Pony Tiller (1985). Pull cord does not pull/frozen in machine.

First, call Mantis and get their advice. It may be covered under warranty (I believe it comes with a 2 year warranty). If not under warranty remove the spark plug and try to pull the starter rope. If you can pull it out squirt a little 2-cycle oil in to the spark plug hole and pull it out several times before reinstalling the plug. Then try to start it again. If you can't pull it out after removing the plug try removing the engine cowl that contains the starter rope and see if you can pull it out then. If you can't then there is something wrong with the starter rope mechanism. Try some oil or Liquid Wrench on the spring to see if you can free it up. If you can then the piston may be seized. Again, squirt a little oil ni the spark plug hole. Take a ratchet wrench and socket to put on the crankshaft nut. Try to turn it. Do not apply to much force. I would send it back to Mantis for repair or replacement unless you are mechanically proficient enought to take the engine apart. If you have been using the correct fuel/oil mixture this should not happen.

disconnect the kill wire on the motor and then see if you get spark. If so its your switch, if not it either points or electronic coil or regular coil or condenser problem did you gap the pints correctly and was there a problem b4 you changed the points.

sounds like the timing is off.
need to remove the pull cord cover and take the nut off on the shaft and take the cover off and see if the key on the shaft is broke and put a new one on.
when you hit something solid the key will shear.

The reverse on the Pony tiller will not lock. You pull back on the reverse lever and as soon as you let go it will stop. This is normal operation for reverse.

Frank

First pull your spark plug out reconnect to the plug wire and ground tot he engine body
Pull the starter cord and see if you have a good clean spark that goes to the electrode and not to the side of the spark plug.
If no spark check your off/on switch

Your question doesn't give enough detail to properly answer. Do you know if the tiller is a Horse model or a Pony model? Troy Bilt made both models back in the timeframe you noted. The Horse model had tires that required air to inflate. The Pony model likely had hard rubber tires in that era. The Horse models had a reverse disc, no belt. The Pony had a belt.

Once you know which model you have - look for your closest Troy Bilt dealer and see if they can track down the part for you. They might appreciate it if you could provide the serial number - which is located on the pipe connecting the tiller transmission front half to the back half, where the tines are located. It's stamped right into the metal tube on both models.

From what I read you need a new rewind clutch and the spring and cord go into the housing. Briggs is easy to fix. contact me at [email protected] and I can send you what you need or you can send it to me and I will repair it very cheap!! Parts are available at almost any small engine parts place.

Not sure if this will help. Don't want to sound like a **** but....Have you made sure nothing is caught or jammed inside it. This could make it hard to start with the cord..

take pull rope cover off and oil the clutch that screws on the crank shaft