Question about 3 pt. rototiller

   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #1  

new2diesel

New member
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
11
Location
Saybrook, OH
Tractor
Farm Pro 2420
Hello, I was curious if my 20HP 2cyl. diesel will have a difficult time using a 5ft. tiller attachment. If not i assume that I basically just use creeper gear 1 or 2 to till in? The ground is pretty much pasture, not formerly tilled. Thanks a bunch for your knowledge.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #2  
I have a 4' rototiller that would overheat my old Bolens 15 hp tractor. I purchased a new TYM233 with a 23 hp, 3 cyl diesel, and it works fine. Depending on age of your tractor, the 5' might be hard on it.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #3  
It is many years since I used one - I prefer tined implements (and discs if you have them) but I did use a 4' behing a very old little grey Fergie. You could always run something tined through the land first, then rototill. If you only have the rototiller then go shallow on the first pass, maybe only a couple of inches then go slightly deeper at right angles to your first pass. Patience and fuel can replace horsepower for most jobs.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #4  
I sold my 5' tiller a few weeks ago with my older tractor because it was a little too big for my garden tractor. You would be better served with a smaller tiller about 4ft. Since your tractor has 12 speeds you can match the load up and get by if you already have the 5 ft tiller. If you are buying a new tiller then the King Kutter 4ft is what I recommend.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #5  
Ditto. IF you already have a 5' tiller, try it. Go slow. See how it acts.

IF you are buying, get the 4'
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #6  
My B2710 (similar HP) is rated for only a 50" tiller. Mine does fine with that. However, you want to go really slow at at least 2000 rpm, which may be difficult to do with a geared tractor. IDK how slow your creeper gear is. I know normal first gear in my other tractors would be way too fast.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #7  
If Tractordata.com is correct, first gear in that tractor is 0.2 mph - at that speed, you would literally have to mark the tires to see if it were moving :laughing:

Which is a very GOOD thing - the first older tractor I bought would pull a 6 foot tiller OK, but I had to make (as already mentioned) several passes with it. First gear on the Long 460 is something like 1.2 mph. Fine for mowing, and nearly anything else EXCEPT tilling.

The AC 160 I got from a friend a couple years later, has the hi/lo range option and first is 0.6 mph - that tractor does a better job tilling in THIRD gear than the Long does in FIRST.

Both those tractors are around 40-45 horsepower and neither bogs down with a 6 footer -

Not disagreeing with anything that's already mentioned, just giving you a bit more info to confuse you :D

In my case, I wanted a setup that would allow the tiller to cover BOTH wheel tracks, and I got it - in yours, unless this

TractorData.com Farm Pro 2420 tractor information

is wrong, your overall width is 56 inches so you'll need to offset the tiller enough to cover ONE wheel completely, and the NEXT pass will cover the previous tire track (if you start in the center and do a CLOCKWISE, back-and-forth pattern)

Sorry for the ramble, first cup of coffee's finally kickin' in :eek: Steve
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Great thanks for the info. It looks like 48" is my best bet. I had access to a 60" but the last thing I want is to ruin my tractor when i don't know much about diagnosing automotive problems in the first place.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #9  
New2, I have a 22hp Yanmar with a 5' tiller and it does great. I just don't sink it in all the way if I am in new ground that is hard and tough from never being tilled.

I think I'd rather have the 5' model. Yes, you'll have to take it slow in the beginning but after that, the 5' model will cover both rear wheel tracks and make a beautiful flat surface ready to plant or make rows. Once you get it tilled 1 time, then it will be easier in the future to just run over it.

I buy my equipment to be as wide or wider than my rear tires. I can always not sink it deep in the beginning to get started. I hate mowing or tilling with an implement not as wide as my tractor.
 
   / Question about 3 pt. rototiller #10  
I have a 25 hp (18 pto hp) massey that pulls a 5 ft KK easy. I run it at 1500 rpm and sock it in the ground. (540 pto is at 2500) I am verry happy with the 5 ft KK and am very glad I got it. If you have a too fast low gear it will only be more time on the tractor as you make another pass. I tilled my gardens from pasture in a couple passes with no problems.
 
 
 
Top