Tiller Long 2002 Tiller breaks tines

[W5FL]

I just finished tilling about 7 acres of barely moist dry Texas dirt with quite a few rocks scattered in (and some not so scattered). Just counted that I started out with 32 tines on the tiller and now it only has 18. Didn't normally lift the tiller when turning and probably set it down pretty hard when I did lift it. Using an older Long tiller, I used to lose the blades because the lock nuts came off, but never had any trouble breaking blades. These broke near the flange they are bolted to around the tiller axis.

Maybe there is a reason that some tillers cost more than others. Any advice on tillers appreciated as I will probably buy a little larger size tiller. I believe this one tills 5 feet wide.

 

[Bird]

Wen, My Bush Hog tiller is one my most used implements. I've tilled good gardens, rock hard clay, roots and stumps, and even one yard in which I found there was an old brick walk under about 1" of dirt. I'd say it's been both used and abused for 5 years, and the tines definitely are showing some wear, but that's all. I've never had anything break or come loose.

Bird

 

[W5FL]

This is the first one I have ever had with a slip clutch. I am beginning to think that the slip clutch is rusted together. The implement dealer for Long said to measure the compressed length of the springs, then loosen the eight bolts in the slip clutch until free (counting the turns) and run the tiller for 5 to 10 seconds and let the clutch slip. Then tighten either the same number of turns loosened or until the springs are back to the measured length.

He said that you need to do that anytime the tiller has not been used for several months. This one had never been done. I was turning it with a M6800 Kubota tractor and I guess I was lucky that all that broke were the tines instead of the gearbox or chain.

If that wasn't the problem then tilling is too expensive, but I bet they are right about the slip clutch. My last tiller had a shear pin and I never sheared it, but the tractor was smaller.

Looks like it will be tomorrow to find out how much the bill will be for a new set of tines. I will let you know.

 

[Bird]

Everyone seems to think the slip clutch is the best way to go, and of course, it costs more than the shear pin models (so it must be better, right?)/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, but all my neighbors who have used equipment with slip clutches cuss'em; too much maintenance required to keep them working right. Another of those cases in which I'm sure the "experts" must be right, but I'll stay with shear pins for now, at least. And I've never sheared one with my equipment, but did shear one once on a neighbor's hay baler with his 85hp tractor.

Bird

 

[W5FL]

Bird, I had no choice, it just came with a slip clutch as did my Bush Hog 286 Mower. However; with all the rocks on my place, it may just be worth the maintenance, now that I know how to do it. Talked to several others and it seems that no one maintains their slip clutches at all - ever. Now if you want to make some money invent a maintenance free slip clutch.

Seriously, this seems to be a universal problem with slip clutches. I have been told the situation is worse if the equipment sets out, but still happens if you have it stored under a roof. Still have to adjust the slip clutches a couple of times a year or suffer the consequences of broken drivetrain parts or in my case tiller tangs.

 

[W5FL]

Oops, should be tiller tines.

 

[dfranksmith]

Hi Wen,

Have a look at Maschio. This is the only tiller I've used, but I like it so much I would encourage anyone to check them out. They are unbelievably sturdy, and well designed too--a bracket for holding the pto shaft off the ground, pins on chains, and a gate in back lets you leave a smooth surface or rocks on top (maybe all tillers have this?). Mine came with a shear pin, but I seem to recall that they have slip clutch models as well.

 

[Daniel]

It's good to hear the tillers will take some abuse. I am using my dozer to stump out 2 acres of red/white pine stumps. Unfortunately there is a lot of slash mixed in with the soil. bought a new King Kutter tiller for the 2710 but have not used it yet. worries me of how it will handle going through that soil. most of the big stuff is out, but there will be some fair sized slash mixed in. any need for concern? will the pieces of wood get jamed up in the tines? thanks.

 

[MChalkley]

In all probability, some wood will get jammed in it, and roots will wrap around it, but it won't hurt it, and it usually gets knocked out or chewed up before you even know it's there.

 

[W5FL]

It was the slip clutch. I loosened all 8 of the nuts in the slip clutch until the springs were loose, put the tiller in the dirt and they just kept on turning /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Put the tiller down in some rocky soil and the clutch finally broke loose. Let it slip for about 5 seconds, then retightened to original specification of 25 ft pounds on each nut.

Works good and haven't lost a tine since /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.