Tiller Tiller. Walk behind vs 3ph

[Don87]

Thanks guys. Speed is not really an issue for me. I can till down to 6-8" with my Honda in one pass. If I was to sell the Honda and buy a 3ph tiller I'd likely be in the hole around $1000. If the difference in quality was only marginal it would not be worth it. I do plan on buying a Fred Cain subsoiler. From my Internet research I hear that is about the best one.
Weiss, I can't find anything for them on google.

The difference in quality is more than marginal.(IMHO)

A King Kutter tiller, which is gear drive, will last you a lifetime.

Benefits are:

1). you now only have one engine to maintain, instead of two.

2). several hours with a walk-behind, about 30 minutes with a 60" 3ph tiller(allows more time for other projects).

3). less fuel usage, overall

4). less neck, back, arm and leg strain(if your young it isn't so bad.......things catch up to ya later in life though).


To each his own though.

For me, and my 3,500 sq.ft. garden, the 3pt. tiller was the way to go. I'm a truck driver and have one full day at home per week.

I also mulched the heck out of my garden to cut down on weeding time. This fall I planted a cover crop of rye that I will be using as a mulch next year.

 

[Baby Grand]

That walk behind could be useful after you have planted, to till between the rows. I have a 60" KKII - one of the best investments I ever made. Only problem is after stuff starts growing the battle with the weeds begins. Sometimes I need to work up a little area and the KK is just too big with the tractor attached to it, compacting the soil. You really can't sneak it into the middle of the garden without making a big job out of the resulting tire tracks. I can see how you might be wanting both of those tillers.

 

[jshwhite]

I've got a 5 ft King Kutter 3pt tiller. Absolutely no comparison to a walk behind (other than maneuverability if you're trying to till between rows). They don't bounce around and are a lot nicer to run than a walk behind. It will till up anything - mulch, cover crops, old plants, hard soil. I've even had 3/8" steel rebar coiled in the tines and never even knew I hit anything. They are great tillers in my opinion.

 

[bigtiller]

The garden I use the tiller is only 5000 sq'. Couple hours to do a good job with the Honda.

I Googled your tiller and found out it is a 20 inch wide model. That is a good sized tiller that would work good between the rows after the first tilling in the spring with a 3 point tiller behind your tractor.

5000 square feet is about 70 foot square. That size of garden will take about 45 minutes in the black dirt of Iowa with a 4 foot tiller. I am guessing you have some sand in your garden spot?

 

[Don87]

I've got a 5 ft King Kutter 3pt tiller. Absolutely no comparison to a walk behind (other than maneuverability if you're trying to till between rows). They don't bounce around and are a lot nicer to run than a walk behind. It will till up anything - mulch, cover crops, old plants, hard soil. I've even had 3/8" steel rebar coiled in the tines and never even knew I hit anything. They are great tillers in my opinion.

I did the same with my Bush Hog.

Totally amazed me. Used the FEL to knock the corn stalks down, mowing with the MMM at the same time. Threw the tiller on and after 2 passes absolutely everything was chopped up and buried.......corn, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, tomato, pepper....vines and all.........totally gone

 

[pickeringchris]

Once again guys, thanks. I am great-full for the advise.

Just out of curiosity, what sized machine are you guys using to pull the tillers? I looked on the KK site and they have HP ranges for each tiller. Most of which are beyond my Ck27. I am not sure if their "suggested" requirements are tractor or pto hp.

Yes BigTiller. I do have sand. I added 25 tons 2 years ago.
I am curious why you asked??

C

 

[jshwhite]

I've got a 37hp Kubota. Not sure what is recommended though.

 

[bigtiller]

Once again guys, thanks. I am great-full for the advise.

Just out of curiosity, what sized machine are you guys using to pull the tillers? I looked on the KK site and they have HP ranges for each tiller. Most of which are beyond my Ck27. I am not sure if their "suggested" requirements are tractor or pto hp.

Yes BigTiller. I do have sand. I added 25 tons 2 years ago.
I am curious why you asked??

C

Because you can do it in 2 hours with a 20 inch tiller. That size garden would be a several hour job in my neighborhood for the first tilling of the spring when the soil is packed down from the winter.

 

[Gregster613]

The horsepower question is one that has puzzled me also; and it doesn't just pertain to tillers either, look at chippers, etc., etc. Seems like most PTO powered implements come with a suggested/recommended HP. But...It's never exactly specified as to whether they mean "engine" or "PTO". I wonder if that's just a manufacture ploy to get you to call and inquire?
Like the OP states, I'd like to know just what PTO power is required to operate (effectively) any implement offered for sale.
Greg

 

[Combustix]

Picked up a 48" Ortolan off craigs list last summer for 300 had to retine it though and pull it with a B2710. I do like how it runs. Can do some good swaths in no time. Will be getting several areas ready this spring to convert to good pasture