Tiller gear drive vs. chain drive tiller

[sawyer22]

I am looking at a tiller for my JD 3720 (44 hp) - "everything attachments" has a Korean made 62 inch gear drive tiller for $2138 or a 62 inch chain drive for $1991. Is the gear drive worth the extra $147? Thanks

 

[Don87]

I would go with 'gear drive' for a tiller that is over 60 inches.

 

[case245]

i say dear drive with 44hp if you go chain you will break the chain in a few mins of use

 

[Don87]

i say dear drive with 44hp if you go chain you will break the chain in a few mins of use

I wouldn't go that far, but I will repeat what Ken Sweet( www.sweettractors.com ) said "in 30 years, I have sold 2 chains for tillers, but I have no idea what make they were".

 

[AKfish]

If the tiller has a good quality #80 or #100 chain, you won't have any problem with using it behind your 3720. That said; I would want additional info regarding the build quality of the Korean built tillers.

The bearings, shafts, etc. might fail before the chain...

Typically, don't find gear-drive tillers until you're up above 50-60 hp and into the 6.5'-15' widths. Commercial duty and heavy Ag purposes.

AKfish

 

[Dozernut]

I have a Befco 54", chain driven, side shift tiller that I bought at Rural king 20-25 years ago. I have never replaced the chain once, maybe a couple of hundred shear bolts though. I have run it on 19hp to 50hp tractors and it just keeps on tilling. I plan to go thru it this summer and replace the bearings and seals look the chain over and repaint the old beast. If the chain looks good I will see if it will run another 25 years.

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't think it matters whether you have chain or gear drive. Look at the overall build quality and price to decide.

 

[Spindifferent]

Just purchased this Woods TCR68 tiller for my 3520, and it is awesome!

TC/TCR68 Landscape Equipment

No worries by me with a chain drive.

- Spindifferent

 

[Gordon Gould]

I am in the it shouldn't matter group. You can have a chincy under designed drive either way. I like chain drives on stuff that might jam. Look at all the gear engagement you have to spread the force over vs one tooth on a gear drive. And 20 years down the road it will be easier to find or make a chain than to find a mating gear.
I would go with the best quality unit.

 

[powerscol]

With the 44 Hp you could easily handle a 74 inch unit. I have an Ansung which is great - see my sig. I posted so great places to buy a while back. I also recommend gear driven .

Also check out your local AGG rental for a good by on a used unit too. They tend to rent the more durable units. That's how I got mine