Gear vs chain driven tiller?

   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #1  

ametcalf

Silver Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
176
Location
Central KY
Tractor
Kubota BX23
Does anyone have an opinion on a gear driven tiller vs a chain driven tiller?
My 25+ year old 6' tiller that just gave up had a chain driven drive with a number 80 chain that I changed several times during the course of its life. It wasn't too expensive and relatively easy to change. I am guessing that the gear drives might be tougher but harder to change and more expensive to repair but I don't know. I looked at a Tartar tiller at TSC this afternoon and was impressed by how well built it looked but I don't know much about the gear drives. I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks, ametcalf
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #2  
My experience is pretty limited to using a friend's 4' Frontier last summer, which was a chain drive unit. It worked fine but the drive box cover is really thin and it did sustain a dent (I didn't do it) which led to the chain rubbing against it. Just didn't sound to encouraging to me.

This spring, my FNL & I picked up a 6' KK II. He has a JD 5303 and I have a Kioti DK40SEHST, both have a 6' (72") width so this works well to cover the tracks. Anyhow, he just got to use it in the past 2 weeks. Man, it was awesome!!!

I've looked over the Tarter and the KK. They look almost identical except the KK has a support tube to the right side (looking towards the back of the tractor) of the gearbox where the Tarter does not. Other than that, they look very similar. I don't think you'll be disappointed w/ a gear unit! Hope this helped a little and good luck!!!
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #3  
All I know is that my dealer used to rent a top quality chain drive tiller and decided to go with a gear tiller for its replacement.
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #4  
If you can afford a gear driven unit, then go for it>> They used to be really a high priced option...Especially if it is used over 50 hrs a year?
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #5  
I doubt it really makes much difference whether you have chain drive or gear drive for tillers. Both work well enough and for the gear drive to be substancially better to last alot longer than the chain drive would require much more precision cut gears and bearings.

I would consider both chain and gear drive tillers and look at the overall build quality and prices for available equipment to make the best choice.
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #6  
Depends....WHICH chain drive vs WHICH gear drive?

My personal preference is towards gear drive, but it's hard to argue the logic of a GOOD chain drive being as good or better than a "bad" gear driven design. There is no "carved in stone rule" that says one is automatically better than the other.

That said, my (almost) 9 year old KKII 6'er (which is gear driven!) has taken far more abuse in it's life than most owners would put one through in a dozen lifetimes. (Enough to wear out one full set of tines and well on the way to wearing out #2 set) The KKII tillers are among the lowest in price, yet seem by all evidence to be about as tough as some of the most expensive built. The ONLY gear drive failures I know of were the result of use WITHOUT gearbox oil/grease. Probably just about a wash on which (chain v gear) would fail faster without lube....
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #7  
By you saying it is 9 years old. Have you ever replaced the tines underneith? I thought the Tines would wear out ahead of some of the other parts? I seem to have trouble with bearings on a lot of items ..?
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #8  
By you saying it is 9 years old. Have you ever replaced the tines underneith? I thought the Tines would wear out ahead of some of the other parts? I seem to have trouble with bearings on a lot of items ..?


Yes...It's in my post....I've replaced a full set of tines and the replacement set is probably 1/4 of the way to being worn out. Lotta acres behind this tiller...
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #9  
I have a Sitrex tiller that is chain driven and it's a beast, plus it's quiet. I just keep it clean and I will change the lube in both the chain box and the gearbox every season, and keep the slip clutch properly adjusted. I guess I'd trust either type as long as it's good quality.
 
   / Gear vs chain driven tiller? #10  
My chain drive Farm King 42 in. tiller has gone through at least four chains and four sets of tines.

That said I'm proposing any well designed tiller; wether chain or gear, should preform well within it's design parameters:D

Mine got beat about on 50 year old sod that had more rocks than arable dirt. Used to put the tractor in cruise and walk along side picking rocks and throwing them in the bucket. Course it was a small Kubota B7100 so this type of operation was feasible.
 
 
 
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