$1,500 rotary tiller: JD 647 vs LP RTR1550 vs xxxxx

[nikerret]

I am looking at rotary tillers for the back of my BX25D (17.7 PTO HP). I am trying to keep it around/under $1,500, but will go up slightly to accommodate shipping/driving. This will be used commercially, for my part-time business.

The two leaders I have thus far are both used, clean looking (in picture) models:

JD 647 48"
I believe it has six tines per flange, with six flanges, but hard to tell, in the picture.
Weight of unit is 298 lbs.
Digs down to 7"
They are advertising it as reverse rotation, but I don't see that anywhere else.


Land Pride RTR1550 50"
Four tines per flange, six flanges.
Weight of unit is 455 lbs.
Digs down to around 7" (guessing based on similar models)
Reverse rotation.

Both have C-shaped tines. The JD is advertised as "commercial grade", but the LP is their highest model made in the size I can use (with the RTR05 and RTR12 series being lower models still with reverse rotation). I would imagine the extra weight of the LP would be a plus, but should be less important with reverse rotation versus forward rotation. The LP is made in KS, which is cool, no idea who or where the JD is made. The extra 2" of cutting width on the LP is nice, but probably not big enough to make a real difference.

Any thoughts? Do I really want reverse rotation? What new models should I look at, in this price range? I have done internet shopping, but really don't know what I'm looking for. I doubt I'll find a better deal on a new reverse rotation tiller, than I've found on these (if the JD is reverse), since they are relatively close to me. I see six tines per flange is getting to be standard, would four in reverse be about the same as six spinning forward, given the speed is the same?

 

[Deere Dude]

I am not convinced those are the legitimate weights for approximately the same stuff. That is a big difference. It would be nice to be able to kick the tines at a dealership which probably won't happen.

I am a Deere guy and would not be afraid of either. I don't quite understand how they can be reversible without a bunch of monkey work involved. I have a hydraulic tiller for garden tractor sized JDs and that thing has to weigh at least a couple hundred pounds and is a lit smaller that either of those you show.

I had a LandPride mower and they are built beefy enough and they have heavy duty gearboxes on them which is a plus.

I like the Deere's six tines per bracket and thing it would pulverize a little faster. But that is just me.

My hydraulic tiller can be reversed and I have reversed it one time about 20 years ago to see what it does. I put it back and never used that feature again. Maybe if something was really tough and hard it might help buy my ground has always been dirt with a few rocks in and reverse isn't needed. If it could be switch back and forth in 2 minutes I would probably like that but for a smooth finish I thing (IMHO) forward direction is the way to go.

 

[nikerret]

These aren't reversible, they are fixed reverse rotation, versus only doing forward rotation. I have no idea what's accurate, just taking it from the spec sheets.

 

[jenkinsph]

If you are considering tiller work on the side I would go with a forward rotating model. The 647 is a forward rotation tiller. The forward rotation tiller will climb over rocks, stumps and most buried debris. A reverse rotation tiller will hook under these obstructions and can be damaged.

Tilling and mowing for the public can be expensive for you if there is buried debris or booby traps.

 

[sweettractors]

I am looking at rotary tillers for the back of my BX25D (17.7 PTO HP). I am trying to keep it around/under $1,500, but will go up slightly to accommodate shipping/driving. This will be used commercially, for my part-time business.

The two leaders I have thus far are both used, clean looking (in picture) models:

JD 647 48"
I believe it has six tines per flange, with six flanges, but hard to tell, in the picture.
Weight of unit is 298 lbs.
Digs down to 7"
They are advertising it as reverse rotation, but I don't see that anywhere else.


Land Pride RTR1550 50"
Four tines per flange, six flanges.
Weight of unit is 455 lbs.
Digs down to around 7" (guessing based on similar models)
Reverse rotation.

Both have C-shaped tines. The JD is advertised as "commercial grade", but the LP is their highest model made in the size I can use (with the RTR05 and RTR12 series being lower models still with reverse rotation). I would imagine the extra weight of the LP would be a plus, but should be less important with reverse rotation versus forward rotation. The LP is made in KS, which is cool, no idea who or where the JD is made. The extra 2" of cutting width on the LP is nice, but probably not big enough to make a real difference.

Any thoughts? Do I really want reverse rotation? What new models should I look at, in this price range? I have done internet shopping, but really don't know what I'm looking for. I doubt I'll find a better deal on a new reverse rotation tiller, than I've found on these (if the JD is reverse), since they are relatively close to me. I see six tines per flange is getting to be standard, would four in reverse be about the same as six spinning forward, given the speed is the same?

We can get you fixed up with with a new Tarter 4 ft tiller that comes forward rotations and can be reversed. Ken Sweet
New Forward or Reverse Rotation Geardrive Tarter 4 FT Roto Tiller, WE SHIP CHEAP | eBay

 

[Deere Dude]

We can get you fixed up with with a new Tarter 4 ft tiller that comes forward rotations and can be reversed. Ken Sweet
New Forward or Reverse Rotation Geardrive Tarter 4 FT Roto Tiller, WE SHIP CHEAP | eBay

Will the OP have the horsepower at 17.5? Curious.

 

[bilrus61]

Forward takes less HP due to the fact its pushing the tractor along. I like forward as it is better to till in cover crops. Chops down on the weed instead of digging it up, tossing it over the back and replanting it. If you go to Iowa farm equipment.com you see they hate the reverse tillers. I think for a one time till reverse does leave it looking better at first. IMHO reverse till is sorta a fad. I've also not found any performance advantage between chain vs. gear drive. Both work great and last forever if you keep them maintained.

I currently run a Kuhn EL 62 -210 behind my Kubota L5040 GST. It is all that tractor wants. Tills down to about 10 inches when measured while the soil is fluffy. Tillers all seem to work fine. Just look for a deal........... Now mowers is where you seem to run into some issues with brands/types!

 

[jenkinsph]

These aren't reversible, they are fixed reverse rotation, versus only doing forward rotation. I have no idea what's accurate, just taking it from the spec sheets.

I have a 673 tiller and have used it for seven years now with good results. I would suggest that the 647 tiller would be a good match for you. If you can get one for $1500 or less in good condition I would go for it. All the pastures and jobs I have posted have been tilled with the 673 and that adds up to quite a few acres of hard packed soil.

 

[sweettractors]

Will the OP have the horsepower at 17.5? Curious.

Yes, I run one with no issues on my JD 855 with 19 PTO hp and in most situations, I think I could even go up a size. Ken Sweet

 

[nikerret]

Ken, I'm a little confused. The Tarter you linked, from ebay, shows 558 lbs for the 4', but on the Tarter website, they list the 4' at 591 lbs. Is it the same model? Also, where does this Tarter fit compared to the Tractor Supply CountyLine? The TSC model is listed as MFR part number "RT4", same as the model on the Tarter website. TSC shows the weight at 591 lbs, just like the Tarter website.

Therefore, it appears the Tarter website and TSC CountyLine units are the same, but yours is different, in weight. However, the Tarter website and yours says the rotation is up to the user, but the CountyLine doesn't advertise a choice.

To further complicate things, I've read that King Kutter and Behlen have both manufactured the CountyLine units, at one time, or another. The manager at the local TSC said they were made by Behlen.

I see your part number is RTGE vs the RT4, from the website and TSC. What makes yours different? I see some structural differences, in the pictures, of the area protecting the gearbox, but that may or may not be a picture of the most recent iteration. The RTGE is not listed in the applicable part numbers in the link on the Tarter website.

Can you clear some of this up? Also, where is the PTO shaft and gearbox made, on the model you are selling?

Applicable links:
Rotary Tiller - Tarter Farm & Ranch
Sweet Farm Equipment - New & Used Farming Tools & Equipment | Tractor Equipment, Implements
file:///C:/Users/Law%20Dog/Downloads/Tarter-Rotary-Tiller-Manual-REVERSING-Smooth-Top-HR.pdf
CountyLine Rotary Tiller, 4 ft. - For Life Out Here