Offset or not?

[HiTechTed]

I looked at a couple of tillers yesterday and I'm going to make a purchase soon. One is a Woods that has the ability to offset, and the other is a Sitrex that doesn't offset. I don't have model numbers to share (can't find the notes I took) but they are both 5', chain driven, slip clutch.

Long story short, I think the Sitrex looks beefier than the Woods. Both look to be high quality tillers and they were both the same price, with the Woods being made in the USA. And like I said, the Woods can be offset, but I'm not sure if I will ever use that function.

So, what are some of your experienced opinions? Which would you purchase if given the choice, since they are both the same price? I always try to buy USA made when I can, but this is a tough call because I can't find anything NOT to like about either of them, other than the Sitrex has been on the lot longer and some of the decals are peeling, but I don't particularly care about that.

Anyway if any of you could share experiences or opinions it would be appreciated.

[grnspot110]

The main reason I see for an offset is to cut out your tire track! If they're both wide enough to do that, the offset might not be ab advantage. Woods is an old, well known brand, I've never heard of the Sitrex around here! ~~ grnspot110

[nybirdman]

I have a 62in. Bush-Hog tiller that does 8-10 acres a year,has been a good unit;Woods has a good name on this site;I don't know if the off-set would be an advantage but for the same price I would buy that one.If you are new to tillers;make sure the slip clutch is working and service every year before use.
Only takes a few minutes to service.

[HiTechTed]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Sitrex is made by Maschio. I know it's Italian-made either way. I'm being honest when I say it that it looks like it could handle being thrown off a cliff, it's very well built and stocky looking.

Even so, I was kind of leaning towards the Woods simply because it's American made and it does offset, whether I use that feature or not it's still there. I'm pretty sure a 5' tiller will cover the tracks of my L3400, or if not it's real close.

I'll have to go back and get the model numbers and do a bit more research. I would rather have one that is forward-rotating and that's the one question I didn't ask the guy when I was looking at them. There was also a Hawkline tiller there that was gear driven. I didn't look at it much because the other 2 looked better built to me.

It's just a hard call, because they are both really nice. If I could talk the guy down on the Sitrex it might make a difference. I don't think I'd go wrong with either of them but I want to make extra sure because this is my one shot at a tiller...the wife won't go for me trading it off a year from now!

[nybirdman]

I am not sure the advantage to forward rotating,I know if you have any rocks I think they could be a problem.You can "over-work" your soil too.

[HiTechTed]

I am not sure the advantage to forward rotating,I know if you have any rocks I think they could be a problem.You can "over-work" your soil too.

My only reason for that was, I heard that with rocky soil the forward rotation was better. I guess it's because it's less likely to carry rocks up into the tiller but I'm not going to swear by that. I also figured that reverse rotating tines would be working against your tractor and would use more fuel, but I'm not sure of that either! What do you guys think?

Edit: found this on the Woods site: FWD vs Reverse

The reverse rotating tines leave a smoother finish on the first pass than a forward rotating setup. The soil I'm working on has been farmed in the last 4 years and is fairly loose and sandy, so I could probably use either. I do have rocks in places, which I'll remove prior to tilling (except for the ones under the soil). I'm just looking for experienced opinions before I make a purchase, so chime in if you have something to share! and thanks so far guys for the tips.

[jenkinsph]

I wouldn't be concerned whether you have offset capabilities rather make sure the tiller is wider than the tractor tires.

Both are good tillers the real question is are they wide enough, you may need a 66" tiller. Time for a tape measure.



Rocks, if this is a concern go with the forward rotation as it will climb over them. I know this to be fact as I live in the Rocky Moutains.

[HiTechTed]

I wouldn't be concerned whether you have offset capabilities rather make sure the tiller is wider than the tractor tires.

Both are good tillers the real question is are they wide enough, you may need a 66" tiller. Time for a tape measure.



Rocks, if this is a concern go with the forward rotation as it will climb over them. I know this to be fact as I live in the Rocky Moutains.

Mine measures right at 58". I think the next size up in the Woods models is 68" and I'd imagine it's a decent increase in price as well. If it were only a couple hundred dollars I'd probably be able to manage it, but I wonder if the L3400 could handle it? The soil here is fairly sandy and has was farmed up until about 4 years ago so I'm thinking it would work.

On the less expensive side, wouldn't the offset work or is it a pain to use?

[Baby Grand]

For a 58" track width the 5 footer should be just about perfect. If you can get the 6 foot for a really good price, then you can always remove a set of tines from one or both sides to make it a 5 foot effective swath ... and if you do this you won't have the excuse of your implement size preventing you from buying a bigger tractor in the future. Not that bigger is always better.

You may want to be able to go 5 foot if your soil is very heavy or you are converting lawn or woods to garden. I have done a lot of that with a KKII 5' on a 26.5 HP machine and they are very nicely matched with my tires set 62 inches sidewall to sidewall. If you look at the KKII 5 foot very carefully you will see that it is slightly offset - about 2 or 3 inches to one side.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us informed.

-Jim

[HiTechTed]

Thanks for the info guys. By the way, who makes the King Kutter tillers? I looked at a couple of them yesterday at a local farm supply and they looked pretty sturdy, and were gear drive for the same price as the Sitrex and the Woods I mentioned earlier.

I guess the one snag there would be, the farm supply store is probably less likely to come down on their prices than the dealer down the road from me. Plus, the dealer services and delivers whatever I buy from him which is a big plus.