{"id":3635,"date":"2019-11-24T13:19:49","date_gmt":"2019-11-24T19:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/?p=3635"},"modified":"2021-11-28T15:52:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-28T21:52:39","slug":"troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/","title":{"rendered":"Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 46-in &#8211; 3-Stage MTD Snow Thrower install"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After the snow storms last year, I decided to buy a 3-stage snow thrower.&nbsp; Then I decided to buy a riding mower and attachment, so this last summer, went to Home Depot and bought a Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 46&#8243; and a 3-stage MTD snow thrower.&nbsp; Some resources said it would work with the Super Bronco XP, so I was a little worried, but can tell you it does in fact work with the newer Super Bronco 46&#8243;.<\/p>\n<p>So I finally decided it was time to mount it and here are the details and tips (note, I assembled the 3-stage unit earlier &#8211; this just covers mounting it):<\/p>\n<p>If you have 2 guys and the right tools, can be done in a day or two.&nbsp; I did it over a couple of weekends &#8211; next year will be faster since many of the brackets can stay on:<\/p>\n<p>First, you will need to remove the handles.<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0008-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3636\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3636\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0008.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0008.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0008-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Then you will be able to mount the bumper:<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0009-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3637\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3637\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0009.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0009.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0009-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> If you haven&#8217;t done so already, remove the belt-guide and keep the screw handy noting the holes it came out of (both sides):<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0010\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3638\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3638\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0010.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0010.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0010-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> These braces are a BEAR to install. For the next step, you may want to remove (temporarily) the black bar with the clip in the pic.&nbsp; I used an open-end wrench on the opposite side and it fit within the frame.&nbsp; The good news is once these are on, they can stay: <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0011\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3639\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3639\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0011.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0011.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0011-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> When it comes to mounting this, it does not just slip on.<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0012\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3640\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3640\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0012.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0012.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0012-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0013\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3641\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3641\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0013.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0013.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0013-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> NOTE: I ended up blocking this in place and got a second pair of hands with good pry-bars to help me. Having a second pair of hands and good pry bars, it went on without too much difficulty. Blocking it also helped to get it in place.&nbsp; Removing the bars with the clip is a BIG help as well &#8211; remember how it goes back on though!<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0020\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3642\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3642\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0020.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0020.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0020-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> The supplied guide bar and belt installed:<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0023-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3643\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3643\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0023.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0023.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0023-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Get the belt, spring, and cable installed. It is a tight fit and next year, I may try installing the spring and cable before attaching the unit in place:<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0024-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3644\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3644\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0024.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0024-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Roll the mower over the frame &#8211; I suggest blocking the frame to make it a little easier once it is under the mower (note: double-check the belt and belt-guide path): <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0025-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3645\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3645\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0025.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0025.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0025-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a> The back end goes first &#8211; I did this by myself with a bar under it to leverage it in place (note: the clips were on the frame and not the belt unit per referenced in the documentation. <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0026-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3646\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3646\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0026.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0026.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0026-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> The front end mounts here &#8211; I was able to pick up both ends and get them in place by myself: <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0027-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3647\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3647\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0027.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0027.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0027-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0028-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3648\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3648\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0028.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0028.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0028-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Note: Gas cap is still accessible.<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0029-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3649\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0029.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0029.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0029-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Also when lifting the hood, have the snow thrower in lowest position &#8211; can still access the oil dipstick:<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0030-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3650\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3650\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0030.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0030.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0030-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> Next I installed the weights (easy):<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0031-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3651\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3651\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0031.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0031.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0031-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> and snow chains:<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0032\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3652\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0032.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0032.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0032-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/img_0033-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3653\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3653\" src=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0033.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0033.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0033-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>Note: Steering is harder with this added weight and turning radius in much more difficult to turn around. There will be a learning curve and will try to get some videos this winter! Hopefully this will help someone as there wasn&#8217;t much I was able to find on my own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After the snow storms last year, I decided to buy a 3-stage snow thrower.&nbsp; Then I decided to buy a riding mower and attachment, so this last summer, went to Home Depot and bought a Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 46&#8243; and a 3-stage MTD snow thrower.&nbsp; Some resources said it would work with the Super Bronco &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/2019\/11\/troy-bilt-super-bronco-46-in-3-stage-mtd-snow-thrower-install\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 46-in &#8211; 3-Stage MTD Snow Thrower install<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-garage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3635"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3655,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3635\/revisions\/3655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbratton.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}