Do you run your tiller at pto speed?

   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #1  

nspec

Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
628
Location
Southern Rhode Island
Tractor
Kubota B2630, '53 Farmall Super H, '47 Farmall AI, '44 Farmall A
Just bought a 5' King Kutter Professional tiller. Got it from Everything Attachments by the way - great price, free shipping to RI - thanks guys!!

Do you tiller owners out there run your machines at rated pto speed? Is it necessary, or can they be run a little slower? I'm sort of planning on a little trial and error and playing to figure it out, but wondering what the general concensus is.

Thanks!
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #2  
I have tried both slower and faster PTO RPM I like it at 520 to 540 seems to cut better at that speed with my L3240 in a 5ft tiller...

AndyG
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #3  
For my use, PTO speed for the tiller is usually based on load, which depends on ground speed, till depth and soil condition. Unless I'm working in heavy clay or breaking up sod I usually run around 450 - 500 RPM.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #4  
I always ran my tiller at full PTO speed.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #5  
Like Andy, I have tried both. I find running at or near PTO speeds work best, but I am certainly no expert.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #6  
I always run mine a little slower, seems like it gives me a little more time to react when I connect with a big rock. Probably not much difference tho, in reality.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #7  
The operator's manual says the tiller was "designed to run at 540 PTO RPM only". I think they are mostly concerned with running it higher than that. They also warn against running to the point of bogging it down, and say damage can occur. I suppose running at a lower RPM could contribute to bogging it down, but not as much as running it at too high travel speed for conditions.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #8  
I run about 3/4 throttle for most tilling, works for me. Just guessing but probably equates to 400+ pto speed. Anywhere from 1600 to full speed seems to work well for me.

More important and I till frequently is to keep a close eye on all the parts, keep everything tight and lubricated properly. Make sure the slip clutch is working correctly.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #9  
My opinion is that ground speed is more important than actual tiller speed, as far as the quality of the till. I run my tractor rpms a little less than required for 540 pto, I'm probably running around 480 - 500 rpms. What I had to get used to was the slow ground speed necessary for a good till - my tractor is a gear (12 speed) and I till in 2nd or 3rd gear and get great results in my mostly clay soil. Between my two gardens I'm tilling almost 3/4 of an acre so it seems tedious going that slow but the results are nice. As mentioned already it's also easier to react to a big rock or whatever at a slower ground speed. No tiller is going to do well at any speed if the tines are worn-out either, I just put new ones on my tiller last year and I'm getting a nice deep till instead of just going down a couple inches and bouncing off the hardpan. I try to till when the soil is more on the moist side as opposed to dry too.
 
   / Do you run your tiller at pto speed? #10  
1st. gear and full throttle. bjr
 
 
 
Top