Tiller Tiller size?

[DDT]

I want some opinions!
My first tractor was a JD 755- 20hp-15pto. it pulled a landpride 15-50" just fine, plowed ground it was all she wanted. The next tracor was a 855- 24hp-19pto, it did not no there was a tiller back there (same tiller).
My NEW 4300 has 32.5 hp- 25.5pto. I'm tradeing my 50" in for a 25 series 62" or a 70" tiller. since the hp has increased 12.5hp I think it will pull a 70" tiller, this will over hang the tires 5" on each side (I wood really like that) compared to the 62" whitch will over hang 1" per side. I think the tractor would pull the bigger tiller with no problem. Comments
DDT

 

[Thomas]

DDT,
Since your 4300 has a 68inch wheel base I would figure you would want your tiller an inch or two wider than the tires.
The specs show that the 4300 can handle a JD 550&650 comfortable.
May dimes worth.
P.S.
Maybe Bird,DFB etc could shed a little more light on this subject.


Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Bird]

Dana, I think it'll depend to some extent on the ground you're trying to till; how hard, how deep you're going, moisture content, etc. I really think your tractor will handle the 70" just fine. My cousin uses a 62" behind his TC29D, which is certainly less power than you have and it runs quite easily.

Bird

 

[TraderMark]

DDT
My 1720 Ford has 24 PTO HP and I pull a 60" KMC tiller just fine.

 

[VTSTEVE]

I need a clarification from you'all. I have a TC35 w/ R-4's that measures over 72" wide at the backend. When I talked to my dealer and several others about tiller options, they all said that the width of the tiller wasn't critical in regards to the tractor width because I could use even a 48" tiller and "offset" it to one side thus basically tilling just on the left (or right) side of the tractor each pass. This obviously leaves a section on the "other" side untilled which means that I need to make half again as many passes. The advantage of this method, provided the tiller indeed "offsets" past the wheels, is that one can save a few $$ on a tiller, doesn't have to always be tilling a full 72" swath (for narrow bed uses), and it would relieve any doubts as to whether one's tractor has enough umph to handle a larger tiller. It all started out with a neighbor offering me his 50" tiller to borrow and my commenting that it was too small for my rig. Does this thinking make sense?

 

[Charliebrn]

Remember a couple of things:
Don't go larger than the manufacturer recommends for your tractor. If you do decide to go with a narrower tiller than your tractor, check to make sure the tiller will offset enough to cover at least one track. Personally, I'd sure be trying to get wide enough to cover your tracks. Not all tillers are equal, some do better with less HP even though they are the same width. You can also take a smaller bite if need be, not putting it so deep on the first path. Also factor in the kind of ground you have...hard packed clay needs more oomph than sandy soil...

 

[Bird]

VTSTEVE, some tillers can be offset and some cannot, so if you go that route be sure you're buying one that can be offset. I would prefer a tiller just wide enough to cover both rear tracks. How often are you going to want to till a narrow bed, and be able to do it with a wider tractor, even if the tiller IS narrower? My rear tread is 54" and I'm using an RTS40 Bush Hog (40") tiller, offset to cover the track on the right side. That works just fine, but you do have to plan your route, and maybe drive a little extra distance, to till the whole garden without leaving any tracks showing. Of course, when I bought the tiller, I had a tractor that was only 40" wide. Now I wish I had a wider tiller, but this one works great, so I'm not going to spend the money for a wider one.

Bird

 

[TraderMark]

VTSteve...
My KMC tiller can be offset too, but since it's 60' wide to start with, and I was told the smaller KMC tillers were aimed at landscapers, I always thought the reason for the offset was to get up close to retaining walls, house walls, trees etc....

 

[VTSTEVE]

Thanks for all the great advice. How do I know whether a tiller can be offset or not. I assume that a new one's specs would mention the ability? What about on a used one - how can I tell? ALSO what is a good price on new or used tiller of varying brands. Am I correct in assuming that a tiller gets pretty hard use no matter what and how does that translate when one looks at a "less expensive" name (KingKutter or Caroni) vs. a more expensive one (Kuhn or ??) ? Thanks again.

 

[TraderMark]

The KMC tiller says in it's ad that it can be offset. Scroll down to the sizes for smaller tractors.

As far as quality goes..... remember you get what you pay for... how well I know.