Tiller Cheap grey market tillers?

[davesisk]

Hey folks:

What do you think of the Yanmar, Mitsubishi, or other tillers off grey market tractors? Here's one on Ebay, for instance:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=66889&item=7526161210&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

There's quite a few for $200 - 300. I've seen comments on here that say they surprisingly rugged, plus other comments that said considerable repair and/or modification was necessary to make it work. Several of these are 2-point (which is why they are so cheap)...doesn't look like it would be all that difficult to convert to 3-point. Some of the others are 3-point already, but not sure if it's true Cat 1.

What else would I be missing with one of these? Do most have standard 540rpm/6-spline input shaft? Do the 3pt hitch models fit a domestic cat 1 3PH correctly?

I'd imagine I'd have to buy a PTO shaft...around $100 or so, right? I doubt any of these would have a slip clutch (which I'd need...lots of rocks and roots here). How much does a slip clutch cost and where's the best place to find one?

I seem to need a tiller an average of twice per year for flower beds and such (maybe a small garden next year), so I don't want to spend big bucks on one. But, I don't want one that breaks every time I use it either. (I'm handy enough to fix basic stuff, weld broken metal, etc., but I don't want the aggravation of a true POS.) None of these are local, so I'd have to buy sight unseen. So, the choice for me is to find a decent one for a few hundred bucks or don't buy one....$1000 or more for a new one is out of the question.

I'd really appreciate any advice you folks may have, so please post!

Regards,
Dave

 

[Slamfire]

You are perfectly welcome to come view the parts of the 2 point hitch model that accompanied my tractor. The shaft broke at the gear box when tilling plowed ground. Since then I've learned not to till. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[California]

I have the same questions and a couple more:

How important is it to get the rear guide wheels?

Are they equivalent to a US tiller, or are they specialized for soft rice paddies?

 

[Inspector507]

Dave,
I bought one when I picked up my Yanmar tractor. I have since sold the tractor but still have the tiller. It works great behind my NH TC18. Standard PTO, cat. 1 hookup, not sure of the pin spacing measurements. I see them priced at $100+/foot usually. The Yanmar used a special top link with the YM1700, but I currently use a standard top link with the TC18. A slip clutch can be added but that will make the PTO shaft even shorter. As it is, the shaft is very short now. The guide wheels...? Some members here say it works better without, I have left mine on, personal preference I guess.
These tillers seem to have a different design/shape to the tines than the ones I see for sale locally. They may be specific for rice farming. I have had no trouble making powder out of my clay soil when dry.

 

[daveman]

I've looked myself at a lot of these tillers on Ebay. Especially since one of the sellers is right here in Strongsville Ohio. Not sure about the quality of the units though. They usually look a little beatup. I did ask if I could swing down and look them over. They stated no problem. I just haven't got there yet! Most seem to be missing the PTO shafts. Or they only have half the shaft. Many are missing the (I'm guessing this is what they are!) floater wheels but I don't know if they are really necessary. Now according to my wife I spend way to much time on Ebay anyhow. But my normal practice, especially if it's over $50, Is to look over the feedback of the person I'm buying from. Never buy anything (Myself anyways) from a person with questionable feedback. And you can even contact ones who left feedback for a reference if they left only a short note on why and how's. I know the $1,200 for a tiller is rough. But I'm saving up for a new one. Either from TSC, FarmTrac (That's where the tractor is from), or JD (The other tractor is from there!). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bjr]

I had a 60" grey tiller gave to me. The tines had been taken off. Tines are inserted into a rectangle box and held in place with one bolt. The newer tillers such as Kingkutters have the tines bolted with two bolts to a flange ring, a much better attaching method.

Tines are the major expense. I tried to make some for the orignial style,used t-1 steel and the tines still bent and shear the mounting bolt and then fell off. Then gave up on that and made a whole new shaft tube with later model flange mounting and put KK tines on it. Also extended the 3pt mounts out 10" added a new slip clutch, which I got from Agri-Supply $60, painted and now I'm ready to go. All this cost $450 and took about two months of evenings to do. After you read this, then make a decision as to whether you have the time and money to put into a grey tiller. bjr

 

[Glenn1]

I purchased a tiller with my Yanmar 1700 a few years ago. I now us the tiller behind a 7500 Kubota. I kept the special center link from the Yanmar, although I would like to modify for a standard link. I kept the rear wheel and use the tracks to plant my garden, the spacing works well. The rear wheels also make it easy to move around and helps when installing on the tractor. Best $300 I have spent.

 

[have_blue]

I bet tillers are the most abused implement on the ranch. They are not for breaking new ground, grinding rocks, shredding roots, tilling the entire back 40, or fluffing up hard undisturbed clay. They are for finishing up roughly plowed ground or annual re-working of an existing garden patch. I'm sure some tillers will take abuse better than others, but I bet even the cheapies and grey market tillers will hold up good... if used as intended.

 

[L3010Ken]

Agree with have blue - if you use the gray market tiller shown for finish tilling, no problem. I on the other hand have used my tiller for breaking up clay, rocks and roots that closely approximate concrete or asphalt. I have smoked the slip clutch a few times but generally, the tiller has held up extremely well - more than once it has jumped in the air and kicked out a basket ball sized rock.

It weighs about 600 lbs and is 60 inches wide . . . and it was more than the $89 bid on ebay now for the gray market unit, but worth every penny!

 

[BrettW]

I've got a Yanmar tiller, 1401 model, and it is great. I looked at the ebay tiller and I'd sure look at the grey market dealers lots before jumping on it. Too many tines missing, I counted 9 missing I think. Go to the Yanmar or grey tractor forum and contact the dealers. They'll tell you everything and they are pretty respected over all.
good luck.
I'd get another grey, but from a dealer that could get me set up and it would have all the tines on it. bw