on if a "good deal". Needs to have a "garden tiller" attahcement.
The you,,
Kerry
Sherry
For me, typical GF video: dogs, grass & water on lens, and an honest review. Looks like a nice equipment system for homesteaders and gardeners alike.
Sandy
I assume you're calling the grass on the camera lens a mistake, but it's probably inevitable - like muddy Lab feet.
Best feature for me was the extended plug.
H
The one big mistake that I see is that you are clearly running the equipment with your dogs in fairly close proximity. I recognize that the Lab in the video is a GF trademark, but the Owner's Manual gives instructions to make sure Pets and Children, as with all power equipment are not in the area when operating.
Amy Kreiger
Wow, very impressive piece of machinery!! I bet it costs a lot of money though, sure it's out of my price range. As an artist, I appreciate seeing other ppl design things well. It is very well thought out, and I appreciate that u showed those things off 🙂 It also seemed to snug cut against the garden frame very well. That was nice too!
The only problem w the vid that I saw was that u hadn't considered what a mess the water pressure cleaning would make, on u, but esp on the camera. Yuck! Hmm, u also left the mower running while u were throwing the balls too, prolly not the safest thing to do. Can't think of much else.
How did ur lab loose his front tooth? 😛 I have 4 dogs, and they are my life!! I love that u include urs in everything!! 😀
I really, really enjoy you and ur wife!! Glad u are sharing all ur knowledge and fun with us!! Thanks!!
Bettye Mitchell
Really love the new troy build multi machine. I can handle it, I'm a lady, with problems. The snow blower is the greatest in michigan.
Love you sites Eric.
Marc
If I had the money, this would be number 1 on my list!. I did find a couple of inconsistancies in the video; 1). Sprayed grass clipping on camera & your camera operator (wife), 2). Wet machine at beginning of video, 3). running rough after mowing & before cleaning, 4). continuity of sequences.
Andrea
I think the one mistake I saw was that you should always turn it off when not using it. Is it easy to use though for a woman though? What about a garden tiller attachment?
jill
Nice video! Equally nice piece of equipment! There was only one inconsistency observed. After demonstrating how to reattach the motor to the mower section, you show the underside of the mower, and the motor and mower are again separate.
Bud
In the South a wood chipper would be very useful! Looks like a great product!
Susan W.
I have a tiny driveway, so I have to park my cars in my garage. Space is very limited and the idea of one engine with multiple attachments is a great space-saving concept. The safety issue I noticed was eye & camera lens protection while power washing. I hope the camera operator didn't get her clothes ruined!
Patricia Hasen
1. Thanks for the disclosure - appreciate that.
2. Did something bonk your head?
3. Eye protection and ear protection (later you put on eye pro)
4. Recommend putting the informative stuff up front - like, how much does this thing weigh, is it a mulching mower, does it have a collection bag, adjustable height, is it self propelled, how much horsepower does the engine have, how much PSI on the pressure washer, does it compact down for storage and if so, how much - but you answered most of these if not all throughout the video.
5. What about a rototiller, dethatcher (sometimes called a vertical mower - for grass), lawn aerator and a chipper? I would be interested in these "add-on" units, particularly the chipper (I shred everything to facilitate the mulch pile process).
6. Warranty? Service? I would hate for something to happen to the ONE engine that powers all the tools. It is a great space saving idea, but not so good if that engine isn't working right.
7. There was a moment where the engine was running and it didn't sound so great - and you were throwing the pooch a ball. Sounded like the engine was going to die - throttle too low?
8. MSRP? And how much for the individual units? Are they less than a full unit, or about the same price?
9. Noise? Vibration?
10. Ease of taking apart the blades for sharpening them?
I ask a lot of questions - so that is probably more than what people want to hear or know in a video.
Great video (as always) and the water and mud didn't bother me - it wouldn't be a garden fork video if it didn't contain "life happens" kind of stuff. 🙂 If I want to know more, well, then I go to their website and look it up.
Thanks again.
Trish
PS. Your garden area is gorgeous - lush, green, and a happy place with the pooches.
Tanya Horkey
Great video and review!
I grew up with a Troy Bilt Rototiller and it was dependable for more than 10 years.
As far as the editing goes I would have to say starting with the ending and a dirty mower may not have been chronologically accurate,however your videos are great, the splash and dirty lens were nice touches and entertaining!You both as well as your dogs are the perfect people to promote a great company and great Idea.
Keep up the great Videos!
CJ
Assorted attachments..... Awesome idea!!!
A tiller would be a great addition to the selection.
Thanks for all your videos..... They're great
& the Labs always make me smile 🙂
Romeo Danais
Why buy multiple engines when one will do the trick with multiple attachments!
Karl Horlander
Loved the review. Very informative. Do they have a design for a tiller?
terri wright
At one point you was talking alone,,,but I heard the mower running! Like it was finishing up the job for you. Looks like a nice system. Hope I can afford one.
Denise
I think a spotted at least two mistakes. #1 the bug on the screen and # 2 the spray of grass and water on the screen.
Great review overall. Cool system.
John
The machine was wet before you power washed it.
Kenneth Shelton
Nice Video. I think a generator of at least 4000 watts would be a good attachment. You could take power to where you need it or power essentials during a power outage.
Roni james
What a great tool for multitasking in the yard! Spray guards may be a nice feature lol!
Connie Hawkins
I'm sold, great video of a great product.
TC Anderson
I loved this video, as I do all of your videos. So much better than TV these days. I think the labs were jealous of the new toy, though, and were competing for your attention. I don't blame them. That machine is awesome! It might be good to show your wife mowing for a few seconds to show that it is gender neutral. Otherwise, the only continuity issue that I saw was that you forgot to wear your apron.
John Rosalia
Nice machine. I think a generator would be a good attachment too.
Darren Causey
This sounds like a great product.
Trevor White
I have used Troy Built stuff before and always seems to be excellent. Keep up the great videos!!!!
Jon
Interesting usage of power equipment. Akin to a tractor and its implements.
Noticed opening shot shows the equipment splattered with bits of grass. Appears opening scene was made after you filmed power washing scene.
Anyways, always enjoy your honest and informative YouTube videos!
Sunny
It rains a lot here where we live so we could definitely use both a fast lawnmower and pressure washer to wash away mold, mildew. But, is it heavy to mow?
Joseph Zappadiano
Great an all in one tool for all of your needs I own a troy Build Mower 6hp love it its a walk around and a Troy Built weed Eater they put out great products the only thing i found wrong was the camera person got a bath wile you was washing the under carriage of the mower
Linda W
This equipment system seems very good. Some of the video sequences seem out of order but lack of safety (humans and labs) was my biggest distraction.
Michelle Hernandez
Nice mower!!! One continuity issue I saw was when you showed how to attach the mower. In the next scene the mower was again unattached while you talked about the width. Then you attached that puppy again. Nice job though!
Linda
Nice machine. Informative video. Didn't know they made this with interchangeable attachments. Let's see. Mistakes. The video shuddered in the beginning. When cleaning the mower it splattered the camera but you put on a face shield which was a good idea if there was flying debre. Wrote these to get into the contest. Always enjoy your videos and humor with your wife filming. Hope she didn't get too mud splattered. Lol. Keep the videos coming fun to watch.
abedabun dawn
The only things I noticed that was forgotten is that the guy was not wearing protective googles and his dogs were running around. We always wear googles and put our dogs inside when mowing. You never know what may come flying out from underneath a lawn mower.
Rugged Homestead
The continuity issues I noticed were you discussed the unit's features, showed it in operation, then power washed the mower. But then you then begin discussing additional features of the unit, such as the mulching mower and side bag unit, the gas cap, and oil drain plug. Optimally, you would've wanted all that discussion together occurring at the same time. Also, after power washing the mower you cut to talking about putting it away, but now the mower is dry.
Thanks for a great review!
City Gardener
love the labs - great GardenFork "lab assistants"! Didn't find any continuity issues other than equipment was dry when supposedly continuing a project; it should have been wet, I think. I thought splashing the camera lens was kinda funny! Thanks for the demo and review. I'd get the TroyBilt but I prefer electric equipment for air quality issues.
Julia
I liked the video, sometimes things were put together, and then not, or vice versa, but whatever. I would also vote for a chipper/shredder attachment, and an air compressor (for a nail gun, or for spraying paint) would be nifty for some people.
I've given up on tilling: if I mulch well, the earth worms till for me, with a lot less noise! I just cut plants off at the surface, even weeds. You might have to come back a few more times, but "chop and drop" is really fast, you just keep a pruner and/or a garden knife with you every time you visit the garden.
Mel Lee
Nice looking piece of equipment. Living in the South, wouldn't have much use for the snow blower attachment, but a garden tiller would be nice.
Richard Hanson
I like the concept of one power and different attachments..
Doug Anderson
You were using the pressure washer and then you come strolling up at the 4 minute mark with the mower attached and shut it down. Did you have two power units? You also showed a dirty unit at the beginning before everything else as you mentioned.
I have always liked Troy-Built products. They do tend to last longer than some of the other major brands out there and as you mentioned, their attention to detail is what is important.
Jeffrey Unangst
Nice video, wood chipper would be nice..
Sarah Crowder
I vote for a rototiller attachment! Time for Eric to come over and power wash my patio....
Bob
continuity: mower unit jumped off and on sometimes without you showing.
This seems to be a take off of the DR Power Equipment. The connection for this Troy Bilt is a big improvement over the belt connections on other brands. The mower deck seems very small - I use a 48" mower and it takes me 5.5 hours to mow. In addition to a snow blower, I would suggest a plow to Troy Bilt.
Thanks Eric
Yvette Mann
What a wonderful review! I would really love to have one of these. Love your safety googles. lol
Petra
Love it when the labs join in. A very handy garden tool. But did i dee a tomatoplnt with an apple?
Hope to win the tools. Want to pick them up a your place.
Hope indeed to see a snow video with this tool! Hope you two makes it happen. With regards, petra from Holland
Carmen
Love your videos! Great piece of equipment! Mistakes - no face shield when you started to pressure wash and no ear protection while you were cutting.
Jennifer
Very nice machine! Video was informative and all those attachments for one machine is a big plus!
Paul Jensen
Nice demonstration.
Dirty machine, fly in the camera
Kick stand not put up to move power source to washer.
Steven M Kastelic
Love TroyBuilt cannot afford it but LOVE IT. I saw bugs on the screen, everyone knows the NE dosent have bugs, Really!
Michael
Great video. I liked the part "Change The Gas". Your videos are far better then anything on HGTV!!!!
Brenda G
Great Video. I do like the idea of having one engine that accommodates several attachments. We do not have much room in our garage so less is more for us. I also like the smart things Troy Built did like ease of changing the oil and chain on the gas cap. Would like to know upfront in the video how much the unit cost. Love the labs....you can tell they are very happy dogs. Your videos are great and entertaining as well. Keep them coming.
Martha
Great video; shows the machines really well. I like the concept of one engine for all attachments. thanks for the opportunity to see these at work.
Elinor Glynn
Very well-thought out piece of equipment, however with that big a power unit a wider mower would be nice. Only problem was the mud splash on you and camera.
Russ Eastham
I've seen this system and thought it was a very ingenious idea! I have wanted one since the first time I saw the Ad for it! A lot of innovative ideas went into the design of this....like you mentioned!
Great Review, Eric!
Now, on to the blooper or mistakes you asked us to mention!
Besides some drastic jump cuts...the only things I saw were that while using the pressure washer to clean the mower attachment, you sprayed the engine components with dirt and grass clippings. You sprayed the vlogging camera and I would assume the camera operator with dirt and grass clippings as well!
Russ (aka rustex on YouTube)
Shane Terrick
You connected the mover twice...and as always love the videos.
Jackie Hall
I had to watch it twice as the first time I missed the "change your gas"! Ha! I didn't notice any problems with the video other than the flip back to more description of the mower after the power washing spot, gunk on the camera, and the dog missing his cue on chasing the ball (hardly noticeable).
Great idea for saving space in the garage. I will definitely be checking into this. I think a wood chipper and tiller attachment would be nice....oh, and of course a LOG SPLITTER. 🙂
Nice to have the behind the camera voice back. We've missed her!
Dennis g
Looks like a well thought out design and easy attachments. Problems i saw objects in yard and animals in yard no safety goggles at first.
Jr Hall
Had to laugh at the pressure washing section with the grass clippings on the camera. Looks like a smart setup and some very handy attachments.
howard frysinger
The grass was too short to mow! Does look like a nice system, and easy to disconnect and reconnect. I hope it does well. If you hit a rock and bend the shaft you won't have to get a whole new mower. But I'll keep my riding tractor with its front-end loader.
Marcy
1. You need to wear gloves to protect your hands from chafing.
2. You should be wearing steel-toed shoes when using your foot to disconnect a tool. from the motor.
3. When using a power machine, do not look at the camera and smile. Keep your eyes on the machine.
4. Should not be throwing balls to the dogs when the machine engine is running.
This is all I can think of. But if I don't win, I still love your videos!
Marcy
Kelsey
I didn't think I would find anything, but I did see that sometime after the four minute mark you went back after powerwashing the mower to describe the mower functions more on the dry-and-grassy mower. Thanks for your videos, as always!
Sharilyn
I could surely use that around my new house. Looks like a great thing to have, I must looking to one of those.
Janice Nowakowski
I guess I didn't understand the question on what I was looking for in the video.... I would however like to know if this unit is self-propelled. I am assuming it is.
Love all the Garden Fork Video's...
p.s. what happened to your forhead?
Pam Cook
Neat bit of equipment Eric.....does it have a ball throwing attachment for the Labs.... Think you need that before a log splitter... Thanks for posting.
Scott Gillespie
I don't think you ever explained where the dents came from.
Bob Crook
Need chipper attachment. Since we look after senior goldens we have artificial grass which makes clean up easy. Come snow time here in Colorado I would like to be confident that the snow blower would help clear paths over the flat artificial grass. Have to have paths for dogs to use when the snow is heavy since digging/clearing paths is not easy for us seniors. Looking forward to getting my Flex in September.
Bob Crook
In Spring of 2016, be on the lookout for a plug aerator, tine dethatcher and water pump for the FLEX™ system.
KBee
I love the multitool concept. Saves on storage space..
Michelle
I've been following you for a couple of years now. The segments are personal, charming, and I learn something new with each one.
I wouldn't change a thing with this review. If the company is contemplating other add-ons, I'd like to see a tiller component
Thanks to you both!
Bev Clark
Great concpet!! My dad wore out 2 of the Trpy Built Tillers! Great machines!!!
Eric
thanks for the kind words Michelle! I'll let Troy-Bilt know all the suggestions people are making. thx! eric.
Eric
Hi Bob, i've seen the snowblower attachment and it is robust. I did not use the blower as it was summer when we were using the tools. great to hear about your pups, eric.
Eric
Charlie Pup would love a ball thrower! eric.
Kevin
I hope that you are using a protective filter on the camera lens! Fluids can seep along the edge of the front element and get inside. You should be wearing a face shield and ear plugs all the time when using any power tools.
Love the show!
Russ
I too have used this product all summer, just the mower though. I mainly bought it for the larger mower deck size and versatility options. I have to say, if you have hills and aren't a big strong person, this is NOT for you. It is VERY heavy, backing up or trying to slowly go down a mild hill is very difficult. And the angle, or lack of an angle on the handles is strange. If you use this for an hour and have a need to man handle it around things you will be sore and definitely need to wear gloves - they come straight back out, not ergonomic at all. This really doesn't help on speed adjusting either, its kind of full bore or not at all. Feathering the speed as suggested for some applications is only done with your wrist at an odd angle.
Regarding the overall quality of the product - I can't believe it is so well built, yet the mower deck has the cheapest plastic wing nut height adjusters on the front wheels. I fully expect those to break first. Wing nut and plastic bolt. Really, a plastic bolt on a $800 mower?
My other comment is how odd the mower deck cover seems to trap large amounts of grass. And there is no easy way to clean it out. After several uses the cover is full and short of removing it, which isn't a quick job, you can't just flush it out so the belt and pulleys get completely full of clippings.
Otherwise, the power is great, it mows quickly and efficiently, starts immediately, and the quick release works as advertised. I plan to add the snow blower attachment this winter. Unfortunately, only my teenage son and I can handle this beast so no more help from the wife!