Tillers- gear or chain driven
- Thread starter wanasrx
- Start date
Glenn9643
Veteran Member
"Which is better" has been discussed often here, whether you're referring to brand of tiller or gear vs hst tractor.
A quick search will get you all you want to read for a day or so.
I bought a Howse 70" gear driven (that I've been happy with) because the price was right and it seemed to be a better choice compared to other brands available locally. CCM often contributes here and sells geared tillers. Not sure about Sweet's offerings but you might look them over.
If you're just tilling relatively small garden areas and need to get into tight spots for flower beds occasionally, etc a smaller tiller might be better for you. If you're planning to till a large garden and don't have the need for the narrower width the larger tiller will do the job a little faster. Many of the tillers available can be offset to cover one tire track when tilling, so it's not a problem if the tiller isn't as wide as your tractor tires.
A quick search will get you all you want to read for a day or so.
I bought a Howse 70" gear driven (that I've been happy with) because the price was right and it seemed to be a better choice compared to other brands available locally. CCM often contributes here and sells geared tillers. Not sure about Sweet's offerings but you might look them over.
If you're just tilling relatively small garden areas and need to get into tight spots for flower beds occasionally, etc a smaller tiller might be better for you. If you're planning to till a large garden and don't have the need for the narrower width the larger tiller will do the job a little faster. Many of the tillers available can be offset to cover one tire track when tilling, so it's not a problem if the tiller isn't as wide as your tractor tires.
thegreatrandini
Gold Member
The KingKutter II's are gear driven. King Kutter makes both styles. Both are good! Your tractor will run a 6ft but a smaller unit might be more handy unless you are tilling up large open areas!
ducati996
Banned
There is a price difference between the two, and depending on model can be significant....I would say gear has the edge but usually costs more. On the flip side I have yet to hear that somebody's chain broke or that it needed replacement on any name brand tiller. If its for daily commerical use maybe the gear would be the longer lived unit....thats my thought
Duc
Duc
Kiohio
Platinum Member
A 6ft is much too big for this tractor. It does depend some on the brand of tiller but regardless it is too big. Kioti recommends a 56 or possibly a 5' Tiller. Nothing bigger. We run a 65" HD Kioti tiller on a DK35, It handles it but it doesn't take off and run with it.
KO
KO
sweettractors
Advertiser
Most Gear or Chain drive tillers mfgd by reputable companies with large nationwide dealer support networks are fine. We sell both Gear and Chain drive by "First Choice", Wilson, NC and the 56 or 60 inch in Kioti Orange is in stock today with slip clutch and automatic chain tensioner. (I also have a few 48 inch fully offset capable tillers in JD Green) Steer clear of machines that only have 2 or 3 nationwide dealers with support parts in stock--Ken Sweet
Email: sweet@scrtc.com
Phone 270-528-3323-Mon-Fri-8-5-and Sat-8-12 CST
Fax 270-528-3333 Anytime
Website
Email: sweet@scrtc.com
Phone 270-528-3323-Mon-Fri-8-5-and Sat-8-12 CST
Fax 270-528-3333 Anytime
Website
Egon
Epic Contributor
I have a name brand tiller that's painted red. In some locations you will find the same tiller in orange with Kubota decals. Mine also has a slip clutch.
It's chain drive [ H60 chain ] The chain has been broken more than once and replaced at least three times. The last time it was just plain wore out. I have also broken many tines.
The tiller has seen many hours of very rough use on 50 year old sod containing many rocks and many more rocks and even more rocks. The area is finally down to the point the large rocks have been located and removed. Many smaller rocks remain and I am still working at picking them.
I have no experience with a gear drive so cannot make any comment on their durability.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's chain drive [ H60 chain ] The chain has been broken more than once and replaced at least three times. The last time it was just plain wore out. I have also broken many tines.
The tiller has seen many hours of very rough use on 50 year old sod containing many rocks and many more rocks and even more rocks. The area is finally down to the point the large rocks have been located and removed. Many smaller rocks remain and I am still working at picking them.
I have no experience with a gear drive so cannot make any comment on their durability.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
HayDR
Veteran Member, Approved Advertiser
CCM has 2 Great Gear Drive Tiller choices for your 30 HP tractor.
The CR70 has a 45 HP gear driven transmission, 6 tines per flange, adjustable skid shoes, PTO with a Clutch, 640 LBS , 20 HP min.
The MR190 is a Commercial grade tiller with a 70 HP Gear Drive transmission, 800 LBS, 6 tines per flange, PTO with a Clutch, Powder coat paint, adjustable skid shoes, 25 HP min.
There are no chains to break on any CCM tillers. We use an efficient gear drive system that maximizes a tractors torque and HP. Most MFG's sell chain drive tillers in their lighter duty commodity style tillers.
The CR70 has a 45 HP gear driven transmission, 6 tines per flange, adjustable skid shoes, PTO with a Clutch, 640 LBS , 20 HP min.
The MR190 is a Commercial grade tiller with a 70 HP Gear Drive transmission, 800 LBS, 6 tines per flange, PTO with a Clutch, Powder coat paint, adjustable skid shoes, 25 HP min.
There are no chains to break on any CCM tillers. We use an efficient gear drive system that maximizes a tractors torque and HP. Most MFG's sell chain drive tillers in their lighter duty commodity style tillers.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,503
I don't know what 30hp tractor you have, or what the available PTO hp is, but if the PTO hp is roughly 24-25 hp, then I would be looking at 60" tillers, give or take a couple inches. Now that said, I think SOIL CONDITIONS make a HUGE difference in what is the proper sized tiller for the available PTO hp.
If you have light sandy soil, you probably could use a 72" tiller most of the time. You'd probably still have to slow down in heavy spots, but it probably will work.
If you have heavy clay soil, then 60" is about the maximum size I'd be looking at, and perhaps even a bit smaller.
Now I am making a couple assumptions here. First I am assuming you want to run the tiller at full depth on the first pass (that is what they are designed to do, but many people buy bigger tillers than their tractor is designed to run and end up making 2 passes to get to full depth). Second, I'm assuming you know your soil conditions.
I would also point out that some "gear" tractors run pretty fast in 1st gear and are not suitable for tilling, especially if you get a bigger tiller. If your tractor is hst, you can go slow enough.
If you have light sandy soil, you probably could use a 72" tiller most of the time. You'd probably still have to slow down in heavy spots, but it probably will work.
If you have heavy clay soil, then 60" is about the maximum size I'd be looking at, and perhaps even a bit smaller.
Now I am making a couple assumptions here. First I am assuming you want to run the tiller at full depth on the first pass (that is what they are designed to do, but many people buy bigger tillers than their tractor is designed to run and end up making 2 passes to get to full depth). Second, I'm assuming you know your soil conditions.
I would also point out that some "gear" tractors run pretty fast in 1st gear and are not suitable for tilling, especially if you get a bigger tiller. If your tractor is hst, you can go slow enough.