Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Review
If you have thick-bladed grass, thick turf, or you have been struggling to deal with thatch buildup then you need to take a good hard look at the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. It has all the hallmark build quality you expect in a Troy-Bilt gasoline-powered lawn mower, and is made in the USA as well as backed by a confident 3-year warranty.
Though what really makes a functional statement with this self-propelled lawn mower is the 3-in-1 versatility. It can even be set up to mulch grass clippings before delivering them to the extra-large 2.5 bushel, dust blocking grass collection bag. When set up correctly for the turf conditions, this can virtually eliminate thatch buildup as well as give you plenty of nitrogen-rich green material to keep your compost pile hot.
The 23-inch diameter cutting deck of the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP is also large enough to chew up large swaths of grass with every single pass. The dynamics of the deck were even engineered to optimize the harvest rate of the cutting blades for fewer passes where you need to double back. The height of the cutting deck is easy to adjust via a pair of levers. You can quickly set the cutting deck as low as 1.25-inches or as high as 3.75-inches.
The Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP’s 175 CC Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine is powerful and was engineered with their “Ready Start” automatic choke system. This spares you from having to mess around with priming bulbs and adjusting the choke. It also makes for easier starting with the recoil pull handle.
It’s also worth noting that the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP has a rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion system. There is a little bit of a tradeoff in that it is not as nimble around trees and landscaping features as a front-wheel-drive self-propelled lawn mower is. Though what you get is increased torque and traction for helping to climb hills and modest inclines with ease.
Key Features
- 175 CC Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine
- Ready start automatic choking ignition system
- Rear-wheel drive self-propulsion
- 3-in-1 versatility
- Bagger & mulching in one
- A large 2.5 bushel bagger
- Dust blocker
- 23-inch cutting deck
- 1.25 to 3.75-inch height adjustment
- Ergonomic controls
Performance
The 175 CC Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine is powerful enough to run the rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion system with confidence. It also has more than enough power left over to power the relatively large cutting blades under the 23-inch diameter cutting deck. You will like its ability to climb modest includes and hills with confidence.
Ease Of Use
For a gasoline-powered lawn mower the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP is relatively easy to use. The ergonomic controls make it easy to adjust the speed to your natural walking gait, as well as slow down for areas that might require a little bit of nimbleness.
The 2.5 bushel bagger is exceptionally large, which makes for fewer trips to the garden or the compost pile. It was also engineered to be dust blocking, which is nice if you or someone in your family has allergies, or your area is prone to minor droughts, but you still don’t want to let the lawn go wild.
Special Features
The 3-in-1 versatility of the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP is handy for removing thatch from your lawn. Yet it also minces the harvest grass clippings so finely that they can easily decompose in your compost pile or even add nitrogen and other key nutrients when side-dressed around garden plants. You can set the deck as low as 1.25 inches to keep the grass neatly manicured in fast-growing conditions or as high as 3.75-inches if dry weather has you wanting to preserve some of your turf’s ambient moisture.
The automatic choking of the Ready Start ignition system is also a nice touch. Not only does it spare you having to mess around with priming and choke adjustments, but it also helps the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP to start in fewer pulls than a conventional gasoline-powered lawn mower.
The rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion system is also a nice touch for a lawn that has modest hills and inclines. It is also very handy for larger lawns, where you want the 23-inch cutting deck to chew through large swaths of grass quickly.
Cut Quality & Options
The 3-in-1 versatility even lets you set the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP up to mulch and bag. This greatly reduces the presence of that in your lawn, which can gradually start to choke out your turf. It’s a great way to save money on seasonal aeration costs.
The 23-inch diameter cutting deck can also be dialed into the prevailing turf conditions. The dual lever system lets you set it as low as 1.25-inches for times when sun and seasonal rain showers make for vigorous growth. Yet you can also dial it up through 6 different settings as high as 3.75-inches during long stretches of dry weather.
Maintenance
The Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP will need the typical maintenance that you need to give to most gasoline-powered lawn mowers. This includes oil changes, cleaning the filter and maintaining or replacing the cutting blades.
Though the Ready Start system does make for fewer carburetor and sparkplug issues in the long run.
The 2.5-bushel grass collection bag is very large. You will need to make sure that all the grass clippings are thoroughly cleaned out after each mowing session. If you leave too much organic matter inside, it could mold, which leads to other problems in the long run.
Safety Features
The Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP has the standard safety controls built into the ergonomically comfortable handles. The speed controls let you dial down how fast the rear-propulsion system moves the mower at a moment’s notice.
Cost-Effectiveness
If you have a large lawn of a half acre to an acre, and you’ve been dealing with thatch buildup issues in the past, then the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP can be a very cost-effective solution for reducing the need for aeration and reseeding.
You might also appreciate that the Troy-Bilt TBWC23 XP is made in the USA with a significant number of global parts. If you ever do have an issue, this means you can likely get it fixed faster and cheaper than a foreign-made lawn mower. The 3-year warranty that comes standard with the purchase is also a statement of quality.
