Neophyte
Platinum Member
I'm about to pull the trigger on a used rotary tiller and I wanted your opinions on this model.
It's a HOWARD Rotovator HR7-50.
HOWARD HR 7 Series
I guess this is their lightest duty unit but it did not seem that light duty to me as compared to some others I have seen.
It's about 4 years old. It was being used behind a 24 HP tractor with 18 PTO HP. There is some rust on the unit but it seems to have been used lightly as the original tines still look OK. I don't think I will need to replace the tines any time soon. I will use it this season as is but I will probably paint it this winter (possibly JD Green). The gear oil looked OK but I will probably replace it prior to use.
What should I be aware of before purchasing this unit? Is there anything I need to check?
There doesn't appear to be an external chain adjustment. Is there an internal chain tensioner on this unit? Should I remove the chain cover and check it prior to use?
It has a slip clutch on it so I will need to make sure this is working properly prior to using it.
It was originally purchased from a local dealer who now sells Maschio. I had recently talked to a different dealer that made the same move from Howard to Maschio. He said he was very dissapointed that they had to make the move since he fealt that Howard was such a solid line. However, he said the prices began to skyrocket on the Howard units when they were bought by a Danish (or Canadian) company??? For what it's worth, he said he preferred the Howard to the Mascho.
The one thing I like about the Maschio, and others, is their offset mechanism seems to be much easier to use. It also maintains a straight driveline to the tiller regardless of the offset and allows for an iMatch (quick hitch). The Howard tiller is more difficult to offset, is limited to 5" according to their literature and has a skewed driveline while offset. I'm going to try to match it up to my iMatch but I'm not sure if I will have much luck with this in an offset configuration.
I was also worried that a 5" offset will not be enough to cover my tire track. I took some measurements and it seems it may cover it with only an inch to spare.
I will be using it to restore 2 to 4 acres of field back into lawn. I will be disc harrowing the field prior to using the tiller to make the tilling easier. After this is done, I will only be using it for a small garden and possibly a very small corn field.
It's a HOWARD Rotovator HR7-50.
HOWARD HR 7 Series
I guess this is their lightest duty unit but it did not seem that light duty to me as compared to some others I have seen.
It's about 4 years old. It was being used behind a 24 HP tractor with 18 PTO HP. There is some rust on the unit but it seems to have been used lightly as the original tines still look OK. I don't think I will need to replace the tines any time soon. I will use it this season as is but I will probably paint it this winter (possibly JD Green). The gear oil looked OK but I will probably replace it prior to use.
What should I be aware of before purchasing this unit? Is there anything I need to check?
There doesn't appear to be an external chain adjustment. Is there an internal chain tensioner on this unit? Should I remove the chain cover and check it prior to use?
It has a slip clutch on it so I will need to make sure this is working properly prior to using it.
It was originally purchased from a local dealer who now sells Maschio. I had recently talked to a different dealer that made the same move from Howard to Maschio. He said he was very dissapointed that they had to make the move since he fealt that Howard was such a solid line. However, he said the prices began to skyrocket on the Howard units when they were bought by a Danish (or Canadian) company??? For what it's worth, he said he preferred the Howard to the Mascho.
The one thing I like about the Maschio, and others, is their offset mechanism seems to be much easier to use. It also maintains a straight driveline to the tiller regardless of the offset and allows for an iMatch (quick hitch). The Howard tiller is more difficult to offset, is limited to 5" according to their literature and has a skewed driveline while offset. I'm going to try to match it up to my iMatch but I'm not sure if I will have much luck with this in an offset configuration.
I was also worried that a 5" offset will not be enough to cover my tire track. I took some measurements and it seems it may cover it with only an inch to spare.
I will be using it to restore 2 to 4 acres of field back into lawn. I will be disc harrowing the field prior to using the tiller to make the tilling easier. After this is done, I will only be using it for a small garden and possibly a very small corn field.
Last edited: