New guy needs help with tiller purchase

[Drdriller]

I am looking to buy a Kubota l3800 package deal. I have a question about tillers. Every dealer says their tiller is best, and the other guys, different prices of course, sell junk. Which is better, the landpride, woods, or rhino?
I am not worried about price. My motto is buy it once, and buy the best.

Thanks!

[DennisH]

From what I have researched the King Kutter II seems to be the best buy out there in the USA market while Sicma in Italy seems to be the not made in the USA choice.

[gwdixon]

Most tillers from most manufacturers are fine. Otherwise, I guarantee that the folks here on TBN would sniff them out in a hurry.

A lot depends on the soil type, area worked, and how often it will be used. If the tiller is to be worked hard then a heavy duty model is indicated. As DennisH stated, King Kutter seems to give the most bang for the buck.

An L3800 will run most tillers just fine and not overpower them into pretzels. Get one just wide enough to cover the tire tracks and all will be fine.

[foggy1111]

I am looking to buy a Kubota l3800 package deal. I have a question about tillers. Every dealer says their tiller is best, and the other guys, different prices of course, sell junk. Which is better, the landpride, woods, or rhino?
I am not worried about price. My motto is buy it once, and buy the best.

Thanks!

Welcome to TBN. If your looking to buy an expensive tiller with a good history....the Howard Rotovator has set the standard for many years.

If your looking for the most popular tiller that has a good record of durability and a fair price....I think you would find the King Kutter is the most popular with TBN members. It represents the most bang for the buck.

The other brands are good too.....folks are pretty proud of their tillers.

[jshwhite]

I have a KingKutter and love it. It's built really tough - seems almost indestructible. I've put it through some brutal treatment - stumps, rocks, etc., and it takes it just fine. I've even wrapped a 3/8" rebar stake in it and never knew I hit anything until I looked under it later and saw it wrapped around the shaft. I highly recommend KingKutter!

[Wnc3]

I just bought the John deere 665 tiller. Think it is the sicma rebranded.
We never sell anything and I figured I'd pay the premium and have the parts support for years to come. After paying shipping and the thought of warranty issues, it just seemed like the best choice for me...

[bilrus61]

Ok your L3800 has 38 gross horsepower. I looked and Kubota only list the gross not the PTO power, following the lead of John deere it would seem. I would guess your pto power to be around 31.5. That is about the power you need to think you have when your matching it to the tillers that are rated at PTO horsepower.

The best tiller made currently from my research are the french built Kuhn tiller. I think the cheaper Kuhn tillers are made in Brazil. I have a EL62 210 Kuhn and its a monster. Used it hard for a year and no issues other than it needs a tad more power than my L5040 in heavy conditions. They are around $4000. If your going to till a few gardens and some food plots a King Kutter type is very good choice. If your looking at a "middle" quality look to Befco or LandPride. Some are chain some are gear. Both chain and gear work fine for me. Just not alot to go wrong with a tiller. I think Woods and Rhino are both re-badged Italian tillers of very good quality. Land Pride is more or less made in the USA. Kuhns are made in France next to the German border.

I would stick with the foward rotation. I think the reverse rotation is a gimmic and a fad.......but that just me. IMHO foward rotation gives you a better kill on weeds. Is better for rocky ground since it rides over rocks instead of lifting them up into the tines. Uses less HP since its pushing the tractor along instead of trying to pull it backwards. Incorperates fertilizers and lime into the soil better than reverse. Reverse tillers do make it look better after one pass, their only advantage.

I don't think Howard actually makes a tiller. They are Austrualian brand that contracts out to other makers such as Sicma or Agric to make their tillers they then market. For the very best heaviest tiller you tractog can handle get this one: EL 62-155 - Power Tillers - KUHN North America.com

[nybirdman]

Mine has been very good also,Bush-Hog branded,till ten acres a year.What ever you buy make sure it has a slip clutch and service Every Year.

[Baby Grand]

I have very high praise for our KKII 60" - rugged, dependable & affordable.

Just picked up a 40" Phoenix (rebranded Sicma?) from Everything Attachments.
Very impressive li'l blender.
We prepped it, hitched it to the b5100, slipped the clutch, then tilled up last year's garlic patch.
Very nice machine.
Everything Attachments was a pleasure to work with.

[Dutch61]

If you are doing the 60 month 0% you should ask the dealer if the KK or other none Kubota or Rankin qualifies. For me financing the package was an advantage. After that size was the next issue.