Tiller Tiller question

[Freds]

OK, I've read quite a few posts on tillers here over the last week or so. I've looked around the area at them and also online. I've come to the conclusion that that is one expensive attachment for something that isn't used all that much, but it seems like a needed attachment (aren't they all [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ).

Here's my situation:
As I posted under rural living, I want to plant some corn this year. Knowing me this could start out as a small patch, but turn into a larger one with possibly some other, easy to grow items for myself, family and friends.
I would also like to level out my back field one section at a time from the old corn field that used to be here. At this list's suggestion and from what I've read I purchased a box blade last year to do this, but I definitely don't have a handle on using it to level out a field. Not one with a layer of closely brush hogged growth on it anyway. I'm thinking a tiller would be just the item I need to turn up the ground and I could borrow the neighbors spring tooth harrow or use my landscape rake or BB to level it off after it's tilled. Does that make sense?

I've checked into plows and discs and can't locate anything used and the first auction in the area isn't until the end of April, but that's still in plenty of time before planting here. To buy these items new.... well, I might as well go with the tiller due to the finished product and less amount of passes. Unfortunately I can't find anyone that rents 3ph tillers around me either, so it looks like new is my only option.

Anyway, a dealer down the road has a brand called Del Morino. I'm not sure if they have a website, yet. I can get a 60", 21" offset, chain drive, 4-L blades per flg, 454 lb tiller for $1,700 out the door. That's a lot of money for something I may not use all that often, or after a couple years maybe not at all except for my little hobby garden.

Can someone on the list please tell me to go ahead and buy it? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I'm sure I need one. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Any thoughts or anyone in the same boat?

[Holzster]

I bet Mark from CC Machinery can beet that price - http://www.ccmachinery.com

And - I just bought a 60" tiller - I love it - Iused it for leveling already, and to get rid of some large ruts I HAD!!

[Freds]

Thanks for the reply.
Did the tiller do the job by itself when you levelled, or did you need to drag something else to finish off the surface?

I like the looks of some of the products I've seen online linked from this site, but just to purchase one implement I figured the shipping would kill me. I didn't really check into it, so I don't know for sure. Don't you need access to a loading dock too? I can't remember the requirements for shipping I read on one of the sites...

[thegreatrandini]

there is a used yanmar tiller in pa listed as a cultivator on EBAY....... I have a 6ft king kutter..... I like it......

[Freds]

I definitely looked into KK, even went as far as to email the co. and they emailed me back. That's a first! The 6' requires more hp than I have and the 5' doesn't offset. I'm 73" outside to outside rear tires.

I only know how to fix what I've learned how to fix. In other words I'm not naturally mechanically inclined [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]. There's a consignment auction coming up at the end of the month and I'm thinkiing about it, but buying anything used... I wouldn't have any idea how to tell if it's junk or not unless I saw visibly broken parts.

[thegreatrandini]

My tiller is too big for my tractor but it works just fine.. In new ground I go shallow first pass..... Your tractor is bigger than mine.........I love the auctions and it is a good thing they don't take VISA around here........ [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[CFHartman]

Freds I just bought one two weeks back. I found it in the farm equipment classified adds under a google search. I got a real good buy on it (I Think). Two local dealers that sell land pride in my area said I should grab it. The tiller looks new. Was used one hr. so I was told.
The point I'm getting at is check out the farming papers and the papers they sell in Sheets every week with things for sale. You could end up saveing a bundle.
Charlie

[DirtHauler]

Freds: Check out Agri-Supply's web site, catalog page #26. They have a Caroni 67" chain drive w/ 6 tines per flange for $1,489.95. all will off set to the right.

[Freds]

I was able to find Agri-Supply's website, but not any tillers or way to get to a certain page. I did find a link to Caroni's website and checked out their tillers there.
I think my next step is to find out what shipping charges would be. If it's only going to save me a hundred bucks or so and I have to assemble and fill with gear oil it doesn't seem worth it not to buy local.

I'm also going to go see if I can find a farming paper this morning. We don't have a Sheets and I've never seen one of these where I get gas. What the local dealers have told me is that once you get a tiller, you keep it. That's why they never get any on trade, but I may get lucky.

Man, it is sleeting and blowing here like you wouldn't believe [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Sure puts thinking about tilling the ground on standby.

[MadReferee]

Freds,

Go HERE and click on the catalog on the left side of the screen. Then click on the thumbnail that represents page 26.