BCS or Gravely?

[lennyzx11]

I’m about to purchase a tiller but kinda wanting to get an older two wheel tractor instead to use for tilling plus. And playing with of course.

Is there a better one vs the other for the older Gravely or BCS machines? Haven’t had much exposure to them.

 

[CADplans]

I think it depends on the size of your checkbook,,, 90% of the time, a Gravely will end up costing less,,,
at least where I live,,,

so, I own Gravely,,,

 

[snymat68]

I’m about to purchase a tiller but kinda wanting to get an older two wheel tractor instead to use for tilling plus. And playing with of course.

Is there a better one vs the other for the older Gravely or BCS machines? Haven’t had much exposure to them.

<--- See Image

 

[CADplans]

The OP specified a "tiller", so, I may have to modify my answer,,,
To the best of my knowledge,, there is no such thing as a Gravely tiller,,, if you use the definition most tiller manufacturers use,,,

Gravely offered a "cultivator",, it will stir the soil 2-3 inches deep,,,

For more aggressive soil tilling with a Gravely, the only common option is using a rotary plow,,,

So, my answer should be,,
when I "till" my garden,, I use a Troy Bilt,,,

 

[lennyzx11]

I didn’t know that. The start of this question was the fact of a Gravely 566 on my local Craigslist is advertising with a tiller. So it must actually be a cultivator.

Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments
Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[hawkeye08]

I have several Gravelys, both 2 wheel and riders. I used the riders with rear tiller when we had a garden, it really did a nice job. I also used the rotary plow with adapter on the front of the riders and it also did a nice job.. My vote is Gravely.

 

[RalphVa]

If you get an old Gravely bigger than original 8hp, be sure and get one with steering brakes. That picture above with the Gravely attached to rotary plow has steering brakes. That's what that single black bar is in the middle of the handle bars. I had a 5665 12 hp and absolutely could not handle it without steering brakes. Luckily, a local shop had some that someone had removed. With the steering brakes, you can just walk behind it with one hand on that steering brake handle. Without, you're like holding both handle bars and trying to contain a 400 # sumo out in front of you.

BCS is brakes on each handle bar.

Ralph

 

[lennyzx11]

Guys, I didn’t get a Gravely or BCS (yet).
Found this Troybilt Horse with chipper, plow and hiller attachments for 400. It came with the planter also in the picture with assorted seed plates.
Also the manuals, and cradle for tiller and stand for chipper.
Pretty neat ol piece of equipment.
And electric start!

 

[tcreeley]

I've never used a Gravely. 30 some years ago I rented a BCS and did not enjoy tilling with it. The following year I rented a Troybilt horse and it was easier to use than the BCS. I would go with nothing less than 10 hp if possible. Tilling the same ground year after year makes it easier.
I bought a 5' tiller for my tractor - best buy, easiest to use, does great job. As you get older - shift to a tractor when you can.
Mantis was good for patch work here and there - until I messed the 2 cycle engine up by not putting it away for the winter properly and starting it in the spring.

 

[Code54]

I have owned Gravely's, Troy Built and a 853 BCS. There is no comparison, the BCS is a much stronger, and better designed tractor with more versatility. Gravely made some cool machines and attachments and for the price are the best "deal". Troy built is fine for a tiller but are not close to the same league (sorry guys). The newer BCS machine are pretty easy to till with BUT the power Harrow is perfect for gardening and not destroying the soil structure.

 

[jbradley]

I inherited a Troybilt horse in 1976. It had the electric start, which was nice, but its tine speed didn't seem much faster than the wheel rotation. I know that Troybilt increased the tine speed in later models. I have had a BCS 732 and now a 948. They perform significantly better than my Troybilt, and are significantly more versatile (I have several implements in addition to the tiller). Most rental BCS tillers have the fixed axle, and they would definitely be more difficult to use.

 

[goeduck]

I do not have experience with Gravely (never had the opportunity but I wish I did). I do have an older Troybilt Horse and a 722 BCS. I like the Troybilt for brute tilling and the BCS for refined tiling. Neither when late in summer when my little Honda is best. Both the BCS and Troybilt are great machines.

 

[mark02tj]

I didn稚 know that. The start of this question was the fact of a Gravely 566 on my local Craigslist is advertising with a tiller. So it must actually be a cultivator.

Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments
Gravely 566 2 wheel tractor with attachments - farm & garden - by owner - sale

If you're interested in that Gravely, email the guy to get some pictures of the "Tiller with optional vertical row tiller". I wonder if that also includes the rotary plow.

I've never owned a BCS, but I've owned (currently own 3, 2 of which are for sale) Gravely's for the last 35 years. A Gravely will work you to death, but they are durable, capable machines. If you have a need for a walk behind brush hog and the tiller, the Gravely isn't too bad of a deal, although maybe a little high.

I think that the implements on the BCS might change over easier than the Gravely. The Gravely implements are only held on with four bolts, but there's a bit of manhandling involved in lining everything up. The one in the ad doesn't appear to have the stand on the rear of the tractor, so that makes it a little trickier.

 

[plumberroy]

I love my gravelys but the BCS uses a Grillo designed tiller my Grillo is far and away the best tiller I have ever used