Sizing PTO tiller for tractor

[MNBobcat]

Hi Guys,

I have a JD 3020 diesel which is about a 70hp tractor. First tractor and while I'm trying to learn I don't know much about implements.

Tractor Supply has a 60" PTO tiller that says its rated for:

Hitch Category : 1
Power Rating : 25-40 HP

If I put one of these behind a 70hp tractor am I running the risk of tearing up the tiller? I wasn't sure if the power rating was to make sure you have enough tractor to run it or if its because a too powerful tractor might destroy it and if I would need to buy a heavier duty tiller?

Thanks!

 

[sweettractors]

I owned a 3020 for the farm for many years. They are good tractors. If the tire track width was set like mine, you need a 84" to cut out your tracks. Otherwise you are just going to be compacting soil with that much weight and a 5 ft tiller. Ken Sweet

 

[gkh7890]

If you can afford it, I'd go w/ what Ken said....get one that will cover your tracks. Specs show that model @ 89" wide....you'll need at least the 84" wide tiller. I don't think you'll like the 60"unit??

As for too much HP, you don't have to use all your RPMs to use the tiller. Just looked up your model on Tractordata.com and the rated PTO HP is b/w 59hp & 66hp b/w the gas, diesel, & LP engines. I would just throttle back and enjoy!! Good luck

 

[Verticaltrx]

If you can afford it, I'd go w/ what Ken said....get one that will cover your tracks. Specs show that model @ 89" wide....you'll need at least the 84" wide tiller. I don't think you'll like the 60"unit??

As for too much HP, you don't have to use all your RPMs to use the tiller. Just looked up your model on Tractordata.com and the rated PTO HP is b/w 59hp & 66hp b/w the gas, diesel, & LP engines. I would just throttle back and enjoy!! Good luck

The hp changed throughout the years, starting at 55 PTO hp with the 3010 moving up to 70 PTO hp with the last years of the 3020. Regardless even at idle a 3020 would tear up any tiller TSC sells.

As stated before, I would be looking for something in the 7-8' range. Most tillers when you get that big will be made for larger tractors and can handle that amount of power. Muratori and Sitrex both make tillers this size, probably some other brands out there as well, but those are the two that come to mind.

 

[sweettractors]

Once you go past 72 inches, tillers get pretty pricey pretty fast. I do have the Phoenix and First Choice bigger tillers. Your cheapest way out would be to get a 3 bottom plow and a disc for the 3020. Ken Sweet

 

[jenkinsph]

For a 3020 diesel I would consider the Frontier RT1280 or RT1380 models. There are other makes and models that would be good too but the ones I mentioned would be an example of an appropriate size.

 

[boomer1025]

Hi Guys,

I have a JD 3020 diesel which is about a 70hp tractor. First tractor and while I'm trying to learn I don't know much about implements.

Tractor Supply has a 60" PTO tiller that says its rated for:

Hitch Category : 1
Power Rating : 25-40 HP

If I put one of these behind a 70hp tractor am I running the risk of tearing up the tiller? I wasn't sure if the power rating was to make sure you have enough tractor to run it or if its because a too powerful tractor might destroy it and if I would need to buy a heavier duty tiller?

Thanks!

Is,n't your tractor a Category 2 ?
The gear box on the tiller is way to light for the hp of the tractor, but it would work. If you get it I would make sure the slip clutch is setup for the hp of the gear box & not the hp of the tractor. If you can afford it I'd get a heavy duty tiller that would match your tractors hp. Less chance of damaging the gear box and pto shaft if something got jammed in the tines.
To answer the question about the tiller power rating: 25 is the minimum and 40 is the maximum pto hp recommended by the manufacturer needed to run the tiller.

 

[boggen]

you might get away with a smaller size tiller. but make sure you can off set everything, so the tiller covers at least one tire track. what i mean by off set, is that you are able to move the brackets on the tiller to one side. so the tines on the tiller itself are no longer centered behind tractor but cover one tire tract.

HP ratings. as what others said, get a PTO slip clutch (fits between the tractor and shaft that goes to the tiller.) that is rated for max or less HP of what the tiller is rated for, vs in your case your tractor HP.

===========
pretty big tractor for a tiller though. i can understand just wanting to say till up a smaller garden. but you might find a Plow, disc, harrow. be better for bigger areas.

hit Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements. and/or YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. and do searchs for videos. (assuming you have high speed internet)

and keep asking quesitons here on TBN.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I've been using a 72" King Kutter on my M7040. I must say, its a pretty tough tiller.

 

[MNBobcat]

Thanks guys, that helps. I've heard mention of category 1, category 2, etc but being new to tractors didn't know what it meant. I did some searching and found this, "The John Deere 3020 tractor has a category 2 three point hitch and its pto tested at 71 hp".

I also found an explanation of what those categories mean. So it sounds like I'll need to find a category 2 tiller and will need to measure my wheel base with the wheels set at their narrowest. I've been wanting to narrow up the wheels anyway because its easier getting in and out of the woods when I'm cutting firewood.

I have a 15 foot batwing mower and I'm finish mowing about 10 acres which I fly off of. I needed the HP to run that big mower.

I decided on going with a tiller because I could do what I need with just one implement versus plowing, discing, etc. I guess it may come down to total cost of investment. 3 to 4 bottom plows seem to start at about $500 for anything used that's decent. We are all sand here. Soil should be easy to work. I'm planning on bringing in a bunch of horse manure (easy to get and free) and tilling it in and adding lime and fertilizer. This is for 2 - 3 acres where I'll be putting in a garden and planting fruit trees.

 

[boggen]

I've been wanting to narrow up the wheels anyway because its easier getting in and out of the woods when I'm cutting firewood.

your statement caught me off guard, most folks tend to want a larger width for tires. due to less chance of rolling over. granted it maybe a couple inches but....

 

[allen in texas]

I ran a 6 foot KK tiller with a 25 PTO HP tractor for 4 years and never felt like I needed more power with the tiller.
I traded to a 50 PTO HP tractor and I still use the same 6 foot tiller.
The tiller is wide enough to cover my tracks on my tractor.

You have 70 PTO HP and a 60 inch tiller is just going to be a plaything to that tractor. I ain't worried about you tearing it up. the slip clutch, set properly will take care of that. I just think the tiller is simply too small for the tractor.
As far as Cat 2 vs Cat 1, you can get bushings to size the pins correctly if you wanted to go that route.
If it were me, I'd go with the new 7 foot KK tiller and never look back.

My $.03
(adjusted for inflation)

ps, setting the tires narrower is contrary to what most folks do but if it suits your purposes...

 

[MNBobcat]

The 72" is about $2,200.00 plus tax. It says that:

1) Connects easily to any straddle hitch with category 1 or 2 specifications
2) For use with 50-65 HP tractors

Definitely sounds like a much better fit for my tractor.

I found a used 72" KK for $1,350. The guy says its 7 - 8 years old and he is the 2nd owner on it. I haven't decided if I'd trust buying used and one that old.

 

[allen in texas]

Just FYI
here's a 7 footer

NEW King Kutter TG84 Tiller w/ Slip Clutch! - 7' | eBay

CAT 1 and 2, quick hitch compatible

 

[luckyme2010]

i have a 55 hp mahindra 45 at pto i have the 7' tiller listed above bought it from rosseels shipping to alabama was 275 i think great tiller works great with my tractor i tilled up 5 acres plus several smaller garden plots for the older guys around the area up there cant say anything bad about the dealer i bought from or the equipment they both got the job done

 

[dirt ditch]

Kuhn makes PTO tillers for tractors from a Minimum of 10 hp up to a maximum of 270 hp. The EL 82 series looks right for your tractor.

KUHN North America.com - Power Tillers